Samsung has positioned this device as the world’s lightest flip device

Samsung altered the script at this year’s Galaxy Unpacked, a twist that the rumour mills got right. For the last few years, Samsung has typically launched two foldable smartphones at its annual Q3 flagship launch event. This time, the brand launched three devices, including a new format foldable (the Z Fold 8). While a lot of the attention has been hogged by the Z Fold 8 and the Z Fold 8 Ultra, the brand’s flagship flip device— the Z Flip 8— seems to have been overshadowed by comparisons between the Fold devices.

Samsung’s first Flip device debuted in 2020, a year after the brand first unveiled the Z Fold. We’ve seen other brands join the clamshell form factor bandwagon, including Motorola, which remains one of the key rivals for the Z Flip with its Razr Ultra series in India and other global markets. However, consumer data suggests that the flip foldable might be losing market share to the pricier book-type foldable. The arrival of the Z Fold 8 and the upcoming iPhone foldable suggest that consumers are about to embrace a new passport-style foldable that seems more convenient for content consumption. The Z Flip 8 arrives at this crucial juncture when the future of flip-type foldables has become a topic of discussion for tech geeks and industry experts.

After a few weeks with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, I can safely say that it’s the best flip show in town. But is this is form factor here to stay? More importantly is this a smartphone that you should be interested in. The question assumes extra significance, given the ₹15,000 price hike over the launch price of its predecessor (the Z Flip 7). which launched at ₹1,09,999 (onwards) in 2025.

Design

If you’re a fan of pocketable, lightweight smartphones, it’s easy to fall for the Z Flip 8. I’ve always enjoyed using flip phones that don’t feel clunky in my hand. Samsung has shaved off an additional 8 g over the Z Flip 7 (the Z Flip weighs just 180 g), and the device is also 0.6 mm thinner when it’s folded. You may not notice these marginal improvements if you’re stepping up from a Z Flip 7, given that the device already feels good in your hand. Just like other flip smartphones, this device needs extra care, especially with dust particles. The Z Flip 8 comes with IP48 protection; it’s probably not the best gadget for an afternoon at the beach.

The device features the same ‘armour aluminium’ frame as its Z Fold 8 siblings, lending it a premium vibe and durability. Samsung shipped us the pink colourway; the device also comes in three other colour options, including a cool shade of mint that is an online exclusive. Samsung has positioned this device as the world’s lightest flip device. It slips effortlessly into the smallest pockets and also opens and closes with minimal effort. This is one of the actions that has got better as the Z Flip series has evolved over the years.

Display

It’s the display that sets the tone for the unique user experience that flip phones deliver. Over the years, I’ve found that the cover display has reduced my overall screen time compared to periods when my primary device was a conventional candy bar smartphone. The cover display allows you to catch up on alerts and notifications. The display is one of the significant upgrades thanks to Samsung’s One UI 9, which adds more functionality with the handy Now Brief and offers access to more features. It also lends this device a clear edge in terms of functionality over its rivals.

The display specs haven’t been altered much over last year’s Z Flip 7. You get a 4.1-inch Super AMOLED cover display (948 x 1,048 pixels) that peaks at 2,600 nits and a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display (2,520 x 1,080 pixels) that also hits the same peak brightness. The colours are vibrant, I watched Balan: The Boy on Z5 and the display brought the varied landscapes of Kerala to life.

Camera

The camera hardware remains almost unchanged from last year. The rear camera combines a 50MP primary lens (f/1.8 aperture) with a 12MP ultra-wide camera. I would prefer to have a zoom lens over an ultra-wide camera, but that might be down to personal preferences. If camera performance is critical and you still want a compact form factor, the S26 might be a better option, featuring a 10MP telephoto camera that offers a 3X optical zoom. The Z Flip 8 did a good job in my tests across lighting scenarios and Samsung has done an excellent job on lowlight processing. One of the key differentiators over devices like the S26 is the selfie shooter. The unique form factor allows you to shoot hands free and Samsung’s enhanced FlexCam portraits add a realistic bokeh in portrait mode shots.

Performance

Samsung has opted to  equip the Z Flip 8 with an Exynos 2,600 chipset in India and most European markets, while the North America version is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. The Exynos chipset aced our tests with impressive scores of over 10,800 in our Geekbench (multi-core) benchmark test. The device is available in two storage variants – 12GB/256GB and 12GB/512GB. Multitasking and gaming was a breeze too; this device is plenty fast with a future-proof spec sheet. Samsung’s seven year OS update policy adds to its longevity appeal. Aside from its hardware prowess, the device comes with a whole bunch of AI tools and an intuitive interface that complement its form factor.

The Z Flip 8 benefits from Samsung’s switch to a silicon carbon battery, allowing it to pack a 4,300 mAh battery without adding extra heft. Battery performance is quite solid, it should comfortably last most users a whole day. We wish Samsung had upgraded the charging speeds (like it did on the Z Fold 8 twins). You still get only 25W (wired) and 15W for wireless, which seems behind the curve for 2026. The device takes about 90 minutes to go from 1 to 100 per cent. This is an area where the Moto Razr 60 Ultra has an edge.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z8 Fold might have reset the rules for the foldable game in 2026. One of the key questions that is likely to emerge from this new form factor is: Who is the Flip phone actually for? Is it a user who prefers a pocketable and stylish foldable and snaps a lot of selfies? Is it a user who wants a foldable experience but doesn’t want to pay the astronomical prices for a book-type foldable? Or is it a content creator or solo vlogger who can lean on the folding edge for cool angles and handsfree use? If you’re one of these users, then the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the best flip smartphone you can buy in 2026.

Price: ₹1,24,999 onwards

Pros: Compact form, unique form factor, seven years of Android updates

Cons: No telephoto lens, charging speeds.

Published on September 2, 2026