Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 Review: The Only Foldable Worth Buying
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 8 is deemed the only foldable smartphone currently worth purchasing.
- The external Flex Window display has been significantly upgraded to run multiple apps.
- Usability features like one-handed opening and a stable 90-degree fold are improved.
- Camera and battery performance are similar to the previous generation.
- The device is competitively priced, offering value in the foldable category.
Samsung's new Galaxy Z Flip 8 foldable smartphone has been reviewed, with the device deemed the only foldable currently on the market that justifies its purchase. While the foldable market is still proving itself, Samsung has refined its formula over several generations.
The main innovation lies in the significantly improved external Flex Window display, which has grown to 4.1 inches. This external screen can now run approximately 16 full applications, a substantial upgrade from its previous limited functionality as a notification panel. Both the main 6.9-inch screen and the external display offer impressive peak brightness of 2,600 nits, though a crease remains visible in the center of the main screen.
Samsung has also focused on usability, balancing the device for smaller hands and improving the hinge mechanism to allow for easier one-handed opening. The ability to prop the phone open at a 90-degree angle is highlighted as a convenient feature for video calls and watching content. The Z Flip 8 is also lighter at 180 grams and slightly thinner when closed at 13.1 mm compared to its predecessor.
The camera system remains largely unchanged from the previous year, featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP selfie camera. While lacking a telephoto lens, the existing setup is functional, though users prioritizing photography might prefer Samsung's Galaxy S series. A notable camera advantage is the ability to use the main sensors for selfies by folding the phone and using the external screen as a viewfinder, along with a dual-recording feature.
Performance is powered by the advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, handling demanding tasks smoothly, though the device may heat up during intensive use. The 4,300 mAh battery capacity is the same as the previous generation, offering about a day of use for average users. Wired charging at 25W can reach 50% in 30 minutes.
Pricing for the Z Flip 8 starts at approximately 4,000 shekels and goes up to 4,750 shekels, making it competitively priced against other foldables and comparable to regular flagship phones, offering added value for the foldable form factor. The article also briefly mentions Apple's upcoming iPhone Duo as a significant competitor.