Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 Hands-on: Bigger Cover

Samsung has officially introduced the Galaxy Z Flip8, bringing a series of refinements to its clamshell foldable lineup. While it doesn’t radically change the formula, the latest Flip focuses on improving everyday usability with a larger 4.1-inch FlexWindow, a bigger 6.9-inch main display, a new Exynos 2600 processor, and a larger 4,300mAh battery.

We had the opportunity to spend some time with the Galaxy Z Flip8 during Samsung’s local preview event. Here’s our first look at the company’s newest foldable.

Why it matters: The Galaxy Z Flip series has become Samsung’s answer for users who want flagship features in a compact form factor. Rather than introducing an entirely new design, the Galaxy Z Flip8 builds upon an already familiar experience by making the cover display more practical while retaining the pocketable form that has made the Flip lineup popular.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 Specifications

• Inner Display: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
• Outer Display: 4.1-inch Super AMOLED
• Processor: Exynos 2600
• Rear Cameras: 50MP Wide, 12MP Ultra-wide
• Front Camera: 10MP
• Memory: 12GB RAM
• Storage: 256GB / 512GB
• Battery: 4,300mAh
• Charging: 45W wired
• Weight: 180g
• Colors: Graphite, Cream, Pink, Mint (Online Exclusive)

At first glance, the Galaxy Z Flip8 looks instantly recognizable as a member of Samsung’s Flip family. However, spending a few minutes with the device reveals numerous refinements that contribute to a more polished overall experience.

The Cream color variant we handled gives the phone a clean and understated appearance. Its matte finish complements the flat aluminum frame well, while also helping reduce fingerprint smudges during use. Samsung continues to keep the design minimal, allowing the hardware to speak for itself.

One of the first things we noticed was how compact the device remains when folded. At just 180 grams, it feels light enough to carry comfortably in a pocket or small bag without sacrificing the premium feel expected from a flagship foldable.

The hinge also continues to inspire confidence. Opening and closing the phone produces a firm yet smooth motion, while the two halves sit neatly together when folded. The gap between both halves is minimal, giving the phone a cleaner profile compared to earlier generations.

Samsung retains the side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button, with the volume rocker positioned directly above it. The USB-C port, speaker grille, microphones, and SIM tray are neatly arranged around the flat frame, maintaining a clean and symmetrical design.

Overall, Samsung hasn’t dramatically changed the Flip’s industrial design, but the subtle refinements make it feel more mature and well put together.

The biggest visual upgrade is immediately apparent before you even unfold the phone. The company showcased a redesigned FlexWindow interface that serves as a dedicated home screen, providing quick access to notifications, quick settings, optimized apps, and recently used applications. The larger display makes these elements feel less cramped and more practical for everyday use.

During our hands-on session, the larger display made it easier to navigate information without opening the phone, while also providing a much larger preview when using the rear cameras for selfies.

Samsung also introduced an upgraded Now Brief experience for the FlexWindow. The feature delivers personalized updates throughout the day, including glanceable information and suggested actions without requiring users to open the phone.

Another addition demonstrated during the presentation was AI-powered voice commands that allow users to perform simple tasks directly from the closed device. Together, these enhancements make the FlexWindow feel more like an extension of the smartphone rather than simply a secondary notification screen.

Once unfolded, the Galaxy Z Flip8 reveals its new 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The display appeared bright and vibrant under the indoor lighting of the event venue, while scrolling and animations felt smooth during our brief time navigating the interface.

The crease remains visible when viewed from certain angles, although it becomes less noticeable during regular use. Like previous Flip devices, it can still be felt when running a finger across the middle of the display, but it didn’t immediately distract from the overall viewing experience.

The slim bezels and centered punch-hole camera also help maximize the available screen space, making the larger display feel even more immersive.

Powering the Galaxy Z Flip8 is Samsung’s new Exynos 2600 processor paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage.

The camera system consists of a 50MP main camera alongside a 12MP ultra-wide camera, while selfies are handled by a 10MP front-facing camera. As with previous Flip models, users can also take advantage of the larger cover display to preview selfies using the primary rear cameras.

Samsung has also increased battery capacity to 4,300mAh while upgrading wired charging to 45W. Whether these improvements translate into noticeably longer battery life and faster charging is something we’ll evaluate once we receive a review unit for extended testing.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8: Early Thoughts

The Galaxy Z Flip8 doesn’t appear to be chasing a dramatic redesign. Instead, Samsung has refined the areas that matter most for day-to-day use.

The larger FlexWindow is easily the standout upgrade, making the folded phone significantly more useful while complementing Samsung’s redesigned interface and new AI features. The slightly larger main display, refined hinge, lightweight construction, and familiar premium build also contribute to a device that feels more polished than its predecessor.

We’ll reserve judgment on the cameras, performance, battery life, and overall user experience until we’ve had the opportunity to spend more time with the Galaxy Z Flip8. Based on our first hands-on, however, Samsung’s latest foldable appears to focus on thoughtful refinements rather than sweeping changes, making it an interesting option for users looking for a compact flagship smartphone.

Pricing and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 is now available for pre-order in the Philippines. It comes in Graphite, Cream, and Pink, while the Mint colorway is available exclusively through Samsung’s online store.

The Galaxy Z Flip8 (BUY HERE) is priced at PHP 77,990 for the 256GB model and PHP 91,990 for the 512GB variant.

We’ll have our full review once we’ve had the opportunity to thoroughly test the Galaxy Z Flip8’s cameras, performance, battery life, and overall user experience.