The Galaxy Z Flip 8 shines in challenging conditions.

What do you expect from a flip phone when it’s closed? A straightforward interface with notifications and a few widgets for quick tasks? Or a fully functional Android experience tailored for the Flip design? For years, Samsung leaned towards the former, while some fans and competitors like Motorola pushed for the latter. With the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Samsung has finally made a shift.

While the Z Flip 8’s hardware remains largely the same as previous models, Samsung has completely reimagined how this device is utilized when closed. The cover screen now resembles a standard Android phone, providing easy access to the full versions of all apps, allowing you to scroll through social media, watch videos, and even game without needing to open the device. Not every app is optimized for the small square display with two cameras in the center, but even when they aren’t, the slight barrier between me and the distractions of my phone feels more like a feature than a flaw.

The real excitement of the Z Flip 8 lies in its revamped 4-inch cover screen, which has become more functional thanks to a redesigned home screen. Swiping down from the top left reveals notifications, while swiping from the top right brings up a cover-screen-optimized Quick Settings panel. This change makes it feel much more like a traditional phone.

The most thrilling feature is the app drawer that appears when you swipe up from the bottom. By default, it includes a selection of Samsung’s own apps optimized for the square screen, along with a “Labs” section featuring third-party options like Netflix and WhatsApp. Samsung has also made it easier to install MultiStar, the Good Lock module that allows you to run any app on the outer screen, a feature that was previously buried deep in the settings.

You can still run apps in three different formats: full-screen, which has the cameras obstructing part of the display; a square format that stops just above the cameras; or a narrow portrait mode that letterboxes the sides. A small virtual button at the bottom of the screen lets you switch between these options.

Performance can vary. Some apps, like Withings’ health tracker, are nearly impossible to use on the cover screen due to layout issues. Google Maps is slightly better, but the interface can be cumbersome. On the other hand, some apps work surprisingly well. I can quickly check off tasks in Todoist, send messages in WhatsApp, or log snacks in MyFitnessPal. These quick actions are efficient on the small screen, and because other apps—*cough* Instagram *cough*—don’t function as well, I can engage with them without falling into the trap of endless scrolling. That little bit of friction helps me avoid wasting time.

In terms of hardware, not much has changed. The Z Flip 8 is 0.6mm thinner and 8g lighter than its predecessor. While it’s the thickest of Samsung’s current foldables, it remains more compact than Motorola’s Razrs, its main competitors.

Samsung didn’t upgrade the Z Flip 8 with the thinner, tougher titanium display stack found in the new Z Fold 8 models, which means the visible crease remains. It’s not bothersome and is hard to see from the front, but opinions may vary. The IP48 rating is a more significant concern, indicating that while the phone is mostly water-resistant, it’s still susceptible to dust.

Inside, you’ll find the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the US version, while the UK model runs on Samsung’s Exynos 2600. Exynos chips often get a bad rap, but performance has been smooth, and I have no major complaints.

Samsung has switched to more energy-dense silicon-carbon batteries for the Z Flip 8. While the battery capacity remains at 4,300mAh, the use of smaller cells helps reduce the phone’s size. Battery life is solid, easily lasting a full day with some charge left over. However, the charging options—25W wired and 15W wireless—are somewhat underwhelming, and Qi2 charging is only available with a compatible magnetic case.

Storage and RAM are unchanged from the Z Flip 7, and while the screens have minor improvements in peak brightness, the cameras remain the same as last year’s model. The 50-megapixel main camera is impressive and particularly useful for selfies, while the 12-megapixel ultrawide and 10-megapixel inner camera are adequate but not exceptional. A traditional slab phone at this price would likely offer better cameras, possibly with a telephoto lens, but the lenses here are sufficient.

The question remains whether these features justify the price, as Samsung has raised the Z Flip 8 to $1,199.99, a $100 increase. Owners of the Z Flip 7 shouldn’t feel compelled to upgrade, and newcomers might consider the previous model instead, given the minimal differences.

Most of the significant upgrades are software-related and may not stay exclusive for long. The Z Flip 7 hasn’t yet received the One UI 9 update, but since its outer screen is nearly identical, it’s likely to get the new software, reducing the incentive to choose the latest model. The Z Flip 6 and earlier models, with their smaller cover screens, are less likely to receive the update. I’ve reached out to Samsung regarding their upgrade plans but haven’t received a response yet.

Many of the software enhancements aren’t even specific to the Flip. New customizable, AI-powered cards have been added to the daily Now Brief; My FanCam allows you to crop video to focus on a specific subject; and Audio Eraser can now reduce background noise and enhance dialogue in apps like YouTube and Netflix. These features are available across all of Samsung’s new foldables, as well as the new Galaxy S26 FE.

Despite the modest hardware upgrades, the Z Flip 8 feels like a pivotal moment for Samsung, as it moves away from limiting how users can interact with the cover screen. With speculation that the compact Z Fold 8 could take over as Samsung’s “small phone that unfolds into a larger device,” it makes sense to bridge the gap between the two.

The Z Fold 8 may offer a more capable experience when closed, with its wider screen being more user-friendly than the Flip’s smaller display, despite Samsung’s software improvements. However, I have a soft spot for the Flip form factor, which is compact and pocketable when closed, yet transforms into a nearly full-featured flagship phone when opened—plus, there’s something satisfying about flipping it shut.

I appreciate the friction it provides. While I welcome Samsung’s efforts to enhance the usability of full apps on the cover screen, I also value the fact that it won’t be entirely successful. Some apps simply aren’t designed for a screen of this size, and that limitation ultimately benefits the Z Flip 8.