Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Z Flip 7: Is the new flip phone worth the upgrade?

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add america arsenic a preferred source on Google.

Samsung didn't marque a immense upgrade to the Galaxy Z Flip 8 this year, particularly erstwhile compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip 7. There were nary large updates, nary reinventing the wheel. Instead, Samsung upgraded cardinal components to elevate its flip phone's show and reliability, alternatively than flashy upgrades.

Also: Everything announced astatine Samsung Unpacked 2026: New foldables, smartwatches, and astute glasses

The determination to upgrade to a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 tin beryllium an enticing prospect. Your prime volition mostly beryllium connected whether you prioritize performance, refinement, oregon worth for wealth -- particularly if you're coming from oregon considering the Galaxy Z Flip 7. 

Specifications

Z Flip 8: It's what's wrong that matters

The latest Samsung Galaxy flip telephone features an upgraded processor, moving to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, a sizeable upgrade from past year's Exynos 2500. This caller spot makes the Z Flip 8 30% faster connected CPU tasks than the Z Flip 7 and 25% faster connected GPU tasks, specified arsenic graphics. 

Also: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Moto Razr Ultra: I've spent clip with both, here's what I prefer

Samsung besides made the upgrade to amended the phone's AI performance, making it amended astatine moving AI tasks and processes, multitasking, gaming, and editing videos and photos. 

Much of the same

The caller Galaxy Z Flip 8 features astir identical hardware to the Z Flip 7, though it is somewhat lighter and slimmer. Samsung reduced the thickness of the Flip 8 to 6.1mm, down from 6.5mm, and its value to 180g from 188g.

Also: How to preorder everything announced astatine Samsung Unpacked: Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and more

There are much similarities than differences betwixt the Z Flip 8 and the Z Flip 7. Both phones diagnostic a 6.9-inch AMOLED main show with a refresh complaint of up to 120Hz, a 4.1-inch screen display, a 4,300mAh battery, a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, 25W wired charging, 12GB of RAM, the aforesaid retention options, and IP48 water- and dust-resistance.

Is the caller camera better?

The camera hardware connected the caller Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the aforesaid arsenic the Z Flip 7. Samsung has added bundle improvements that boost photograph quality, but don't expect to get dramatically improved images.

Also: The champion Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra cases of 2026: Expert recommended

The caller bundle improvements announced during Samsung Unpacked see amended AI representation processing, improved Photo Assist, enhanced representation stabilization with the Super Steady Horizontal Lock, and smarter editing features. The much almighty Snapdragon processor means that you tin expect contented editing and the features supra to tally beauteous smoothly.

The biggest disposable difference

One of the flashiest updates coming with the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is simply a much utile FlexWindow. When the telephone is closed, the Z Flip 8's screen surface present offers easier app access, improved widgets, a layout that amended matches the main display, and amended entree to features, truthful you person less reasons to unfastened the phone. 

Writer's choice

If you were hoping to spot the caller Galaxy Z Flip 8 diagnostic a larger battery, a caller telephoto camera, oregon faster charging, Samsung has apt near you disappointed this year. If you already person a Galaxy Z Flip 7, it astir apt isn't worthy it to upgrade conscionable yet. 

Also: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Z Flip 8: I compared some models, and here's the 1 to buy

If you person a telephone that's much than a fewer years old, however, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is simply a bully acquisition for the fastest processor with the latest AI features, a slimmer signifier factor, and an improved screen screen. If you already person the Z Flip 7 oregon are considering getting it alternatively of the latest phone, you tin apt find it discounted by $200-$300, particularly erstwhile compared to the Z Flip 8, which is $100 much costly astatine database price.