Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 Released at $1,200 Price Point

The latest iteration of Samsung's flip phone, the Galaxy Z Flip8, has been released, and it's a significant refinement of its predecessor. At $1,200, it's not an inexpensive device, but for those who crave a compact smartphone that doesn't feel cumbersome in their pocket, it may be worth considering.

One of the key selling points of the Z Flip8 is its sleek design. It's remarkably lightweight and slim, making it easy to slip into even the smallest bags or purses. While it may not offer the same level of screen real estate as a larger phone or tablet, its compact size makes it an attractive option for those who prefer a more portable device.

Despite being a minor iteration over last year's model, the Z Flip8 still boasts top-notch performance and a solid main camera. The addition of AI features also adds to its appeal, making it a well-rounded choice for those in the market for a compact smartphone.

However, one drawback of the Z Flip8 is its price. At $1,200, it's $100 more than last year's model, which may be a barrier for some consumers. Additionally, while the cover screen is more useful than before, it still has limitations and may not meet everyone's expectations.

For those who are looking to dip their toes into the world of folding phones or simply want something small and portable, the Z Flip8 should certainly be on the radar. It's a practical choice for those who value compact devices above all else.

The Z Flip8 is also notable for its durability, with a new hinge that makes the crease less noticeable and easier to open. While it may still take some practice to open one-handed, the improved hinge is a welcome addition.

Overall, while the Z Flip8 may not offer revolutionary changes over last year's model, it's still an attractive option for those who prioritize compact size and practicality.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8's durability has been improved with its IP48 rating, but it still has some limitations when it comes to dust and dirt particles. The phone's compact size makes it more susceptible to damage from tiny debris, which can still cause issues even though it's water-resistant.

One of the standout features of this device is its design options. Available in a range of colors, including pink, graphite, cream, and mint, there's something for everyone. My review unit was the eye-catching pink option that certainly turned heads.

The Z Flip8 retains its physical SIM slot, which may be a welcome feature for some users who prefer to stick with traditional phone plans rather than switching to eSIMs. Additionally, the power button now includes a fingerprint sensor that works well and adds an extra layer of security.

Both displays on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 are high-quality AMOLED screens that provide excellent viewing experiences. The external 4.1-inch display has a refresh rate of either 60Hz or 120Hz, while the main 6.9-inch display boasts a variable refresh rate between 1 and 120Hz.

The phone's performance is where it truly shines, thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor. Paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, this device can handle demanding tasks and games without any issues.

Despite its compact design, the Z Flip8 does get warm when used extensively, which may lead to some throttling of the processor in extreme cases. However, overall performance remains excellent, making it a great option for those who value portability and practicality.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8's audio capabilities are a pleasant surprise, with stereo speakers that deliver clear sound without distortion, even at high volumes. This makes it suitable for watching videos on the go. Additionally, call quality is satisfactory, and the phone's design allows for seamless transitions between opening and closing to answer or end calls.

However, users must enable this feature in the Phone app settings under Flip options. Connectivity-wise, the Z Flip8 comes equipped with 5G (without mmWave), Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4, but it lacks ultra-wideband (UWB) for more precise positioning. In contrast, the Fold8 models boast Bluetooth 6 and UWB.

The phone's compact size is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to battery life. While Samsung has installed a 4,300-mAh silicon-carbon battery that suits casual use, heavy users may find themselves in need of a power bank to stay powered up. Furthermore, charging speeds are disappointingly slow at 25 watts wired and 15 watts wireless.

The absence of Qi2's magnetic feature is another point of contention, as it would have greatly simplified wireless charging. For photographers, the main 50-megapixel shooter delivers acceptable results in many situations, although some noise may creep in when shooting in low light conditions.

Despite its limitations, most users will be satisfied with the photos captured by the primary camera. The 12-megapixel ultrawide lens is useful for capturing more subjects or taking group selfies, but it does not quite match the quality of the main shooter. Unfortunately, there is no telephoto lens, forcing users to rely on cropping to achieve a decent zoom effect.

By emulating 2X zoom and cropping, users can achieve passable results up to 10X in well-lit conditions. However, this workaround is not ideal, and those who value high-quality photography may want to consider other options.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 offers several camera features that are designed to make photography easier and more intuitive. One notable feature is the ability to flip the cover screen for a preview of photos before taking them, which can be particularly useful when taking selfies.

In addition to this feature, the phone's AI capabilities allow users to pick a subject in group videos and reframe them as though that subject is the main focus. This can be especially handy for capturing important moments at events like school plays or sports games.

Other AI-powered features on the phone include Now Brief, which provides useful information such as calendar events, reminders, and local weather forecasts, and Now Nudge, which suggests adding dates to your calendar from messages, sharing locations or photos, and auto-filling forms.

While the cover screen has been a weakness for previous models in the Flip line, Samsung has made some improvements with the Flip8. Users can now access more apps on the cover screen, including popular services like YouTube, Netflix, Google Maps, and Messages.

However, accessing these additional apps requires users to install Good Lock and then the MultiStar plug-in, which is a convoluted process that many will find frustrating. It's surprising that Samsung doesn't preinstall these features, especially given the high price of the phone.

The inclusion of bloatware on an expensive device like the Galaxy Z Flip8 is also a drawback for some users, who may not want or need apps like Facebook, Spotify, and Instagram taking up space on their phone.

The cover screen on the Galaxy Z Flip8 offers a convenient feature: users can prop it up and watch videos while multitasking on their desk.

This functionality is especially useful for those who want to keep an eye on something without having to constantly switch between tasks or apps.

For consumers looking at flip phones, Samsung has some competition from Motorola's Razr line. There are several options available, including a more affordable model that still packs a punch.

One of the most expensive options in the Razr lineup is the Ultra, which boasts superior features such as better camera capabilities and faster charging speeds but comes with a hefty price tag of $1,500.