Samsung has launched the Galaxy Z Flip 8 at its Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event and this year, the clamshell foldable has seen minor refinements. The new flip phone has almost the same body as the Galaxy Z Flip 7, but brings the new 2nm Exynos 2600 chip and a lighter build. So, if you are wondering whether the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is a worthy upgrade over the Galaxy Z Flip 7, here is our detailed comparison.
Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs Galaxy Z Flip 7: Design
- Both phones share the same design language
- The Z Flip 8 is 8 grams lighter at 180 grams and slimmer when folded
- Samsung's new Flex Titanium display technology is not available on Z Flip 8
Let's talk about the design first. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 takes forward the design of its predecessor with an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the cover screen. That said, the new phone weighs just 180 grams, compared to Z Flip 7's 188 grams. Interestingly, the unfolded footprint has grown marginally and the Z Flip 8 is around 0.2mm taller and wider than before.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is no slouch either. At 13.7mm folded and 6.5mm unfolded, it already held the record for the slimmest Flip phone in the lineup. The Z Flip 8 goes a step further at 13.2mm when folded, thanks to the new hinge. Both phones retain the IP48 rating, so they can survive submersion in water, but you still need to keep them away from dust and sand.
Related Articles
Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs Galaxy Z Flip 7: Display
- Both phones pack a 6.9-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a 120Hz refresh rate
- The 4.1-inch FlexWindow cover screen is identical on both with 120Hz support
- Peak brightness is 2,600 nits on both phones
In the display department, there is not much difference between the two phones here. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 features the same 6.9-inch FHD+ (2520 x 1080) Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display as the Z Flip 7. It's an LTPO panel with an adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits, which is plenty bright for outdoor use.
On the front side, both phones bring the 4.1-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow at 1048 x 948 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate. It's the same edge-to-edge cover screen available on the Z Flip. On the Z Flip 8, Samsung utilises One UI 9's features to make the cover screen more capable, but the panel itself is unchanged.
Related Articles
Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs Galaxy Z Flip 7: Performance
- The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is powered by the 2nm Exynos 2600 with the Xclipse 960 GPU
- The Galaxy Z Flip 7 runs on the 3nm Exynos 2500 chip with the Xclipse 950 GPU
- Both phones pack 12GB of RAM with 256GB or 512GB of storage
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is powered by the Exynos 2600 processor which is Samsung's first 2nm chipset. It also powers the Galaxy S26 series in several markets. Samsung says the Exynos 2600 delivers up to 39% faster CPU performance over the Exynos 2500. In our Exynos 2600 benchmark testing, we found that the new Arm C1-series CPU cores are incredibly powerful and deliver powerful performance.
Note that in markets like the US, you get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 instead. The Galaxy Z Flip 7, on the other hand, runs on the 3nm Exynos 2500 chipset, which is clocked up to 3.3GHz with the Xclipse 950 GPU. It's a capable performer for daily tasks, but the chip is significantly behind Exynos 2600 if we consider raw performance and thermals under heavy load.
As we mentioned in our Galaxy Z Flip 7 review, it struggles during gaming sessions and easily gets warm after a few minutes of heavy usage. Both phones come with 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage, so the memory situation is identical. We will soon publish our full Exynos 2600 benchmark numbers on the Z Flip 8 soon, so stay tuned with us.
Related Articles
Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs Galaxy Z Flip 7: Software
- The Z Flip 8 ships with One UI 9 based on Android 17 out of the box
- The Z Flip 7 launched with Android 16, but it's in line to receive the One UI 9 update
- Both phones are promised 7 years of OS and security updates
On the software side, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is among the first Samsung phones to ship with One UI 9 based on Android 17. The new software brings a smarter cover screen experience. It lets you run supported apps on the FlexWindow without digging through Good Lock modules along with the latest set of Galaxy AI features.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 launched with One UI 8 on top of Android 16. It's slated to receive the One UI 9 update soon after the Z Flip 8's release. Samsung promises 7 years of OS and security updates on both phones, so the Z Flip 7 will be supported until 2032 and the Z Flip 8 until 2033.
Related Articles
Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs Galaxy Z Flip 7: Camera
- Both phones pack a 50MP main camera with OIS and a 12MP ultrawide lens
- The 10MP selfie camera is unchanged as well
- The Z Flip 8 relies on new ISP processing for improved image quality
If you were hoping for a camera upgrade, Samsung has not delivered here. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 uses the same 50MP f/1.8 main camera with OIS and the 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens as the Z Flip 7. The 10MP punch-hole selfie camera is also the same and all cameras support up to 4K 60fps video recording.
Of course, thanks to the larger cover screen on both phones, you can use the main camera for selfies with a full preview. The Z Flip 8 does get newer image processing with One UI 9 and the Exynos 2600's upgraded ISP, so expect slightly better HDR handling and low-light shots.
That said, if camera performance is your priority, the Z Flip 8 doesn't give you a compelling reason to upgrade from the Z Flip 7.
Related Articles
Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs Galaxy Z Flip 7: Battery
- Both phones pack the same 4,300mAh battery
- Wired charging remains at 25W, though Samsung now claims up to 55% charge in 30 minutes
- Wireless charging is unchanged at 15W on both phones
In the battery department, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 keeps the same 4,300mAh battery from the Z Flip 7. And sadly, despite pre-launch reports of a 45W upgrade, charging is still stuck at 25W wired and 15W wireless. The only consolation is that Samsung now claims up to 55% charge in around 30 minutes, up from 50%, but that is all.
Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs Galaxy Z Flip 7: Should You Upgrade?
| Specification | Galaxy Z Flip 8 | Galaxy Z Flip 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Main Display | 6.9-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2,600 nits | 6.9-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2,600 nits |
| Cover Display | 4.1-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz | 4.1-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Exynos 2600 (2nm) | Exynos 2500 (3nm) |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP main with OIS + 12MP ultrawide | 50MP main with OIS + 12MP ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 10MP | 10MP |
| Max Video Recording | 4K at 60 fps | 4K at 60 fps |
| Battery | 4,300mAh | 4,300mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired, 15W wireless charging | 25W wired, fast wireless charging |
| RAM and Storage | 12GB, 256/512GB | 12GB, 256/512GB |
| Durability | IP48, Armor FlexHinge | IP48, Armor FlexHinge |
| Software | Android 17 (One UI 9), 7 years of updates | Android 16 (One UI 8), 7 years of updates |
| Colours | Graphite, Cream, Pink and Mint | Blue Shadow, Jet Black, Coral Red and Mint |
| Weight | 180 grams | 188 grams |
| Price | Rs 1,24,999 | Rs 1,09,999 |
If you already own the Galaxy Z Flip 7, the answer is simple, do not upgrade. The Z Flip 8 brings the same display, camera and battery in the same body. Of course, there is a faster Exynos 2600 chip, but it doesn't justify spending flagship money all over again, especially when your Z Flip 7 is eligible for the One UI 9 update.
However, if you are coming from a Galaxy Z Flip 6 or an older flip phone, the Z Flip 8 is the one to buy. You get the big edge-to-edge screen, the newest 2nm chip and a 7-year update cycle. And if the Z Flip 7 gets a big price cut after the Z Flip 8's launch, I would recommend getting it instead of the new phone.
Finally, there is an elephant in the room and we need to discuss it. Rumours suggest that the Z Flip 8 could be the last phone in the Z Flip series and Samsung is reportedly shifting its focus to the Galaxy Z Fold lineup. Currently, Samsung has not confirmed anything, but if you have been waiting to buy a flip phone, this may be the time. If you want to explore more options, check out our list of the best flip phones you can buy right now.
