Samsung launched its latest lineup of foldables during the Unpacked event on July 22, 2026. I got an early hands-on with the new Galaxy Z Flip 8, which strangely did not get enough limelight, with the Z Fold 8 garnering all the attention.
Spec sheets say that it is lighter and thinner than last year's model, but when I picked it up, I realised what difference those few millimetres make that the numbers can't justify. So, here's my first impression of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and why I am excited to review it.
Galaxy Z Flip 8 Looks Familiar Until You Actually Hold It
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 looks pretty close to the Z Flip 7 from last year, with what only seems like cosmetic changes at first glance. But this time, Samsung has trimmed the Flip 8 to 6.1mm unfolded, down from 6.5mm, and dropped it to 180g from 188g.
Samsung also switched from flat sides to chamfered edges, and these minor upgrades have changed the game.
The Z Flip 8 feels better in hand, more like a traditional phone. I know I say this about every generation, but this year, it is more true than before. The phone settles into my hand instead of sitting on top of it, and opening it single-handed takes noticeably less effort in comparison with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which feels like a tank next to this one.
The back deserves a mention too. It is still glass, but with a soft, faintly rough texture that feels smoother than before. It picks up fewer fingerprints and feels more refined and premium than the slippery, polished finish that we saw on older Z Flip models.
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The Crease That Fades Into the Background
When I said that the Z Flip 8 feels more like a traditional slab phone, I was not kidding because the crease seems to be almost invisible to the eyes. Even after opening and shutting the lid at least 20-30 times, there's barely any groove to be seen with the naked eye.
This is all thanks to Samsung's new Flex Titanium hinge structure, which puts a titanium alloy film beneath the OLED panel.
Samsung showcased a breakdown of all the layers beneath the screen during the Unpacked event, and it results in a crease that is roughly 10–15% less visible to my eye. On previous Z Flips, the dip in the middle of the screen was obvious the moment I ran my finger through the display. Here, I had to wiggle around a bit to work out where the hinge actually sits.
The hinge itself feels sturdier. One small change worth noting: that satisfying thud when the phone snaps shut is quieter now. It's more cushioned than the clack I loved on older models.
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Familiar Software, Smarter Tweaks
Software-wise, One UI 9 feels like familiar territory. The experience is nice and snappy thanks to the Exynos 2600 processor powering the phone. But I did not spot any new One UI 9 features besides the FlexWindow and My FanCam that were not already present in the One UI 9 beta on the Galaxy S26, which I have been using for a while.
Samsung talked a lot about the new FlexWindow on stage, and I think it is a genuine new addition. I can now use more apps on the cover screen of the Flip 8, not like it was an issue before when all I had to do was install a single Good Lock module.
There are also some interesting One UI 9 AI features, like My FanCam in the Gallery app. It spits out FanCam-style edits of any video, whether it is taken on the phone or not, focusing on a single subject, and I must say that the results are quite impressive. If you are a K-pop fan or attend multiple concerts, I know you will love this feature.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 Early Impressions
On first impressions, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 looks like a pretty good refinement over the previous generation. I think it's the most improved and advanced version of what the Flip form factor can offer. It is thinner, lighter, and sports a better hinge and a polished-out version of One UI that we already love. Samsung has done a spectacular job of ironing out the minor inconveniences.
I still have to extensively test the cameras, video quality, gaming performance, the hinge, battery life and how the higher 3,000-nit brightness holds up in daily usage. So hold tight for my full Galaxy Z Flip 8 review before deciding.
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