I unpacked Samsung’s small-sized Z Flip8 – these options on-screen are spectacular
Tech Commerce Editor Harriet Morphy-Morris has dived into the new features of the Galaxy Z Flip8 – watch here as she unpacks the upgrades
A mobile which can be flipped from a big 6.9–inch display to a smaller 4.1-inch display without compromising on speed, notifications, or power. That’s what’s on offer with Samsung’s newest Galaxy ZFlip8.
The newest addition to Samsung’s Z fleet, the Galaxy Z Flip8, has launched with mixed reactions. The majority are stumped by its high £1,049 starting price, but as I’ve been testing it out for the last few weeks, as I highlight in the video above, here are five strong features that make it worthwhile.
Before I dive into the five features that wowed me, there are a handful of clever ways tech shoppers can cut the price of this flagship device. The first is opting for the bigger 512GB device, as Samsung is currently offering £85 off the boosted storage size model – now £1,234 compared to the 256GB devices’ £1,149 price.
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Sky Mobile is also offering a way to split the price, and it’s throwing in the brand new Galaxy Watch9 for free. This drops the £349 flagship smartwatch to £0 when shoppers take out the ZFlip8 on the £38 a month device plan – with a £12 upfront cost, oh, and remember it comes with a 36-month contract.
Anyone with an S26Ultra or even iPhone 17Pro Max will know that large mobiles and pockets, handbags, and even holding in hand on the go don’t always mix well – so the versatility of the ZFlip8 is a practical perk. Below are my favourite features after a week of non-stop use.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8
Samsung’s newest flippable device is here, an upgrade from the Z Flip7. The newest Z Flip8 is lighter, thinner, and has a slightly better camera update.
Buying the new device on a Sky Mobile contract throws in a Galaxy Watch 9 for free
Pocketable, portable and powerful
I’ve used plenty of seamless large devices from the iPhone 17 Pro Max to the S26 Ultra, and while the screens are sharp, their size can get in the way – especially for someone like me with small hands. The Z Flip8’s pocketable size is effortless and makes carrying it from train to office, into a bag of an evening, less nerve-racking.
The 4.1-inch FlexWindow is easy to use. I had no problem using my Face ID or going straight to the camera on this smaller window with a simple swipe. Its main purpose is for users to get quick access to their notifications and answer calls without having to open up the device fully – and it works.
The nifty Flex Window on the Z Flip8(Image: Harriet Morphy-Morris)
Despite its small size, it’s reactive, high quality (it has an adaptive refresh rate and AMOLED display). Samsung has managed to shave off even more excess weight and bulk – it’s thinner and lighter than ever before. The Galaxy ZFlip8 weighs 8g less than last year’s Galaxy ZFlip7.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 versus Apple iPhone 17 Pro – weight and larger screen
Design-wise, these two devices are worlds apart, but as the personal device I’m currently using, it was easy to make a quick comparison of feel, weight, and screen size.
In hand, the Galaxy Z Flip8 is noticeably lighter than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, which weighs a whopping 26g more than this newer Galaxy flip. When comparing the opened bigger screen, the Z Flip8 is also a lot bigger than Apple’s flagship. It’s 6.9 inches compared to the iPhone 17, which is 6.3 inches – you can see the full size of the Galaxy device in the video above.
Overall, the Z Flip8 feels much sleeker and more refined. I did, however, notice the hinge crease on the screen – this will never be completely invisible (it being foldable without disturbing light and pixels is still a massive feat), but in darker lights, it does bug me that Samsung still hasn’t figured out how to get rid of the slight indent.
The pink Galaxy Z Flip8 next to my iPhone 17 Pro
Speaking of comparing the Galaxy Z Flip8 against rivals, this is where the Motorola Razr 70 Ultra competitor comes in. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Chipset, this is the most powerful Razr from Motorola so far and can be bought from £50 a month on Vodafone – it requires a contract commitment, though.
The Motorola Razr 70 Ultra launched in April this year, but for a cheaper option, the older Razr 60 Ultra could be an option. Looking at online deals, the brand’s own site is offering free accessories worth £89.99 with the device. It doesn’t compare to Sky Mobile’s free £349 Galaxy Watch 9, but it’s an option.
My favourite filming feature from the S26 Ultra is on the Galaxy Z Flip8
My favourite video feature on the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the Horizontal lock stabilisation – it makes filming so much smoother, sleeker, and more professional-looking. It’s now been brought over to the Z Flip8 after previously only being on the S range.
Whether you are running, accidentally tilting the phone mid-shot or panning like I was in the video above, the footage stays completely level and silky-smooth. For a full look at Samsung’s horizontal lock, I unpack the details further in my Samsung Galaxy S26 range first-look here.
This suggests that we have yet to see the innovative Privacy Display built-in hardware appear anywhere other than the S26 Ultra. For those who do want to make the most of this leading feature, then Appliances Direct has cut £380 off the S26 Ultra.
My Galaxy Z Flip8 verdict – a thin, neat mobile with high-end perks
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 strikes the perfect balance between style, convenience, and flagship tech. If you want high-end camera capabilities and a massive screen without sacrificing pocket space, this is the phone to get.
Just be aware of the price. As I highlight in my sit-down video, the £1,149 starting price is steeper than the likes of the base Galaxy S26 device. But then, that’s not foldable, so certainly paying more for the sleek foldable design and the heightened tech that go into the Armour FlexHinge and inner bezel.
