[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Samsung Electronics’ new foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Flip8, is lighter and thinner than its predecessor and improves performance and cover-screen usability. But it has been assessed as having limited changes to core hardware such as the display, cameras and battery. It is seen as appealing to consumers buying their first foldable phone or switching from older models, but analysis suggests existing Galaxy Z Flip7 users have little need to replace their device.

On Oct. 11 (local time), IT outlet TechRadar reported that the Galaxy Z Flip8, unveiled in July, keeps the existing form factor and focuses on improving thickness, weight, hinge design and processing performance. It said the screen, battery and camera setup do not differ much from the previous model, meaning the upgrade effect may not be clearly felt by all users.

Price is a burden factor. The Galaxy Z Flip8 goes on sale starting at $1,199.99 for the 256GB model and $1,399.99 for the 512GB model. The launch price of the 256GB Galaxy Z Flip7 was $1,099. At the same storage capacity, the new model is $100 more expensive.

Changes are evident in the body design. The Galaxy Z Flip8 weighs 180 grams, 8 grams lighter than the previous model. Thickness when unfolded is 6.1 mm, down 0.4 mm, and thickness when folded also fell to 13.1 mm from the previous model’s 13.7 mm. Given the nature of a foldable phone that is carried and opened and closed daily, these are small changes that can affect day-to-day use.

The new Armor Flex Hinge was also cited as a key improvement. Samsung Electronics improved opening and closing by reducing friction inside the hinge and expanding internal space. Based on early use, TechRadar assessed that opening and closing the device has become easier than on the previous model. It explained that the improvements were aimed at raising the quality of frequently used parts rather than making major changes to the exterior.

By contrast, display and battery specifications were effectively maintained. Both the Galaxy Z Flip8 and Z Flip7 have a 6.9-inch AMOLED main display and a 4.1-inch FlexWindow. Peak brightness is also the same at 2,600 nits. Battery capacity is 4,300 mAh, and charging speeds are also the same at 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

Camera hardware changes are also limited. Both models have a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 10-megapixel front camera. They do not include a separate telephoto camera. The advantage of a flip-style foldable phone, which allows high-quality selfies using the rear camera, also continues.

Instead, video shooting features have been improved. The Galaxy Z Flip8’s camcorder grip function helps make recording and zoom controls more convenient when shooting in landscape. Super Steady’s horizon lock function also focuses on keeping video level when the device is moved or rotated. But strong stabilisation may work by cropping part of the video, raising the possibility of reduced image quality.

Performance is a differentiator for the new model. The Galaxy Z Flip8 is reported to use either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 5th generation for Galaxy or the Exynos 2600, depending on region. The Galaxy Z Flip7, by contrast, used the Exynos 2500 in all regions. TechRadar assessed that the new model offers more headroom for handling games, high-spec apps and artificial intelligence (AI) features.

The Galaxy Z Flip8 also leads on the software side. It is based on Android 17 and One UI 9, and users can use a dedicated app tray on the FlexWindow cover screen and manually adjust widget layouts. Both models support seven generations of Android operating system upgrades, but the new model has the advantage of starting from more up-to-date software.

On value for money, the previous model remains competitive. While the Galaxy Z Flip8 price hike can be understood given the impact of memory supply shortages and inflation, it adds to consumers’ burden. In particular, if inventory discounts and price cuts for the previous model ramp up, the Galaxy Z Flip7’s price competitiveness could increase further.

TechRadar assessed that the Galaxy Z Flip7 remains a competitive smartphone and could be a more attractive option in terms of value for money as of 2026.

In the end, the Galaxy Z Flip8 is a product that improves elements users can feel in daily life, such as weight and thickness, hinge operation feel, processing performance and cover-screen software. But because the display and camera hardware, battery and charging performance do not change much from the previous model, the upgrade effect may vary depending on usage environment.

For consumers buying a foldable phone for the first time or looking to switch from an older model, the Galaxy Z Flip8 could be suitable. But Galaxy Z Flip7 users may also consider continuing with the previous model after weighing the need for improved features and the price difference.