Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 hands-on: Slightly thinner, but more expensive

Samsung has unveiled its latest foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, at its annual Unpacked event. The new device is slightly thinner than its predecessor but comes with a higher price tag, marking a year of incremental upgrades for the Z Flip series.

Consumers looking to upgrade their foldable phone will be affected by the price increase, as the Z Flip 8 costs $100 more than the previous model. The device is aimed at users who prioritize portability and style, but the modest design changes may not justify the extra cost for some.

The price hike matters because it could slow adoption of foldable phones, which are still a niche category compared to traditional smartphones. Samsung is betting that the thinner profile and refined hinge mechanism will attract buyers, but the lack of major hardware or camera improvements may limit its appeal.

According to Samsung, the Z Flip 8 measures 6.9mm when unfolded, down from 7.2mm on the Z Flip 7. It starts at $1,199 for the base model with 256GB of storage, up from $1,099. The phone features a 6.7-inch main display and a 3.4-inch cover screen, both with 120Hz refresh rates. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and includes a 3,700mAh battery. Pre-orders begin today, with general availability starting August 22.

The Z Flip series has seen iterative updates since its debut in 2020, with each generation focusing on durability and display improvements. The Z Flip 7 introduced a larger cover screen and water resistance, while the Z Flip 8 refines the design without adding major new features.

Analysts expect Samsung to continue this trend with the Z Flip 9, possibly focusing on camera upgrades or a lower price point to compete with rivals like Motorola and Oppo. For now, the Z Flip 8 is available in four colors: Mint, Graphite, Cream, and Lavender.