Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 review: Cover screen

Samsung has released the Galaxy Z Flip 8 for $1,199.99, a $100 price increase over its predecessor. The key change is a major software redesign for the 4-inch cover screen, making it function more like a full Android phone, according to a review by The Verge.

Although the Z Flip 8's hardware is nearly identical to last year's model, Samsung has fundamentally changed how the phone is used when closed. The outer screen now provides easier access to full versions of apps, allowing users to browse social media, watch videos, and play games without opening the phone. The reviewer notes that not every app works well on the small, square display, but suggests this limitation can be a useful feature, creating friction against distraction.

Cover Screen and Software

The most significant updates are found in the cover screen's interface. Swiping down from the top left brings up notifications, while a swipe from the top right reveals a Quick Settings panel. Swiping up from the bottom opens an app drawer. This drawer includes optimized Samsung apps and a "Labs" section with third-party apps like Netflix and WhatsApp. Crucially, a prompt to install the MultiStar Good Lock module, which enables any app to run on the outer screen, is now more prominently placed.

Apps can run on the cover screen in three formats: full-screen, a square display that stops above the camera cutout, or a thin portrait mode. Performance varies. Some apps, like the Withings health tracker, are reportedly almost unusable. Google Maps is described as unwieldy. Others, such as Todoist, WhatsApp, and MyFitnessPal, work well for quick tasks. The reviewer states that the friction of poorly-optimized apps can prevent time-wasting sessions on platforms like Instagram.

Hardware and Specifications

Physical changes from the Z Flip 7 are minimal. The new model is 0.6mm thinner and 8g lighter. It does not feature the tougher titanium display stack used in the new Z Fold models, so the visible crease remains. The phone has an IP48 rating, meaning it is protected from water but remains vulnerable to dust.

Internally, the phone uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip in the US, while UK models use a Samsung Exynos 2600. The reviewer found performance to be smooth. The battery capacity remains 4,300mAh, but uses new, smaller silicon-carbon cells. Battery life is described as solid, reliably lasting a full day. Charging speeds are 25W wired and 15W wireless, with Qi2 charging only available via a magnetic case.

The cameras and screens are largely unchanged. The main camera is a 50-megapixel sensor, accompanied by a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel inner camera. The reviewer calls the main camera impressive, noting the form factor allows it to be used for selfies, but states a traditional slab phone at this price would likely have better camera hardware.

Upgrade Considerations and Final Thoughts

The Verge's review questions the value of the upgrade, suggesting Z Flip 7 owners should not buy the new model. Since the major improvements are software-based, they may eventually come to the older phone. The Z Flip 7 has not yet been updated to the new One UI 9 software, but its similar hardware makes it a likely candidate. Earlier models with smaller cover screens may miss out.

Other new software features, like AI-powered cards in the Now Brief, My FanCam video cropping, and Audio Eraser for background noise, are not exclusive to the Flip. They are available on Samsung's new foldables and the Galaxy S26 FE. The reviewer concludes that the Z Flip 8 represents a turning point where Samsung is easing its restrictions on cover screen use, partly due to competition from the more capable closed-screen experience of the wider Z Fold 8. The final note praises the Flip's pocketable form factor and the productive friction of its imperfect cover screen.