Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 portability: What its thinner, lighter design changes day to day

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 measures 13.1 mm when folded and weighs 180 g. That makes it the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Z Flip yet, shaving 0.6 mm and 8 g off the Galaxy Z Flip7.

The compact folded shape is a big part of the Galaxy Z Flip’s appeal. The Flip8’s thinner, lighter body makes it even easier to carry in a pocket or small bag, while still giving you a large screen when you open it.

Samsung has also changed the edges of the phone to make it easier to open, while keeping the same 4.1-inch cover screen, 6.9-inch main display, and 4,300 mAh battery^[1] as the Flip7.

The Galaxy Z Flip8's design at a glance:

The biggest changes are thickness, weight, and how the phone opens.

The Galaxy Z Flip8 is 13.1 mm thick when folded, compared to 13.7 mm for the Flip7. When open, it measures 6.1 mm instead of 6.5 mm. Weight has dropped from 188 g to 180 g.

Samsung has also changed the shape of the inner bezel and outer edge. The inner bezel and outer edge are now bevelled, creating a slightly wider gap between the two halves when the phone is closed. Samsung has also optimised the hinge and the magnets to make the phone easier to open.

The display sizes haven't changed from the Flip7. You still get a 4.1-inch cover screen and a 6.9-inch main display. Battery capacity also remains at 4,300 mAh despite the thinner body, thanks to a switch to silicon-carbon battery technology. Rated video playback remains unchanged at up to 31 hours^[5].

The result is a thinner, lighter phone that is also easier to handle, without reducing the display sizes or battery capacity.

Since the Galaxy Z Flip4, the folded thickness has dropped by 4 mm, from 17.1 mm to 13.1 mm. Unfolded thickness has also dropped, from 6.9 mm to 6.1 mm.

Weight has also changed, even if not as frequently as the thickness. The Flip4, Flip5 and Flip6 all weighed 187 g, while the Flip7 weighed 188 g. With the Flip8, that figure has gone down to 180 g.

The phones have also become wider. The Galaxy Z Flip8 measures 75.4 mm across when folded, compared to 71.9 mm for the Flip6.

But there’s a reason for that: the cover and inner displays have grown from 3.4 inches and 6.7 inches respectively on the Flip6 to 4.1 inches and 6.9 inches on the Flip8.

So while the phone has become slightly wider to accommodate larger displays, it has continued to get thinner, and the Flip8 is lighter as well.

Quite a lot, thanks to the 4.1-inch FlexWindow cover screen. You can access several supported apps and use them without opening the phone. Now Brief can also show useful information directly on the cover screen.

Samsung One UI 9 brings several improvements to the Galaxy Z Flip8 cover screen experience. You now get an app drawer, new widgets, and the option to add widgets directly from the cover screen instead of opening the phone.

In addition to running supported apps on the FlexWindow, you can reply to messages, check notifications, and control music while the phone is folded.

The cover display is useful for the camera as well. It also lets you use the rear cameras for high-quality selfies, with the cover screen acting as the viewfinder. You can even take hands-free selfies and videos with FlexCam by partially unfolding the Flip8 and placing it on a flat surface.

With Cover screen preview, the person in front of the camera can see the shot as you take it. FlipShot, available through the camera settings, can replace the normal camera preview on the cover screen with an image, animation, or message.

For quick interactions like these, you can often get what you need done without opening the phone at all.

The inner bezel and outer edge of the Galaxy Z Flip8 are bevelled, leaving a slightly wider gap between the two halves when the phone is closed. That makes it easier to get a finger between them and open the phone.

Samsung has also adjusted the hinge and the magnets that keep the phone closed so less effort is needed to open it.

The hinge can also keep the phone unfolded at different angles, allowing you to place it on a table or another flat surface without needing a stand. In supported apps, Flex mode can split controls and content between the upper and lower halves of the display.

The folding design lets you use the phone in ways a regular phone can't quite match.

Fold the Galaxy Z Flip8 partway and it can stand on a flat surface by itself. That is useful when recording yourself, taking a group photo, making a video call, or watching something while keeping both hands free.

The cover screen also works as a viewfinder for the rear cameras. Instead of relying on the front-facing camera for a selfie, you can use the 50 MP rear camera and still see how the shot is framed.

The same applies when you're photographing someone else. They can see themselves on the cover screen before you take the picture, which makes it easier for them to adjust their pose or position.

The other obvious advantage is size. The 6.9-inch main display folds down into a device just 85.7 mm tall. That's still the most basic advantage of the form factor: you get a large smartphone screen in a much shorter body when you put it away.

The Galaxy Z Flip8 uses an Armor Aluminum frame, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and Samsung's Armor FlexHinge.

The hinge is thinner than the one used on the Flip7 and uses a reduced-friction mechanism, helping Samsung reduce the overall thickness of the phone.

The Flip8 also has an IP48^[4] rating. The second digit, 8, means it is rated to withstand submersion in up to 1.5 metres of fresh water for up to 30 minutes under laboratory conditions.

The first digit, 4, means it is protected against solid objects larger than 1 mm, but it is not rated as dust-tight.

Yes. On size and weight alone, it is the most portable Galaxy Z Flip Samsung has made.

The Flip8 measures 13.1 mm when folded and weighs 180 g. For comparison, the Galaxy Z Flip4 was 17.1 mm thick when folded and weighed 187 g.

That reduction in bulk hasn't required a smaller cover screen or battery. The Flip8 still has the 4.1-inch FlexWindow and a 4,300 mAh battery rated for up to 31 hours of video playback.

Portability isn't only about thickness and weight, either. The bevelled edges make it easier to unfold the phone, the larger cover screen lets you do more without switching to the main display, and the hinge lets the Flip8 stand on its own when you need it to.

^{[1] Typical value tested under third party laboratory conditions. Rated minimum capacity of the Galaxy Z Flip8 is 4,174 mAh.}

^{[2] The thickness of Galaxy Z Flip8 when unfolded does not include the frame of the Main Screen.}

^{[3] Armor Aluminum frame does not include volume and side keys, SIM tray or camera lens barrel.}

^{[4] Based on lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Rinse residue/dry if wet. Water resistance of device is not permanent and may diminish over time because of normal wear and tear.}

^{[5] Actual video playback time may vary by network connection, settings, video file format, screen brightness, battery condition and many other factors.}