Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 Review: specs and features, camera quality test, gaming benchmark, user opinions and photos

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8: A Compromising, Yet Interesting Smartphone

The Korean company Samsung regularly updates its line of compact flip phones, which strive to combine ergonomics, functionality, and technology. However, these devices are far from flawless due to their form factor and the generally higher production costs of products manufactured outside of China. Today's review subject is not without its problems, but they are somewhat fewer than its predecessors.

The appearance of the new device has changed little. The minimalist tempered glass back panel lacks innovative color options, the fingerprint scanner remains on the side metal frame, and water resistance is limited to IP48 standards. However, the secondary screen integrated with the camera module, and the foldable design itself, feels expensive and impressive. Both the 4.1-inch (1048x948 pixels) and 6.9-inch (2640x1080 pixels) AMOLED displays aren't terrible in terms of image clarity, and other parameters are fine. Brightness has been increased to 3000 nits, smoothness at a refresh rate of 120 Hz is above average, and color reproduction has been expertly addressed. If only the developer had thought to do something about the PWM effect...

The technical specifications include the proprietary Exynos 2600 chipset, 12/16 GB of RAM, and an Xclipse 950 graphics accelerator. This combination still lags behind top-end solutions from Qualcomm and MediaTek in performance and optimization, but the gap has narrowed. An AnTuTu score of around three million points suggests that users won't experience lag in either the Android 17 interface or demanding modern games. We launched Genshin Impact, maxed out the graphics settings, and enjoyed 100+ frames per second. However, it does generate heat, and throttling becomes noticeable after an hour. But perhaps the most frustrating aspect is battery life. The 4400 mAh battery is simply insufficient for a modern Android device; you can realistically expect about a day of light usage. Wireless charging at 15W and wired charging at 25W are frankly disappointing. Storage options are limited to 256GB or 512GB.

Photography capabilities fall short of those of similarly priced competitors. There's still no telephoto lens, and the 12-megapixel wide-angle lens is a bit basic for the price. The main 50-megapixel sensor is significantly better, being larger and featuring hybrid image stabilization. However, artifacts are still sometimes noticeable in evening shots and still images. Stereo sound is, as is typical for the brand, rich and voluminous. Other highlights include NFC contactless payment, eSIM support, and 5G. Overall, the device is definitely an improvement over its predecessor. However, numerous shortcomings at the current price prevent it from being a clear recommendation.