The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is so good, I don’t see the point of flip phones any more

Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold 8 debuted with an all-new kind issue that differs from its foldable opponents; resembling book-style foldables from a couple of years in the past as a substitute just like the Oppo Find N2 (2022) and Google Pixel Fold (2023). 

Its wide-fold design is geared extra in direction of leisure than productiveness, and I initially thought it’d compete with different book-style foldables just like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. However after utilizing it for per week, I feel it is adequate to be a direct risk to flagship flip telephones.

Additionally: I tried Samsung’s new wide Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it’s my favorite product of Unpacked 2026

The 2 units is perhaps in numerous value segments, however there’s just one price shopping for in the event you’re spending over $1,200.

Flip and fold in a single

The entire enchantment of flip telephones lies of their compact, pocketable design. From Motorola’s Razr lineup to Samsung’s personal Galaxy Z Flip sequence, these units are meant to slot in each pocket. They’re fashionable, enjoyable, and naturally: satisfying to flip.

Flip telephones fold right into a smaller footprint, whereas book-style foldables unfold to present you a mini pill on the go. To check, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 does each with out compromising on a slim and lightweight design.

Additionally: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2026: New foldables, smartwatches, more

Samsung’s new wide-fold design borrows the perfect of each worlds and combines the flip-pocketability with fold usability. And that is why I do not see the purpose of flip telephones anymore. You get a extra usable cowl display screen in a slimmer, compact design. Positive, the Z Fold 8 is taller than conventional flip telephones when folded, nevertheless it stays sufficiently small to suit extra pockets.

I choose the Fold 8’s snug studying and typing expertise to a flip telephone’s small, restricted outer show. Its cowl display screen has a ten:16 side ratio, which lets me see my conversations with out closing the keyboard. In contrast to flip telephones’ congested structure, the broader design offers me extra space to comfortably kind and maintain the telephone.

This pleasing consumer expertise continues on its internal display screen. As a substitute of a taller side ratio, the broader 4:3 display screen is ideal for shopping, studying, and fairly good for video consumption. The one factor that requires slight adjustment is vertical movies (Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and so on.). They get thick black borders on either side, however this area is utilized by pushing the navigation buttons (like, remark, share) to the proper facet. I might say it’s a cleaner reel-watching expertise as compared. The structure has grown on me.

Additionally: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, but it’s not the upgrade I expected

In my week of use, I’ve solely unfolded the brand new Samsung telephone to observe movies and take video calls. For every part else, together with typing, studying, doomscrolling on X and Reddit, amongst different issues, I have been utilizing the duvet display screen. It is a stark distinction to my Z Flip 7 or Razr Ultra (2025) utilization, which require me to flip open the telephones for nearly every part. And the taller side ratio is much less intuitive than common slab telephones.

The worth issue

The brand new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 begins at $1,200, whereas the Motorola Razr Ultra (2026) is priced at a whopping $1,500. You possibly can blame the present reminiscence provide crunch for larger value tags, however regardless of that, I do not suppose flip telephones belong within the $1,000+ phase.

Their novelty or ‘compact telephone’ enchantment is not distinctive anymore. On the usability entrance, they’re too restricted by their kind issue to require flagship compute energy, and their cameras are inferior to equally priced slab telephones or book-style foldables anyway. They merely aren’t a great worth on this value phase.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: How Samsung fares against its foldable rival

One might argue that they will save $600 by choosing a smaller Flip 8 over the $1,900 Galaxy Z Fold 8. Nonetheless, they’re going to be compromising on an all-around higher consumer expertise.

These two telephones do not go head-to-head and this won’t be a good comparability, however in the event you’re available in the market for a compact foldable, you now have a brand new (and higher) choice. With the upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra rumored to undertake the same design, the wide-fold class is more likely to develop. And earlier than the standard book-style foldables, I feel it’s going to be the top of flagship flip telephones.