If you crave a compact phone that doesn’t feel like a brick in your pocket and slips easily into a small bag, the flip style is for you. Samsung’s eighth-generation clamshell is seriously refined, and as svelte and slick as it comes. It may not offer a tablet-sized screen or the fashionable new passport shape, but it is arguably the most practical type of folding phone.
Like almost every other phone this year, the Z Flip8 offers tiny improvements over its predecessor and costs $100 more. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth updating from last year’s Z Flip7, it’s not. The Flip8 is a teeny bit lighter and slimmer with a newer processor, and that’s about it. But if you’re looking to dip a toe in folding-phone waters or just want something small, the Z Flip8 should be in the conversation.
Slimmer and More Foldable
Everyone is excited about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8’s sexy new form factor, but Samsung continues to iterate on the flip phone format for folks who prize compact devices. The Z Flip8 shaves off 0.02 inches (0.55 millimeters) and a third of an ounce (8 grams) compared to its predecessor, making it the slimmest and lightest option in this category. The improved hinge makes the crease slightly less noticeable and a little easier to open. I still found it a bit tricky to open one-handed, but you get the knack after a while. The new hinge is also supposed to be more durable.