It’s Samsung foldables month! It’s Unpacked month!
On 22 July, the Korean big is predicted to unveil a complicated trio of folding telephones: the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (a brand-new widescreen machine), the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely (a successor to the Z Fold 7) and a refreshed Galaxy Z Flip 8.
All indicators level to there being no cheaper ‘FE’ branded Flip, not less than for now. However may the complete line’s future be in peril?
On the finish of final month, leaker ‘fireuniverse’ on X, the Flip 8 “could be the final Flip from Samsung”, with the corporate doubtlessly shifting its complete foldable focus to book-style units. Whereas removed from confirmed, the leaker’s sturdy observe report for Samsung information means it can’t be ignored.
In fact, a single X submit doesn’t essentially imply it’s true, however we now have a separate hearsay from a way more established supply: Ice Universe. The leaker, who has an intensive observe report for Samsung information, additionally believes that the Galaxy Z Flip 8 would be the final within the line.
It places unbelievable strain on the Flip 8 to be a real hit. If Samsung doesn’t get this one proper, the complete Z Flip line appears set to be on the chopping block.
As somebody who reviewed the final two generations, I’m keenly conscious of what the Z Flip line affords – and the place it’s going flawed. Listed below are 5 key areas that Samsung wants to handle with a view to give the Z Flip 8 the very best likelihood of success.
No extra digital camera compromises!
Total, I used to be very impressed with the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s cameras. It has a really related setup to the Galaxy S26+, with a extremely efficient predominant lens, respectable ultrawide and stable selfie digital camera, although you gained’t be utilizing the latter a lot on a flip telephone.
Nevertheless, it removes what I imagine is a elementary sensor on fashionable telephones: the telephoto. With out it, the Z Flip 7 has a far much less versatile digital camera system, falling quick in each zoom pictures and portrait-style photographs.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
I don’t suppose a 3rd would make a cloth distinction
It’s solely reliant on digital zoom, which merely crops in on the principle sensor after which stretches the picture. The outcomes are predictably poor, with key particulars misplaced and grainy, blurry photographs commonplace.
The 3x telephoto on the S26+ gained’t blow you away, but it surely does ship a significantly better expertise whereas at live shows or sporting occasions, to not point out grabbing a professional-looking picture of your pal.
With a a lot greater cowl display screen as of late, the dearth of obtainable house isn’t a legitimate defence. The content material right here already has to accommodate two lenses – I don’t suppose a 3rd would make a cloth distinction.
In my opinion, including a half-decent telephoto lens would flip the Z Flip 7’s stable cameras right into a genuinely glorious setup, making it a way more interesting buy.
Ditch the quilt display screen restrictions
For a number of years, I’ve lauded Samsung’s One UI Android pores and skin for its in depth vary of customisation choices. Nevertheless, for some purpose, that doesn’t prolong to the quilt show.
By default, the 4.1-inch exterior display screen is mainly locked down, supporting solely a handful of Samsung-approved apps and widgets. Inside minutes, you’ll most likely come throughout an app that isn’t authorised, which is extremely irritating.
You possibly can take away these restrictions, however the methodology is sort of laughably complicated, requiring about 5 minutes of annoying installations and setup.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Making it simple to take away cowl display screen restrictions may very well be transformative for the Z Flip 8
Why Samsung can’t provide this as an easy-to-access toggle is a thriller. Certain, not all apps are optimised for the smaller show, but it surely’s a rattling sight higher than having to stare at Samsung’s calendar app and climate widget all day lengthy.
It opens virtually infinite prospects for the quilt show, permitting you to shortly get issues carried out with out getting sucked into the remainder of your telephone. Certainly that’s the entire level of a flip telephone?!
Nevertheless, you could be unaware that this selection even exists. Many individuals may very well be making do with a subpar cowl show expertise, which means they’re much less more likely to advocate it to others and fewer are offered in consequence. Making it simple to take away these restrictions may very well be transformative for the Z Flip 8.
Let me go to the seashore in peace!
The complicated hinge design of all foldables makes safety in opposition to the weather far more tough. Most flip telephones have water resistance (albeit solely in freshwater) mastered, but stay extremely weak to mud or any particles beneath 1mm in diameter.
It makes the seashore a no-go zone for Z Flip homeowners, which is an issue in the course of the peak of summer season. I just lately took the Z Fold 7 (which has the identical IP48 ranking) there, and the sand it accrued was a complete nightmare.
if Google can obtain full mud resistance, why can’t Samsung comply with swimsuit?
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Till just lately, I’d have put this down as an inevitable compromise once you purchase a folding telephone. However final 12 months’s Pixel 10 Professional Fold bucked the pattern, turning into the primary foldable to introduce an IP68 ranking and now the Honor Magic V6 affords it too.
I don’t doubt that this was a tough endeavor, but when Google can obtain full mud resistance, why can’t Samsung comply with swimsuit? You possibly can’t anticipate individuals to keep away from widespread environments just like the seashore out of concern of their telephone being broken. Upgrading to IP68 would take away a serious barrier for a lot of potential patrons.
Battery nervousness won’t be tolerated
In 2026, it’s merely unacceptable for a smartphone to not final a full day, even with heavy utilization. With the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s 4300mAh cell, you may make it to bedtime, however not and not using a heavy diploma of administration and battery nervousness.
A repeat of this might imply it’s curtains for the Z Flip line. We all know that battery life is among the main elements that influences which telephones individuals purchase. If it’s already underwhelming once you first purchase it, how unhealthy may it get a number of years down the road? Poor battery life defeats the purpose of Samsung’s beneficiant seven-year replace promise.
Declining to introduce important battery upgrades is basically sounding a loss of life knell for the road
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
I’m not asking for an Oppo Discover X9 Extremely-rivalling 7000+mAh battery right here. I don’t even want a silicon-carbon battery, although it’d make excellent sense given the house constraints right here. I simply need one thing better than 5000mAh – it will guarantee comfy all-day battery life for mainly everybody.
Whereas we’re at it, can Samsung lastly ditch the snail-paced 25W charging, please? 45W ought to be the naked minimal for a contemporary flagship telephone, particularly with a (hopefully) greater battery to energy.
The scenario here’s a main purpose individuals are avoiding the Galaxy Z Flip. Declining to introduce important battery upgrades is basically sounding a loss of life knell for the road.
A value drop is critical (even when there are downgrades)
Even when Samsung addressed the problems above, I don’t suppose sufficient individuals would purchase the Galaxy Z Flip 8 for it to be successful.
Why? The Z Flip 7 is just too costly, particularly for a kind issue that many gained’t be conversant in. Dropping over £1,000/$1,000 on a tool that’s so unfamiliar is a big danger that many gained’t be comfy with.
To handle this, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 must be considerably cheaper than its predecessor.
Within the period of world RAM shortages and financial uncertainty, which may really feel virtually unattainable. Nevertheless, I feel Samsung could make some cost-effective compromises in different areas that will enable it to scale back the value.
Firstly, efficiency. The Z Flip 7’s Exynos 2500 chipset was already lots highly effective – switching to the (possible dearer) Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is all the time more likely to drive the value up.
I truthfully don’t imagine that this improve offers a cloth distinction to the top person, until you’re a loyal cell gamer, by which case I’d advocate a special telephone anyway. Sticking with the Exynos 2500 and even dropping to a earlier era is a savvy strategy to scale back prices.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Subsequent, the front-facing digital camera. The Z Flip 7’s 10Mp lens is already common, and most of the people will use the rear cameras for selfies anyway. For the odd event once you’re on a video name, there’s no purpose you’ll be able to’t drop to a lower-resolution sensor.
I additionally don’t suppose it must have a elaborate AMOLED show. Common LCD panels are simply advantageous in most eventualities and ought to be a giant value saver. I’m additionally joyful for Samsung to go away the Z Flip 8 out of the lineup for upcoming Galaxy AI options – Gemini and Circle to Search are all most individuals want.
if that is the road’s final likelihood to show itself, I actually hope it doesn’t go down and not using a combat.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Will this be sufficient for Samsung to considerably drop the value of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 within the present local weather? I’m unsure. However I feel value stays the only largest purpose extra individuals haven’t made the swap, so it ought to be the precedence.
If Samsung is significantly contemplating ditching the Galaxy Z Flip line, I’ll be disenchanted. But when that is the road’s final likelihood to show itself, I actually hope it doesn’t go down and not using a combat.