In the case of the best foldable phones, I strongly choose flip-style ones for his or her compact footprint and easy one-handed use. On high of that, they’re undeniably way more versatile for vlogging than notebook-style foldables, letting me body photographs on the outer cowl display utilizing the superior rear cameras.
For years, I’ve praised Samsung’s flip-style foldables — however this 12 months’s Galaxy Z Flip 8 has me involved. It’s not simply that it represents essentially the most painfully lazy improve within the collection’ historical past, but in addition that Samsung’s focus appears to have largely shifted elsewhere.
Pairing that with the glowing reception for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and it’s clear Samsung is at a tipping level with its Z Flip line. Right here’s why.
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Motorola has a far more sturdy choice
Regardless of being an early pioneer within the house, Motorola lagged behind Samsung for years with its Razr telephones, affected by awkward hinge designs and lackluster efficiency. However the narrative has shifted dramatically during the last couple of generations.
As an alternative of treating clamshell foldables as a one-size-fits-all product, Motorola constructed out a lineup with broader attraction. That technique has culminated in right this moment’s lineup of three clamshell foldables alongside a book-style mannequin. By providing different value factors, Motorola provides customers the liberty to decide on what matches their funds and wishes. In distinction, Samsung has caught to releasing only a single flip telephone every technology.
Cameras will not be an afterthought
Simply as crucially, the Razr Ultra (2026) lastly dismantles the long-standing stereotype that Motorola’s flip cameras are an afterthought. With upgraded high-resolution sensors, refined picture processing, and superior low-light efficiency, it now not forces customers to compromise digicam high quality for pocketability. Simply take a look at a few of the snapshots I captured above to see how far Motorola’s has come.
No point out of a Galaxy Z Flip FE this time
Maybe essentially the most obtrusive absence at Unpacked was any signal of a Galaxy Z Flip FE follow-up. When the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE launched alongside the Z Flip 7 final 12 months, my colleagues and I had been extremely crucial of the transfer — one we felt wasn’t essential because it was basically a rebadged Z Flip 6. It definitely did not assist that it nonetheless carried a hefty $899 price ticket.
Making issues worse, Samsung did not simply keep on with minor {hardware} upgrades for the Flip 8 — it additionally tacked on a $100 value bump. In my Galaxy Z Flip 8 review, I famous that “Samsung’s baby-step strategy feels powerful to defend.”
Whereas the change again to a flagship Qualcomm chip delivers notable efficiency good points, I used to be shocked by the negligible battery life enhancements. As an alternative of adopting the ultra-thin profile of the Z Fold 8 or delivering substantial {hardware} improvements, the Z Flip 8 feels extra like yet one more rehash.
I need a Galaxy S27 Extremely Flip
If the Z Flip line goes to outlive, Samsung must cease taking part in it secure and introduce a real Extremely mannequin. We’ve seen the corporate pour top-tier assets into the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Z Fold 8 Extremely — and the flip kind issue deserves that very same flagship therapy.
Probably the most logical candidate could be one thing alongside the strains of a Galaxy S27 Extremely Flip. To actually make an announcement, it could require an ultra-thin chassis, uncompromising battery life, and, crucially, a flexible triple-camera system that lastly brings a devoted telephoto lens to a Samsung clamshell.
Packing that stage of {hardware} right into a flip telephone would inevitably command a steeper price ticket. However contemplating what patrons are already keen to shell out for premium rivals just like the Razr Extremely (2026), energy customers and creators would fortunately pay for a clamshell that refuses to chop corners.
Samsung has reached a crucial tipping level with the Z Flip collection. Iterative spec bumps and unjustified value hikes will not reduce it anymore — the lineup desperately wants a significant overhaul to breathe actual pleasure again into the class.
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