Having spent a couple of days with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, I can simply say that it is Samsung’s most polished clamshell foldable to this point. The expanded cowl display lastly feels full, DeX assist is an unbelievable bonus on such a tiny footprint, and its battery life bought a strong bump up.
However whereas the Z Flip 7 closes the hole with rivals just like the Moto Razr Ultra, it is price looking forward to what subsequent 12 months’s Z Flip 8 may deliver. Apple reportedly has plans to deliver its taste of foldable iPhone to market in 2026 as effectively, giving Samsung much more motivation to ship.
Additionally: I spent a week with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, and it’s an even bigger leap than expected
That is why, even with the Flip 7 hitting so many marks, upgrading in 2026 may make sense, too. This is why subsequent 12 months’s Z Flip 8 could possibly be definitely worth the wait.
Battery tech may get a facelift
The Z Flip 7 has elevated battery capability over the earlier technology from 4,000mAh to 4,300mAh. That is not a small improve, but it surely’s not fairly what we have come to count on from flagship units both. Fortunately, Samsung has given some clues in latest months that present it’s actively exploring new kinds of battery applied sciences that might arrive in subsequent 12 months’s foldables.
A number of smartphones have hit the market previously 12 months with silicon-carbon battery expertise that delivers higher vitality density and longevity in comparison with normal lithium-ion batteries. A rumor from FNNews, a Korean information website, factors to a number of sources predicting that silicon-carbon batteries may arrive on Samsung’s flagships beginning with the S26 collection.
Additionally: Forget Samsung Z Fold 7: Why this Galaxy model is on my watchlist going into next year
Samsung itself has acknowledged its interest within the expertise, and its use may in the end imply cramming extra capability into the Z Flip 8 whereas holding the footprint the same dimension as this 12 months’s mannequin.
Even when silicon carbon integration would not arrive with the Z Flip 8, a report from TheElec reveals Samsung’s curiosity in adopting so-called “SUS CAN” (metal use stainless canister) battery casing and superior EMC safety circuits in its 2026 units. This expertise is already present in Apple’s iPhone 16 Professional Max, and it permits for increased capability with out swelling points, one thing Samsung is definitely intent on avoiding after the embarrassing Galaxy Note 7 battery fire debacle.
Crease-free shows on the horizon
One of many enduring challenges of immediately’s foldable smartphones is the dreaded display crease, a delicate however noticeable line that runs down the fold space, giving the display an imperfect look. Fortunately, we could possibly be heading towards a extra creaseless design on the Z Flip 8.
Revered Apple provide chain insider Ming-Chi Kuo reports that Apple’s unreleased foldable iPhone and Samsung’s subsequent batch of foldable smartphones will characteristic a “crease-free” show, made potential by a laser-drilled metallic plate that distributes and controls bending stress throughout the fold line.
Additionally: 5 Android phones you should consider buying instead of the Samsung Z Fold 7
High quality M-Tec is reportedly behind the manufacturing of the expertise, whereas Samsung Show will provide the expertise to Apple and its merchandise. If this development lives as much as its promise, the Z Flip 8 could possibly be one of many first foldables with a pristine inside show, and that may be effectively price ready for.
The arrival of a two-nanometer chip
Efficiency-wise, the Z Flip 8 may ship a serious improve, however the scenario is a bit complicated. This 12 months’s mannequin is the primary foldable by Samsung to be launched with its in-house Exynos 2500 chipset as an alternative of a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. For subsequent 12 months, there are conflicting stories about which chip Samsung is probably going to make use of.
Samsung has a robust foundry enterprise and is reportedly manufacturing a special variant of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip, particularly tailor-made “For Galaxy and constructed on a cutting-edge 2-nanometer course of. This is able to be a primary for its foldables and would deliver much more energy and vitality effectivity to the following technology Z Flip 8. Conflicting stories say Qualcomm might need pulled again plans to completely undertake Samsung’s 2-nanometer manufacturing, turning to its different companions as an alternative.
Additionally: iOS 26 envy? 5 iPhone features you can already use on your Android (Samsung included)
In the meantime, Samsung is aggressively developing its own Exynos 2600 chipset on the identical 2-nanometer course of with subsequent 12 months’s Galaxy flagships in its sights for launch. This might make its means onto the Z Flip 8, particularly after the Exynos arrival on this 12 months’s mannequin. The Exynos chips typically ship much less energy and effectivity in comparison with Snapdragon options, however the brand new 2nm technology holds critical promise.
Improved sturdiness
Sturdiness is a long-standing problem for foldables. The Z Flip 7 presents strong water resistance however minimal mud resistance with its IP48 score. Foldables will be very troublesome to guard from mud ingress attributable to their versatile parts and complex hinge constructions. Samsung’s mobile chief TM Roh openly stated a couple of years in the past that mud safety is an enormous request from customers of those foldables, and the corporate is reportedly working exhausting to discover a answer.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: I tested both foldables, and here’s the winner
Competitors is heating up on this division as effectively. The Motorola Razr Extremely now has an improved IP52 score, and a separate rumor factors to the likelihood that subsequent 12 months’s Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold may carry a full IP68 score, making it the primary foldable to be really proof against mud and water. If Samsung needs to ship on its purpose of tightening up mud safety, subsequent 12 months is the proper time to do it.
The ultimate verdict
Let me be clear: I am not trying to throw chilly water on anybody’s determination to buy the Z Flip 7. It is a unbelievable smartphone that I am totally having fun with.
However realistically, subsequent 12 months’s Z Flip 8 may hit even more durable in practically each necessary class for foldables with longer battery life, smoother display composition, an industry-leading processor, and tougher-than-ever construct high quality. When you aren’t in any hurry to drag the set off, I would recommend you contemplate giving it a while. Your persistence may simply be definitely worth the wait.
Observe my newest tech evaluations and tasks throughout social media. You may discover me on YouTube at YouTube.com/@JasonHowell, on X (previously Twitter) at @JasonHowell, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/thatjasonhowell.
