Last year, alongside the seventh generation, we saw a mild experiment in the form of Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, but this year the Korean giant expanded the models Fold. The lightweight version of the FE is probably already a must-have for everyone and it certainly doesn't matter that Samsung cut it without replacing it. This brings to the fore a single flexible clamshell, i.e. Galaxy Z Flip8.
Today it is a mature concept. While the family Fold8 has grown this year and is trying new aspect ratios and uncompromising Ultra equipment, Flip8 follows its own proven path. The new eight may not seem like a revolution at first glance. But exactly what you will appreciate most in practice has been improved. The performance is top-notch, the design feels even more solid, and native support for full-fledged applications on the external display finally eliminates the need for any crutches.
Here too, it is appropriate to comment on the display's bend. Flex Titanium is missing here, so it is more similar to last year's model than this year's. Foldum. At a sharp angle and in ideal light, you can see it, you can feel it with your finger. It wasn't anything dramatic last year and it's not this year either. When you consciously swipe over it, you know it's there. But as soon as you're working normally with your phone or scrolling vertically through social networks, you actually ignore it completely.
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Galaxy Z Flip8 and first impressions
Is it still the cutest Samsung, or a grown-up tool? After half a day in hand, it's clear that Flip8 is maturing like wine. The external display is no longer just about displaying widgets or quick replies to messages. When you run a full-fledged app on it natively and without complicated setup, you realize how much you can do without even having to open the phone. And that's the key experience with a clamshell.
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But of course, you can't fool physics here either. The tax for the extremely compact pocket-sized dimensions when closed is on the battery capacity and photo equipment. While owners of the giant Z Fold8 Ultra they receive a complete photographic arsenal including a telephoto lens, Galaxy Z Flip8 you have to rely on the dual camera. The telephoto lens is missing and will be missing, but the quality of the primary and ultraThe wide-angle sensor went up again between generations, even though at first glance it is the same on paper.
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When you open it, you have a classic, super-slim smartphone in your hand. Combining pocket-friendly compactness with a large internal display is a recipe that still works great. And it's in this direct comparison that you realize how useless last year's FE model was - the new eight offers exactly the premium feel that people buy a clamshell phone for, without having to make unnecessary compromises in design or display. However, it is necessary to mention that Galaxy Z FlipThe 7 FE was mainly killed by its price, which didn't quite live up to the meaning of the Fan Edition models.
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So what is the final verdict from our second meeting?
The first one was at the prebriefing, now I have the phone for a full test. Samsung has very sensibly cleaned up its puzzle offering this year. While a number Fold8 straddled the line between a compact experiment and an uncompromising work machine, a classic Galaxy Z Flip8 remains the king of style and practicality. It's exactly the kind of phone that you enjoy using when you open it and when you close it you'll be pleased with how little space it takes up in your pocket or purse. Although it's true that its biggest competitor is still in the model Galaxy Z Fold8. But the price is set so much higher that it's not really an either-or question.
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Yes, the absence of a telephoto lens is a shame (just like with Foldu8) and the battery capacity will have to justify its endurance only in a demanding test. However, there are slightly fewer compromises between generations. Let's wait for the final judgments until the review, but one thing is certain - FlipThe 8 is the most refined clamshell Samsung has ever made. And it makes sense. However, I have to say that if this is the last generation of the phone, as is widely speculated, it will be a nice farewell. But I hope all those leaky are not based on truth and next year there will be Galaxy Z Flip9.
You have a mistake there. Ulcer = forward