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 screen lastly feels full, DeX assist is an unimaginable bonus on such a tiny footprint, and its battery life obtained a strong bump up.
However whereas the Z Flip 7 closes the hole with rivals just like the Moto Razr Ultra, it is value looking forward to what subsequent 12 months’s Z Flip 8 may convey. Apple reportedly has plans to convey its taste of foldable iPhone to market in 2026 as properly, giving Samsung much more motivation to ship.
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That is why, even with the Flip 7 hitting so many marks, upgrading in 2026 might make sense, too. Here is why subsequent 12 months’s Z Flip 8 might be well worth the wait.
Battery tech might 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 enhance, however it’s not fairly what we have come to count on from flagship units both. Fortunately, Samsung has given some clues in current months that present it’s actively exploring new sorts of battery applied sciences that might arrive in subsequent 12 months’s foldables.
A number of smartphones have hit the market up to now 12 months with silicon-carbon battery expertise that delivers higher vitality density and longevity in comparison with customary lithium-ion batteries. A rumor from FNNews, a Korean information website, factors to a number of sources predicting that silicon-carbon batteries might arrive on Samsung’s flagships beginning with the S26 sequence.
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Samsung itself has acknowledged its interest within the expertise, and its use might finally imply cramming extra capability into the Z Flip 8 whereas maintaining the footprint the same measurement as this 12 months’s mannequin.
Even when silicon carbon integration does 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 at the moment’s foldable smartphones is the dreaded display screen crease, a refined however noticeable line that runs down the fold space, giving the display screen an imperfect look. Fortunately, we might 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 function a “crease-free” show, made potential by a laser-drilled steel plate that distributes and controls bending stress throughout the fold line.
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Superb 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 might be one of many first foldables with a pristine internal show, and that may be properly value ready for.
The arrival of a two-nanometer chip
Efficiency-wise, the Z Flip 8 might ship a significant 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 a substitute 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 convey much more energy and vitality effectivity to the following technology Z Flip 8. Conflicting stories say Qualcomm may need pulled again plans to completely undertake Samsung’s 2-nanometer manufacturing, turning to its different companions as a substitute.
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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 approach 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 severe promise.
Improved sturdiness
Sturdiness is a long-standing subject for foldables. The Z Flip 7 gives strong water resistance however minimal mud resistance with its IP48 score. Foldables might be very troublesome to guard from mud ingress on account of their versatile parts and sophisticated hinge buildings. 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 arduous to discover a answer.
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Competitors is heating up on this division as properly. The Motorola Razr Extremely now has an improved IP52 score, and a separate rumor factors to the chance that subsequent 12 months’s Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold may carry a full IP68 score, making it the primary foldable to be really immune to mud and water. If Samsung desires to ship on its purpose of tightening up mud safety, subsequent 12 months is the appropriate time to do it.
The ultimate verdict
Let me be clear: I am not seeking to throw chilly water on anybody’s choice to buy the Z Flip 7. It is a improbable smartphone that I am completely having fun with.
However realistically, subsequent 12 months’s Z Flip 8 might hit even more durable in practically each necessary class for foldables with longer battery life, smoother display screen composition, an industry-leading processor, and tougher-than-ever construct high quality. When you aren’t in any hurry to tug the set off, I might recommend you contemplate giving it a while. Your persistence may simply be well worth the wait.
Observe my newest tech evaluations and tasks throughout social media. You will discover me on YouTube at YouTube.com/@JasonHowell, on X (previously Twitter) at @JasonHowell, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/thatjasonhowell.
