Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 to Be 10% Thinner and Lighter in 2026
The year 2026 is poised to be a return to form for Samsung in the foldable smartphone market. Specifically, reports suggest the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is undergoing a significant redesign focused on size and weight reduction. The previous Z Flip 7 received criticism for being bulky when compared to rivals, such as the Motorola Razr. Samsung is now aggressively addressing this issue to regain user interest across the globe.
Targeting a 10% Reduction in Bulk
According to the Korean media outlet, The Bell, Samsung aims to make the Z Flip 8 over 10% thinner and lighter than its predecessor. Initial calculations based on this target suggest the device could be only 12.3 mm thick when folded. When unfolded, it could measure a slim 5.8 mm. The projected weight is around 169 grams. This makes it comparable to the recently launched Galaxy S25 Edge.
Achieving this goal would effectively resolve the portability complaints that users have raised for years. The new design would make the Z Flip 8 the closest the Flip series has ever been to a standard smartphone. It would be lighter and easier to use than previous models. While keeping its signature folding function, the device would no longer feel heavy in hand. This change would elevate the user experience, making it more akin to using a conventional smartphone.
Software Improvements and Sales Goals
Beyond hardware, the One UI 9 software, set to debut with the new Z series next year, will be another major highlight. Significant improvements are planned for the exterior screen, or Cover Screen. The goal is to make it fully functional, much like a small, complete smartphone display, a feature where the Motorola Razr currently excels. Improving the Cover Screen will reduce the need for users to constantly open the device.
Samsung has set an ambitious sales target for its foldable phones in 2026: 6.7 million units for the entire year. While challenging, this figure still lags significantly behind the sales of the flagship Galaxy S series. Modernizing the design and making the device more approachable are key strategies to revive the popularity of the Flip series, which has recently seen its momentum slow down.
THIS IS our take: The Z Flip 8’s rumored transformation is exactly the wake-up call the foldable market needed. For years, the appeal of a flip phone was portability, and Samsung is finally delivering on that promise. By making the Z Flip 8 as thin and light as a regular high-end smartphone, Samsung could create the “foldable phone of dreams.” This move eliminates the last major barrier for mass adoption. The year 2026 could indeed be the game-changing year for the entire foldable industry.
origin: 9to5google
