Galaxy Z Flip8 Camera: Cover-Screen Selfies and Hands-Free Shots

The camera hardware on the Galaxy Z Flip8 hasn’t changed from last year’s model. It’s still a 50MP sensor accompanied by a 12MP ultrawide. However, Samsung has focused on adding new camera software features this year, including Horizontal Lock, FlipShot, and Mirror view.

The main reason people use a Flip phone’s camera is to take selfies with the main camera. You close the phone and use the smaller screen on the outside as a viewfinder.

We didn’t test the Galaxy Z Flip8’s camera. What follows is based on the camera hardware Samsung detailed and how the Galaxy Z Flip8’s camera app appears to work with One UI 9. Camera image quality comments are based on coverage from GSMArena and SamMobile (and noted as such).

Galaxy Z Flip8 camera specs

What's new compared with the Flip7

According to GSMArena, not much has changed since the Flip7.

According to a hands-on from SamMobile, Samsung hasn’t made any significant hardware changes to the camera.

• The Exynos 2600 replaces the Exynos 2500, and the new model is also a tad lighter at 180 g (vs. 188 g) and thinner at 6.1 mm (vs. 6.5 mm) when unfolded, going by Samsung's announced specs for the Flip8 and GSMArena's spec sheet for the Flip7.
• One of the most interesting camera additions is Horizontal Lock for Super Steady, a feature Samsung first brought to the Galaxy S26 series, which keeps the horizon level no matter how you rotate the phone while filming (but it does limit recording to QHD).
• There’s also a new zoom rocker for easier zoom control when using the camcorder grip (half-folded mode) instead of having to pinch-zoom.
• FlipShot is another handy feature: instead of showing a live preview on the cover screen, you can have it display an animated image, still photo or message. There’s also a new Mirror view mode for those times you need a quick once-over.
• With One UI 9, Night mode has been integrated into Photo mode (look for the moon icon) and there’s a new My FanCam mode in Gallery, which lets you follow a single person within an existing video clip.

How to take rear-camera selfies on the cover screen

1. 1

   Close the phone and open the camera

   While the phone is closed, you can quickly access the camera app by pressing the side button twice (this is the default on recent Galaxy phones). The camera preview will be shown on the cover display, conveniently located right by the two cameras.

2. 2

   Use 1x for one person and 0.6x for groups

   According to GSMArena, selfies taken with the main 1x rear camera were sharper than ones taken with the front camera, with subjects popping from the background more. The ultrawide is good for group selfies, but since it has fixed focus, you’ll want to hold the phone at arm’s length or farther away.

3. 3

   Switch to 50MP in good light

   When taking selfies in good lighting that you plan on printing or cropping, switch to the main camera’s 50MP mode. For low light conditions like indoors or at night, it’s best to stick with the default 12MP mode.

4. 4

   Try Mirror view if the preview feels back to front

   The preview on the cover display can be set to Mirror view (under Camera Assistant), so it behaves more like an actual mirror, which many people find easier to take selfies from.

Hands-free shooting with Flex mode, your palm or your voice

Bent in half and propped up on a rock or wall or table, the Flip8 can work as its own tripod. The camera controls appear on the bottom half of the display, with a live preview image on the top half, or you can look at the cover screen and use that for preview instead.

• In Camera → Settings → Shooting methods, enable Show palm. Raise an open palm in front of the camera to start a countdown.
• Also found in the same menu are voice commands. Say “Smile” or “Cheese” to take a picture and “Record video” to start video recording.
• Or use the built-in 3s or 10s countdown timer and enable Camera Assistant’s timer multi-photo option to take multiple shots per countdown.

Settings by situation

There’s no telephoto camera, so past 2x you’re looking at digital zoom (up to 10x in Photo mode). Both of the fixed-focus cameras (the inner selfie and the ultrawide) will struggle with close-up shots.

The Flip’s unique form factor lends itself nicely to videos, as the bottom half (when half-folded) can act as a makeshift camcorder grip for more stable shots. GSMArena discovered that you can also enable horizon-lock when using the Flip in camcorder mode. The standard Video shooting mode can record 4K60 videos with all three cameras. Switching to Pro video unlocks more frame rates (24, 25, 48 and 50fps), manual controls for focus and exposure (with zebras), and mic directionality among others. The video settings guide discusses shutter speed and frame rate in greater depth.

Should you upgrade to the Flip8?

From a Flip7, there’s no photographic case for making the switch. GSMArena makes the point that not a lot changes between the two, and that the much cheaper Flip7 is the one to buy. As far as the camera is concerned, we agree.

Coming from a Flip6 or earlier, you’ll appreciate the larger 4.1-inch cover screen (that’s a jump from 3.4 inches on the Flip6), which will help when taking selfies with the rear camera, and Horizontal Lock will be new to you. Our Galaxy Z Flip 6 camera review has more details on what that phone still does well. If you retain one, its settings page has starting values.

If you’re looking for true zoom capability, you’re not going to find it in any Flip model. The Fold8 Ultra in our Galaxy Z Fold8 camera guide has a 3x telephoto, and our portrait mode guide shows how to get flattering portraits from a 2x crop.

Frequently asked questions