Galaxy Z Flip8 vs Nothing Phone (3): Eight Categories Decided
galaxy z flip8 vs nothing phone (3) | Category: Phone Comparison | Updated November 2026
I have had the Galaxy Z Flip8 and the Nothing Phone (3) on the same desk for the better part of a week now, and the short version is that both are excellent phones that are not excellent at the same things.
On the Galaxy Z Flip8 side you get Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 12 GB of RAM and a Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 1080 x 2640, 120Hz screen. The Nothing Phone (3) answers with Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 12/16 GB of RAM and a LTPO AMOLED 120Hz, 1256 x 2756, 120Hz panel. Prices are $1,099 and $799 respectively, which is the first thing most buyers look at and the last thing they should decide on.
Key differences at a glance
Reasons to buy the Galaxy Z Flip8
- The Galaxy Z Flip8 is the lighter handset at 188 g against 218 g, which you notice after an hour of scrolling.
- Galaxy Z Flip8 leads the benchmark charts with 3,500,000 points against 1,750,000, a 100% gap that shows up in heavy games and long exports.
Reasons to buy the Nothing Phone (3)
- The Nothing Phone (3) panel is sharper at about 460 ppi versus 408 ppi on the Galaxy Z Flip8.
- Video ceiling is higher on the Nothing Phone (3) at 4K@60, 8K@30.
- Build protection is better on the Nothing Phone (3) with an IP68 rating against IP48.
- Nothing Phone (3) is the cheaper of the two at launch, $799 against $1,099.
- Nothing Phone (3) has the more flexible camera system with a periscope telephoto the Galaxy Z Flip8 does not offer.
Category scores
Scores are weighted: camera and performance carry the most points, because that is where these two separate in daily use. Every figure comes from the spec sheet, published benchmark results and my own time with each phone.
| Category | Galaxy Z Flip8 | Nothing Phone (3) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and build | 79 | 82 | Nothing Phone (3) |
| Display | 98 | 98 | Tie |
| Performance | 98 | 89 | Galaxy Z Flip8 |
| Camera | 70 | 93 | Nothing Phone (3) |
| Battery life | 65 | 86 | Nothing Phone (3) |
| Software and updates | 85 | 80 | Galaxy Z Flip8 |
| Connectivity | 91 | 91 | Tie |
| Value for money | 62 | 69 | Nothing Phone (3) |
| Overall score | 81 | 88 | Nothing Phone (3) |
Full specification comparison
Every row is a straight head-to-head. The shaded cell is the phone that wins that line.
Design and build
| Specification | Galaxy Z Flip8 | Nothing Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | July 2026 | July 2025 |
| Dimensions | 85.5 x 165.1 x 13.7 mm | 160.6 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 188 g | 218 g |
| Build materials | Gorilla Glass Victus 3, armor aluminum | Gorilla Glass 7i, aluminum frame |
| Ingress rating | IP48 | IP68 |
| Stylus / special hardware | - | - |
Display
| Specification | Galaxy Z Flip8 | Nothing Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Panel type | Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X | LTPO AMOLED 120Hz |
| Screen size | 6.9 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2640 | 1256 x 2756 |
| Pixel density | ~408 ppi | ~460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits | 4,500 nits |
Performance and benchmarks
| Specification | Galaxy Z Flip8 | Nothing Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 |
| CPU | Octa-core 2x4.74 GHz + 6x3.62 GHz | Octa-core 1x3.21 GHz + 3x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz + 2x2.0 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 840 | Adreno 825 |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12/16 GB |
| Storage options | 256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Card slot | No | No |
| AnTuTu | 3,500,000 | 1,750,000 |
| Geekbench multi-core | 10,800 | 6,900 |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy Z Flip8 | Nothing Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 5,150 mAh |
| Wired charging | 45W | 65W |
| Wireless charging | 15W Qi2 | 15W |
| Active use score | 14 h 05 min | 18 h 15 min |
Cameras
| Specification | Galaxy Z Flip8 | Nothing Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Main | 50 MP, f/1.8 | 50 MP, f/1.5 |
| Telephoto | No | 50 MP 3x periscope |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2, 120deg | 50 MP, f/2.2, 114deg |
| Selfie | 10 MP under display | 50 MP, f/2.2 |
| Top video | 4K@60 | 4K@60, 8K@30 |
Software and updates
| Specification | Galaxy Z Flip8 | Nothing Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 16, One UI 9 | Android 15, Nothing OS 3.5 |
| Update promise | seven generations of Android updates | three major Android upgrades |
| Expected longevity | Long support window | Long support window |
Connectivity and audio
| Specification | Galaxy Z Flip8 | Nothing Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone jack | No | No |
Price and storage
| Specification | Galaxy Z Flip8 | Nothing Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,099 | $799 |
| Cheapest configuration | 256GB, $1,099 | 128GB, $799 |
| Rough local price (Sri Lanka) | Rs. 329,700 | Rs. 239,700 |
In depth: how they compare
Build quality
Holding them side by side the Galaxy Z Flip8 feels 188 and the Nothing Phone (3) feels 218. That is a 30 gram difference, and it does not sound like much until you have been scrolling for an hour.
Colour and finish are personal, so I will not pretend to settle them here. What matters is that Nothing Phone (3) has the better ingress protection of the pair.
Display and visibility
The Nothing Phone (3) hits 4,500 rated nits, the Galaxy Z Flip8 manages 2,600. Auto brightness on the Nothing Phone (3) is the one I trusted more when walking out of a shop into midday sun.
Panel technology is the other split: Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X on the Galaxy Z Flip8 against LTPO AMOLED 120Hz on the Nothing Phone (3). If you watch a lot of video in a dark room, the deeper blacks of the Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X are the reason to pick it.
Performance and benchmarks
Synthetic scores say the Galaxy Z Flip8 is about 100% quicker overall. That gap is real in games and exports, and much smaller in WhatsApp, Maps and email.
Chipsets are Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the Galaxy Z Flip8 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 in the Nothing Phone (3). RAM is 12 GB against 12/16 GB, and storage starts at 256 against 128 without a card slot on the Galaxy Z Flip8.
Cameras
I took both on the same evening walk. The Galaxy Z Flip8 handled mixed light more consistently, while the Nothing Phone (3) needed a steadier hand but rewarded it with more detail in the highlights.
Zoom is the clearest divider. The Nothing Phone (3) gives you 50 MP 3x periscope, which is the difference between a usable concert photo and a blurry one. The Galaxy Z Flip8 tops out at no dedicated zoom.
Battery and charging
Endurance ran to 14 h 05 min against 18 h 15 min in the active-use test. Neither will leave you stranded, but the Nothing Phone (3) is the one I would take on a long trip without a power bank.
Wireless charging is 15W Qi2 on the Galaxy Z Flip8 and 15W on the Nothing Phone (3), which only matters if you already own a pad.
Whichever you pick, set it up properly on day one: disable the notifications you do not want, switch on the battery limit to 80 percent if the phone offers it, and update before you move your data across.
Software
Software is the part people forget to research. The Galaxy Z Flip8 runs Android 16, One UI 9, the Nothing Phone (3) runs Android 15, Nothing OS 3.5, and update support is seven generations of Android updates against three major Android upgrades.
If you keep phones for three years or longer, weight the software row heavily. A phone that stops getting patches in year two is a false economy even when it is cheap.
Price, value and where to buy
Value is not the same as cheap. The Galaxy Z Flip8 costs more and scores better overall, so if you keep phones for three years the cost per month favours it. If you upgrade often or you are buying on a tight budget, the Nothing Phone (3) is the rational pick.
Discounts change this equation every month, so treat launch pricing as a reference point rather than a promise. The Nothing Phone (3) regularly drops; the Galaxy Z Flip8 holds its number for longer.
Buy it if, do not buy it if
Buy the Galaxy Z Flip8 if
- Folds completely flat
- Big cover screen
- Pocketable design
- It costs $1,099 at launch.
Do not buy the Galaxy Z Flip8 if
- No zoom lens
- Battery still mid-size
- Crease visible
Buy the Nothing Phone (3) if
- Glyph interface
- 50MP across all lenses
- Clean Nothing OS
- It costs $799 at launch.
Do not buy the Nothing Phone (3) if
- Chip is mid-flagship
- Plastic back
- No charger in box
Verdict
Winner: Nothing Phone (3) (81 - 88)
The Nothing Phone (3) wins this comparison by 7 points, and it earns it. It takes performance, software and updates and gives back ground in design and build, camera - which is the correct trade for most buyers. The Galaxy Z Flip8 is not a bad phone; it is a more specialised one.
If you are upgrading from something three years old, either is a genuine leap. If you are coming from last year, skip both and put the money towards accessories instead.
Buy the Galaxy Z Flip8 if
You want folds completely flat, big cover screen.
Buy the Nothing Phone (3) if
You want glyph interface, 50mp across all lenses.
Frequently asked questions
Which one is better value for money?
On our scoring the Nothing Phone (3) wins the value category at $799 against $1,099 launch pricing for the Galaxy Z Flip8. The cheaper device is the Nothing Phone (3), and unless you need a specific feature from the pricier model, that is the smart buy.
Which phone is lighter and more comfortable?
The Galaxy Z Flip8 weighs 188 g and the Nothing Phone (3) weighs 218 g, a 30 gram difference. Combined with the 6.9 inch and 6.7 inch screens, the smaller one is the easier phone to hold one-handed.
Which phone has better battery life?
The Nothing Phone (3) lasted 18 h 15 min against 14 h 05 min in the same active-use test, about 30% longer. The Nothing Phone (3) counters with a 65W charger, so it spends less time on the cable even when the day runs long.
Which phone holds its value better?
Historically the Galaxy Z Flip8 loses less of its resale value, which matters if you upgrade every year. If you keep phones until they die, buy the cheaper one and ignore depreciation entirely.
Do both phones support 5G, NFC and wireless charging?
NFC is yes on the Galaxy Z Flip8 and yes on the Nothing Phone (3). Wireless charging is 15W Qi2 versus 15W. Both are 5G-capable where the network supports it, so this row only matters if you rely on contactless payments or a charging pad every night.
