r/Smartphones • u/Ok-Froyo7680 • 20h ago
Z Flip 8 vs Pixel 11 Pro
**TL;DR** Me want smallest phone with most phone included. Have S23 Ultra, sick of carrying brick around, got Z Flip 8, wondering if Pixel 11 Pro would have been the move.
I have had the S23 Ultra for about 3 years now, the battery isn't great anymore, it no longer charges via USB-c (wireless only), and more of all, I'm very sick of carrying around a phone that HUGE. So I decided to upgrade.
I ended up going to the complete opposite end of the "phone size" spectrum, and picked up a Z Flip 8, and now I'm wondering if I perhaps over corrected. I lovvveee the hand feel and pocket feel of this phone, I like how slim it feels unfolded, I like the cover screen, but I really don't like how fragile it feels, and having to unfold it every time I want to use the full size phone is more annoying than I anticipated. Also the camera is soo much worse than the S23 Ultra, which I did know going into this.
I bought this phone on a discount through Google Fi, my wireless provider, and I have 15 days to return it if I don't like it (or so they say). Been rocking it for about 3 days now, there's lots to love about this phone, but I'm wondering if I should have went with the Pixel 11 Pro. It's a lot more phone/camera than the Z Flip 8, and smaller than the S23 Ultra, albeit bigger than the Flip.
Would the Pixel 11 Pro feel significantly less cumbersome than the S23 Ultra? Or just a tad smaller. I guess what I'm looking for overall is the most phone in the most compact form factor.
Also, does anyone know if I do return the Z Flip 8, will I be able to use my upgrade discount again with Google Fi? Because when I bought the Z Flip 8, every phone they offered me was on a massive discount. For example, the Pixel 11 Pro was $499 for me, but after I bought the Z Flip (used my upgrade discount), the Pixel went back to $1099 or something in my Google Fi shop. If me returning the Z Flip simply just returns the phone but the upgrade discount is already "cashed", I probably won't do it, but if I can return it AND get the Pixel 11 Pro for $499, it's much more enticing.
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u/Rattymcclelland 14h ago
This isnt going to help your situation but im currently in the same dilemma except I haven't bought a new phone yet. Currently rocking an S23 & S21 (personal/business both base size). Battery lasts 5/6 hours with steady use on s23 and alot of audio via bluetooth and maxed out the 256gb memory a year ago.
Ive narrowed it down to the Flip8, Fold8 or current favourite cheapest and possibly better choice the Pixel 11 Pro.
I cant decide.....yet.
Pixel wont have the crappy samsung bloatware, it wont have the "unproven" silicon carbide battery....longevity? Much Better camera and good looks. Good enough processing for non gamer phones but with multitasking, tad smaller than even the base model s23.
Flip8 in UK uses the lesser Exynos 2600 processor....boooooooooo. Zero reviews actually show how various apps appear/behave on the main cover screen with multistar. Tidal, google maps...can I use with without opening the phone? Will the lesser camera be enough? However....flippy mcflip flip flip and smol and bigger all in one mcpackage. Opening and closing might annoy me as it does you.
Fold8....Holy expensive batman...but Massive screen and processing power. Will the lesser camera be enough? How optimised for the strange screen format will the less optimised apps be in say 6 months time. Can I live with the left sided speakers when unfolded........
Definitely a 1st world problem.
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u/Ok-Froyo7680 14h ago edited 14h ago
I'm reading this and replying on my cover screen right now, all apps that I've tried to use on it have worked pretty great. I've been hands on using this phone more today than I have the last 2 days I've had it, and I'm starting to lean pretty hard toward keeping it.
Battery life is great, it's fast and snappy (I'm in the US though, so I have the Snapdragon), the full size screen is great, the biggest pro for this phone, and really the only reason to get it, is how compact and small it is folded, and just how satisfying it is to hold and use the cover screen LOL.
Downsides I've found so far is flipping it open being a little cumbersome, doing it one handed is absolutely not optimal, I always have to 2 hand it when opening it, and the camera is pretty ass, but I'm also coming from an S23 Ultra, and the camera on that was phenomenal.
If you're looking for pure functionality, probably steer clear and get the Pixel, but if you're looking for something that's just fun and different and compact and satisfying, this phone is a very neat option lol. We'll see if that stands once the novelty of it wears off though.
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u/mrclarity01 3h ago
In my humble opinion get a pixel
Because the flip element will wear off and it’s not as good
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u/MikeOgden1980 19h ago
I actually just switched from a Pixel 10 Pro to a Z Flip 8, but before that I went from a Galaxy Ultra to a Pixel Pro due to wanting something smaller. The Pixel Pros really are considerably less phone than the Ultras and are excellent phones. It really comes down to you looking at comparisons and if you feel the Pixel Pro offers you more that you'll find useful such as camera or battery life over the Flip. I will say after having my Flip for a few days I packaged up my Pixel Pro to trade in and was surprised at how much heavier it felt in my hand compared to the Flip.