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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
- Thread starter DakotaGuy
- Start date
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The trouble with these types of reviews now is the basis of comparisons to slab phones in so far they do not give extra brownie points for it's uniqueness.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip review: temper your expectations
Samsung has made the best folding phone, but that is a low bar right now.www.theverge.com
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip review: Admire it, don't buy it
To date, every foldable you could buy has been the subject of at least some drama. Royole's FlexPai felt barely finished. The original Galaxy Fold wasn't much more than a prototype, with glaring design issues that were fixed in later production runs. Huawei's Mate X stole the show at last year's...www.engadget.com
I doubt when the next slab phone review comes along they won't be marking them down or commenting against the plus points of folding phones
Too much pigeon holing IMO
[automerge]1582325382[/automerge]
The Thom Browne designer edition of the Galaxy Z Flip comes in unique packaging and bundles in a few extras. The Z Flip itself has a gray finish with the designer’s stripe down the middle. It comes with two cases including a leather one, along with a pair of Thom Browne Galaxy Buds+ and a Galaxy Watch Active 2 with a Thom Browne designer leather strap. The watch and phone also come with exclusive wallpapers, themes, and sounds.
It retails in the Korea for 2,970,000 won (aprox. $2,464). The US retail price of the special Edition bundle is $2,480. So, if you added up the normal cost of the Galaxy Z Flip ($1,380), the Galaxy Buds+ ($150), and the Galaxy Watch Active 2 ($250), that comes out to a $700 premium over for the designer edition bundle.
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I agree with him about the character of the Razr. Moto has an opportunity to really make the next gen something special. The question is, will they?
Yeah, anytime I hear, "it's got character," I usually go the other way. Lol. Regardless, good thing, it's a subjective thing. Bottom line, word of mouth from early adoptors will help foldable become more mainstream. The Z Flip is the device that'll get things rolling. There's nothing else to challenge it at the moment.
I understand what he means about character as the Razr has history, but maybe nostalgia would of been closer fit
I disagree with him saying the Flip is a clinical design, its more modern, cute and with bling IMO
Additionally most of these reviewers are probably to young to remember models like Samsung T500 from 2003 that had flashing coloured diamonds with your ring tone, my wife loved this phone
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Its funny..I was showing a few people at work videos and pics of the Flip. My iPhone coworkers were going nuts over the Flip. But my Android coworkers liked it but had a wait and see attitude.
I think the Flip might convert a few iPhone people over to that form factor.
Sorry I added the picture post your reply
But I can certainly see a slight bias to ladies with the purple flip re make-up mirror but I would also guess it would be helpful for putting in contacts too
Certainly for my wife it would be slightly nostalgic having had the T500 but I would also guess many more mature girls
would also have a old association for this format even if as trivial as fitting in small handbags/purse like yesterday flips didStill boys and girls do also have a choice for black, gold or the designer grey at $2400
How are you finding the tallness of the Flip? Is one handed use only possible for those with ultra large hands?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is really an awesome tech tour-de-force. I had the chance to play with one, and it feels super solid. The screen feels great to the touch, unlike the more plasticky feel of the Fold. Obviously the S20 is a "better" phone for the price today, but I can see Samsung perfecting this by the next version.
Some early thoughts:
I've had my sim in since last night and set up as new - didn't bother with any sort of transfer from my Pixel 4.
First impressions - it's gorgeous. I keep opening and closing it because I can't quite believe that this kind of thing is a possibility on a smart phone.
One thing I'm immediately struck by, is how much Samsung has grown as an Android user device. Their new One UI skin is actually bearable, and is really jam packed with options which is kinda of what you want from an Android device. Funny how we tech nerds think of Android as being all about customisation, yet the 'purest' Android of them all (Pixel), can't even let you remove the date from the home screen...
Anyway, I digress.
I love the design, and I love the feel in hand. It feels fairly light yet extremely premium and well balanced.
The included case is a nice touch, and I can see me using it when in work etc as this is one expensive phone and also one that is definitely going to be more prone to damage than any other out there at the moment.
A lot of reviewers and people who see the phone in stores etc are saying the crease is a problem and it would bother them no end. For me, it isn't an issue at all. This isn't me saying this as a blind day one (ish) purchaser - everyone who knows me knows that Samsung are probably my least favourite Android's so I have no reason to blindly ignore shortcomings like you see too often.
But the crease isn't a problem. For me.
It's definitely there, but you will not even see it when looking at the Flip front on. Angle it away from you, or look at someone else using it, and it becomes much more apparent.
You do feel it though, which is something else other people have said would be troublesome. For me, again - it isn't.
I rarely reach that point of the screen when scrolling through a web page, instagram, etc but I do have small hands so maybe someone larger handed would just naturally have a further reaching swipe. You definitely know it's there, but it's just one of them things you become accustomed to.
I love that there's a fingerprint sensor in the power button. Very Sony-esque.
It works really well, although is a little on the high side given how tall the phone can go due to the 21:9 aspect.
I think this aspect ratio is perfect for this device though, as it keeps it narrow and means holding it in one hand is much easier.
For those wondering if it is a "two handed" device - yes it absolutely is. There is no way someone could reach the top of the screen to swipe down with one hand - if they can they have the worlds biggest hands.
Thankfully, Samsung allow you to swipe anywhere to bring the notification shade down, and the power button can double as a scroller as per the old Pixel fingerprint scanners to bring it down also. Nice touch.
The outside screen is utterly pointless. There is no way anyone can defend this decision, or even begin to use "first gen tech" as an excuse. Motorole have got a decent external display in their RAZR so Samsung have zero excuse. It's fiddly, small and this for me is the biggest weakness of this device.
Thankfully, the main screen is glorious. Although it's typical Samsung in that the 'vivid' mode is absolutely awful and almost made my eyes bleed. I switched it to natural as soon as I could and I'm much happier.
I do worry about the internal screen because that plastic layer (which has got everyone talking), is a concern. I don't think I will do too much in the way of one handed opening, because it's a little too stiff for that (closing is easier). But when trying to open with one hand I have a tendancy to use the nail part of my thumb to push the top screen back - and that's just a recipe for disaster judging by the JRE video.
So I won't be attempting that moving forward.
In terms of the camera - I haven't even tested yet. Some reviewers are saying it is an S10 camera, just with software enhancements to get better results. Others are saying it isn't as good as the S10 from last year and is lagging behind today's flagships.
I will need to give it a go myself before I can really say anything about it though.
I have 14 days with it, before I can return it or keep it. I think if I did keep it, I'd maybe return it for the pink one. Although I am a guy, I don't class my choice of phone colour as a mark of my gender or even sexuality. And those that do need to have a word with themselves.
Plus the pink one looks better to my eyes.
I will post more the more I use it - hopefully get some camera samples soon too which would be good.
As it stands, I love the phone. It's different. In a sea of slabs and same old same old incremental upgrades every year, it makes more sense to me to spend some more money on something that is a talking point and a very very cool piece of tech innovation.
What has struck me about this phone is that it's very very nearly there. It's not a million miles away from being almost perfect. In terms of just its design, the external screen needs changing, the internal screen could do with some form of stronger coating (if possible) and the cameras could be a little more advanced for the price of the thing.
But that aside, it's there. Would I happily use this as a 'daily' phone in place of an S20 - 100% yes.
And that to me, is the mark of it's success. If I was finding issue after issue (which could happen) relating to the design of such a device, then I'd be saying the opposite. But early impressions are that this is a recipe for success with just a few small (and definitely doable IMO), tweaks.
I can't wait to use it more and more.
I've had my sim in since last night and set up as new - didn't bother with any sort of transfer from my Pixel 4.
First impressions - it's gorgeous. I keep opening and closing it because I can't quite believe that this kind of thing is a possibility on a smart phone.
One thing I'm immediately struck by, is how much Samsung has grown as an Android user device. Their new One UI skin is actually bearable, and is really jam packed with options which is kinda of what you want from an Android device. Funny how we tech nerds think of Android as being all about customisation, yet the 'purest' Android of them all (Pixel), can't even let you remove the date from the home screen...
Anyway, I digress.
I love the design, and I love the feel in hand. It feels fairly light yet extremely premium and well balanced.
The included case is a nice touch, and I can see me using it when in work etc as this is one expensive phone and also one that is definitely going to be more prone to damage than any other out there at the moment.
A lot of reviewers and people who see the phone in stores etc are saying the crease is a problem and it would bother them no end. For me, it isn't an issue at all. This isn't me saying this as a blind day one (ish) purchaser - everyone who knows me knows that Samsung are probably my least favourite Android's so I have no reason to blindly ignore shortcomings like you see too often.
But the crease isn't a problem. For me.
It's definitely there, but you will not even see it when looking at the Flip front on. Angle it away from you, or look at someone else using it, and it becomes much more apparent.
You do feel it though, which is something else other people have said would be troublesome. For me, again - it isn't.
I rarely reach that point of the screen when scrolling through a web page, instagram, etc but I do have small hands so maybe someone larger handed would just naturally have a further reaching swipe. You definitely know it's there, but it's just one of them things you become accustomed to.
I love that there's a fingerprint sensor in the power button. Very Sony-esque.
It works really well, although is a little on the high side given how tall the phone can go due to the 21:9 aspect.
I think this aspect ratio is perfect for this device though, as it keeps it narrow and means holding it in one hand is much easier.
For those wondering if it is a "two handed" device - yes it absolutely is. There is no way someone could reach the top of the screen to swipe down with one hand - if they can they have the worlds biggest hands.
Thankfully, Samsung allow you to swipe anywhere to bring the notification shade down, and the power button can double as a scroller as per the old Pixel fingerprint scanners to bring it down also. Nice touch.
The outside screen is utterly pointless. There is no way anyone can defend this decision, or even begin to use "first gen tech" as an excuse. Motorole have got a decent external display in their RAZR so Samsung have zero excuse. It's fiddly, small and this for me is the biggest weakness of this device.
Thankfully, the main screen is glorious. Although it's typical Samsung in that the 'vivid' mode is absolutely awful and almost made my eyes bleed. I switched it to natural as soon as I could and I'm much happier.
I do worry about the internal screen because that plastic layer (which has got everyone talking), is a concern. I don't think I will do too much in the way of one handed opening, because it's a little too stiff for that (closing is easier). But when trying to open with one hand I have a tendancy to use the nail part of my thumb to push the top screen back - and that's just a recipe for disaster judging by the JRE video.
So I won't be attempting that moving forward.
In terms of the camera - I haven't even tested yet. Some reviewers are saying it is an S10 camera, just with software enhancements to get better results. Others are saying it isn't as good as the S10 from last year and is lagging behind today's flagships.
I will need to give it a go myself before I can really say anything about it though.
I have 14 days with it, before I can return it or keep it. I think if I did keep it, I'd maybe return it for the pink one. Although I am a guy, I don't class my choice of phone colour as a mark of my gender or even sexuality. And those that do need to have a word with themselves.
Plus the pink one looks better to my eyes.
I will post more the more I use it - hopefully get some camera samples soon too which would be good.
As it stands, I love the phone. It's different. In a sea of slabs and same old same old incremental upgrades every year, it makes more sense to me to spend some more money on something that is a talking point and a very very cool piece of tech innovation.
What has struck me about this phone is that it's very very nearly there. It's not a million miles away from being almost perfect. In terms of just its design, the external screen needs changing, the internal screen could do with some form of stronger coating (if possible) and the cameras could be a little more advanced for the price of the thing.
But that aside, it's there. Would I happily use this as a 'daily' phone in place of an S20 - 100% yes.
And that to me, is the mark of it's success. If I was finding issue after issue (which could happen) relating to the design of such a device, then I'd be saying the opposite. But early impressions are that this is a recipe for success with just a few small (and definitely doable IMO), tweaks.
I can't wait to use it more and more.
What a great write up! Thanks for taking the time and effort! Makes me want to get one even more nowSome early thoughts:
I've had my sim in since last night and set up as new - didn't bother with any sort of transfer from my Pixel 4.
First impressions - it's gorgeous. I keep opening and closing it because I can't quite believe that this kind of thing is a possibility on a smart phone.
View attachment 895569
One thing I'm immediately struck by, is how much Samsung has grown as an Android user device. Their new One UI skin is actually bearable, and is really jam packed with options which is kinda of what you want from an Android device. Funny how we tech nerds think of Android as being all about customisation, yet the 'purest' Android of them all (Pixel), can't even let you remove the date from the home screen...
Anyway, I digress.
I love the design, and I love the feel in hand. It feels fairly light yet extremely premium and well balanced.
View attachment 895570
The included case is a nice touch, and I can see me using it when in work etc as this is one expensive phone and also one that is definitely going to be more prone to damage than any other out there at the moment.
A lot of reviewers and people who see the phone in stores etc are saying the crease is a problem and it would bother them no end. For me, it isn't an issue at all. This isn't me saying this as a blind day one (ish) purchaser - everyone who knows me knows that Samsung are probably my least favourite Android's so I have no reason to blindly ignore shortcomings like you see too often.
But the crease isn't a problem. For me.
It's definitely there, but you will not even see it when looking at the Flip front on. Angle it away from you, or look at someone else using it, and it becomes much more apparent.
View attachment 895571
You do feel it though, which is something else other people have said would be troublesome. For me, again - it isn't.
I rarely reach that point of the screen when scrolling through a web page, instagram, etc but I do have small hands so maybe someone larger handed would just naturally have a further reaching swipe. You definitely know it's there, but it's just one of them things you become accustomed to.
I love that there's a fingerprint sensor in the power button. Very Sony-esque.
It works really well, although is a little on the high side given how tall the phone can go due to the 21:9 aspect.
I think this aspect ratio is perfect for this device though, as it keeps it narrow and means holding it in one hand is much easier.
For those wondering if it is a "two handed" device - yes it absolutely is. There is no way someone could reach the top of the screen to swipe down with one hand - if they can they have the worlds biggest hands.
Thankfully, Samsung allow you to swipe anywhere to bring the notification shade down, and the power button can double as a scroller as per the old Pixel fingerprint scanners to bring it down also. Nice touch.
The outside screen is utterly pointless. There is no way anyone can defend this decision, or even begin to use "first gen tech" as an excuse. Motorole have got a decent external display in their RAZR so Samsung have zero excuse. It's fiddly, small and this for me is the biggest weakness of this device.
View attachment 895572
Thankfully, the main screen is glorious. Although it's typical Samsung in that the 'vivid' mode is absolutely awful and almost made my eyes bleed. I switched it to natural as soon as I could and I'm much happier.
I do worry about the internal screen because that plastic layer (which has got everyone talking), is a concern. I don't think I will do too much in the way of one handed opening, because it's a little too stiff for that (closing is easier). But when trying to open with one hand I have a tendancy to use the nail part of my thumb to push the top screen back - and that's just a recipe for disaster judging by the JRE video.
So I won't be attempting that moving forward.
View attachment 895573
In terms of the camera - I haven't even tested yet. Some reviewers are saying it is an S10 camera, just with software enhancements to get better results. Others are saying it isn't as good as the S10 from last year and is lagging behind today's flagships.
I will need to give it a go myself before I can really say anything about it though.
I have 14 days with it, before I can return it or keep it. I think if I did keep it, I'd maybe return it for the pink one. Although I am a guy, I don't class my choice of phone colour as a mark of my gender or even sexuality. And those that do need to have a word with themselves.
Plus the pink one looks better to my eyes.
I will post more the more I use it - hopefully get some camera samples soon too which would be good.
As it stands, I love the phone. It's different. In a sea of slabs and same old same old incremental upgrades every year, it makes more sense to me to spend some more money on something that is a talking point and a very very cool piece of tech innovation.
What has struck me about this phone is that it's very very nearly there. It's not a million miles away from being almost perfect. In terms of just its design, the external screen needs changing, the internal screen could do with some form of stronger coating (if possible) and the cameras could be a little more advanced for the price of the thing.
But that aside, it's there. Would I happily use this as a 'daily' phone in place of an S20 - 100% yes.
And that to me, is the mark of it's success. If I was finding issue after issue (which could happen) relating to the design of such a device, then I'd be saying the opposite. But early impressions are that this is a recipe for success with just a few small (and definitely doable IMO), tweaks.
I can't wait to use it more and more.
View attachment 895574
What a great write up! Thanks for taking the time and effort! Makes me want to get one even more now
It's no problem! I like doing it
. And you should just get one! It's a tech enthusiast dream ha.
Good posts. I'm still laughing at the people calling this a failure that solves no problems. I'll be laughing harder when they buy Apple's foldable in a couple of years. I'm all in the Apple ecosystem now (including Apple Card) and probably won't buy one of these but I'm very glad the people are liking them. So far it seems like it might be a great seller since initial stock has sold out in most places.
I've been on the fence with this one but after reading Aneres11's write up i think he has convinced me to get one!What a great write up! Thanks for taking the time and effort! Makes me want to get one even more now
Yes well written and I like the added info re scroll via power button, do not have that on my FoldIt's no problem! I like doing it
And you should just get one! It's a tech enthusiast dream ha.
Waiting for release here in KL but will be getting one for my wife
PS I like the purple too over the black
I found these quotes in the iPad forum from just before/after its initial release. These are oddly familiar and we all know how that turned out.
I found this one particularly funny.
^^^
I found this one particularly funny.
I’ve got small hands and I’m able to reach things fine so someone with large hands shouldn’t have any issues. However, you can always fold it to reach those upper apps. I will note that this phone is slippery. I haven’t put on the case that came with it yet but almost any case or skin might alleviate it. Even with my dry, cracked, in desperate need of a mani & lotion hands right now, it still slides around.
Went to the Trafford Centre tonight so took a couple of snaps:
Not too shabby.
Not too shabby.
Good review. Thanks for taking the time.Some early thoughts:
I've had my sim in since last night and set up as new - didn't bother with any sort of transfer from my Pixel 4.
First impressions - it's gorgeous. I keep opening and closing it because I can't quite believe that this kind of thing is a possibility on a smart phone.
View attachment 895569
One thing I'm immediately struck by, is how much Samsung has grown as an Android user device. Their new One UI skin is actually bearable, and is really jam packed with options which is kinda of what you want from an Android device. Funny how we tech nerds think of Android as being all about customisation, yet the 'purest' Android of them all (Pixel), can't even let you remove the date from the home screen...
Anyway, I digress.
I love the design, and I love the feel in hand. It feels fairly light yet extremely premium and well balanced.
View attachment 895570
The included case is a nice touch, and I can see me using it when in work etc as this is one expensive phone and also one that is definitely going to be more prone to damage than any other out there at the moment.
A lot of reviewers and people who see the phone in stores etc are saying the crease is a problem and it would bother them no end. For me, it isn't an issue at all. This isn't me saying this as a blind day one (ish) purchaser - everyone who knows me knows that Samsung are probably my least favourite Android's so I have no reason to blindly ignore shortcomings like you see too often.
But the crease isn't a problem. For me.
It's definitely there, but you will not even see it when looking at the Flip front on. Angle it away from you, or look at someone else using it, and it becomes much more apparent.
View attachment 895571
You do feel it though, which is something else other people have said would be troublesome. For me, again - it isn't.
I rarely reach that point of the screen when scrolling through a web page, instagram, etc but I do have small hands so maybe someone larger handed would just naturally have a further reaching swipe. You definitely know it's there, but it's just one of them things you become accustomed to.
I love that there's a fingerprint sensor in the power button. Very Sony-esque.
It works really well, although is a little on the high side given how tall the phone can go due to the 21:9 aspect.
I think this aspect ratio is perfect for this device though, as it keeps it narrow and means holding it in one hand is much easier.
For those wondering if it is a "two handed" device - yes it absolutely is. There is no way someone could reach the top of the screen to swipe down with one hand - if they can they have the worlds biggest hands.
Thankfully, Samsung allow you to swipe anywhere to bring the notification shade down, and the power button can double as a scroller as per the old Pixel fingerprint scanners to bring it down also. Nice touch.
The outside screen is utterly pointless. There is no way anyone can defend this decision, or even begin to use "first gen tech" as an excuse. Motorole have got a decent external display in their RAZR so Samsung have zero excuse. It's fiddly, small and this for me is the biggest weakness of this device.
View attachment 895572
Thankfully, the main screen is glorious. Although it's typical Samsung in that the 'vivid' mode is absolutely awful and almost made my eyes bleed. I switched it to natural as soon as I could and I'm much happier.
I do worry about the internal screen because that plastic layer (which has got everyone talking), is a concern. I don't think I will do too much in the way of one handed opening, because it's a little too stiff for that (closing is easier). But when trying to open with one hand I have a tendancy to use the nail part of my thumb to push the top screen back - and that's just a recipe for disaster judging by the JRE video.
So I won't be attempting that moving forward.
View attachment 895573
In terms of the camera - I haven't even tested yet. Some reviewers are saying it is an S10 camera, just with software enhancements to get better results. Others are saying it isn't as good as the S10 from last year and is lagging behind today's flagships.
I will need to give it a go myself before I can really say anything about it though.
I have 14 days with it, before I can return it or keep it. I think if I did keep it, I'd maybe return it for the pink one. Although I am a guy, I don't class my choice of phone colour as a mark of my gender or even sexuality. And those that do need to have a word with themselves.
Plus the pink one looks better to my eyes.
I will post more the more I use it - hopefully get some camera samples soon too which would be good.
As it stands, I love the phone. It's different. In a sea of slabs and same old same old incremental upgrades every year, it makes more sense to me to spend some more money on something that is a talking point and a very very cool piece of tech innovation.
What has struck me about this phone is that it's very very nearly there. It's not a million miles away from being almost perfect. In terms of just its design, the external screen needs changing, the internal screen could do with some form of stronger coating (if possible) and the cameras could be a little more advanced for the price of the thing.
But that aside, it's there. Would I happily use this as a 'daily' phone in place of an S20 - 100% yes.
And that to me, is the mark of it's success. If I was finding issue after issue (which could happen) relating to the design of such a device, then I'd be saying the opposite. But early impressions are that this is a recipe for success with just a few small (and definitely doable IMO), tweaks.
I can't wait to use it more and more.
View attachment 895574
I have too laugh all these comments on size of front screen being too small and the Razr is bigger and better yet my Flip is the largest of all and is deemed unusable
We use to be happy with a red/green notification light, then we got AOD and now extra display
There is always someone who want's to moan
I think MKB even noted that "Folding Devices" were anti speed and convenience given recent strides to improve performance are out weighed by the time it takes to unfold these devices
You would think everyone in the world has only ever used a slab and no one buys and uses a case with a cover
or
No one has a wallet that folds in half because it's too bulky
or
No one uses two hands with their phones as if everyone has to learn some new dexterous skill that is likely to increase RSI cases in 10 or 15 years time
It's all comments for comments sake without little substantiation of personal preferences
Enjoy and use as you wish, but putting things as con on preferences on non conforming to a set and different format
We use to be happy with a red/green notification light, then we got AOD and now extra display
There is always someone who want's to moan
I think MKB even noted that "Folding Devices" were anti speed and convenience given recent strides to improve performance are out weighed by the time it takes to unfold these devices
You would think everyone in the world has only ever used a slab and no one buys and uses a case with a cover
or
No one has a wallet that folds in half because it's too bulky
or
No one uses two hands with their phones as if everyone has to learn some new dexterous skill that is likely to increase RSI cases in 10 or 15 years time
It's all comments for comments sake without little substantiation of personal preferences
Enjoy and use as you wish, but putting things as con on preferences on non conforming to a set and different format
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Great review!
Though I have to say I was taken aback at you getting a Samsung lol.
This just add more weight to your opinion, imo.
Though I have to say I was taken aback at you getting a Samsung lol.
Ha I don't dislike Samsung phones like I used too. The S8 and even 9 were terrible IMO but with the 10 series and One UI it really feels like they've turned a corner.