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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
- Thread starter DakotaGuy
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I was doing fine until I saw all the pics and nice review by @Aneres11 ! I’m feeling weak and my wallet is hiding from me.
Fantastic run down of your initial thoughts, I'm keeping my Note 10 for another year so it's nice to live vicariously through these forums when it comes to new tech.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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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So many people laughed at the original Galaxy Fold but Samsung have already come so far in the folding phone arena and I'm sure it will only get better in the next few years. Expect Apple to follow sooner rather then later.
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I quite like this Girls well rounded comments and observation:
Some more camera samples:
The last two are interesting, as they came from the 'Single Take' camera function. Which may I add I've been really impressed with.
It really does capture images and short video clips well. I'm not sure how it does it all from a short burst but the results are quite good.
One thing I have noticed with the camera is that it is slow to capture. Which is not what I've come accustomed to with Samsung.
You have to hold the phone still after the shutter has sounded as if you don't you will end up with a blurred mess. No other flagships do this, so it's very disappointing to see it happening here. It's almost like using a Sony camera in that regard.
The last two are interesting, as they came from the 'Single Take' camera function. Which may I add I've been really impressed with.
It really does capture images and short video clips well. I'm not sure how it does it all from a short burst but the results are quite good.
One thing I have noticed with the camera is that it is slow to capture. Which is not what I've come accustomed to with Samsung.
You have to hold the phone still after the shutter has sounded as if you don't you will end up with a blurred mess. No other flagships do this, so it's very disappointing to see it happening here. It's almost like using a Sony camera in that regard.
Hopefully that’s isn’t the case with the Ultra shutter speed or that will be a deal breaker for me.
It's not just the Z Flip. My Note 10+ camera is like this, too. My S10+ had the same sensor and supposedly worse software but didn't perform quite as poorly. I can't be sure but I don't think even my Note 10+ did this at first. I sometimes wonder if one of their updates/tweaks for low light photography actually messed something up.
Gotta say if the shutter speed is super slow on the Ultra....it won't be around long
Very nice....from AC
Galaxy Z Flip review: The best-looking smartphone I've ever used https://flip.it/V3x_7v
Galaxy Z Flip review: The best-looking smartphone I've ever used https://flip.it/V3x_7v
This is normal for Samsung, especially if you use SD card as the storage. The lag is not that "bad" (it's even "worse" on their Galaxy A models), but it can be annoying if you're not used to it.
For Android, imo Huawei is better in nailing down the photography aspect.
But let's face it. The Galaxy Z is really not geared to be the best phone for photography. It's for the looks, and on that part, imo Samsung nailed it.
Samsung has to shut down the plant that makes the Fold and Flip for a few days because of the Coronavirus.
“However, among the devices that are being manufactured at the Gumi factory are the Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip smartphones. “
Coronavirus Case Shuts Down Samsung Factory in South Korea | Digital Trends https://flip.it/gSZxXk
“However, among the devices that are being manufactured at the Gumi factory are the Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip smartphones. “
Coronavirus Case Shuts Down Samsung Factory in South Korea | Digital Trends https://flip.it/gSZxXk
Think a slight conflict as it states most production there are :
"Samsung’s Gumi factory is responsible for making a small percentage of its total smartphone production and is focused on high-end models mostly to be distributed within South Korea"
So Flip and Fold elsewhere models maybe ok
That said still no release in Malaysia
I've decided to return my Z Flip.
As I have the Mirror Purple one on the way.
It's a keeper.
As I have the Mirror Purple one on the way.
It's a keeper.
I can't even get hold of one let alone twoI've decided to return my Z Flip.
As I have the Mirror Purple one on the way.
It's a keeper.
I've decided to return my Z Flip.
As I have the Mirror Purple one on the way.
It's a keeper.
Welp, it is called a flip 😜
When will this this phone appear in a film & remind everyone of a past era of movies that had flip phones left, right & centre...maybe the next Back to the Future? 😏
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Found a decent ‘devil’s advocate’ video. A few well raised points imo...
1) If you can’t open the Flip with one hand, then the process of taking it out of your pocket, freeing both hands, unfolding it & unlocking the screen becomes a slow, chore like task. Even with one hand, if you want to glance at your screen, you’ve got to either squint at that tiny front display or unfold, check, then fold again.
2) A potential annoyance is the elongated aspect ratio. If the aim is to shrink a common form factor for mobility sake, then start off with a common screen size. Not one where most people will struggle to reach the top.
3) The touted benefit of taking up less pocket space can also work against you - depending on your pockets, the Flip will sink to the bottom, potentially making it more difficult to fish out. This gets worse with tighter pockets.
Again, it’s just a devil’s advocate vid, where those on the fence may find some points useful before buying. Nothing in the video may bother you & that’s fine, but as I’ve always said about these devices, tread carefully, especially if you plan to keep it for a while.
I’m finding the Galaxy Fold a much more practical device as the front screen’s actually useable & it doesn’t force you to unfold it every time. So the Fold 2 is something that really intrigues me.
——
Found a decent ‘devil’s advocate’ video. A few well raised points imo...
1) If you can’t open the Flip with one hand, then the process of taking it out of your pocket, freeing both hands, unfolding it & unlocking the screen becomes a slow, chore like task. Even with one hand, if you want to glance at your screen, you’ve got to either squint at that tiny front display or unfold, check, then fold again.
2) A potential annoyance is the elongated aspect ratio. If the aim is to shrink a common form factor for mobility sake, then start off with a common screen size. Not one where most people will struggle to reach the top.
3) The touted benefit of taking up less pocket space can also work against you - depending on your pockets, the Flip will sink to the bottom, potentially making it more difficult to fish out. This gets worse with tighter pockets.
Again, it’s just a devil’s advocate vid, where those on the fence may find some points useful before buying. Nothing in the video may bother you & that’s fine, but as I’ve always said about these devices, tread carefully, especially if you plan to keep it for a while.
I’m finding the Galaxy Fold a much more practical device as the front screen’s actually useable & it doesn’t force you to unfold it every time. So the Fold 2 is something that really intrigues me.
Actually a really good review. I started watching it reluctantly thinking it'd be yet another click baiter lunging cheap digs at the Z but I was pleasantly surprised. I like how he very clearly disregards the two main points held against it so far, price & fragility, and reviews it in a very down to earth way based on its usability by design.
I'm with him in that this particular format doesn't really make sense. It's either a not-small-enough/extra thick bulge in your pocket, or a too narrow plus size phone. What I could see as more useful would be a really small folded size, with a screen covering nearly the whole of one outer side so that it would actually have some use, folding out into something the size of a 11 Pro. Or, a much thinner version of the Fold which gives you a plus size phone that folds out into a tablet.
As for the latter, I don't agree with this guy when he says that folding devices won't catch on regardless of technological advancements. I do see a Fold-type device becoming very useful once the tech allows for a much thinner side profile + better durability.
Back to the Z, again, I agree with him that its format doesn't really make sense. On the other hand though, David Imel at Android Authority makes a valid point in that it doesn't have to. If you like the thing and enjoy using it, it's a good device for you! So in the end I think the truth lies between the Apple Sheep vid above (yes that's his actual channel name now, put the kitchen knife down) - and this one from Android Authority:
Sorry but this guy vid is just hot air
Because we all know no one is buying these, because they are bulkier, harder to get out as they fall to the bottom, you have to use two hand and all that extra time opening gets boring
What all use is this because its so much easier:
and of course no wants this :
And best saved to last here he is showing how satisfying it is to shut or end a call like a flip phone of old when he reviewed the Apple Folio case :
I think anyone who is splashing out over $1000 is capable of spotting the elephant in the room, this is not good reporting for consumers awareness, it's click bait
Most users have clear preferences on cases or covers or skins and even screen protectors and yet again blatantly obvious where any folding devices falls in relation to user preferences
The aspect ratio of the Flip is slightly narrower to help with its tall ratio and is no more problematic than a less tall but wider screen for access to top functions and of course Android have in part addressed some one handed use functionality
I have a Fold and I hardly use my front screen other than for answering a call and notifications via the AOD and occasional photos. I splashed my cash for the real estate so opening gives me what I paid for. The front screen is just a nice to have and could of even been 2 or 3 screens with different functionality opposed to a single smallish narrow screen.
These Flips are a fun and alternative device with pro's and cons as in any phone and for many the design and difference to slabs can easily outweigh what some may consider negatives
Alternatives and choice bring it on, buyers beware on trivia is like having a PHD in stating the obvious
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This guy gets it and nails it in his summation
Its about Joy of use or ownership and does not have to be supremely practical in all aspects
It's not about "getting it", as if there was one objective truth and all other opinion is simply wrong.
Yes, I agree with the Android Authority guy that if you like a device and it works for you, then it's a good device - for you. But I also agree with the concerns raised by the Apple Sheep guy. As I said in my post, the truth lies between those two opinions.
There's no need to slam every review that criticises a device you happen to like, calling it "click bait" and trying to disprove its points using far fetched analogies. It makes it difficult to take your posts seriously and tends to devolve an otherwise interesting discussion into petty bickering and choosing sides.
I agree with both videos and the Apple Sheep guy has what was my initial reaction to the device being announced. But since then the more I look at it, the more I want one and want to try it. Well aware of its shortcomings, but I still want one and have been trying to get one, looking everyday and will grab one if I can find one around me.
I am not in denial of negatives and will be the 1st to agree but coming out for that length of time devoted to pocketability and other trivia is my point
Will the reviewers use the same in reverse and say the S20's or Iphones etc have a con because they do not fold or have some of the pro's that foldables have over slabs
I doubt very much, its this bias and dwelling on very subjective points I am poking fun at hence my wallet example as a bit of fun
How many times do we see one liner comments that are simple denials that there are many examples of something folding is a practical solution
How many people have flip/folio cases do we see endless comments on how it takes you extra milliseconds to access your device etc
IMO his exaggerations (Apple Sheep) and bias is for one reason only and can be seen by not raising the same points where there would be similar occurrences
Maybe clickbait was too strong a word and pandering to his regular audience would be better
As too "Tends to devolve an otherwise interesting discussion into petty bickering and choosing sides" is that not an open invitation to those of lesser will power to actually promote what you aim to avoid LOL
I think you missed the point and hopefully its clarified now
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I’m not sure why you’re so quick to dismiss any constructive criticism on this device.
As Oohara points out, they were very valid points, made in a measured way.
Agree, it’s getting annoying when people dismiss others’ view & put it down, when we’re only coming from a different angle & not riding the hype wave with this particular device.
I thought I was being balanced here, yet i’ve been accused of changing the goal posts & posting bollocks. & these posts are being liked (by the same member I notice...). ??♂️
In summary, again, the Z Flip’s not all positive & not all negative, but overall, the build-quality risks slant things into the latter. Take the risk if you want, but take the criticism as helpful advice & not aimed at anything other than the device.
Given the wide range of views we have seen on the Fold, Flip and Razr
I wonder how the Miscrosoft Duo is going to fare against the 3, given it has no 3rd display, is not as pocketable, likely expensive and only avoids the less vulnerable current screens by using 2 glass screens but with a physical gap, all be it small and maybe limited cameras
Apparently it allows a peek at notifications etc by just opening the screen slightly
Hummmmmmmmm
I wonder how the Miscrosoft Duo is going to fare against the 3, given it has no 3rd display, is not as pocketable, likely expensive and only avoids the less vulnerable current screens by using 2 glass screens but with a physical gap, all be it small and maybe limited cameras
Apparently it allows a peek at notifications etc by just opening the screen slightly
Hummmmmmmmm