Formalized last week at the Samsung unpacked in San Francisco, the Galaxy Z Flip is available in stores, but it is already out of stock. Before we reveal a full review of the device, here’s a first take on the new foldable phone from Samsung. And for a first contact, no need to hide how much we were seduced.
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It’s been just a year since Samsung revealed his Galaxy Fold. This foldable phone (or folding prefer some) experienced some setbacks at launch, but ended up coming out last October. It finally took a short time for the South Korean manufacturer to reoffend with the Galaxy Z Flip. Yes, it’s also a foldable smartphone, but this one benefits from a completely different design and functionality. Unlike the Galaxy Fold, the Z Flip unfolds vertically (the fold being horizontal). If the Z Flip is a foldable smartphone like the Fold, its form and its uses differ. Where the Fold is willing to side with the phablets once the device is unfolded, the Z Flip looks more like a classic smartphone. Those who have experienced clamshell smartphones well will probably be delighted to find a smartphone consultation system that made the heyday of the Nokia 2720 or the Motorola Razr, for example.
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We had the opportunity to “play” with the device for a few hours and deliver you here our first impressions. All this before offering you a more complete test, which will not be long, rest assured.
Our video tutorial of the Galaxy Z Flip
Technical sheet
| Galaxy Z Flip | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Folded: 87.4 x 73.6 x 15.4-17.3 mm Unfolded: 167.9 x 73.6 x 6.9-7.2 mm |
| Weight | 183g |
| Screen | 6.7 inch Super AMOLED 21.9: 9 Infinity Flex Full HD + (2636 x 1080 px) secondary screen: 1.06 inch 300 x 116 |
| chipset | Snapdragon 855+ 7nm |
| BONE | Android 10 + One UI 2.0 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
| microSD | No |
| Main sensor | 12MP f / 2.2 1.12μm ultra wide angle 12MP wide angle f / 1.8 1.4μm 8x digital zoom |
| Secondary sensor | 10 MP / 1.22 µm / f / 2.4 |
| Drums | 3300 mAh (Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare) |
| 5G | Yes |
| biometrics | Fingerprint scanner (on the edge) |
| Water resistance | NC |
Design and first impressions
The Z Flip is therefore a foldable phone that borrows a lot from the Razr (2020) recently released. The device unfolds a bit like a compact or a small pocket mirror and stands out from a Fold or a Mate X by its hyper compact side. Admittedly, it is a little less thick than a Fold, but it is especially less bulky.
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The Z Flip has a glass screen “Ultra Thin Glass”, a technology initiated by Samsung on this model. Will we find it on the Galaxy Fold 2 whose first renderings have been observed recently ? It’s very likely. This new type of screen is supposed to provide the device with robustness and an increased level of brightness. Recall that the Galaxy Fold which, despite its many qualities, benefited from a plastic screen. On the other hand, just like on the Fold, we find here a protective plastic overlay over the screen, which provides longer screen life, overlay that should not be removed for any reason. As with the Fold, Samsung warns users who would try the experience. This being taken around the edge of the device, they’ll have a hard time removing it anyway.
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On the front, we take advantage ofa very small screen located near the dual photo sensor. This small device allowsshow time and some notifications or serve as an indicator for shooting, especially as a self-timer for photos. In theory, the idea is rather ingenious. In practice, the small size of this screen makes it hard to imagine how it can be used in everyday life, except for reading the time. We would have really appreciated that Samsung exploits a larger surface of this area of the smartphone, which would have made it easier to consult notifications, read instant messages, or even why not, to look at photos or to launch small videos. None of these operations is possible, unlike the Galaxy Fold which does have a real screen on the front. As a result, it is necessary to open and close your smartphone for each consultation of the device, however small it may be.
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On the right side of the Z Flip, there is a small fingerprint sensor. Note that it is also possible to unlock the device by facial recognition, but only when the smartphone is open, that goes without saying.
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The device folds and unfolds at will with both hands. With one hand, it’s a little more complicated, but not impossible. Rest assured: experience helps, we finally manage to open and close it with one hand. And the fold, you will ask, does it feel when touched? The answer is yes. Yes, you can feel the crease when you scroll up and down or, when you hold the device horizontally, when you slide from left to right. The fold is even a little more noticeable to the touch than that of the Galaxy Fold. However, when we first got started, it did not bother us too much. To see if, in the long run, the fold causes some inconvenience or if it ends up being completely forgotten.
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Technical side
When fully unfolded, the total screen size of the Galaxy Z Flip is 2636 x 1080 pixels. Suffice to say that it really feels like having a classic phone, even a model in 21: 9 as Sony knows how to do them. The smartphone also benefits from a Snapdragon 855+ from Qualcomm, the most powerful mobile processor at the moment, pending the imminent release of the 865. Enough to ensure excellent performance in games, but if the hardcore gamers are not its primary target.
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The Galaxy Z Flip benefits from 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. Note on this point that it is impossible to add any microSD card and that we will have to be satisfied with this space, all in all quite substantial.
The device actually has two batteries, which total an electrical charge of 3300 mAh. In theory, the device should therefore benefit from a day and a half of autonomy. We will confirm this point during our full test which should not be long in coming.
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Price and availability of the Galaxy Z Flip
The Galaxy Z Flip is available since February 14 at a price of 1500 euros in two colors: Mirror Purple and Mirror Black. The phone was so successful that it quickly found itself out of stock. A replenishment should take place very soon. A 3e Thom Browne’s signed edition is also available for pre-order and will be officially available from March 6. Sold significantly more expensive (it costs 2580 euros), it offers many bonuses. The smartphone is first of all provided with a red / white / blue strip and benefits from a matte back, unlike the two models Mirror Purple and Mirror Black which leave ugly fingerprints due to their glossy bodywork. In the box of this very special edition, there are also Galaxy Buds +, as well as a Galaxy Watch Active 2 always in the colors of Thom Browne.
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Note also that all Z Flip models have a Samsung Care + warranty. Once the device is acquired, the user has 30 days to activate this guarantee. From then on, his smartphone is covered for 1 year in the event of a problem within the framework of “normal use”, Samsung said. A deductible of 109 euros applies in all cases.
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So in the end, what is the Galaxy Z Flip worth?
At first glance, the Galaxy Z Flip is a device that has seduced us enormously. Some would argue that the device is primarily intended for a female audience, but this is not really the case. The Z Flip is dedicated to all those who would like to have a “big” phone without having to bear the inconvenience. The device fits perfectly in the pocket and can be forgotten. So of course, its high price could put off more than one, but in its defense, it is significantly less expensive than a Galaxy Fold first of the name (800 euros less, that counts). In short, despite some disappointments such as the size of the external screen, this is a first frankly successful contact!
