Samsung will release its second folding phone in the Netherlands on Friday: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. The Flip brings the convenience of the traditional folding phone to modern smartphones. It is recommended for those looking for an eye catcher and willing to pay good money for it.
“What do you have on your desk? Wow, some fat!” The Galaxy Z Flip got high marks on the editors of NU.nl. The Flip consists of one screen that can be folded in half lengthwise, just like an old folding phone. The Flip reminds me of ten years ago, when telephones still fit in my pocket and I still put my cell phone in my bra on my way to the disco in high school.
The Flip brings the convenience of the old folding phone to the modern smartphone. Due to the sleek design, the Flip is a nice thing, and you can expect that: the phone costs a whopping 1,500 euros.
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For those looking for a handy phone, but who want a big screen, the Flip is a solution. The phone consists of a 6.7 inch screen that can be folded double. When the phone is folded it fits exactly in the palm of my hand and easily in my pocket (not in my bra).
Specifications
- Main screen: 6.7 inch amoled
- Resolution: 21.9 x 9
- Rear screen: 1.1 inch amoled
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+
- Working memory: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Rear cameras: two 12 MP cameras
- Cameras in front: 10 MP selfie camera
- Operating system: Android 10
- Battery: 3,300mAh
- Weight: 183 grams
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Mini screen on the outside
If the phone is closed, the time, date, battery and notifications can be seen on the outside on a 1.1-inch amoled screen. This screen also offers a preview when you take a selfie. If users want to take a selfie with the 12 megapixel cameras on the back of the phone, they can see in small detail how they will be photographed.
But the screen is so small that I can’t get a decent picture of myself. On the preview display I only see half of my face. My arm is not long enough to keep the phone far enough away from me. My taller colleague wasn’t bothered by this.
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Requires a bit of habituation
The control of the phone is sometimes a bit uncomfortable. The phone does not open as smoothly as a traditional folding phone, for which I needed both hands.
And when the phone is closed, the top screen suddenly turns around. Logical of course, but the buttons on the side of the phone are also reversed. Instead of unlocking the screen, I often accidentally turned up the volume. But that is all a matter of getting used to it.
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Not all apps are suitable for the device yet
The hinge of the folding telephone can be set in three different positions: completely closed, completely open and at a 90-degree angle. Half closed the phone looks like a very chic Game Boy Advance SP.
Samsung has come up with something new for this state of the phone: Flex Mode. This mode divides the screen into two parts, with the upper part acting as a display and the lower part being used for control. This is a great idea. For example, it might be possible to temporarily turn the phone into a portable game console, with the game on the top screen and the controls on the bottom screen.
But there are almost no apps that support the function, except for a few apps that are already on the phone, such as the camera and photo gallery. So now we have to wait and see which apps will get started with the function.
Conclusion
I’m impressed. The size of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is ideal: a large screen on a small device. The device is working properly. Where we found some teething problems in the software in the Fold, I did not find this in the Flip.
But the screen on the outside is a bit too small for me. The fold in the screen, even though it is not visible, I felt regularly and I wonder how long it will take before the screen breaks. Also the operation of the telephone was sometimes a bit uncomfortable: I needed both hands to open the telephone.
The Flip looks sleek, I got it high on the train and the editors of NU.nl. I find the phone with its 1,500 euros too expensive for what you get, but for those looking for an eye catcher and willing to pay good money for it, this phone is a must.
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