At Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, the company started the show with the announcement everyone was waiting for: the introduction of the Galaxy Z Flip.
Even though it has been some time since the debut of the Galaxy Fold, the infamous #FoldGate incident is still fresh in our memory. Remember that time when the Fold faced a multitude of issues before its official release?
We hope that history won't repeat itself with the Z Flip. Judging by its design and specifications, we have reasons to be optimistic.
Here are five compelling reasons why.
The Z Flip adopts a clamshell form factor, making it much more compact compared to the Fold. It easily fits into your jacket pocket or bag without taking up much space. When unfolded, you can effortlessly operate the Z Flip with one hand.
In contrast, the Fold is massive. Its 7.6-inch unfolded display resembles a tablet, and even those with larger hands may struggle to operate it single-handedly when unfolded.
Cute and compact for excellent portability!
Image: samsung
Definitely easy to handle with one hand.
Image: samsung
Let's not forget the colors! The Z Flip looks stunning in Mirror Purple, Mirror Black, and Mirror Gold, unlike the Fold, which is only available in Space Silver and Cosmos Black.
I like to think of the Z Flip as the more fun-loving and less serious younger sister of the two.
At $1,380, the Z Flip doesn't come cheap, but it's a considerable price drop compared to the Galaxy Fold, which costs a hefty $2,000. While the Z Flip has decent specifications, no one should pay over $1,000 for a phone with the same camera sensors as a budget handset. However, it's likely the most affordable option in the foldable phone market, especially when compared to the $1,500 Motorola Razr.
The moment I saw the Fold's price, my enthusiasm for foldable phones faded. I'm sure the same happened for many others.
If anything, the Z Flip's pricing sets a more accessible entry point for foldable phones, potentially making them more mainstream.
Instead of plastic, as used in the Galaxy Fold, Samsung opted for its proprietary "Ultra Thin Glass" for the Z Flip. Using glass not only makes the device slimmer and less obtrusive without a notch, but it also provides protection against screen scratches. The decision to go with glass is quite apparent.
Early reviewers of the Fold damaged their displays by mistakenly removing the protective layer, thinking it was a screen protector.
The Motorola Razr, which also features a plastic foldable display, makes it easy for dirt and dust to get between the hinge and the plastic, a concerning sign for durability. Furthermore, it gives the phone a cheaper feel, which is not ideal for a device in this price range.
I'm also curious to see if using glass makes a difference in terms of preventing a noticeable crease.
To enhance the phone's durability, the Z Flip features a "hideaway hinge" with a cam and follower mechanism (CAM) to ensure stability when folding and flipping. While it may sound amusing to imagine the top half of the phone flying off with an inferior hinge, it's a serious concern given the phone's cost.
According to Samsung, the hinge can endure over 200,000 folds, which might be a subtle jab at Motorola.
The hinge also incorporates Samsung's new "sweeper technology" equipped with nylon fibers that repel dirt and dust.
Since this technology is new, it's clear that the Fold doesn't have it. Considering how frequently you might open and close your phone, the potential accumulation of debris in the hinge is a concern.
One of the most impressive features of the Z Flip is its hinge's ability to hold various angles.
You can place it like a laptop and adjust the top half to your preference. The screen can then split into two sections: a viewing area at the top and an interaction area at the bottom.
So, when you're watching a YouTube video, the video displays on the top half while you can comment on the bottom, all without interrupting your viewing experience.
Just like a mini laptop.
Image: samsung
On the other hand, the Galaxy Fold offers a multitasking mode that allows you to open three different apps at once in both landscape and portrait modes. However, its hinge is not designed to support the phone in a propped-up position. It's primarily meant to be held.
We'll need to spend time with the Z Flip to reach a final conclusion, but we have faith that it will set a high standard for future foldable phones.
After the Fold, the only way for Samsung is up, right?