Three months ago Samsung debuted its much-hyped folding device. As cool as the Samsung Galaxy Fold was in theory, in reality it was an absolute disaster. The fragile plastic display, problematic hinge and unusable form factor made the Galaxy Fold a technological marvel but a consumer’s nightmare. And with its price tag sitting at S$3,000, it was hard to justify compromising that much to enjoy the bleeding edge of technology.
However, it seems that Samsung has learned from its mistakes with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip – a folding smartphone we can actually use daily. The phone now bears a clamshell folding design, reviving a form that was massively popular in the early 2000s.
To ensure it is 2020-ready, the phone will come with a 6.7” Dynamic AMOLED display, 12MP ultrawide and wide-angle camera, 10MP selfie camera, 64-bit Octa-core processor, 3,300mAh battery, wireless charging, fingerprint scanner and Android 10 out of the box. Besides the specs, here are five things you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
It shall fold!
The Galaxy Z Flip also gets Samsung’s first implementation of its proprietary Infinity Flex Display, the first bendable Ultra Thin Glass (UTG). This gives the phone a more premium feel, with a display that is actually protected from the elements. Combined that with the centered in-display punch out for the camera and crazy 21.9:9 aspect ratio, you can enjoy a better movie-watching experience in a phone that folds to the size of a wallet.
Flex all day
To optimize the flexing display, Samsung worked closely with Google to develop a special Flex Mode of its Android OS. On selected apps, the phone can detect that it is bent and split the screen into half. In apps like YouTube, you can enjoy an uninterrupted viewing experience on the top half while scrolling for another video in the bottom half.
Similarly, the camera OS switches the image ratio from 16:9 to 1:1 when the phone is bent to fit into the top half.
Social media ready camera
With the hinge and clamshell format, the phone can literally be its own tripod. Place the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip on tabletops, chairs or even the floor to take those gram-worthy time-lapses or #blessed group shots. Plus, when taking images and videos, the camera captures in 16:9 aspect ratio, which is ideal for your Instagram stories and easily cropped down for Instagram posts. It even comes in handy during live streams or video calls, making it a social media beast. Just flip open the phone, place it on a flat surface and you are good to go.
Plus, on the top of half of the clamshell exterior is a tiny 1.1” display which serves a nifty little function. When taking pictures using the rear camera, switch the display on to preview your shot. Once you are satisfied, raise your hand to snap the photo. OOTD shots have never been this easy!
Regain control over your notifications
Speaking of the 1.1” display, it serves another function – it’s a notification bar! When the phone is closed, the display can be used to view and manage incoming notifications. You can also check the time, date and battery life all at a glance. Swipe on incoming calls and texts and flip open the phone to quickly respond – perfect for life on the go.
Limited Quantities
Just like our most coveted sneakers, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip drop in limited quantities in two colors: Mirror Purple and Mirror Black. It will be released on February 14 at 8 am (Singapore time) on local telco operators’ websites and the Samsung Online Store at a retail price of S$1,998.
Samsung has clearly learned from the Samsung Galaxy Fold and created a folding smartphone that we can comfortably recommend. This leaves only one question for most customers – do you want to pay S$1,998 for a flip phone?
Do you think foldable smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip are going to become the norm? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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