Hands-On With Samsung's New S20 and Galaxy Z Flip Smartphones

[HandsomeDanNZ]

This phone is incredibly stupid. Where is this foldable demand coming from?

I can't help but feel like the flip phone/foldable phone is not so much demand driven, but a beta test of sorts...gauge how the market will react before making truly versatile products such as foldable tablets etc...

 

[cmaier]

It's not complicated. Phones are getting too tall for some pockets. I have an iPhone XR (not the biggest phone out there), and sometimes I need to remove it from my front pocket to put on my shoes (out fear of bending it half). A folding phone allows you halve the height while still giving you a full sized screen. It's not that dissimilar from Apple eventually eliminating the top and bottom bezel to fit a taller screen in the same body.

There are a lot of downsides to this particular phone (smaller battery, last years processor, fewer cameras than the S20, durability?) but it will have its market. I don't think opening the phone to use it is a big deal (there was a time where flip phones outsold candy bar phones). Unfolding it when you're already needing to take it out of your pocket isn't an issue.... you could leave it unfolded when sitting at a desk/table (or in that weird half fold mode) for easy access.

The form factor makes a lot more sense than the Galaxy Fold which paired a mediocre phone (exterior phone screen too narrow) with mediocre tablet (mostly a vertical phone interface on a nearly square tablet).

The problem is that while some phones may be too tall for pockets, the better solution seems to be a slightly shorter phone, and not a half-height phone that is twice as thick. Because who are these people who have short, but baggy, pockets?

 

[allapple]

.....all i can say COOL! And sometimes that is all you need to start things going! That flip should have been Apple years ago! Didn't Steve used to say...."A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them" .....but then again, that was when Apple was cool!

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

So glad I haven't allowed myself to be locked into an ecosystem, or at least allowed myself to think I'm locked in, to an ecosystem. The hardware in the S20s and Galazy Z Flip is absolutely industry leading and just too good to pass over. Can't imagine paying anywhere over $1000 for devices that have so much less hardware (storage, RAM, etc...)

Are you joking???
[automerge]1581471676[/automerge]
Wow! Kind of like going back in time with the Flip. Wasn't 1999 the year of flip phones to 2006?

All I see is poorly made gimmicks here with no real direction.

8K video which only records in 24 fps with no connectivity standard for connecting to a 8K Tv.

120 hz screen that drops resolution.

Nothing that creates a long term desire or changes the world. But hey, that's Samsung and there willl always be the ignorant that will buy into that shambles of a brand.

 

[MEJHarrison]

So glad I haven't allowed myself to be locked into an ecosystem, or at least allowed myself to think I'm locked in, to an ecosystem. The hardware in the S20s and Galazy Z Flip is absolutely industry leading and just too good to pass over.

That's fair and I can't fault you for thinking that way. I'm the opposite. I'm glad I'm not chasing specs and instead take the overall device into account when making purchasing. I actually enjoy the Apple ecosystem. I don't feel locked in because that implies I'm trying to get out. I like where I am. Sounds like you do too.

That foldable phone looks incredible. I'm impressed with how much it simply looks like a phone while unfolded. It's a nice design. I don't care if there is demand for them or not. That's some cool technology that could lead to new and exciting things down the road. Even outside the mobile market. Hopefully it works as good as they hope.

 

[ApeBot]

If that really is glass, made from Silicon Dioxide, that folds, like paper...


That's a game changer. The mind reels at possibilities that havent even been conceived of yet.

Completely agree.. I hate the 'plastic' feel of folding screens and I am certain durability is comprimised. If this is glass, feels like glass and behaves like glass (with the addition of folding) that is a game changer.

 

[44267547]

I secretly want that flip phone. Honestly, it’s nice to see something so different from what were used to seeing with the ‘norm’ of rectangular smart phones that generally all look the same. The Motorola Razr revamp is another really cool looking device. Props to Samsung.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

No, I remember it well. Horses and buggies were once the most popular mode of transportation.

Now they‘re not. Because better solutions prevail.

So answer my question - what’s the use case? People used to wear those flip phone on their belts. Are we going back to that?

People wore flip phone from Nokia the same time they had those extremely small screen phones and we bought ringtones as that was the extent of cool back then.

Then Apple invented the iPhone and everyone realized, ring tones were moronic, flip phones were synonymous with junk since it's not just a phone anymore, but a pocket computer, and I could go on, but really, the future isn't a folding phone.

AR glasses for heads up UI that complements the phone has a much stronger use case today over a flip-phone, never mind when it fully integrates properly and your actual phone/watch is in a pocket/on your wrist as you gesture w/ your hands and talk quietly into a noise cancelling ear piece that will be so sensitive you will no longer look like a fool talking to themselves.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Just one question really. Why? What problem does this solve? Perhaps pocketability, but other than that, I think this is just a race to make something different.

I bet Apple stays away from this type of thing and I am perfectly happy with my glass rectangle.

 

[rp2011]

Give me a phone in the form factor of a pencil with a rolled up screen that can unfold, and now we’re talking. Or maybe an iPad that folds in half to make a smaller screen for airplane trays, or to separate the keyboard from the screen, and maybe that’s a potential use.

Flip phone, I don’t get it.

One that rolls up into a drinking straw would be practical

 

[paradox00]

The problem is that while some phones may be too tall for pockets, the better solution seems to be a slightly shorter phone, and not a half-height phone that is twice as thick. Because who are these people who have short, but baggy, pockets?

If you want to use a big screen phone, why would buying a smaller screened phone be better? Let's stop with asinine comments about how this won't fit in pockets because it's too thick. Yes, slimmer is more comfortable if the pocket is tall enough. Yes, Samsung made it, so naturally it will get hate here. But it's no bigger than many men's wallets. Last I checked, men's wallets are designed to fit in pockets.

My iPhone (in a case) struggles to fit in board shorts, my lifejacket pockets when paddling, and some of my pants pockets. This, at half the height and double the thickness would fit in all those, and my pockets are not "baggy." It's not for me because I don't think it's waterproof (and creating a waterproof case would be a challenge), and I require that. It may not be for you either, but if you think the form factor is not good for anyone, I don't think you're being honest in your assessment.

 

[Zito Abroad]

I would consider these guys to be big Apple die hards. It seems like the Z Flip is making quite the impression on a lot of hands on reviewers. Gotta feel bad for moto. The Razr is DOA.

 

[69Mustang]

Can someone explain the use case? What is the purpose of a phone that folds in half to half the height but double the width and which needs to be opened to be used?

I said this in another thread, but I think it bears repeating. People who buy items like this aren't buying for "purpose". They're buying for "because I can", "I have something you don't uniqueness". Conspicuous consumption. Here's an Apple example: OG Apple Watch. The use case or purpose can easily be justified by many. The 18K gold Edition version? Served no purpose 'cept marketing and conspicuous consumption. Same as the Z Fold imo. Same as a King Ranch F350 SuperDuty.

At least there's ancillary benefit to the Z-Fold. That foldable glass (is it Corning's Willow maybe?) tech is pretty neat. It's not a reason to buy the phone, but if the phones existence progresses that glass tech... worth it imo. I'm not buying the phone but it's existence would serve a purpose at least.

 

[JMO1]

Can someone explain the use case? What is the purpose of a phone that folds in half to half the height but double the width and which needs to be opened to be used?

the use case is the union of iPad mini and iPhone buyers. That’s a lot of devices sold. The utility is rather obvious when the tech becomes ready. iPhone screen size for vertical ratio quick use and iPad mini for longer use consumption.

 

[chinito77]

Let me be clear, ALL phones will bend/fold in the future whether you want them or not. I'm glad to see companies trying to push technology further. As for this? Its OK but I'm not liking the make up case design when folded.

When someone figures out how to make an 10 inch phone which folds to less half it's size, I'm all in. Till then, keep innovating till something catches on with the masses!

 

[rp2011]

I can't help but feel like the flip phone/foldable phone is not so much demand driven, but a beta test of sorts...gauge how the market will react before making truly versatile products such as foldable tablets etc...

Tech bloggers. They say it’s “the future”
Let’s fast forward to that future and see.

 

[genovelle]

I haven't read any comments yet, but I think I can summarize them:
1. Samsung sucks.
2. Android sucks.
3. These phones are ridiculous.
4. No one needs a folding phone.
5. The screen will break quickly on the folding phone.
6. Samsung copied Apple again.
7. Even if these phones are great, they still run Android, which sucks.
8. This is a solution in search of a problem.
[automerge]1581469892[/automerge]

I guess you are too young to remember the Razr. You probably weren't born yet when it was the most popular phone.

But even when folded the Razr was much thinner than other phones, not twice as thick.

 

[rp2011]

Let me be clear, ALL phones will bend/fold in the future whether you want them or not. I'm glad to see companies trying to push technology further.

All phones bend and fold TODAY! And as an added feature they also snap and break. Fold why?
Anyone remember the recent PAST where curved displays were “the future”?

 

[cmaier]

the use case is the union of iPad mini and iPhone buyers. That’s a lot of devices sold. The utility is rather obvious when the tech becomes ready. iPhone screen size for vertical ratio quick use and iPad mini for longer use consumption.

I don’t understand. We we’re talking about this particular device. It is way smaller than an iPad mini when open, and it isn’t configured in a way where you can use half size screen sometimes and full time the rest.

 

[sirozha]

But even when folded the Razr was much thinner than other phones, not twice as thick.

The reason for a folding phone is that it’s much easier to keep it in the pants pocket, especially because the phones are getting bigger and bigger. The folded phone is still much thinner than a wallet, which people carry in their pockets.

 

[cmaier]

The reason for a folding phone is that it’s much easier to keep it in the pants pocket, especially because the phones are getting bigger and bigger. The folded phone is still much thinner than a wallet, which people carry in their pockets.

What, are you Jerry Costanza or something? Who carries a wallet that thick?

Private GIF

The owner has set this GIF to private.

giphy.com

 

[realtuner]

Samsung blew an opportunity here.

Since it's nice and thick when folded, and about the same size, they should have made it a wallet-phone. Store your credit cards, drivers license, cash and other items while also working as a phone.

At least you could put it in your back pocket and it would feel "normal".

 

[NetMage]

battery size is only half the equation. Samsung’s chips tend to burn a lot more power than apple’s.

Especially with the separate 5G chip needed with this SOC, which Samsung hasn't needed previously, these phones probably need huge batteries just to achieve once a day charging for most. Apple's phones have always used separate cellular chips and won't have this problem.
[automerge]1581476814[/automerge]

The way I look at it, iPhones should cost about $300-400 less than Galaxy flagships, for offering so much less hardware. Not even close. Apple's days of being The Premium device in the industry, are long over.

Strangely, the most technical reviewers of phones don't agree with you. I think I'll go with their opinion.
[automerge]1581477018[/automerge]

Interesting... Didn’t realize that the resolution goes down when the refresh rate goes up...

May be a other indication that these phones are power constrained - or perhaps it has color issues as well like the Pixel 4.

 

[Daum]

Samsung role flip

 

[cmaier]

Especially with the separate 5G chip needed with this SOC, which Samsung hasn't needed previously, these phones probably need huge batteries just to achieve once a day charging for most. Apple's phones have always used separate cellular chips and won't have this problem.

And these early 5G chips are going to suck up much more juice than the next generation that iPhone will use.