Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.



Samsung today officially debuted the Galaxy Z Flip, its newest flagship foldable smartphone. Unlike Samsung's first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, the Z Flip is a smartphone-sized device that folds in half. Samsung called it a stylish smartphone designed for trendsetters and people who want to stand out.

Samsung first unveiled the smartphone on Sunday with a commercial that was shown during the Oscars, but the full announcement includes additional details about the device.


The major selling point for the Galaxy Z Flip is its small size, as it can fold in half and be tucked into a pocket. When folded out, it features a 6.7-inch Infinity Flex AMOLED display that's full screen with the exception of a small camera cutout at the top. Samsung says that the Z Flip is its first ever smartphone with a 21.9:9 ratio, and that the display is made from bendable "Ultra Thin Glass."

zflip1.jpg

There's a Hideaway Hinge, which Samsung calls a "work of engineering art," with the hinge able to withstand 200,000 folds. The hinge uses a sweeper technology that includes nylon fibers to repel dirt and dust, a problem that affected Samsung's first foldable smartphone.

The phone can be used folded out into a traditional smartphone shape, but it can also be used folded in half similar to a makeup compact with the bottom half propping up the top half for a hands-free mode.

zflip2.jpg

When folded in half, the Z Flip is in "Flex Mode," with an interface optimized for a hands-free selfie and vlogging experience using the 10-megapixel front-facing camera. Because the Galaxy Z Flip can hold its position at multiple angles, Samsung says it can capture "amazing low angle" photos that "play with perception" using the rear camera.

A Multi-Active Window feature allows users to multi-task by opening up the Multi-Window Tray to drag and drop the apps they want to use. One app can occupy each half of the Z Flip.

zflip3.jpg

There's a small display on the back of the smartphone so that when it's folded up, users are still able to see the time, incoming notifications, and other relevant information. Tapping a notification on the cover screen will transition to the app while unfolding the phone.

Samsung included a dual battery inside the Galaxy Z Flip with a 3,300mAh capacity. That doesn't quite match the battery life of the S20 series, but Samsung says it will "last all day long."

Samsung says that the Galaxy Z Flip will be available in limited quantities in Mirror Purple and Black starting in the U.S. and Korea on February 14, 2020, followed by Mirror Gold in select countries. Pricing starts at $1,380.

Article Link: Samsung Debuts New 'Galaxy Z Flip' Foldable Smartphone, Priced at $1,380

Not a flying toy.
 
I don't really understand what problem this design is solving.

There isn’t a problem at all and that’s the problem. They’re trying to be different and will inevitably create different unnecessary problems.

I assume this help push the flexible screen industry and lead to some pretty cool gadgets in the future. This won’t be limited to phones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sos47 and 69Mustang
I just don't see the point. You can't even use it when it's folded. The original Fold concept made more sense, changing from phone to tablet.
Fold is a foldable tablet, Z flip is a foldable phone. I think the former one is more useful (given the size of my pockets) but both may find their customers.
 
I don't get it... The internal specs are that of a $200-400 budget phone. $1000 gets you a flagship with top specs these days. This is $1400. So... you are paying about $1000 for the ability to fold your phone? Not worth it. This should have a Snapdragon 865 for the price.
 
Which you don't need if you have a smart watch.
The smart watch is really your smaller phone now.
Foldable phones were a thing back in the day of the Razor but technology and "trends" have moved on.
You want to replace one device with two. Besides talking to the watch is not very comfortable.
 
I think the type of person who'd buy this phone shares an ethos with the OG Apple Watch Edition buyer. They know it's impractical, but they aren't buying it for practicality. If you're asking what problem this solves, you're not the target.
Unrelated, if I was going to spend $1400 on a Sammy (I'm definitely not) it would be on the S20 Ultra →MKBHD vid not a clamshell phone.
 
Is it just me or I don't really see the point in this. Folded, it's not an interesting dimension and there's very few things you can with it. Unfolded, it's basically a regular smartphone. So what are the pros, except that you look fancy and that you have a lot of money to waste?
 
  • Like
Reactions: iOS Geek
who is asking for this? Just to say you have something different? 1400? if they are putting it out for 300 dollars to get mass testing, let it bake 6 months and see what you got, ok... just trying to ingest everything that tech can do and crap out whatever prodcut that will not sell much and be, most likely, a disaster
I think it's a marketing ploy to get us all back on flip phones.
 
I like it a lot and hope Apple is quick to bring out its own (better) version without a noticeable crease.

As someone with small hands and who just can't get along with the larger iPhones (I just don't like the feeling of the larger phones in my hands or trouser/pant/jean pocket) this is an excellent solution.

Been an SE user for the last couple of years and love the overall size of that. Can't see Apple releasing an edge-to-edge/home button-free iPhone with the size of the SE so looks like this will be the next 'thing'.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mburkhard
Ah, advertisement was shown during the Oscars. No wonder no one knew about it.




I don’t like talking into my phone or watch. It’s why I carry around AirPods or an earpiece. Takes only a second to shove in my ear and link up.
Well, that's three devices then each one requiring charging. It may work for some but others may prefer just a phone (not necessarily this expensive one).
 
You can answer the phone, see messages and take a selfie without opening the phone
You can answer your phone and see messages on a watch, and what's the point of taking a selfie if you can't see what you're taking?
 
How shockingly notice that no one else mentioned the MOST important part of this foldable phone, the biggest difference from the previous ones ---- the folding screen is made of glass!!! Samsung is the first to overcome the biggest hurdle.
 
It's a microscopic laptop for more than the price of a standard laptop. All they'd have to do is make the bottom half look like a keyboard and the top half be the main screen.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.