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Testing Samsung's New $1,380 Galaxy Z Flip Foldable Smartphone

PickUrPoison said:
My 6s fits fine in my front pocket. I have zero desire for a smaller width and height device at the expense of it being twice as thick.

7mm thick? Fine. 14mm? Couldn’t be less interested.
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Same here.
I'd much rather have a folding iPad so I can easily put it into a bag and unfold it to enjoy a big display.
The Galaxy fold had a subpar display on the front, but made more sense than this Z Flip. Even the Razor has a cool design because it reminds us of the iconic model, but is not the kind of foldable phone I'd buy.
I'm glad they're experimenting with the technology, I'm not going to be a beta tester but in a few years we'll have much more mature products to buy and I'll enjoy the folding experience.
 
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"...the problem with netbooks foldables is that they aren't better at anything."

This machine solves a problem for people with the world's shallowest pockets, but it also creates a whole set of new problems that can't currently be solved. It's poorly conceived and badly executed. But be careful what you say or you'll be mobbed by an angry rabble of hysterical Samsung fans who think rational criticism is tantamount to snatching their newborn child :oops:
 
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That crease isn't going to fade away. I am no notch enthusiast... but at least I am not quite looking at the notch directly most of the times. That crease is absolutely dead in the middle of the phone.
 
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Johnny907 said:
Looking at the Flip Z in use, there’s no denying this is the future of mobile devices anymore than when Jobs himself held up that first gen iPhone many years ago. Don’t get me wrong; there’s a lot of work and development that needs to happen before it’s ready for prime time but the possibilities are undeniable.
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I’ve watched a few of the review videos for this flip phone. What is up with the unwritten requirement that it emit a solid “snap” sound on closing? One woman went so far as to plan her gestures using the ”snap” as part of conversations. :rolleyes:
 
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I'm certainly not the target audience as I'd never spend that kind of money on a phone, but I think it's interesting companies like Samsung is testing out new technologies even if they're not 100% useful and/or ready for primetime.

Apple is playing too safe IMO, being a little more daring and innovative sure wouldn't hurt.
 
Can you iron my phone honey? It's got a crease in the display...


And then back to plastic touch screens: no thanks. Been there, done that, never again.
 
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crsh1976 said:
I'm certainly not the target audience as I'd never spend that kind of money on a phone, but I think it's interesting companies like Samsung is testing out new technologies even if they're not 100% useful and/or ready for primetime.

Apple is playing too safe IMO, being a little more daring and innovative sure wouldn't hurt.
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But we have no idea what is occurring in their R&D labs. The labs, those places where R&D is supposed to take place ;)
 
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Jim Lahey said:
But we have no idea what is occurring in their R&D labs. The labs, those places where R&D is supposed to take place ;)
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I won't pretend I know what goes on in their R&D labs because I really don't, I just wish Apple would surprise us a little more y'know ?
 
crsh1976 said:
I just wish Apple would surprise us a little more y'know ?
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Yeah I don't necessarily disagree with that sentiment. Although, I also feel that I long ago gave up my right to be surprised by Apple's product releases seeing as I spend so much time reading an Apple rumours website. I'm happy with quality iteration until such time as the 'next big thing' is actually ready for market. And, in my opinion, these foldable devices are not that. They may in fact never be, but we shall see. In the meantime, if consumers want to pay for the privilege of being Samsung's beta testers then that is their prerogative, of course.
 
I can't wait for this tech to mature to the point of excellence.

Definitely not there yet, but the future looks bright!

I like the idea of a device that folds into something smaller, whether it be a phone or a tablet.

It looks functional, but also fun. There's something about mechanical movement that I enjoy, and I'd probably break this current iteration quickly by popping it open and closed compulsively.

I'm glad that these companies are not listening to all the right-wing phone-servatives that want to keep things the same for everybody else because they cannot tolerate those who don't share their tastes.
 
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To be fair with you, I own a Galaxy Fold since its lunch date (~4 months) and never had an issue with it. It's a very well-built premium device. I think, this new Galaxy Z-Flip is a little bit pricey, $1100 could be a more reasonable price, but compare it to Motorola Razr, Motorola is a cheap plastic, with mediocre out-dated specs, with a ridiculous price tag ($1500).
 
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Jay42 said:
While a lot of people will mock this as a gimmick with limited usefulness, I think Samsung is using this as an open beta to get them closer to a folding flagship. If they get widespread hardware failure, it won't be as humiliating since this is their "side project" rather than their halo device.

I won't be paying the $1,400 to join the beta program, but I'm sure enough will be bored enough to do so and provide Samsung with some useful data.
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Apple will undoubtedly buy a hundred of these, and use them for its own test program. A much cheaper approach, and 90% as good.
 
Stevez67 said:
A proper review of this product would examine the problem the product solves, review the hardware components compared to similarly priced products, review the compromises and enhancements, review the software and app marketplace for the product, and position the product in the marketplace hierarchy with respect to value per price. This article reads more like a Samsung apology piece giving short shrift to the failures and complaints on other review websites and offers no new review information.
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...then become a youtube vlogger and do reviews your way...
 
Coyote2006 said:
They'd better use small two screens. I wouldn't mind the "gap" if the lower screen would be used for navigation/control stuff
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Agree, but it means it needs specially made for it and it alone software versions of everything.
The software for phones assumes one large screen, not divided in two not connected ones. Imagine playing a game that wants you to move things all over the screen ... that gap would be a huge handicap.
 
The Barron said:
You can have that piece! o_O I'll be sticking to iPhones, thank you.
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Still miss my 3310 nokia, a device which could replace a stick when walking the dog, and survives a 50ft drop, a car runover, the mudrun in my hometown, the river during a hike on the Appalachian trail and yes after all that you where still able to make a phonecall.. innovative
 
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Marques Brownlee "This Z-Flip is the most complete and well built folding phone yet"

Hopefully Apple will give us something similar within 2 years.
 
samplez said:
Marques Brownlee "This Z-Flip is the most complete and well built folding phone yet"

Hopefully Apple will give us something similar within 2 years.
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I can’t imagine Apple releasing anything until engineering can solve problems like the crease and the easily scratched plastic on the screen.
 
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