TV Ad Reveals Samsung's Unannounced 'Galaxy Z Flip' Phone

[MacRumors]

In an ad break during last night's Academy Awards, Samsung gave viewers an unexpected first look at its yet-to-be-announced Galaxy Z Flip foldable phone, which the company is supposed to officially unveil on Tuesday.

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The look of the phone in Samsung's commercial matches up with previous leaks, with the device being shown folded up, opened at various angles as well as opened completely flat. At one point, the ad shows the phone sitting on a flat surface at a 90-degree angle while a Google Duo video call takes place on the screen.

The ad also provides a first glimpse of the phone's small full-color digital screen on the back that can show a caller's ID and includes touch sliders for accepting and rejecting calls when the phone is folded up. Two colors of phone are shown – purple and black. The commercial ends with the tagline "Change the shape of the future."

The Galaxy Z Flip is rumored to feature an ultra-thin glass screen that Samsung is said to have developed in an effort to avoid the display issues that plagued the Galaxy Fold. Even so, it looks like Samsung hasn't been able to iron out a common wrinkle of foldable phones – "You may notice a small crease in the center of the main screen, which is a natural characteristic of the screen," reads the ad's small print.

The 6.7-inch Galaxy Z Flip is expected to be more affordable than the Galaxy Fold, which costs $1,980 in the U.S. The original Fold was beleaguered with display issues from the off, and Samsung will be hoping the Flip doesn't suffer a similar fate. There have already been reports of hinge problems with Motorola's just-released $1,499 Razr flip phone.

The Galaxy Z Flip will be officially announced alongside the Galaxy S20 – of which three models are expected – at Samsung's Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 11.

There are no rumors suggesting that Apple has plans to release a foldable smartphone anytime soon, but Apple is undoubtedly looking into foldable devices and has patented some foldable display technology.

Article Link: TV Ad Reveals Samsung's Unannounced 'Galaxy Z Flip' Phone

 

[djcerla]

What’s the point here? Dramatically increasing the friction to lower smartphone addiction?

The Fold value proposition was much clearer: a tablet screen in a smartphone sized* device.

*kind of

 

[androvboy]

"You may notice a small crease in the center of the main screen"

#DragonsDen #Iamout

 

[fokmik]

This is the best idea for a foldable device...from a normal by today standards 6" , fold it to be pocket friendly like 10 years ago...
Nobody wants to use the tablet in public where everyone can see what you do...like galaxy fold

 

[teme]

I really like the idea, but I think technology is not good enough for this yet. That crease is unacceptable and overall those folding displays are too unreliable for now.

 

[MandiMac]

Foldable tech makes sense for tablets, not for smartphones. This thing is too bulky when folded.

 

[chucker23n1]

I understand the idea of the Fold, and it’s been something I’ve been dreaming of for a while. I wish I could have my iPhone unfold to an iPad mini.

I don’t understand this one.

Or, in Gruber’s words:

What problems does this solve? Who has a pocket that isn’t deep enough for an unfolded phone but is thick enough for this thing folded up?

 

[Winni]

I understand the idea of the Fold, and it’s been something I’ve been dreaming of for a while. I wish I could have my iPhone unfold to an iPad mini.

I don’t understand this one.

I find that quite interesting. Back in the "good old days", phones like the Motorola RAZR were what everybody wanted to have. And back then, John Gruber didn't post such nonsense about the RAZR.

Maybe, just maybe, some people still just want... a phone in their pockets? And maybe, just maybe, there are still people out there who use their phone like... a phone? Could this MAYBE be the target audience for such a device?

 

[skippermonkey]

I miss my old Game Boy DS.

 

[RammyXX]

Looks like a pocket makeup mirror.
I hope Apple stays away from this fold fad for their iPhones. I can see this being useful for iPads, as long as folding it doesn't mean it's going to be twice as thick as a standard iPad when folded.

 

[heov]

Some of the comments in here lol. Just be happy for innovation. They're folding a freaking phone here... with a glass-like screen?! Don't buy it. Marvel in this new tech! I promise no one will take away your iPhone.

 

[cardfan]

I find that quite interesting. Back in the "good old days", phones like the Motorola RAZR were what everybody wanted to have. And back then, John Gruber didn't post such nonsense about the RAZR.

Maybe, just maybe, some people still just want... a phone in their pockets? And maybe, just maybe, there are still people out there who use their phone like... a phone? Could this MAYBE be the target audience for such a device?

I think maybe just maybe you’re reaching too hard along with too many maybes. This looks marketed to tweens who are hardly nostalgic about the good old days.

 

[Crowbot]

The images in the ad look simulated. And, of course, they move the phone around so much it's hard to get a good detailed look. But if it can advance the tech it's prolly a good thing.

 

[Cmdrx3]

"You may notice a small crease in the center of the main screen"

#DragonsDen #Iamout

I'm not convinced it won't suffer from flex damage... and for that reason... I'm out.

 

[MartyvH]

I'm not convinced it won't suffer from flex damage... and for that reason... I'm out.

People who see you with it will suffer from flex damage ??

 

[batitombo]

Can't tell if it's more like a gimmick. :/

 

[chucker23n1]

I find that quite interesting. Back in the "good old days", phones like the Motorola RAZR were what everybody wanted to have. And back then, John Gruber didn't post such nonsense about the RAZR.

The RAZR did not have a foldable screen. This isn’t really the same thing.

 

[calstanford]

A flip makes sense so a phone screen can become almost small tablet size. Nice.

But this thing? Huh? So a phone screen can become half a phone screen when folded?? For what? Mini purses for mini people?

 

[itsmilo]

This doesn’t really solve any every day problems. „Normal“ 6.2 phone = too tall for regular pants. Folded phone = too fat to fit into regular pants

 

[Zmmyt]

It just doesn’t add enough value for the money they are asking for. I don’t know anyone who would be interested in the slightest.

 

[Greenmeenie]

if done right, i could see this taking off.

 

[waquzy]

Instead of coming up with this rubbish, Samsung should focus on releasing software updates on time. It’s 2020, software > hardware

 

[gnasher729]

I read _one_ review which basically said "it's useless as a phone, and it's useless as a tablet". If you want to use Android, get a proper phone with a large screen, not this nonsense.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Some of the comments in here lol. Just be happy for innovation.

except, we shouldn’t applaud Samsung for throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks.

 

[gnasher729]

Some of the comments in here lol. Just be happy for innovation. They're folding a freaking phone here... with a glass-like screen?! Don't buy it. Marvel in this new tech! I promise no one will take away your iPhone.

We don't want innovation. We want improvements. This is not an improvement.