Last year Samsung hit the table when it launched the Samsung Galaxy Fold, the first retail model that had a flexible screen. This company's first attempt had many problems at the time of its initial review and arriving at stores was delayed for several months.
We tested the Huawei Mate Xs, a comfortable wrap
After its launch we were able to try out the new Huawei Mate Xs, which is a wrap that has been very comfortable for us.
Most of all, Samsung's achieved what they suggested, becoming the first product to have a mobile screen with curved screens in stores around the world.
After the arrival of Huawei and Motorola, with two different proposals, but using the same screens. The first has released its first model in China and has just announced a second, smaller, global variant.
Motorola, on the other hand, made a different approach when choosing a standard cell phone and cutting it in half, instead of doubling its size, as Samsung and Huawei proposed. Motorola Razr introduced the concept of shell mobiles decades ago and promises great comfort when owning a mobile phone.
But Samsung's are also working on something similar, something that existed long before it happened. What is believed to be the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 finally saw the light as Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and offered a new feature for the company, the same mobile phone as the standard one, which was folded in half to simplify its use.
Features of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
- Screen
- Foldable Dynamic AMOLED technology.
- FHD + resolution (2636 x 1080 pixels).
- 6.7 inches
- 1.06 inch AMOLED external display with 116 x 300 pixels resolution.
- Working
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ processor made at 7 nm.
- CPU: 8 Cryo 485 cores. 1 to 2.96 GHz, 3 to 2.42 GHz and 4 to 1.8 GHz
- GPU: Adreno 640
- Neural unit for AI.
- 256 GB of storage
- 8 GB of RAM.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ processor made at 7 nm.
- Cameras
- Forward
- 10 Mpx main with f / 2.4 aperture.
- After
- Big 12 Mpx camera, autofocus and optical stabilizer at f / 1.8.
- 12 Mpx wide angle camera with f / 2.2.
- 4K recording, with options at 60 fps and HDR10 +.
- Communication
- Charges port (15 W) and data (USB 3.1) via USB-C connector.
- Qi cargo location in the background:
- You can charge a cellphone at 15 W.
- Ethernet support with USB-C adapter and WiFi a / b / g / n / ac / ax (Wi-Fi 4/5/6). Wi-Fi Direct ANT +. NFC Bluetooth 5.0.
- Sensors
- Gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity, RGB light, barcode, compass and magnetic field.
- Battery
- 3300 mAh with 25 W fast charging and wireless charging.
- Other
- Descriptive fingerprint reader.
- Android 10 with OneUI 2.0.
- Size and weight
- Unlocked: 167.9 x 73.6 x 7.2 mm.
- Coated: 87.4 x 73.6 x 17.3 mm.
- 183 g
- Forward
A cell phone reminiscent of another era
Since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 the trend of mobile phones has been clear: increase screen size and make full use of it. This means that, gradually, the models were growing in size and looking alike.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is one of the few variants of this and that while it's open would fit this description, the fact that it can be closed long ago is that its form has changed dramatically.
It's portable, but without any problems
When we carry it we must see that it is easy to accept a pair of pants, or a jacket, but there are two drawbacks. On the other hand the weight is too high, coupled with the small size that you have closed makes it very dark. In addition, it's a slippery cell phone, which almost forces you to place a double-sided case in the box.
On the other hand, it is ironic that they should put your hand completely in your pocket to get your phone out, given the size of the current smartphones it was possible to simply do two fingers, without this model.
6.7 inches don't look like it
When we think of smartphones with a 6.7-inch diagonal screen we tend to think of larger mobiles, but the latter doesn't appear. Not that small, but the 21: 9 screen ratio makes it very high.
This has an effect on picking it up and the fact that the smartphone is very high (more than usual), a center of gravity changes and is rarely productive with one hand.
Leaving it open can be helpful
I have to admit that I'm not exactly the user this product is focusing on. As we can see, travel is one of its strengths and I, when working from home, never lack the need for that number. However, I found myself using this luxury a lot more than I thought, in part because I stay open indoors, and only lock it when I go out.
This enables a variety of high performance though it makes sense in cases like mine it would be best to buy the Samsung Galaxy S10e, when it shares most of its hardware.
I did not use a fingerprint sensor
One of the unique features of this cell phone is that it has a fingerprint sensor on the other hand, such as the Samsung Galaxy S10e. This makes it uncomfortable to use with the left hand (the sensor is on the right), but since opening the phone you can work to turn the facial stiffness much easier than on other models.
In addition, because it is so slippery it is not advisable to use it with one hand when we turn it on, so it is ultimately possible to use a fingerprint sensor no matter what the hand normally uses to use the phone.
Not to mention, it's too fast
In recent months I have tested Samsung mid-range phones with Exynos processors, such as the Galaxy A51, in the same category as Qualcomm processors, such as the Glass A71 with Snapdragon 730, the upper end of Exynos processors, like the S20 Ultra, and the end great for Qualcomm applications, such as the S10 Lite. And no one gave me the feeling that this gave me.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip will go down in history as the last terminal, not as a high-end model, but it can. Of course it doesn't have any of the flagship features of the 2020 flagships, such as 5G or Wifi 6, but in its operation it has nothing to wish for another model.
The speed of the Galaxy Z Flip is amazing
I've been able to test it with many applications, games and applications and the experience it gave me reminded me more of OnePlus and Pixel smoothly than other models of the product range. Maybe it's a Snapdragon 855+, maybe 8 GB of RAM, or maybe something else, but the fact is that it likes it.
And internal memory never fails. No, it doesn't have a microSD slot, but it comes with 256 GB as usual, so we can't complain. Well, use twice as much memory than the S20 Ultra model that costs a few euros. The speed is UFS 3.0, which is much appreciated when we install heavy games or save big files.
One of the problems we put that on it doesn't have a double speaker, only one is located next to the loading dock, and it is completely inadequate for this price model. It's one of my favorite things about the S20 Ultra and I'd love to have it here.
Yes, we have NFC to charge for a cellphone but not with a headphone jack or FM radio, not to mention infrared emitter, which is used by less commodities, although not the most demanding.
Screen flexibility does not interfere with other features
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip has a much larger screen size than the Fold. Use technology Foldable Dynamic AMOLED which means we have a cosmetic screen at the top to house the camera, which uses an OLED panel and cannot be folded.
The diagonal is 6.7 centimeters but with a screen size of 21: 9 it feels a little useless. The resolution is FHD +, especially 2636 x 1080 px. This can be quite annoying as there are many applications that are not compatible with this type of screen and we eventually have black stripes on one side, 2, and so on.
It also happens when we watch videos that do not match the 21: 9 ratio, which leaves us with black stripes on the smaller sides. Even those who are adaptable lose a large portion of the footprint.
There is a catch to this kind of screen and that's it Your sunscreen is not as good as other Samsung models. Terminals without adjustable screens look better on the outside and in this case, sometimes, I find myself blurry, when they shine right on the screen.
Among the configuration options we have the expectation, with custom functions such as black mode or blue light mode. However, the most demanding function of these times is what forces applications to use the full screen. In this model, with the screen going up considerably, I have used extensively in games such as the Honkai Impact third and Golf Combat.
A very special crystal
Samsung boasted of using glass on the big screen of the model. Technically we can say yes because one of the many layers of the screen is glass, one that is too small.
The fact is that all the others are made of polymer, and that means they are easily designed. This is also evident in the middle section, which exists, especially when scrolling. In this mobile, high-end format, it shows more of the Fold as the slide always lets us touch it, something that didn't happen to the model last year because the position was straightforward, not accurate.
Where the change is informed is affecting. I have been able to try Samsung Fold, Huawei Mate Xs and I have to see that this is the best touch. It's not the same as in normal mobiles but you get to forget that you're using a wrap screen … until you touch the hinge wrinkle area, of course.
It is noteworthy that Samsung has improved the screen with the inclusion of glass-like features, although it is known that most of the touch is weak. In fact it can be scratched with nails so you better be careful.
External screen is not enough
Sure there is some controversy but I don't understand how Samsung started with the introduction of a small external screen and criticism that Fold has used a very large panel.
It is clear that there must be some imitation of the space within the signal but the screen serves to see the time and much less. Yes, in theory it might be possible to use the image view and notification area, but in the vast majority of cases it's easy to turn on a cell phone and interact with it.
This screen is about 1.06 inches and uses AMOLED technology. We would rather have a screen like the Motorola Razr even if the autonomy was sacrificed in some way.
The telephoto is not there, but the cameras are compatible
When Motorola introduced Razr for 2019 many complained about their cameras. The $ 1,500 terminal should have no worse camera than the average of 300 euros. At Flip Samsung you have done something good. It used the same sensors we saw on the S10, the main and wide angle, both 12 Mpx.
Day rate for the two sensors is excellent and dynamic range, HDR, shooting speed and camera options as expected.
I took lots of pictures with this model when I went to a wedding and everyone asked me to take a picture of them and add it to their contact text. Yes, they are brightly colored, in the fashion of Samsung's classic fashion.
At night the quality of the cameras is down, and it shows, especially when there are moving objects. This is more noticeable with a wider angle than the standard sensor, or at least we have a new night mode with a longer exposure that opens in One UI 2.1.
In the gallery you have many tests of both modes, as well as selfies with an in-camera, allowing you to increase the shooting angle and use image mode. We can take selfies with the main external sensor, or for some reason they always come out square.
What you can see in the gallery are photos with a lens lens and the fact that Samsung, for some reason, didn't use a 2x or higher zoom in this model, and the fact that I remember it throughout the week was analyzing the terminal.
Camera adjustment is what the Samsung Galaxy S10e does and, at least, it should have been for the standard Samsung S10e, if not better.
With a smaller battery it achieves more
The 3300 mAh of this model would make us think its independence would be poor. Not at all. In addition, fast 25W charging and wireless charging mean we don't have any major complaints. Yes, it can have a fast charge, but it's not critical.
In the first test of the battery has reached the 20 hours of independence, with approximately 5 hours of screen time, and to take pictures, we've seen a lot of videos and we've played.
In the second test we were only on Wifi for taking pictures and playing, watching video and using social media apps, in addition to costing a few times. We've reached the 30 hours of independence, with 5 hours and a half screen time.
In the third test we came out all day, taking pictures of everything. We've also used apps like Instagram and other Google Maps. We're here 20 hours of independence, with 5 hours of screen time.
In the fourth test we made the most use out almost, with most games, Google Maps in motion mode, over an hour of podcast play … We've reached 10 hours of independence, 5 hours of screen time.
Developing Samsung's interface
Samsung has used Android 10 for Flip and Another UI 2.1, the same version as the S20. However there are special functions.
First, in the camera app we can turn the external screen into a mirror image and make our model look like. However, it is lacking that the same app allows you to use an angular camera for selfies, or let us take non-square footage when taking selfies with a closed mobile.
The display has also been modified to enable it use it on L., for example using a tripod mobile for photos, making video calls or using other apps. Samsung said it would open the option to third-party designers and hopefully it will become a habit. It's something people have found out about the offspring.
Among the changes we would like to see are perhaps the high performance of the external display, or the use of hands-free hands when talking and closing.
This mobile has been a favorite for everyone who has seen it
This device is a special mobile phone. And it is appealing to many. There are many people who have been able to teach and all have concluded that yes, at this level of procurement they find practical help.
I think the best way to end an analysis of a conversation I had with the first person I could show my cell phone, my partner:
- Me (and mobile deployed): Look, here's the smartphone I'm reviewing now.
- My girlfriend: Ah, okay …
- Me (closing the cell): Tachaaaannn!
- My girlfriend: Wow, this is cool! I want this one.
- Me: It costs 1500 euros …
- My girl:…
- Me:
- My girlfriend: Yes, but I want one.
So, I have no choice but to say that, we think this is good or bad, good or bad, Samsung was right. And many think so.
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