Regular SamMobile readers are well aware that my boyfriend Danny is a Galaxy Fold super fan. I've spent a lot of time using the Galaxy Fold as well and while I appreciate it for what it is, it became too much of a hassle for me to live with it. As much as I wanted to make it my daily driver, the size and heft of the thing put me off.
As luck would have it, Samsung came out with the Galaxy Z Flip, and Danny was adamant that I test it out. He believed that it would turn me over to the foldable clan, and I'm lucky that I got to try it as early as I did, because he was absolutely right.
I've always liked flip phones, I used to have them back when flip phones were a thing. For Samsung to bring back that form factor but with a completely modern twist instantly made the Galaxy Z Flip feel more familiar. It didn't look like a proof of concept, it just looked like a modern flip phone, which just made me love it even more.
I was using the Galaxy Note 10+ before I switched over, it's a great phone, but I don't even miss it anymore. Here's are 10 reasons why I feel that the Galaxy Z Flip is a truly awesome phone.
Why the Galaxy Z Flip is an awesome phone
1. It fits in your jeans!
The joy of finally having a phone that fits inside the jeans' pocket is unmatched. It frees me up from having to carry a bag all the time if I really don't need it for anything else other than a place to keep my phone. It might not seem like a big deal to most people but the ladies know what's up!
2. It opens up like a charm
Samsung has nailed it with the hinge for this device. It opens and closes very smoothly, it's a joy to go through the motions with the Galaxy Z Flip. It's very satisfying and the novelty of it hasn't worn off even after several months of using it as my main device.
3. It's a conversation starter
Most people remember flip phones so they're instantly intrigued when you unfold the Galaxy Z Flip in front of them. You always get positive vibes from them, as they go from shock over who could possibly be using a flip phone in this day and age to utter amazement at what this device actually is.
4. It's really compact
One of the reasons why I couldn't get myself to use the Galaxy Fold in the long run was the size of the thing. Women generally tend to have smaller hands so the compact dimensions of this phone make for a very comfortable fit. I don't have to resort to finger gymnastics to reach a part of the screen.
5. The cover display gets the job done
There's no notification LED on the device so your only frame of reference for when there are unread notifications is the tiny cover display. Yes, it has its shortcomings as the guys here discussed in SamMobile's Galaxy Z Flip review, but I find that it gets the job done. I can see at a glance which notifications are unread and if there's anything that demands my immediate attention and requires me to unfold the device.
6. Flex Mode makes the Galaxy Z Flip really versatile
I find myself using Flex Mode a lot, it's the feature that lets you open up the device's display at different angles. I use it for taking selfies a lot, it's great that the phone can act like its own little tripod. Flex Mode also comes in handy when watching YouTube videos.
7. Fingerprint sensor is top notch
Yes, I understand that in-display fingerprint sensors are all the rage these days, but I also find the tech to be lacking in comparison to capacitive sensors. The great thing about the Galaxy Z Flip is that it doesn't mess around with in-display sensors. It has an honest to God physical sensor at the side, the speed of which is noticeably quicker than any in-display solution.
8. Ending a call has never been so satisfying
We all remember slamming our flip phones shut when we were done with a call. It's just the feeling of going through that motion that invokes nostalgia. Tell me, honestly, is there anything better? The Galaxy Z Flip will scratch that itch for you.
9. It has a unique design
I became bored of using smartphones that looked more or less the same, even though I was changing them every year. It feels so refreshing that the Galaxy Z Flip has a completely unique design, even with a familiar form factor, it breaks the monotony and I'm all for it.
10. Finally, a phone for the ladies!
I can't stress this enough. After having experienced almost every flagship device that Samsung has put out for the better part of the decade, nothing has given me the confidence that it was developed with the ladies in mind than the Galaxy Z Flip. Yes, it's a great fit for men too, but it's exceptionally well suited to women.
Is it all rainbows and sunshine?
No, it never is. There's never a perfect device and I'm not saying that the Galaxy Z Flip is perfect. It does have a few shortcomings but we can live with them seeing as how this is a first-generation device. If anything, this should make you more excited about how Samsung will improve the Galaxy Z Flip in the years to come.
1. The battery isn't big enough
I understand that this is a limitation of the Galaxy Z Flip's compact design but you do feel that the battery could be better in some situations. It's fine for the most part as long as the device is being used under normal conditions. It has been able to last the entire day for me. However, it's a different story when you use it heavily and particularly when you're on holiday. I often had to charge the thing twice in a day since we were on cellular roaming and taking a lot of photos and videos.
2. The display doesn't get bright enough
Obviously, the Galaxy Z Flip's display doesn't get as bright as the ones on a “normal” smartphone like the Galaxy Note 10+. The tech still has a ways to go before that can be possible. Hopefully, this is something that will be improved in future iterations of the device, I'd like to not have to squint my eyes so much when using the Galaxy Z Flip outside on very sunny days.
3. There's no IP rating
I get it, the foldable form factor hasn't advanced enough for everything to be completely sealed off for the IP rating. The care-free attitude that I have become accustomed to after using water resistant Samsung flagships is a bit hard to shake off. I am so looking forward to the time when its possible for a device like this to be water resistant.
4. The bundled case isn't strong and is just meh
Samsung ships a case with the Galaxy Z Flip but it's very flimsy. You really won't feel that it protects the phone that much. Ideally, Samsung will ship a stronger case with future iterations. I also remember when Samsung used to have a partnership with Swarovski for accessories. If any device was begging for a partnership of that sort, it's the Galaxy Z Flip. I would love to bling it up!
5. Price is still the elephant in the room
Yes, there's no denying it, the Galaxy Z Flip is an expensive phone. At almost $1,400, it's more money than what most customers will want to spend on a phone. I hope that Samsung finds a way to bring the price down, at least at the level at which it sells entry-level models of its flagships, so that more people can get to experience the beauty of the Galaxy Z Flip.
Do you agree or disagree? Share your thoughts about these reasons in the comments below, and let's get a conversation going!
