Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip is the best foldable phone you shouldn’t buy

It’s a big phone that folds up into a neat square, but it’s not worth US$1,400

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Review

Chris Chang

Published: 5:00am, 2 May 2020Updated: 1:06pm, 15 Jun 2020

This article originally appeared on ABACUS

Samsung is back with a new foldable phone: The Galaxy Z Flip. And unlike the Galaxy Fold, Samsung’s first foldable that we reviewed nearly six months ago, the Z Flip isn’t a foldable tablet. Instead, this smaller phone folds down like the new Motorola Razr.

The Galaxy Z Flip becomes more compact when it’s folded.

After getting to use this phone for a while, I can say that this is Samsung’s best foldable phone. But it’s still not worth the money.

FOLDING THE Z FLIP

Folding and unfolding the Galaxy Z Flip is very easy. The clamshell design that feels familiar and comfortable if you’ve been around long enough to use the flip phones of the pre-iPhone era. While Motorola did beat Samsung to the punch with the vertical fold, it’s still a nice design.

But there is one disappointing thing that makes the Z Flip very different from classic flip phones: It’s hard to flip open with one hand.

It’s possible to fold with one hand, but it’s not easy.

Closing the phone one-handed isn’t a problem. When folding this US$1,400 device open, though, you’ll think twice without having two hands on it. This is a bit disappointing since, let’s face it, flicking open a flip phone with one hand has always looked cooler than with two.

The hinge on the Z Flip is stiffer than the hinge on the Galaxy Fold.

Samsung says the Z Flip uses a redesigned hinge compared with the Galaxy Fold. The company says the new hinge has nylon "brushes" inside to help keep out dust and debris. Nothing has gotten into the hinge of my review unit, but it’s tough to say how well it will hold up over time.