Allison Johnson discusses the unique appeal of flip phones, highlighting how their distinct form factor attracts attention in a market dominated by slab-style smartphones, and touches on the challenges faced by foldable phones like Samsung's early efforts.
The article compares the camera capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola Razr Ultra, highlighting their similar main sensor sizes and lack of telephoto lenses, with both phones offering decent zoom but declining in quality beyond 3X zoom, and includes sample photos to evaluate their photo quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, priced at $1,100, features a redesigned cover screen, a slightly thinner body, and longer software support, competing with Motorola's Razr Ultra at $1,300, which offers higher refresh rates, more camera megapixels, and premium materials. The Flip 7 has a larger cover display, slightly lighter weight, and a lower starting price, but the Razr Ultra provides a bigger internal display, more storage options, and a longer update cycle, making each device appealing based on different priorities.
The article reviews the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and suggests five alternative Android phones, including the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Motorola Razr (2025), Razr Ultra, Galaxy S25 Plus, and OnePlus 13, highlighting their features, pros, cons, and price points as better or more affordable options.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 features improved displays, battery, and AI tools at a similar price to last year's model, while the Motorola Razr Ultra offers a larger battery, more RAM, and a more capable processor but at a higher cost. Both phones have similar designs and display sizes, with the Razr Ultra providing brighter and more useful outer and main screens. The Razr Ultra also excels in battery life and processing power, whereas the Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers better long-term software support. The choice depends on whether you prioritize hardware specs or software longevity.
A growing movement among college students is swapping smartphones for flip phones to combat addiction, improve mental health, and foster genuine social interactions, with many experiencing benefits like increased mindfulness, creativity, and better personal connections.
The second Android 15 developer preview introduces a new capability that allows developers to declare their apps compatible with smaller cover screens on flip phones, potentially improving the cover screen experience on devices like the Galaxy Z Flip. The Motorola Razr Plus currently offers a superior cover screen experience, but with this new feature in Android 15, other OEMs, including Samsung, have the opportunity to enhance their flip phones' cover screen functionality. This change may also hint at Google's potential plans for a Pixel Flip and could impact the competitive landscape of the global foldable market.
Google has released Android 15 Developer Preview 2, introducing new features such as improved satellite connectivity, better support for flip phones, and NFC enhancements. Other updates include new PDF tools, improved language switching, and additional developer tools. However, the preview is still intended for developers, and it is advised that everyday users wait for the beta release in April before downloading.
Samsung is launching a limited edition "Galaxy Z Flip 5 Retro" in select regions, paying tribute to its popular flip phone from 2003. The Retro edition features the same hardware as the regular model but with a special indigo blue and silver color scheme, mimicking the design of the Samsung SGH-E700. It also includes an animation on the cover display that replicates the SGH-E700's outer display. The device will be available exclusively via Samsung.com in the UK, Korea, France, Germany, Spain, and Australia.
The Oppo Find N3 Flip addresses a common issue with flip phones by eliminating the problem of using them with sunglasses. Unlike other foldable phones, the Find N3 Flip's display assembly removes the polarizer, making the screen readable even with polarized sunglasses. Additionally, the device offers improved camera hardware, an updated MediaTek chip, and the ability to run full apps on the outer display.
Samsung is targeting Gen Z consumers with its latest flip phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. The phone features a larger cover screen and a new hinge that allows it to sit fully flat when open and close completely with no gap. Samsung is leveraging the popularity of Sydney Sweeney, star of the HBO show Euphoria, to appeal to teen girls globally. While flip phones fell out of favor with the rise of smartphones, the vintage clamshell design has the potential to pique the interest of Gen Z users. The Z Flip 5 offers a nostalgic look with cutting-edge features, but its $999 price tag may be a roadblock to widespread adoption.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5's cover screen software outperforms Motorola's in terms of customization options, always-on display, and functional widgets. However, when it comes to running full apps on the cover screen, the Motorola Razr Plus takes the lead with its easy-to-use interface and wider app selection. While most users may not prioritize running apps on the front panel, it is hoped that future flip phones from both companies will incorporate the best features from each other to enhance the cover screen experience.
Samsung is targeting Gen Z consumers with its latest flip phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. The company is leveraging the popularity of Sydney Sweeney, star of HBO's Euphoria, to appeal to young women globally. The Z Flip 5 features a larger cover screen and a new hinge that allows it to sit fully flat when open. While flip phones fell out of favor with the rise of smartphones, the vintage clamshell design has the potential to pique the interest of Gen Z users. Samsung's marketing campaign heavily features women and female influencers, aiming to attract more female users. However, the Z Flip 5's price, starting at $999, may pose a challenge in winning over young consumers.
Flip phones are making a comeback with larger and more useful cover screens, challenging the dominance of foldable phones. Samsung is expected to announce its fifth-generation Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5, with the latter rumored to have a bigger cover screen. While foldable phones continue to improve in terms of design and durability, flip phones offer a more affordable alternative with their standard flagship pricing. The competition between Samsung and Motorola may lead to more discounts and promotions for consumers. Overall, flip phones are finally gaining attention and living up to their potential.
The 2023 Motorola Razr+ is a modern flip phone that excels in its groundbreaking 3.6-inch cover display, which can run virtually any app and provide glanceable information. The phone also features a 6.9-inch FHD+ panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and a waterdrop-style hinge that prevents a trench in the panel. However, the battery life is inconsistent, and the 12MP primary and 13MP ultrawide cameras are not impressive.