Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

Well-executed folding display with articulating hinge and improved protection from dust

Still too expensive to justify its form factor

For the rest of us who are not getting one - the key takeaway here is that the foldable race is really on now and it will be a fun one to watch.

Flip phone form factor is practical and fun ; Great all-around performance ; Solid camera quality ; It feels like a standard smartphone when open ; It’s the least expensive foldable out there

Inherently more fragile than other phones ; External screen is too small to be helpful ; The main glass screen is still prone to scratching ; Flex Mode is pretty limited ; Less future-proof than more traditional rivals

Its inherent fragility, more than anything, is why I hesitate to embrace the Z Flip more fully. Sure, these things might last longer than Samsung suggests, but we don't live our lives in hermetically sealed labs. The real world is messy. Accidents...

Great performance ; Decent battery life ; Solid-feeling, smooth hinge

Glass screen’s plastic covering picks up scratches easily ; Cameras aren’t as good as S10 or iPhone 11 ; Expensive

At the end of the day, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is still an expensive curiosity that you shouldn’t buy. But it is a sign that something far less curious and far more normal is actually possible.

Solid all-around performance. ; L-shaped mode is good for taking photos.

The utility of the folding screen doesn't justify the high price.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is the first folding phone to really work, but it's still a costly and potentially fragile fashion object rather than a mainstream hit.

Outstanding, futuristic design and cool look; Compact when closed, fits in small pockets; Generous 256GB on-board storage

Super expensive for what it is; Screen can be easily scratched or permanently damaged by a fingernail; No water resistance; Having to flip it open for practically anything gets annoying quickly

Fun, gadget-like feel ; Great build quality ; Good cameras ; Foldable

So-so battery life ; Slow charging

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip was a great foldable for its time. Even if the clamshell-style form factor isn't quite as useful as something like the Galaxy Z Fold series, the quality of the hinge and display outweigh the negatives. However, the Galaxy Z...

Snapdragon 855 Plus is plenty powerful ; Ultra-thin glass aids durability ; Compact design when folded ; Less expensive than other foldables

Subpar battery life ; Exterior smudges easily ; Still pretty pricey at $1,380

or Galaxy S21 Plus, but the advances Samsung made with this device over the Galaxy Fold makes us think that foldable phones actually have a future.

For the first time, the foldable form factor works and gives the user new, creative possibilities. The build quality is good, and the performance is top notch.

Is not dust and water repellent. The front screen could have been bigger, and the camera lacks optical zoom.

When we tested the Samsung Galaxy Fold, we wrote that Samsung had not quite reached the finish line with its first foldable mobile. But those are the ones with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. It is slimmer, lighter and more elegant than the Galaxy Fold, and...

Size ; It might be thicker, but it saves so much space in your pocket (or purse). It's also nearly the perfect size when unfolded, if a bit tall. ; Screen ; Excellent uniformity, good color, gets bright, uniform bezels. ; Overall build quality ; No...

2019's specs ; On paper, this is basically a folding Galaxy S10, except you're paying... ; Price ; Nearly $1,400. That's a lot of money. ; Screen again ; "Polymer" top layer isn't as strong as glass, noticeable crease, low-ish 1080p resolution, opens...

Samsung has a really good alternative to the Motorola Razr in its range with the Galaxy Z Flip. On paper and in reality, the Galaxy Z Flip offers much more than Motorola's icon. But this is exactly where the difference lies: if you want to get more for...