Samsung Galaxy Z Flip review

Design

The only real reason to consider the Galaxy Z Flip is for its design. Samsung's Hideaway Hinge makes it possible for the handset to fold to a compact footprint. The hinge is a redesigned update from the Galaxy Fold with improved folding action and brushes that prevent dust and debris from entering through either end of the Hideaway Hinge.

The updated hinge is stiffer to allow the 'lid' of the Z Flip to be angled in any position between the opened and closed modes. Samsung's "Flex Mode"-enabled apps can take advantage of this - more on that in the UI section. The hinge won't stay put in every possible angle, you have to either open or close it about 40-degrees before the hinge will stiffen up, otherwise it will snap open or closed.

Like the Galaxy Fold, the Hideaway Hinge is protected by a hard casing, which acts similarly to how a book's cover and pages are held together and protected by its spine. These letters are recessed and filled with adhesive and shiny film for an added holographic effect against the light.

The hinge bumper is completely hidden when the phone is opened (hence, the "Hideaway" part of its name). The two halves are protected by Gorilla Glass 6 and both halves are framed in aluminum in a spectacularly glossy finish.

We got a Mirror Purple model with dazzling purple appearance with blue tinges and reflections. The finish on the frame is like an attractive blue-tinted silver, which really compliments the blue reflections in the purple glass.

Some might prefer the Mirror Black model, but for a phone this flashy, the Purple will likely be the more popular one. There's also a Mirror Gold one but it is not yet available in Western markets. We wish Samsung would have made this in an elegant silver finish or even a pearl white. We anticipate Samsung is holding out on other colors for future release or for a successor to the Z Flip.

On the back of the upper half of the screen is the dual-camera setup with LED flash, across from the 1.1-inch Super AMOLED external display.

On the upper left side of the frame is a nanoSIM card slot, but there's no microSD card slot so 256GB is the only configuration available.

The upper right side houses the volume rocker (made of aluminum) and a flat power key that doubles as the fingerprint scanner.

There's a microphone at the top of the phone, and the bottom has the USB-C port, the main in-call mic, and a small loudspeaker port. Like Samsung's flagships nowadays, Samsung's ditched the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Let's get to the headline feature of the Z Flip - the inside of the phone. The perimeter of the phone is protected by a plastic border, much like the Galaxy Fold. The border is raised and serves to keep large debris out of the screen when its closed. It also keeps the edges of the polymer-based screen protector out of sight, so you won't be inclined to remove it.

There are two raised corners on the lower half of the phone that keep the two halves from rubbing together. At the center of the upper plastic border is a slit for the ear-piece.

The "T" shaped plastic nubs protect the hinge from debris - should debris make it past this, the brushes would prevent it from entering the Hideaway Hinge.

The overall design of the Galaxy Z Flip is elegant, tasteful, and well-executed. Although its touch surface isn't as durable as Samsung makes it seem with its 'This phone folds and is glass' marketing, the hinge actions are smooth and sturdy. We can hear the slight rustling of the bristles that keep dust at both the start and end of the hinge's movement, but it isn't any cause for concern.

The phone's design is curvy and attractive, if you're someone who feels at home with the Galaxy Note's boxier design elements, it's a slight contrast to the Z Flip's curvier lines and more rounded corners - even more so with the bulging hinge housing that's visible with the phone closed.

We'll get to that crease in the next section where we talk about the beautiful display on the inside of the phone. Now let's flip (pun intended) over to the next page and check out the screen and talk about battery life.