Samsung Galaxy Z Flip review

The competition

Although the Galaxy Z Flip is a unique smartphone in its design and appearance, there are others that get the job done at a much lower price and offer more battery life and better camera hardware. As it stands, the only thing that makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip worthwhile is the folding screen - giving it a more compact footprint.

Since there aren't many other options for smartphones that have folding displays, the new Motorola Razr is another choice. However, the initial reception of the Razr was poor due to its questionable build quality and sub-par camera experience.

The Z Flip undercuts the price of the Razr by over a hundred USD. Also, the Razr is only available from Verizon while the Galaxy Z Flip currently comes in AT&T and US Unlocked variants.

Motorola Razr 2019

The Galaxy Z Flip still costs more than the iPhone 11 Pro Max with 256GB of storage. Even if you wanted an iPhone with an identical experience, the iPhone 11 with 256GB of storage costs $849, and it's using a dual-camera setup with regular and ultrawide cameras. If we're looking at bang for the buck, the iPhone wins in both cases.

Apple iPhone 11 • Apple iPhone 11 Pro • Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

If you're after the novelty of a new and different kind of form factor, the original Galaxy Fold is something worth looking at. It does cost considerably more than the Z Flip, but if you're after something that's completely different and offers additional functionality than a tiny cover screen, the Galaxy Fold may be worth looking into.

Samsung Galaxy Fold

If you're looking at the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, chances are that you're a person who's used a Samsung smartphone somewhat recently. Last year's Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note10 devices will have identical performance to the Z Flip. With its Snapdragon 855+ and 8GB of RAM, both the Galaxy S10+ and the Note10+ will give you the same experience, with better-equipped cameras, and Wireless Power share for a fraction of the cost.

Samsung Galaxy S10+ • Samsung Galaxy Note10+

If you're after the latest and greatest in specs, the Galaxy Z Flip isn't it. Sure, it has a novel and unique form factor and a sweet folding screen, but the Galaxy S20 lineup has new camera hardware and 120Hz displays that are much more fitting for a flagship smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S20 • Samsung Galaxy S20+ • Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

The verdict

Whether or not you decide to buy the Galaxy Z Flip is down to one question. Do you think the folding screen and compact form factor are worth the price premium? Without a doubt, the Galaxy Z Flip is one of the most unique smartphones to come out thus far with its high-end specs and folding display. Its features, however, may not justify its $1380 price tag in everyone's eyes.

The Galaxy Z Flip is a beautiful piece of hardware inside and out. It's an engineering feat that Samsung has succeeded in cramming so much hardware into this phone.

The camera really shines with comparable results to Samsung's 2019 flagships. There's no dedicated telephoto camera, but it's one of the trade-offs that come with the limited space. Battery size is another one of these tradeoffs, but even the lackluster battery life is something we can live with.

Our biggest concern (beyond the pricing) is that folding smartphones are way too fragile - the screen scratches easily, you never know when something is going to find its way inside that hinge and ruin it, and there is no water resistance at all. These are a lot of practical downsides to something that costs so much money.

But let's face it - you are never going to buy this phone based on merit. And we guess this will be the case with the first wave of foldable phones. Whether it's flip phone nostalgia or just the desire to get something different, something that stands out in a sea of glass slabs - we're sure you will find your reasons to validate your purchase.

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.

Pros:

• Well-executed folding display with articulating hinge and improved protection from dust
• Wireless charging and powershare
• Gorgeous finish and design has us feeling the nostalgia
• Galaxy Concierge Premier customer care
• Flagship level camera experience

Cons:

• Still too expensive to justify its form factor
• Screen is susceptible to scratching despite UTG
• You can't see the display with polarized sunglasses
• Battery life is average
• No telephoto camera