I’ve been using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip for the last couple of weeks and there are things I’ve learnt that is unique to this foldable. I’m going to quickly touch on them so you can understand how this technology will change the way we interact with devices.

Regarding the R30k price tag, every brand new technology is expensive until those initial R&D costs pay off and it becomes cheaper to mass produce. We’re not there yet; it’s still infancy stages. 

But before I get into it, I have done a proper review of the Z Flip that was published in the Financial Mail, which you can read below. I’m not going into specs, etc again.

https://www.nafisa.co.za/review-galaxy-z-flip/

Things I’ve experienced that are unique to the Z Flip:

  1. I like being able to fold a 6.7-inch phone into a small square. It’s one thing walking around with an elongated phone in your hand, but another to fold it when you’re done. It’s convenient, portable and easier to handle. While our regular phones are getting bigger – something I’ve never been a fan of – this option quickly grew on me. I do not want to confuse this convenience with having a foldable tablet in my pocket. I prefer the former.
  2. I didn’t expect this one, but until you use the phone, you will know what I mean: the satisfaction of snapping it shut when you’re done with it. Whether you’re ending phone calls or just putting away, I loved doing this; it’s so final. Oh, Samsung says this can be done at least 200 000 times without fault, so I didn’t have concerns over it getting damaged, at all.
  3. Using the Z Flip propped up like a mini laptop whether on you or your pillow/sofa while lounging around. It is useful because it ensures your phone isn’t going to accidentally drop on your face while you fall asleep (don’t tell me that has never happened to you!).
  4. When you’re stationed at your desk, you don’t need a stand to prop it upright. I have a cradle for my regular phones but the Z Flip doesn’t need that. I can second screen with it and not worry about propping it at a comfortable angle or against something.
  5. It’s 2020 and I have to bring this one up: it fits in my front jeans pocket, you know that half-sized pocket that doesn’t hold much? Have the designers at jeans companies not been using smartphones for the last seven years or so?
  6. The tiny 1.1-inch screen on the front not only lets me check notifications but also acts as a tiny selfie cam. It takes a photo in a 1:1 square ratio only; you can’t change the setting. It’s a decent too, considering when folded it uses the rear cameras. 
  7. Less than a month ago, the YouTube app was optimised for Flex Mode, which lets both 4-inch screens serve different purposes like a split screen. It was useful to be able to watch videos on the top and scroll through other stuff at the bottom or read comments. 
  8. Similar to the above, it was useful in the Camera app. Not holding the phone with hands but being able to access camera controls before snapping a pic was useful. Kind of like having a tripod without having a tripod. It works on both cameras and if you’re shooting videos, not shaky footage!

Overall, I am a fan of folding screens. Prior to playing with it this extensively, I wasn’t completely sold. Now that I can see how folding a large screen device takes away from the annoyance of having a large phone, I appreciate the convenience.

That said, there’s a long way to go before the tech matures and price comes down. There is an indent in the middle of the screen which is noticeable depending on which angle you’re viewing it from; interested to see if this can be improved. I will follow this space to see what the various manufacturers come up with. 

*All photos shot on the FujiFilm X-A7 using the Remote Camera app