Samsung Galaxy Z Flip available Feb. 14 for $1,380 in limited quantities: Here are the specs
Samsung started its Unpacked event showing off the Galaxy Z Flip, which will be available in limited quantities Feb. 14 starting at $1,380.
Must-see offer
Rebecca Hirst, head of UK mobile product marketing at Samsung Mobile, said the Galaxy Z Flip is designed for people who want to be trendsetters. The trendsetter pitch arrived as Samsung outlined its Galaxy S20 lineup, which features improved cameras, a range of price points and 5G.
Also: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola Razr make little sense for business
The Galaxy Z Flip comes in Mirror Purple, Mirror Gold, and Mirror Black. Hirst highlighted a flex mode hinge where the screen is split into two parts. The Galaxy Z Flip won't be available at all carriers and isn't equipped for 5G. AT&T, Best Buy, Sprint, Samsung Experience Stores and Samsung.com will have the device.
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Will you buy?
Samsung is betting heavily that the Galaxy Z Flip a fashion play. It is having an event at New York Fashion Week.
What's notable here is that Samsung is pushing a foldable device that looks interesting but is 4G instead of 5G. Samsung also launched its Galaxy S20 line, which makes 5G the default.
Your decision: Fashion or futureproofing?
Now the Galaxy Z Flip will appeal to more fashion-conscious tech buyers looking for novelty. But $1,380 is a big pill to swallow for a 4G device. Nevertheless, the Galaxy Z Flip looks interesting and has a few key selling points:
- Notifications on the front screen when closed.
- Multi-Active Window to drag and drop apps you want to use.
- Flex mode, which is a custom user experience for the dual screens.
- A foldable glass display that is slimmer and more premium.
- A hideaway hinge that can stay open at various angles.
Patrick Moorhead, principal of Moor Strategy and Insights, handicapped the Galaxy Z Flip:
Experience matters in foldables and this technically is Samsung's third foldable, with two versions of the Fold before the Flip. I like that Samsung didn't skimp on technical specifications like the Moto Razr did with its lower-end CPU and GPU and am OK with the lack of 5G as I just don't think it would fit and would drain too much battery.
The folding mechanism feels solid I am sure Samsung learned a lot from the Fold with its three-stage sweep design and glass cover versus plastic. While the company won't definitively say how much more resilient the glass cover is versus plastic, I am told it's very high. While I believe users can accomplish more with the Fold, it's also a lot larger. Samsung is targeting a different audience, which is smart. I believe the Flip will be a market success assuming there aren't any reliability gotchas.
Here's a look at the specs:
- Display: 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED Display (21.9:9) Infinity Flex Display 2636 x 1080 425ppi
- CoverdDisplay: 1.1-inch Super AMOLED Display 300 x 112 303ppi
- Dimension and weight: Folded 73.6 x 87.4 x 17.3mm (Hinge); 15.4mm (Sagging)
- Unfolded: 73.6 x 167.3 x 7.2mm - 6.9mm (screen -- the thickness of Galaxy Z Flip when unfolded does not include the frame of the main display); 183 grams
- Front camera: 10MP Selfie Camera: F2.4 Pixel size: 1.22μm FOV: 80 degrees
- Rear dual camera: 12MP Ultra Wide Camera: F2.2 Pixel size: 1.12μm FOV: 123 degrees
- 12MP wide-angle camera: Super Speed Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8 Pixel size: 1.4μm FOV: 78 degrees OIS for Rear Wide-angle Camera (Optical Image Stabilization); Up to 8x digital zoom; HDR10+ recording; Tracking AF
- 7nm 64-bit octa-core processor
- Memory and storage: 8GB RAM with 256GB internal storage with SIM card available
- Battery: 3,300mAh dual battery.
- OS: Android 10
- Charging: Fast charging and Wireless PowerShare
- Network: Enhanced 2X2 MIMO, 5CA, LTE Cat.16; Up to 1.0Gbps Download; LTE Cat.13; Up to 150Mbps upload; Up to 1.0Gbps download; Up to 150Mbps upload
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz),VHT80 MU-MIMO,256QAM Bluetooth v 5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps), ANT+, USB Type-C, NFC, Location (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou)