PUBLISHED ONSeptember 11, 2024 9:21 AMByKhoo Yi-HangTo me, they've always seemed like an unnecessary reinvention of the wheel when it comes to smartphones - a strange feature added to an already-perfect device.
If staff were to recommend a Flip or Fold phone to me, I'd have dismissed it without a second thought - as I've been doing since I got my hands on the Samsung Galaxy S3 back in 2012.
Prior to that, it was all the hand-me-downs of durable Nokia and Sony Ericsson models that millennials might still recognise today.
For the past two years, I've been using a trusty Samsung Galaxy S22+, and while flip phones have always been an option, I've never actually tried one myself - until now.
Every phone can be folded if you try hard enough, but thankfully the new Galaxy Z Flip 6, launched in Singapore in July this year, is meant to be folded in half.
This new device starts at $1,648 on the Samsung store and can cost up to $1,828 depending on storage size.
The first thing that came to my mind was how long the phone was - although its breadth is shorter than the S22+, it's still noticeably taller than the device I currently use.
When folded, it's squarish shape is reminiscent of the Nintendo Game Boy I used to carry around - compact and easy to keep in a bag.
While I didn't download any games on the Flip 6, it certainly was tempting thinking of playing some older Pokemon games on it, just for the memories.
Although its folded form is certainly smaller, putting a case on the Flip adds a bit more bulk to it, making it just a tad too thick to feel comfortable in the pocket of my jeans.
But this may just be something users would have to get used to, just like how we've gotten used to keeping six-inch phones in our pockets when older devices were barely over four inches.
The phone itself is also comfortable to handle and with a little practice, you can cleanly snap the phone close after ending a phone call or sending a message, which is quite a satisfying manoeuvre.
When it comes to the Flip's camera, I was sure it would be a downgrade from my S22+. After all, I was going from three camera lenses in the S22+ to just two of them on the Z Flip 6.
Despite the decrease in number of lenses, however, it wasn't a diminished photo-taking capability that I was met with, but arguably an improvement from my two-year-old S22+.
Photos taken with the Flip seemed to have better definition, and while I didn't try out the phone's full suite of functions related to photography, it was more than sufficient for daily use.
Speaking of daily use, the Z Flip 6 also has my S22+ beat in terms of ease of access -above all else, it makes selfies so much easier with the cover screen's preview function, allowing you to see yourself as you smile for the camera.
Aside from photo-taking, the cover screen on the outside also helps make access to applications and widgets faster, with a lot of customisation available for you to personalise the screen.
There's also a certain undeniable charm and class to whipping out a sleek little device - instead of a bulky phone - and going about your business before slipping it back into your pocket.
But having two screens on your phone may not always be a good thing, especially where battery life is concerned.
Compared to the S22+'s 4,500mAh, the Z Flip 6 already has a lower battery capacity of 4,000mAh.
With its two screens and increased accessibility, it's possible that the Z Flip 6 may have some battery life issues down the road.
Admittedly, I've never taken full advantage of Galaxy AI in my S22+ - but I am far more inclined to now after trying them on the Z Flip 6.
One of the features include Note Assist, which allows the user to record conversations that are then automatically transcribed by the software.
The transcript can then be summarised into note form for easy viewing.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beTwK2ZdNuA[/embed]
While some errors are to be expected depending on audio quality and pronunciation, the accuracy of transcription is sufficient for both work and study.
Another feature is the Flex Window, which helps with translating different languages.
You simply speak into your phone - your primary screen will display what you are saying, while your cover screen will display translated text for others to see.
This feature may not be so relevant to most, but keeping the Flex Window in mind when you're travelling overseas may help avoid some awkward situations when asking locals for the nearest washroom.
We also managed to try out the FlexCam's auto zoom function, which was useful when taking selfies with the Flip.
On occasion, however, the zoom was a tad finicky and didn't work exactly as we would want it to, resulting in minor inconveniences.
You can't fold paper without getting it creased - unfortunately, the same goes for the Flip.
Due to the nature of the phone, it may be impossible for the crease in the centre of the screen to be removed.
Granted, the crease is much less pronounced in the Z Flip 6 than I would have expected, especially considering how the phone doesn't just bend, but folds perfectly in half.
When using the phone at high brightness, the crease is barely visible, if at all, and can only be seen when it catches the light.
At lower brightness settings it becomes more pronounced, but for the most part the crease does not interfere with daily usage.
Another concern I have with the phone - related to the crease - is the hinge that the phone bends on.
While folding it now is smooth and satisfying, I'm not certain how long that can remain true as the phone tackles the test of time and gathers dust in its hinges.
While both the crease and the hinge may make for annoyances down the road, the Z Flip 6 and its series are a breath of fresh air amid revamped versions of typical candy bar phones, both in terms of design and practicality that users can appreciate.
ALSO READ: Apple likely to release foldable iPhone as early as 2026, the Information reports
khooyihang@asiaone.com
