The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is the iPhone moment folding phones have been waiting for

As soon as I picked up the iPhone back in 2007, I knew that the future of the smartphone had arrived. I feel the same way about the Galaxy Z Flip.

Michael Simon/IDG

When I flipped it open for the first time, the Galaxy Z Flip was as much of a revelation as the first time I slid my finger to unlock the original iPhone. The other folding phones I’ve used from Huawei, Royale, and Samsung have all felt a little off, almost like they were movie props meant to look like futuristic phones. From the plastic screens to the uncertain form factors, folding phones might be wow-worthy, but they haven’t felt like the kind of product that could change the way we think about smartphones.

Michael Simon/IDG

That’s not the case with the Galaxy Z Flip. Transforming it from a somewhat thick but very pocketable 3-inch square to a 6.7-inch full-screen smartphone is both nostalgic and futuristic, conjuring memories of the Nokia 2720 or the Motorola razr while simultaneously offering a truly postmodern smartphone experience. After using it for an hour, switching back to my Pixel 4 felt like going from power windows to a hand crank.

When closed, the enclosure feels as solid as the Galaxy Fold, with a hideaway hinge that nearly closes it perfectly flat. You’ll see a millimeter or so of light near the hinge, but it’s much flatter than the Galaxy Fold. I can’t speak to whether the Galaxy Z Flip’s hinge will hold up to months of use, but I didn’t see any obvious way for dust or debris to get in. It has a magnetic closure that’s extremely satisfying to close—and yes, snapping it shut will hang up on a call. The hinge mechanism feels sturdy without being sticky, but you’ll likely need two hands to open it. That’s not a criticism per se, but you can’t really casually open it as you did on the flip phones of old.

Michael Simon/IDG

But while the hinge on Galaxy Z Flip is a clear improvement over the Galaxy Fold, the biggest difference is the screen. It’s still not perfect: In the right light, you can still see the hinge crease, and if you run your finger over the center of the screen, you can feel the bump. But otherwise, the Galaxy Z Flip feels just like a Galaxy S20 you can fold. The ultra-thin glass is smooth and sturdy. I tapped, touched, and swiped at the display just as I would on my regular phone, with no perceptible difference between it and the Galaxy S20 next to it.

When opened, the Galaxy Z Flip looks something like a notch-less iPhone 11 with relatively thick but nicely symmetrical bezels, but they’re not distracting at all. If anything the extra bezel helps, because the phone’s narrow shape tends to encourage a palm-heavy grip. During my time with it, I didn’t experience any issues with…