The Galaxy Z Flip was the best foldable phone, at least until the Galaxy Z Fold 2 came along. As clever as the design of the Flip is, at a still-high $1,380, it’s hard to recommend this phone over more traditional flagships like the iPhone 11 Pro and Galaxy S20 Plus.

Snapdragon 855 Plus is plenty powerful, Ultra-thin glass aids durability, Compact design when folded, Less expensive than other foldables

Subpar battery life, Exterior smudges easily, Still pretty pricey at $1,380

This is an ongoing Samsung Galaxy Z Flip review where I share thoughts and impressions as I use the phone as my daily driver. Here are my thoughts so far after using the Galaxy Z Flip for 5 days.

Outstanding; futuristic design and cool look; Compact when closed; fits in small pockets; Generous 256GB on-board storage

Super expensive for what it is; Screen can be easily scratched or permanently damaged by a fingernail; No water resistance; Having to flip it open for practically anything gets annoying quickly

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is the first folding phone to really work, but it's still a costly and potentially fragile fashion object rather than a mainstream hit.

Solid all-around performance; L-shaped mode is good for taking photos.

The utility of the folding screen doesn't justify the high price.

Samsung’s brand-new Galaxy Z Flip is the third folding screen phone that I’ve reviewed. It happens to also be the best folding screen phone I’ve reviewed — but don’t let that fool you.

Great performance; Decent battery life; Solid-feeling; smooth hinge

Glass screen’s plastic covering picks up scratches easily; Cameras aren’t as good as S10 or iPhone 11; Expensive

If you aim to make a decisive fashion statement while seeking one of the most compact phones that money can buy, the Galaxy Z Flip is your best bet with its ultra-compact clamshell design that unfurls into a massive 6.7-inch phone with respectable hardware and cameras.

The Galaxy Z Flip is the best folding phone so far, but it still isn’t for everyone. It’s a regular phone size when unfolded and a little coaster of a thing when closed. The specs are high-end but not the best available, and it’s undoubtedly fragile. But if it appeals and you can afford it, there’s a lot of fun to be had with its completely new form factor, top performance and solid battery life.

Undeniable wow factor; Excellent battery life; Great performance;

Very expensive; Fragile display; Can’t use it closed;

It’s been a little over a year since foldable display smartphones have become a real thing. Samsung hit a few snags with the launch of the Fold and Huawei took a few extra months to make sure the Mate X could withstand the rigors of day-to-day use.

Incredible performance, Great durability, Coolest phone money can buy

Software still needs improving, Definitely not affordable, Average cameras

The real question with the Z Flip is how much are you willing to compromise in exchange for novelty? For many people, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip will meet their requirements in battery, camera and power, providing something unique that looks great; but for the gamers, enthusiasts and power users, the...

It's cool; Great retro flip action; Plenty of power; Solid build; Good camera performance

Display longevity concerns; No waterproofing; Price

Flippin' great

Spectacular design; Cool folded size; Impressive display

The Z Flip is certainly the most appealing foldable around, but until the price drops it will remain a niche product

Not the Galaxy Fold; Dual form factor; Performs like a Samsung flagship

Screen durability remains to be seen; 5G upgrade costs more