Today’s Flip Phones Are Proof Of Concept, Not Flagship Killers
July 4, 2020Over the years, our phones have evolved from communication devices, to the Swiss army knife of gadgets. Admittedly, the key to a phone’s usefulness, is in its screen. The larger the panel, the more productive one can be. This is been an apparent trait since the late 1990s. However, it wasn’t truly realized till later on, when technology finally caught up.
In the early 2000s, phones did little else than calling, texting and running basic arcade games. But once phone technology evolved beyond the capabilities of small screens, engineers and designers had to resort to ingenious ways of increasing the overall screen size. This had to be done while keeping the phone’s overall proportions ‘manageable’.
And that is why we witnessed the rise of flip and sliding phones. Then, with the introduction of the iPhone, phone technology stepped beyond rudimentary LCD panels – enter the age of the smartphone. It was the beginning of an era where In its infancy, smartphone screen sizes weren’t as large as they are today.
But, as software and hardware evolved, they allowed these handheld devices to accomplish more complex tasks, inching ever closer to capabilities of actual computers. And as a result, the screens have had to increase in size, to cope with these newfound uses.
But in order to compensate for this without making phones uncomfortably large, manufacturers chose to introduce thinner bezels and curved displays. The new Samsung S20 Ultra, boasts extremely capable hardware performance which includes a 108MP camera. When connected to a monitor, it transforms into a full-fledged PC.
Its gargantuan 6.9-inch display stretches from edge-to-edge, dwarfing all other models in the line-up. But this, in respect to screen size, has caused a good deal of inconvenience. Those of us with smaller hands find it difficult to operate the device one-handed. This evidently, like the flip and sliding phones of old, contemporary smartphone technology has approached another wall.
And as such, the only logical step forward, is the creation of a new line of folding screens. The Z-Flip is a culmination of years worth of research and experience from ill-fated devices. It features a more robust folding mechanism that shuts with a reaffirming feel. It opens and folds with ease, which speaks volumes of its service life compared with that of its folding phablet cousin.
The crease is easily visible, and is just as noticeable when gliding your thumb over as you scroll through your content. It’s isn’t an enjoyable experience especially when you are accustomed to the firm and rigid feel of conventional smartphones. But such is the price of progress. When folded, the Z Flip fits comfortable in any pocket.
Motorola beat Samsung to the punch with the rebirth of its Razr. It’s a name that requires no introduction, but spawned a generation of phones that were considered fashion accessoires. The new Razr, borrows several design cues from the original, which provided how forward-thinking the latter’s look actually was.
And when unfolded, it functions like a regular smartphone. Besides the glaring crease, there’s very little to tell it apart from a conventional device. Within minutes of using one, the novelty would eventually wear off, and what you’re left with is a practical device that is the solution to the current bottleneck.
The Samsung Galaxy Z-Flip and Motorola Razr have now paved the way for the next evolutionary step in smartphones. And it will be exciting to witness how far manufacturers will be able to push this technology. They might even be able to sucessfully fuse a tablet and smarpthone into a single device, which is a feat that the Galaxy Fold couldn’t live up to.
