Samsung has lengthy reigned within the foldable house, notably as a result of its cheaper Z Flip sequence. Nevertheless, Motorola has given the corporate some welcome competitors in North America with the launch of the Razr Plus and the less expensive Razr 2023, the latter of which continues to have shockingly low costs. Now, Nubia has seemingly come out of nowhere with a mid-range flip cellphone that goals to threaten Motorola’s maintain on the inexpensive foldable cellphone phase.
You could not have heard of Nubia, however the firm makes some quite spectacular flagship smartphones and gaming telephones. The Flip 5G is the corporate’s first foray into foldables, which is fascinating since firms usually are inclined to launch bigger foldables first earlier than downsizing with flip telephones. However identical to Motorola, Nubia desires to focus on a cheaper price level to undercut its greatest competitor, Samsung.
I’ve hoped for a extra inexpensive Galaxy Z Flip FE, one thing that might launch alongside the corporate’s flagship flip cellphone as a extra up-to-date different to these not prepared to fork out $999. After all, Samsung must make vital modifications to deliver the value down, however Nubia and Motorola present that that is very doable.
At this value level, there are sure to be some compromises, particularly for a flip cellphone. In my time with the Flip 5G, I’ve tried to find out whether or not or not stated compromises spoil the general expertise of proudly owning a contemporary flip cellphone, which is presently my favourite cellphone type issue. To place it plainly, I am blended.
Nubia Flip 5G: Value and availability
The Nubia Flip 5G was introduced in February 2024 throughout MWC and went on sale in April. The cellphone is obtainable in two configurations and begins at $499 for the 8+256GB mannequin, whereas the 12+512GB mannequin is obtainable for $699.
There are three colours to select from: Cosmic Black, Sunshine Gold, and Flowing Lilac.
The cellphone does not look like accessible by way of retailers like Amazon, however you should purchase the gadget unlocked immediately from Nubia.
| Class | Nubia Flip 5G |
|---|---|
| OS | Android 13 (MyOS13) |
| Show (inner) | 6.9-inch, OLED, FHD+ (2790 x 1188), 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM Dimming |
| Show (exterior) | 1.43-inch, round OLED |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP extensive + 2MP depth |
| Entrance-facing digital camera | 16MP |
| Audio | Twin Audio system, Snapdragon Sound, DTS:X Extremely |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC |
| Safety | Fingerprint sensor, face unlock |
| Water/mud resistance | ❌ |
| Battery | 4310mAh, 33W wired charging |
| Dimensions (open) | 170 x 75.5 x 7.0mm |
| Dimensions (closed) | 87.6 x 75.5 x 15.0mm |
| Weight | 209g |
| Colours | Cosmic Black, Sunshine Gold, Flowing Lilac |
Nubia Flip 5G: What I like
Flip telephones are recognized for being extra compact, however there additionally appears to be extra of a concentrate on design, not less than in comparison with their larger-screened counterparts. That is clear after I take a look at the Nubia Flip 5G; it is in all probability one of many best-looking flip telephones I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing. The flat aluminum alloy body and angular chassis remind me quite a lot of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 however with a softer look and contact. Nevertheless, the place the cellphone actually stands out is the round housing the place the duvet display screen and cameras are.
The housing is usually black with a golden ring round it, which provides a premium contact to the design. You probably have a lighter coloration possibility, reminiscent of Flowing Lilac or Sunshine Gold, the digital camera/cowl show housing actually contrasts towards the remainder of the gadget. In reality, the cellphone seems to be extra just like the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and TECNO Phantom V Flip had a child.
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At simply 7mm thick when open and 15mm when closed, the Nubia Flip 5G is pretty skinny for a flip cellphone, roughly matching the Motorola Razr Plus. Though, at 209g, it is a bit heavier than both of the 2023 Razr fashions and even the OPPO Discover N3 Flip. Even so, it does not really feel notably heavy, particularly with the distinctive glass masking the again panels (which I will get to later).
Opening and shutting the cellphone feels very satisfying and Nubia’s hinge is sort of sturdy, retaining the cellphone open at numerous angles. When open, the 6.9-inch FHD+ show is fairly good when considered indoors, and the 120Hz refresh charge retains issues easy, though you will have to enter the settings to allow this because the cellphone is ready to 60Hz at default. However even when set to the usual coloration mode, the show is fairly vibrant, and the crease, whereas not as easy as another foldables, is fortuitously not as deep as on the Z Flip 5 show.
The cellphone is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, a two-year-old midrange chipset that also gives good efficiency at this value level. The cellphone does not falter when opening and juggling a number of apps, due to the 8GB of RAM (there’s additionally a 12GB mannequin). Even when gaming, the chipset appears to deal with itself fairly effectively. Enjoying Honkai: Star Rail, the Nubia Flip 5G defaults to medium settings, however the cellphone is ready to deal with the sport even at excessive settings at 60fps, which is fairly spectacular.
That stated, the highest half of the cellphone, notably the body, will get fairly heat while you push it, so you will wish to watch out.
The first digital camera is a 50MP sensor with autofocus. I admittedly did not count on a lot out of the digital camera, given the value level, however I used to be pleasantly shocked to see that it takes fairly respectable photographs in good lighting situations. Photographs are crisp and lots vibrant in the course of the day, and the output is best than what I might get from the Motorola Razr 2023 (and even the Razr Plus, to an extent). That stated, it will probably generally go somewhat overboard with saturation, and particulars degrade shortly while you begin zooming in.
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Low-light photographs aren’t notably robust, however video seize is sweet, even when the cellphone tops out at 4K30. Nubia additionally has some enjoyable filters which you can view and edit in actual time whilst you put together to take a photograph, which may also help make photographs somewhat extra artsy.
Nubia Flip 5G: Cowl display screen
The duvet display screen is likely one of the fundamental causes to contemplate shopping for a flip cellphone, due to the added utility of with the ability to verify notifications and different features without having to open the cellphone. Sadly, the Nubia Flip 5G is fairly restricted on this regard.
The duvet display screen is a round OLED panel measuring 1.43, so roughly the scale of a giant smartwatch show. Sadly, it is not practically as helpful. The duvet display screen allows you to cycle by way of eight totally different panels with totally different features, reminiscent of a calendar, voice recorder, digital camera, and music participant. It’s also possible to view notifications, however you may’t do something with them on the duvet display screen itself, as it is going to simply immediate you to open your cellphone to verify it. Moreover, whereas I can broaden a number of notifications from the identical app, the cellphone does not let me swipe away particular person notifications, leaving “Clear all” as the one viable possibility, and even that does not appear to completely work.
This is not my solely challenge with notifications, however I will get to that within the subsequent part.
Happily, the duvet display screen nonetheless acts as a viewfinder for the digital camera, permitting you to take selfies with the first 50MP sensor. You’ll be able to faucet to start out a 2-second photograph timer or swipe up and down to modify between photograph, video, and portrait modes.
AOD performance is a plus on the duvet display screen, but it surely appears as if the brightness is linked to the primary show’s brightness, which looks like a bizarre oversight, particularly since there isn’t any solution to regulate it from the exterior display screen.
Total, the restrictions of the display screen are somewhat disappointing, if comprehensible. Once more, I am unable to assist however evaluate it to a smartwatch display screen, which lets me kind, open apps, and extra, however I clearly cannot count on the identical from a small cowl display screen, particularly on the app entrance. Even the Razr 2023 has related limitations, and it is barely bigger at 1.5-inches.
Nubia Flip 5G: What I do not like
The Nubia Flip 5G has loads going for it for a $500 foldable cellphone, however the cellphone makes fairly a number of compromises to get all the way down to that value. Except for the pretty small and barely practical cowl display screen, the cellphone is restricted to only one usable digital camera. The second 2MP depth sensor appears identical to a purpose to pad the spec sheet, because it’s largely ineffective.
Taking Portrait photographs requires fairly a little bit of tinkering earlier than the cellphone is ready to get even a good picture, and even then, the Nubia Flip 5G does not do an excellent job separating the background type the primary topic.
On the software program facet, the Flip 5G curiously nonetheless runs Android 13 regardless of launching effectively into the Android 14 cycle. The software program itself is usually inoffensive, and Nubia provides some software program prospers to reap the benefits of the foldable type issue, which you will discover with the digital camera app or YouTube when the cellphone is at an angle. Sadly, you will be met with fairly a little bit of bloatware while you first get arrange, which is rarely enjoyable. On the plus facet, you may delete or disable any further apps and options you do not want. I do just like the day by day wallpaper perform, which retains issues recent even when a number of the photographs are fairly random (why does it present me photographs of Celine Dion and Taylor Swift?).
What I am not a fan of is the “Z-Board,” which is Nubia’s bootleg Google Uncover, which sits to the left of the house display screen. Like Google’s feed, Z-Board makes an attempt to provide you related information and different beneficial info, however none of it appears notably helpful, and it simply appears to be stuffed with adverts versus precise information. Happily, you may disable this, however you may’t allow Google Uncover as a replacement.
I’ve additionally had points with notifications. For some purpose, notifications are available extraordinarily late, or they do not are available in any respect. After a while, I will open an app like Instagram, solely to then be bombarded by notifications from the app that have been by no means delivered. My smartwatch is seemingly the one means I can get notifications on time. On the one hand, it is a good solution to keep targeted after I’m making an attempt to work, however alternatively, it’s going to trigger me to overlook out on conversations or reply late.
Nubia wasn’t precisely upfront in regards to the replace promise and even when the cellphone would obtain Android 14, however the truth that we’re already beta testing Android 15 earlier than it launches later this 12 months is a nasty signal for the Flip 5G.
My different issues are largely hardware-related, such because the overaggressive auto brightness that always retains the show too low for my liking or the truth that the gesture to activate the flashlight solely works when the lock display screen is lively. And whereas I actually just like the design of the Nubia Flip 5G, the AG etched glass feels extraordinarily low cost, virtually like plastic, though the plus facet of the matte end is which you can keep away from fingerprints and smudges.
Lastly, battery life is not horrible, however I anticipated extra out of the 4,310mAh battery, as it will probably barely get me by way of a whole day of mixed-use (social media, video games, photographs). The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a a lot smaller battery and nonetheless appears to last more between expenses. Happily, the 33W charging tops up the cellphone comparatively shortly, however the Nubia Flip 5G misses out on wi-fi charging, not like a few of its closest rivals.
Nubia Flip 5G: Competitors
Talking of competitors, in case you’re in search of an affordable flip cellphone, you might wish to think about the Motorola Razr 2023. The cellphone has a big battery and is powered by the identical Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset with 8GB of RAM. You additionally get a comparatively inventory Android expertise, a vegan leather-based end, and wi-fi charging in addition. The draw back is that it, too, additionally runs Android 13, and Motorola’s observe report for main software program updates is not nice.
Elsewhere, you can too take a look at the TECNO Phantom V Flip. It has the same design to the Nubia, is powered by a MediaTek chipset, and encompasses a dual-camera system that features an ultrawide sensor. Sadly, it suffers from most of the similar disadvantages because the Nubia, and also you seemingly will not be capable to get your arms on it in case you stay in the USA.
For those who’re prepared to spend a number of extra {dollars}, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 is likely one of the higher choices, even when it does price extra. It has higher cameras than what you will discover on most flip telephones, the duvet display screen is good and enormous, and Samsung’s software program is sort of polished. You could spend extra to purchase it, however with a brand new mannequin prone to launch in July, you might be able to snag some offers to get the value down.
Nubia Flip 5G: Must you purchase it?
You can purchase this if…
- You desire a an fashionable flip cellphone.
- You desire a cellphone with a good digital camera.
- You do not wish to spend an excessive amount of in your subsequent cellphone.
You should not purchase this if…
- You need polished, dependable software program.
- You desire a versatile digital camera expertise.
- You need an all-day battery.
- You want wi-fi charging.
The good thing about flip telephones is that they’re much extra versatile in terms of value. The place the bigger, tablet-like foldable telephones can simply price as a lot as $1700, flagship flip telephones are sometimes priced round $999 however can go even decrease. The Nubia Flip 5G is an effective instance of a mid-range foldable cellphone, hitting the identical value level that you’d see from different non-folding and equally specced gadgets.
At a beginning value of $499, it is cheaper than the Motorola Razr 2023 was at launch, though that cellphone is positioned a bit larger with some flagship specs thrown in. The Nubia, alternatively, is content material to supply a number of compromises to get all the way down to a value that many individuals could be prepared to shell out for a foldable cellphone, whilst a primary foray into the shape issue.
Battery life is probably not the very best, and the duvet display screen is sadly restricted in its usability, however the cellphone makes up for it with its one usable digital camera, fairly good efficiency, and a standout design.
As a lot as I would like to see Samsung launch a less expensive (however higher) foldable cellphone, the corporate’s sticking to the upper finish permits others to sort out the decrease finish, a method that has labored for Motorola. At this value, the Nubia Flip 5G would make a great first flip cellphone—that’s, if you will get previous the bloat.
Premium seems to be, inexpensive value
The brand new Nubia Flip 5G often is the least expensive flip cellphone you should buy within the U.S. proper now, however that does not imply it’s a low cost cellphone. The Snapdragon chip provides loads of energy, the 50MP digital camera is greater than succesful, and the duvet display screen makes it pretty simple to view notifications and different info at a look.
