Tag: Flip phone

  • Tecno Phantom V Flip

    The Tecno Phantom V Flip launched in India in September 2023 at Rs 49,999 for 8 GB plus 256 GB, making it one of the cheapest flip foldables in the country. It competed with the Motorola Razr 40 and gave buyers a way into the clamshell form factor without approaching the price of the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

    The 6.9-inch foldable AMOLED runs at 120Hz, while the outer display is a small 1.32-inch circular AMOLED inside the camera ring, useful for notifications, time and a selfie viewfinder but not for apps. The MediaTek Dimensity 8050 offers strong performance for the price, ahead of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the Razr 40. The hinge supports free-stop angles for hands-free use.

    A 64 MP main camera and 13 MP ultrawide sit on the back, with a 32 MP autofocus selfie camera inside. Results are decent in good light. The 4000 mAh battery lasts a day for moderate users, with 45W charging. Its cover screen is more limited than the Razr 40's, but it undercuts that phone on price while offering a faster chip.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 49,999 (base variant)
    India launchSeptember 2023
    SegmentFoldable
    Display6.9-inch, Foldable AMOLED, 1.32-inch circular AMOLED cover display, 120Hz, 1080 x 2640
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 8050
    RAM8 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras64 MP main + 13 MP ultrawide
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery4000 mAh
    Charging45W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, HiOS 13.5
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursIconic Black, Mystic Dawn

    What we like

    • One of the cheapest flip foldables
    • Fast Dimensity 8050
    • 45W charging
    • Free-stop hinge

    What could be better

    • Tiny circular cover screen
    • No official water resistance
    • Software support uncertain

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want to try a flip foldable for the lowest possible price and do not need a large cover screen.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (September 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

    When the Razr 40 Ultra launched in India in July 2023 at Rs 89,999, its 3.6-inch outer display was its biggest talking point. It ran full apps, not just widgets, which made the phone genuinely usable while closed and forced Samsung to respond with a larger cover screen on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 the same month.

    The main 6.9-inch foldable pOLED refreshes at up to 165Hz, the fastest of any foldable then, and the cover screen manages 144Hz. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 was a generation old but still fast and cooler-running than the 8 Gen 1. The hinge folds completely flat with no gap, and the phone feels compact and sturdy in the pocket.

    Compromises sit in the cameras and battery. A 12 MP main and 13 MP ultrawide produce good but not flagship-level photos, though the big cover screen makes rear-camera selfies easy. The 3800 mAh battery with 30W charging needs careful management on heavy days. It undercut the Z Flip 5 on price at launch while offering a more capable outer display.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 89,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2023
    SegmentFoldable
    Display6.9-inch, Foldable pOLED, 3.6-inch pOLED cover display, 165Hz, 1080 x 2640
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8+ Gen 1
    RAM8 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras12 MP main + 13 MP ultrawide
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery3800 mAh
    Charging30W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 13
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP52
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight188.5 g
    ColoursInfinite Black, Glacier Blue, Viva Magenta

    What we like

    • Cover screen runs full apps
    • 165Hz inner display
    • Gapless, flat-folding hinge
    • Fast Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

    What could be better

    • Small 3800 mAh battery
    • Cameras trail similarly priced slab phones
    • Weak IP52 rating

    Who should buy it

    Flip-phone buyers who want to do real work on the cover screen without opening the phone.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (July 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Motorola Razr 50 Ultra

    The Razr 50 Ultra launched in India in July 2024 at Rs 99,999 with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, competing head-on with the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Motorola enlarged the cover display to 4 inches, wrapping it around the cameras for the largest outer screen on any flip phone at the time, and added IPX8 water resistance after the IP52 of its predecessor.

    The 6.9-inch inner LTPO pOLED and the cover panel both run at up to 165Hz. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is quick and runs cool in the slim body. Motorola also leaned into AI, with Google Gemini usable directly from the cover screen and several Moto AI features for photos and summaries.

    The camera pairing is unusual: a 50 MP main sensor with OIS and a 50 MP 2x telephoto instead of an ultrawide, which favours portraits over landscapes. The 4000 mAh battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging is an improvement on the 40 Ultra. Against the Z Flip 6, it offers a bigger cover screen and more storage, while Samsung counters with longer update support.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 99,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2024
    SegmentFoldable
    Display6.9-inch, Foldable LTPO pOLED, 4-inch pOLED cover display, 165Hz, 1080 x 2640
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8s Gen 3
    RAM12 GB
    Storage512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 50 MP 2x telephoto
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery4000 mAh
    Charging45W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 14, Hello UI
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIPX8
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursMidnight Blue, Spring Green, Peach Fuzz

    What we like

    • Largest cover screen on a flip at launch
    • 2x telephoto for portraits
    • IPX8 water resistance
    • 512 GB base storage

    What could be better

    • No ultrawide camera
    • Battery still average for heavy users
    • Expensive at launch

    Who should buy it

    Flip-phone fans who want the most capable cover screen and portrait-friendly cameras in a compact foldable.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (July 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Motorola Razr 40

    The Razr 40 launched in India in July 2023 at Rs 59,999, making it one of the cheapest mainstream clamshell foldables available at the time and a direct alternative to the far pricier Galaxy Z Flip 5. It folds flat without a visible gap and comes in soft vegan leather finishes that give it a grippy, distinctive feel.

    Inside, a 6.9-inch pOLED main display runs at up to 144Hz, while the cover screen is a small 1.5-inch panel that shows notifications, time and a camera viewfinder but little else. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is a mid-range chip, fine for daily use but not a gaming performer, and the hinge holds the phone at angles for hands-free video calls.

    Its 64 MP main camera with OIS and 13 MP ultrawide produce decent results, and the 4200 mAh battery is notably larger than in most flip phones of the period, comfortably lasting a day. Charging is 33W wired with 8W wireless. Against the Galaxy Z Flip 5 it gives up the big cover screen and flagship chip but costs tens of thousands less.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 59,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2023
    SegmentFoldable
    Display6.9-inch, Foldable pOLED, 1.5-inch OLED cover display, 144Hz, 1080 x 2640
    ProcessorSnapdragon 7 Gen 1
    RAM8 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras64 MP main + 13 MP ultrawide
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery4200 mAh
    Charging33W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 13
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP52
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight188.6 g
    ColoursSage Green, Summer Lilac, Vanilla Cream

    What we like

    • Most affordable mainstream flip at launch
    • Large battery for a flip phone
    • Gapless fold and smooth 144Hz screen
    • Wireless charging included

    What could be better

    • Tiny cover display is limited
    • Mid-range chipset
    • Only IP52 splash resistance

    Who should buy it

    First-time foldable buyers who want the flip experience without paying flagship prices.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (July 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5

    Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip5 in India in July 2023 at Rs 99,999 for 8 GB/256 GB. After years of a tiny notification strip, the Flip5 brought a 3.4-inch Flex Window on the outside, large enough for widgets, quick replies, maps and even full apps through Samsung's Labs setting. The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra had a bigger cover screen, setting up a direct contest.

    The new hinge closes flat with no gap, and the 187 g phone feels dense and well made. Inside is a 6.7-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a crease you notice mainly at angles. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy keeps everything fast, and Flex Mode lets the half-folded phone act as its own tripod for video calls and time-lapses.

    There is no telephoto: you get a 12 MP main and 12 MP ultrawide, with a 10 MP inner selfie camera, though the cover screen lets you use the main camera for selfies too. The 3700 mAh battery is the weak spot and heavy users will need to charge by evening, with only 25W wired support. For style and compactness, few phones of its time matched it.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 99,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2023
    SegmentFoldable
    Display6.7-inch, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, foldable (3.4-inch cover screen), 120Hz, 1080 x 2640
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
    RAM8 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras12 MP main + 12 MP ultrawide
    Front camera10 MP
    Battery3700 mAh
    Charging25W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 13, One UI 5.1.1
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIPX8
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight187 g
    ColoursMint, Graphite, Cream, Lavender

    What we like

    • Big, useful Flex Window cover screen
    • Gapless hinge closes flat
    • Flagship performance
    • Very pocketable when folded

    What could be better

    • Battery life is short for heavy users
    • No telephoto camera
    • Slow charging

    Who should buy it

    Fashion-minded buyers who want a compact flagship that folds into a small square.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (July 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

    Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip6 in India in July 2024 at Rs 1,09,999 for 12 GB/256 GB. The design looks nearly identical to the Flip5 from a distance, with the same 3.4-inch Flex Window, but the meaningful changes are inside: a bigger battery, more RAM, a vapour chamber and a much better main camera.

    The 6.7-inch inner screen is brighter and the crease a little shallower, while the flatter frame gives it a more modern look. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy with the new cooling solution means less throttling than the Flip5. The cover screen now gets AI-suggested replies and more widgets, and IP48 adds basic dust resistance on top of water protection.

    A 50 MP main sensor replaces the old 12 MP unit, producing sharper photos and better 2x crops, with a 12 MP ultrawide alongside. The 4000 mAh battery finally gives most users a full day, although 25W charging is still slow. The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra offered a larger outer screen and faster charging, so the choice came down to software support versus hardware value.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 109,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2024
    SegmentFoldable
    Display6.7-inch, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, foldable (3.4-inch cover screen), 120Hz, 1080 x 2640
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
    RAM12 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 12 MP ultrawide
    Front camera10 MP
    Battery4000 mAh
    Charging25W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 14, One UI 6.1.1
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP48
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight187 g
    ColoursSilver Shadow, Yellow, Blue, Mint

    What we like

    • Much improved 50 MP main camera
    • Better battery life than the Flip5
    • 12 GB RAM and vapour chamber
    • Long software support

    What could be better

    • Price went up
    • Still 25W charging
    • No telephoto

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a stylish flip phone that finally lasts a full day and takes strong photos.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (July 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Oppo Find N3 Flip

    The Oppo Find N3 Flip launched in India in October 2023 as Oppo's second clamshell foldable. It stood out by offering a triple-camera system with a telephoto lens, something rivals such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr 40 Ultra lacked. Its vertical cover screen and Hasselblad branding aimed at buyers who wanted style and photography in a compact foldable.

    The main 6.8-inch AMOLED display folds in half, with a barely visible crease, and runs at 120Hz. The 3.26-inch vertical cover screen supports widgets and some full apps, though it is smaller than the Galaxy Z Flip 5's display. MediaTek's Dimensity 9200 offers flagship-level performance. An Alert Slider, borrowed from OnePlus, adds quick sound control. ColorOS 13.2 brought useful cover-screen features.

    The 50 MP main camera, 48 MP ultrawide and 32 MP 2x telephoto, all tuned by Hasselblad, give the Find N3 Flip the most versatile camera system among clamshells of its time. The 4,300 mAh battery is decent for a foldable, with 44W charging, though wireless charging is missing. Against the Galaxy Z Flip 5, it offered better cameras, while Samsung had a larger cover screen and water resistance.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 94,999 (base variant)
    India launchOctober 2023
    SegmentFoldable
    Display6.8-inch, Foldable AMOLED, with 3.26-inch cover display, 120Hz, 1080 x 2520
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 9200
    RAM12 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 48 MP ultrawide + 32 MP 2x telephoto
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery4300 mAh
    Charging44W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, ColorOS 13.2
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursCream Gold, Sleek Black

    What we like

    • Triple camera with telephoto, rare in clamshells
    • Hasselblad colour tuning
    • Flagship Dimensity 9200 performance
    • Alert Slider

    What could be better

    • No wireless charging
    • No official water resistance
    • Cover screen smaller than the Galaxy Z Flip 5's

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a stylish flip foldable without compromising on camera versatility.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (October 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.