Samsung has lengthy reigned within the foldable house, significantly resulting from its cheaper Z Flip collection. However, 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 reasonably priced foldable cellphone section.You could not have heard of Nubia, however the firm makes some moderately spectacular flagship smartphones and gaming telephones. The Flip 5G is the corporate’s first foray into foldables, which is fascinating since corporations usually are likely to launch bigger foldables first earlier than downsizing with flip telephones. But similar to Motorola, Nubia desires to focus on a cheaper price level to undercut its largest competitor, Samsung.I’ve hoped for a extra reasonably priced Galaxy Z Flip FE, one thing that would launch alongside the corporate’s flagship flip cellphone as a extra up-to-date different to these not keen to fork out $999. Of course, Samsung must make vital adjustments to carry 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 at the moment my favourite cellphone kind issue. To put it plainly, I’m combined.Nubia Flip 5G: Price and availability(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)The Nubia Flip 5G was introduced in February 2024 throughout MWC and went on sale in April. The cellphone is out there in two configurations and begins at $499 for the 8+256GB mannequin, whereas the 12+512GB mannequin is out there for $699.There are three colours to select from: Cosmic Black, Sunshine Gold, and Flowing Lilac.The cellphone would not look like accessible by retailers like Amazon, however you should purchase the system unlocked instantly from Nubia.Swipe to scroll horizontallyNubia Flip 5G specsCategoryNubia Flip 5GOSAndroid 13 (MyOS13)Display (inside)6.9-inch, OLED, FHD+ (2790 x 1188), 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM DimmingDisplay (exterior)1.43-inch, round OLEDChipsetSnapdragon 7 Gen 1RAM8GB, 12GBStorage256GB, 512GBRear cameras50MP vast + 2MP depthFront-facing digital camera16MPAudioDual Speakers, Snapdragon Sound, DTS:X UltraConnectivity5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, NFCSecurityFingerprint sensor, face unlockWater/mud resistance❌Battery4310mAh, 33W wired chargingDimensions (open)170 x 75.5 x 7.0mmDimensions (closed)87.6 x 75.5 x 15.0mmWeight209gColors Cosmic Black, Sunshine Gold, Flowing LilacNubia Flip 5G: What I like(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Flip telephones are recognized for being extra compact, however there additionally appears to be extra of a deal with design, no less than in comparison with their larger-screened counterparts. That’s clear once 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 lots of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 however with a softer look and contact. However, 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. If you’ve gotten a lighter colour possibility, resembling Flowing Lilac or Sunshine Gold, the digital camera/cowl show housing actually contrasts in opposition to the remainder of the system. In reality, the cellphone seems to be extra just like the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and TECNO Phantom V Flip had a child.Image 1 of 6(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)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. Although, at 209g, it’s kind of heavier than both of the 2023 Razr fashions and even the OPPO Find N3 Flip. Even so, it would not really feel significantly heavy, particularly with the distinctive glass protecting the again panels (which I’ll get to later).Opening and shutting the cellphone feels very satisfying and Nubia’s hinge is sort of sturdy, retaining the cellphone open at varied angles. When open, the 6.9-inch FHD+ show is fairly good when seen indoors, and the 120Hz refresh price retains issues easy, though you may have to enter the settings to allow this for the reason that cellphone is ready to 60Hz at default. But even when set to the usual colour 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.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)The cellphone is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, a two-year-old midrange chipset that also supplies good efficiency at this value level. The cellphone would not falter when opening and juggling a number of apps, because of the 8GB of RAM (there’s additionally a 12GB mannequin). Even when gaming, the chipset appears to deal with itself fairly effectively. Playing 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, significantly the body, will get fairly heat whenever you push it, so you may wish to watch out.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)The main digital camera is a 50MP sensor with autofocus. I admittedly did not anticipate a lot out of the digital camera, given the value level, however I used to be pleasantly stunned to see that it takes fairly first rate photographs in good lighting situations. Images are crisp and lots vibrant through the day, and the output is best than what I’d get from the Motorola Razr 2023 (and even the Razr Plus, to an extent). That stated, it may possibly typically go a bit of overboard with saturation, and particulars degrade shortly whenever you begin zooming in.Image 1 of 10(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Low-light photographs aren’t significantly 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 when you put together to take a photograph, which may help make photographs a bit of extra artsy.Nubia Flip 5G: Cover display screen(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)The cowl display screen is likely one of the foremost causes to think about shopping for a flip cellphone, because of the added utility of with the ability to test notifications and different capabilities while not having to open the cellphone. Unfortunately, the Nubia Flip 5G is fairly restricted on this regard.The cowl display screen is a round OLED panel measuring 1.43, so roughly the dimensions of a giant smartwatch show. Unfortunately, it is not almost as helpful. The cowl display screen enables you to cycle by eight completely different panels with completely different capabilities, resembling a calendar, voice recorder, digital camera, and music participant. You may view notifications, however you may’t do something with them on the duvet display screen itself, as it should simply immediate you to open your cellphone to test it. Additionally, whereas I can develop a number of notifications from the identical app, the cellphone would 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 subject with notifications, however I’ll get to that within the subsequent part.Fortunately, the duvet display screen nonetheless acts as a viewfinder for the digital camera, permitting you to take selfies with the first 50MP sensor. You can faucet to start out a 2-second photograph timer or swipe up and down to change between photograph, video, and portrait modes.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)AOD performance is a plus on the duvet display screen, nevertheless it appears as if the brightness is linked to the principle show’s brightness, which looks as if a bizarre oversight, particularly since there isn’t any method to alter it from the exterior display screen.Overall, the constraints of the display screen are a bit of disappointing, if comprehensible. Again, I can not assist however evaluate it to a smartwatch display screen, which lets me kind, open apps, and extra, however I clearly cannot anticipate 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(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)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. Aside from the pretty small and barely practical cowl display screen, the cellphone is proscribed to only one usable digital camera. The second 2MP depth sensor appears similar to a cause 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 would not do a terrific job separating the background kind the principle topic.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)On the software program aspect, 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 thrives to reap the benefits of the foldable kind issue, which you may discover with the digital camera app or YouTube when the cellphone is at an angle. Sadly, you may be met with fairly a little bit of bloatware whenever you first get arrange, which is rarely enjoyable. On the plus aspect, you may delete or disable any further apps and options you do not want. I do just like the day by day wallpaper operate, which retains issues recent even when among the photographs are fairly random (why does it present me photographs of Celine Dion and Taylor Swift?).What I’m not a fan of is the “Z-Board,” which is Nubia’s bootleg Google Discover, which sits to the left of the house display screen. Like Google’s feed, Z-Board makes an attempt to offer you related information and different really helpful data, however none of it appears significantly helpful, and it simply appears to be stuffed with advertisements versus precise information. Fortunately, you may disable this, however you may’t allow Google Discover as a substitute.I’ve additionally had points with notifications. For some cause, notifications are available extraordinarily late, or they do not are available in any respect. After a while, I’ll 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 approach I can get notifications on time. On the one hand, it is a good method to keep centered when I’m attempting to work, however alternatively, it will trigger me to overlook out on conversations or reply late.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)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 yr is a nasty signal for the Flip 5G.My different issues are largely hardware-related, such because the overaggressive auto brightness that continuously 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, nearly like plastic, though the plus aspect 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 may possibly barely get me by 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. Fortunately, the 33W charging tops up the cellphone comparatively shortly, however the Nubia Flip 5G misses out on wi-fi charging, in contrast to a few of its closest opponents.Nubia Flip 5G: Competition(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Speaking of competitors, if you happen to’re on the lookout for an inexpensive flip cellphone, you could wish to take into account 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 as well. The draw back is that it, too, additionally runs Android 13, and Motorola’s monitor document for main software program updates is not nice.Elsewhere, it’s also possible to take a look at the TECNO Phantom V Flip. It has the same design to the Nubia, is powered by a MediaTek chipset, and contains a dual-camera system that features an ultrawide sensor. Unfortunately, it suffers from most of the identical disadvantages because the Nubia, and also you possible will not have the ability to get your palms on it if you happen to stay within the United States.If you are keen to spend a number of extra {dollars}, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 is likely one of the higher choices, even when it does value extra. It has higher cameras than what you may 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: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)You should 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 advantage of flip telephones is that they’re much extra versatile with regards to value. Where the bigger, tablet-like foldable telephones can simply value as a lot as $1700, flagship flip telephones are sometimes priced round $999 however can go even decrease. The Nubia Flip 5G is an efficient instance of a mid-range foldable cellphone, hitting the identical value level that you’d see from different non-folding and equally specced units.At a beginning value of $499, it is cheaper than the Motorola Razr 2023 was at launch, though that cellphone is positioned a bit increased 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 keen to shell out for a foldable cellphone, whilst a primary foray into the shape issue.Battery life might not be the most effective, 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’d 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 technique that has labored for Motorola. At this value, the Nubia Flip 5G would make an excellent first flip cellphone—that’s, if you may get previous the bloat.
Premium seems to be, reasonably priced value
The new Nubia Flip 5G would be the least expensive flip cellphone you should purchase within the U.S. proper now, however that does not imply it’s a low-cost cellphone. The Snapdragon chip presents loads of energy, the 50MP digital camera is greater than succesful, and the duvet display screen makes it pretty straightforward to view notifications and different data at a look.