Review | Oppo Find N2 Flip vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: which folding phone is better?
- The launch of the Oppo Find N2 Flip ends Samsung’s monopoly on the international folding phone market, but is it better than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4?
- The Chinese model folds flat, has a bigger screen and better camera and battery; the Flip 4 has a superior processor, wireless charging and water resistance
Samsung’s monopoly on the global foldable phone market finally ended with the official international launch of the Oppo Find N2 Flip, a clamshell-style smartphone, that went on sale in the UK this week.
The Chinese-made phone will begin rolling out across Europe later this month and Asia in early March.
The mere presence of another option is big news for fans of foldable handsets, but how does Oppo’s new flip phone stack up against Samsung’s latest model, the Galaxy Z Flip 4?
Design and hardware
The physical form of the Find N2 Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 4 is similar; the Oppo phone is slightly larger, with a 6.8-inch foldable screen, and both fold at the midway point to become a compact squarish device.
The first big win for Oppo comes at the folding point: the Find N2 Flip’s display exhibits only a very faint crease, visible only at extreme angles, while Samsung’s Flip 4 has a deep groove that is noticeable when viewed even slightly off-centre.
Oppo’s Flip also folds completely flat, while Samsung’s Flip leaves a slight gap. While both hinge mechanisms feel sturdy, and allow the devices to stay in place mid-fold (in an L shape), Samsung’s hinge gives more reassurance because it is officially rated IPX8 for water resistance, while Oppo’s hinge isn’t.
When both phones are folded, you make do with the secondary outer screen for basic tasks, and this is where Oppo scores another major win: its 3.26-inch outer screen is not only larger than Samsung’s 1.9-inch screen, it’s also in an upright position that is more natural for displaying content than Samsung’s horizontal screen.
