Believe it or not, the flip phone is back. Not only is the flip phone back, it’s also trending among Gen Zers, who may have completely missed out on the first wave of flip phones in the early to late 2000s.
First launched in 2019, the Galaxy Z Flip became one of the first widely available touchscreen flip phones in the US market, followed by a slew of Flip iterations. Now, with its looks reminiscent of the Apple iPhone this generation grew up with, the Galaxy Z Flip6 appeals to those looking for something new in phones.
In a TikTok post, a recent buyer of the phone took to the platform to tout its merits as a piece of technology people should try. Chelsea (@white_cocoa_ on TikTok) says that after just a few days with her new phone, she recommends the device. Her video has been viewed more than 187,000 times as of Monday afternoon.
“If you’re thinking about ditching Apple and getting the Z Flip6, I highly recommend it,” she says in the video. “I decided to ditch Apple and get the Flip, and I’m so happy I did. I love everything I can do with it.”
The move to the Galaxy Z Flip6
Chelsea points out the phone’s extra details. “It’s so fun to have something new besides just a screen,” she says. “I love flipping it over, I love the cases, I think it’s so cute. I love having a screen on the front that allows me to access almost everything, including TikTok.”
She says that folding the device while using social media apps makes the experience much more convenient. “I love being able to fold the phone while I’m on TikTok or YouTube, and it literally gives me a little touchpad and a slider that I can swipe with,” Chelsea says. “I think it’s amazing. You have so many features that you can do here that Apple just doesn’t allow you to do. It’s amazing and it’s a sign that you have to get it.”
She says one of the main points of interest for her regarding the Galaxy Z Flip6 is the innovative flip shape, the compact design and the level of customization available on an Android operating system, compared to the rigid platform of Apple’s iOS.
“I decided to take the plunge and even though it’s only been two days for me, I think if I was going to really freak out about it, it would probably be relatively soon because honestly, I was really nervous about leaving Apple,” she says. “I’ve had an iPhone for 10 years, but I was sick of this shit. I just feel like they’re not doing anything. They haven’t taken any steps at all, they haven’t even tried and from what I’ve read, they want to wait another two years and I’m not waiting anymore.”
The 10-year iPhone user believes Apple will be too late to the new flip phone trend.
“Too late. Too little, too late, I guess, I just don’t do it,” she said. “But I really like the phone, I’m filming this with my phone camera, not on TikTok and I can say that from what I see for myself, the image quality is perfect, it’s amazing.”
She said she took advantage of her phone company’s exchange policy to try out the new phone without worrying about having to keep it long term if she didn’t like it.
The Daily Dot reached out to Chelsea via TikTok direct message regarding the video.
“If you’re thinking about it, take the plunge and give it a try,” she said. “Because if you’re on Verizon, they give you 30 days to exchange it anyway, so what have you got to lose? Just try it and if you don’t like it, exchange it, but I think you’re going to like it. I really enjoy my phone.”
Apple iPhone or Galaxy Z Flip6?
So what are the main differences between the Apple iPhone and the Galaxy Z Flip6?
Aside from the Z Flip6’s flip nature and different operating systems, the phone can act as its own tripod for taking photos thanks to its clamshell design, as well as an AI-powered auto-zoom feature to determine how far the camera should zoom based on the number of people in the photo.
It might also last a bit longer. According to Phone Arena, the Galaxy Z Flip6 will get seven years of software updates, compared to the five years of updates expected even for the latest iPhone.
Several viewers were a little skeptical of the flip phone, clinging tightly to the iPhone they know and love.
“I don’t understand why people love flip phones,” wrote one commenter. “Iphone”
“I want the foldable version… I can’t with the Android system,” said another.
“Now you have to consider the ecosystem as a whole, the seamless integration between iPhone, iPad, Macs and Apple TV makes it impossible to switch. I was with Android for 10 years, I can’t go back,” added a third.
@white_cocoa_ Do it! You can do so much and so far I don’t miss Apple at all! You can always switch back if you don’t like it! #samsung #samsungzflip6 #switchingtoandroid #ditchiphone #android #Apple #iPhone #zflip6 #flip #flipphone #foryoupage #fypage #samsunggalaxyzflip ♬ original sound – Chelsea
However, many other viewers shared that they made the switch and never looked back, finding flip touchscreen phones like the Flip6 and Motorola Razr+ to be a more innovative approach to mobile phones.
“I ditched Apple for the hot pink Razr Plus and I’m so glad I did,” wrote one commenter.
“I feel like a lot of us are like, yeah, we have features, but otherwise… we get the same phone year after year with Apple and we get bored,” another commented.
“I ditched Apple and bought a Motorola RAZR, seriously considering buying the new hot pink color that’s coming out,” another user said.
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