Galaxy Z Flip vs. Galaxy Fold: Comparing Samsung's original foldable phones.

Samsung announced the Galaxy Z Flip on Feb. 11 at Unpacked.

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At Samsung's Unpacked event back in February, the company doubled down on the foldable phone trend with its Galaxy Z Flip, a year after releasing its first foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold. Since then, Samsung has also announced the Galaxy Z Flip 5G and the forthcoming Galaxy Z Fold 2. While we wait for pricing information on the Fold's sequel, deal-savvy buyers might be looking to Samsung's previous models for a cheaper entry into the foldable phone club. Read on to discover the main differences between Samsung's first two foldable phones. For more foldable phone comparisons, read CNET's Galaxy Z Flip 5G vs. Galaxy Fold vs. Razr vs. Z Flip: Which foldable phone has the best specs? and Microsoft Surface Duo vs. its foldable rivals: Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Razr specs compared.

Both the Fold and the Z Flip use Samsung's Infinity Flex Display, which the company developed to enable its handsets to fold hundreds of thousands of times without breaking. Samsung claims both the Fold and the Z Flip can fold 200,000 times without breaking (i.e. the number of times a person would open and close their phone over five years of use), but when CNET tested this claim in October, the Galaxy Fold lasted about 120,000 folds. Unlike the Galaxy Fold, which has a 7.3-inch screen and opens and closes like a book, the Z Flip has a clamshell design. It also has a 6.7-inch display and dual 12-megapixel rear cameras. It costs $1,380 in the US and £1,300 in the UK.

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For more on how these two phones differ, check out our spec chart below.

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Galaxy Z Flip vs. Galaxy Fold Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Samsung Galaxy Fold Display size, resolution Internal: 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED; 2,636x1,080 pixels / External: 1.1-inch Super AMOLED; 300x112 pixels Internal: 7.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED; 2,152x1,536 pixels / External: 4.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED; 1,680x720 pixels Pixel density 425 ppi (internal) / 303 ppi (external) 362 ppi (internal) Dimensions (Inches) Folded: 2.99 x 3.44 x 0.62 ~ 0.68 in / Unfolded: 2.99 x 6.59 x 0.27 ~0.28 in Folded: 6.3 x 2.5 x 0.6 in / Unfolded: 6.3 x 4.6 x 0.3 in Dimensions (Millimeters) Folded: 73.6 x 87.4 x 15.4 ~17.3 mm / Unfolded: 73.6 x 167.3 x 6.9 ~ 7.2 mm Folded: 62.8 x 161 x 15.7mm ~ 17.1mm / Unfolded: 117.9 x 161 x 6.9mm ~ 7.6mm Weight (Ounces, Grams) 6.46 oz; 183g 9.7 oz; 276g Mobile software Android 10 Android 9.0 with Samsung One UI Camera 12-megapixel (wide-angle), 12-megapixel (ultra wide-angle) 12-megapixel (wide-angle), 16-megapixel (ultra wide-angle), 12-megapixel (telephoto) Front-facing camera 10-megapixel Two 10-megapixel, 8-megapixel 3D depth Video capture 4K (HDR 10 Plus) 4K (HDR 10 Plus) Processor 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Storage 256GB 512GB RAM 8GB 12GB Expandable storage TBD No Battery 3,300 mAh 4,380 mAh Fingerprint sensor Side Power button Connector USB-C USB-C Headphone jack No No Special features Foldable display; wireless PowerShare; wireless charging; fast charging Foldable display, wireless charging, fast charging Price off-contract (USD) $1,380 $1,980 Price (GBP) £1,300 £2,000 Price (AUD) AU$2,199 AU$2,999 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip impresses from almost every angle See all photos.

24 hours with Galaxy Fold: What it's like to use Samsung's first foldable phone for a day.

The Galaxy Fold was redesigned to keep out dust -- and keep you from peeling off any essential parts.

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Samsung recently unveiled the second iteration of its first foldable, named the Galaxy Z Fold 2. Details about the new device remain scant. The company says it'll share more information, including the Z Fold 2's price and preorder details, on Sept. 1. In the meantime, the original Galaxy Fold remains an intriguing phone, one that you can actually buy right now (get the Galaxy Fold for $1,980 at Best Buy). I bought one last year and spent the day with it so I could report back on everything from the folding hinge to the display. The verdict? I liked the Galaxy Fold more than I thought I would. I unboxed it in the morning, after having waited in line at Samsung's London store since 5:30 a.m. the day of its release. After spending the day playing about with its jazzy hinge design, I noticed a few things about the phone. Read on for last year's account of 24 hours spent with Samsung's first foldable.

First of all, there's no noticeable protective layer that you might be wrongly tempted to peel off. This was one of the major errors in the phone's first design; a film was laid over the top of the display that looked just like one of those layers you happily peel off when you get a new phone. It was actually a crucial part of the design, and some journalists who had early review samples of the Fold peeled it off, which ruined the display. 

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The lack of visible film on the updated version means there's less chance of you wrecking your pricey phone on Day 1. Samsung has also more securely sealed the edge of the display with plastic caps at the two points where it folds, which hopefully will stop dust particles from getting under the surface (another pain point from round one). 

The original design had a gap between the hinge where the Galaxy Fold does its folding and the two arms of the screens. This is now diminished. Also, you can't see an additional metal plate beneath the display, which is meant to reinforce the fragile plastic screen, but Samsung assures us it's there.

But beyond those design tweaks, the phone remains unchanged. The hinge feels smooth to use and the phone snaps shut satisfyingly like those snappy cases you get with your glasses. 

Galaxy Fold redesign: Here's how Samsung fixed its foldable phone See all photos

But what about the crease in the display? Well, it's there and there's no getting away from it. Catch reflections from overhead lights in the right way and you can easily see ripples across the surface, instead of the smooth expanse of glass you'll see on any other smartphone. 

It can be a little off-putting at times. I found that it's mostly a problem when you're watching a dark video, which makes overhead light reflections -- and therefore, the crease -- more obvious. But it's only the reflections that make you notice; the display itself doesn't warp and there's no change in color or brightness where it folds. 

If you watch a bright video -- or you're in a dark room with no reflections from ambient light -- you won't notice. I certainly didn't when I watched several Carfection YouTube videos in our dimly lit studio. The same was true for an episode of Breaking Bad on Netflix. I honestly couldn't see any kind of crease and could instead just enjoy the content on a massive screen.

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There is, of course, a cut-out notch in the top left corner (assuming you're holding it in landscape orientation, and in the upper right corner when it's in portrait mode). I'm quite used to notches and cut-outs now from the recent iPhones and the Galaxy S10 Plus, so this really wasn't a problem for me and it didn't spoil my viewing. If you don't like notches on other phones, odds are you won't love it here either. At least there's so much screen that the notch takes up relatively less space than on other devices. 

Later on in the day, I was navigating my way through London's maze-like Soho district, trying to find an office for a meeting. In the taxi on the way there, it was great seeing Google Maps displayed on that massive screen. Out on the street, however, I didn't want to gingerly carry a massive -- and expensive -- device so openly, so I snapped it shut and used the 4.6-inch outer display. 

For me, this display is just a little too small. It's fine for seeing incoming calls, changing music on Spotify, or using as the camera viewfinder instead of looking like a buffoon who takes pictures on a tablet. But its small size means you have to have accurate fingers to type on it. Sending a quick reply to an email or a WhatsApp message is tough, particularly if you're walking, but opening up the phone to its full tablet mode often isn't convenient either. 

The Galaxy Fold is best used in tablet mode.

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It's frustrating, as that outer screen looks squashed in. I'd have loved to have seen it go further to the edges, giving enough room to make it usable as a standalone device. Right now, it's best thought of as a stopgap until you can find a moment to unfold it into true tablet mode. 

It was my first day with the phone, so I reserved judgment on the processor performance, camera quality, and battery life until we were able to do a lot more testing. Read more about the phone's performance in our in-depth Galaxy Fold review. Plus, here's our review of the Galaxy Fold's original design, with many more details from our sister site Tech Republic on what it's like to use a foldable phone.

Close up with the Galaxy Fold's original screen, notch and hinge See all photos.

Samsung is launching a new foldable phone called the Galaxy Z Fold 2 that fixes the original Galaxy Fold's biggest problems.

Samsung just announced the Z Fold 2, its next foldable phone.

The phone comes with an improved design compared with the first-generation Galaxy Fold, such as more durable design and a larger front screen.

It also borrows some qualities from the Z Flip, Samsung's foldable flip phone, such as a display that stays open at multiple angles and a screen made of glass rather than plastic.

Samsung has not yet revealed how much the phone will cost or when it will be available.

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Samsung just unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 2, its sequel to the nearly $2,000 foldable smartphone it introduced in early 2019 that was initially criticized after some reviewers reported that their devices had broke. 

Samsung did not reveal how much the Z Fold 2 will cost or when it will be released, but it plans to reveal more details on September 1. Pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will also begin on that same day. 

One of the biggest improvements to come with the second-generation Fold is its larger cover screen. When closed, the Z Fold 2 will have a 6.2-inch display — a major upgrade from the 4.6-inch front display on its predecessor. Such a change addresses one of the biggest complaints about the original Galaxy Fold; it felt nearly useless when closed because its display felt too small and cramped. Inside, the new Galaxy Z Fold 2 will have a 7.6-inch tablet-sized screen.

Samsung also says it's made improvements to the phone's design to make it more durable with a reinforced hinge. The company says it tested more than 100 different ideas to prevent debris from entering the phone, landing on a sweeper mechanism inspired by vacuum bristles located under the hinge.

That's particularly important because the original version of the first Galaxy Fold broke for some reviewers after just two days of use. Some critics with the affected units experienced issues after accidentally removing a protective film, while others reported debris entering the hinge. The episode caused Samsung to delay the phone's launch by several months.

Samsung

The new Fold also borrows some features from the Galaxy Z Flip, the foldable flip phone Samsung revealed earlier this year. Like the Z Flip, the new Z Fold 2 comes with a screen made of glass instead of plastic. It also can stay open at multiple angles like the Z Flip.

Samsung's latest foldable will have a display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling — just like the new Galaxy S20 Ultra — and adapts the same hole punch-like cutout for the camera as Samsung's other devices. 

Otherwise, Samsung says the Z Fold 2 has a thinner body with a smaller gap between the screens. It'll be available in two colors: black and bronze.

Samsung is betting on forward-looking technologies like 5G connectivity and foldable designs to stay ahead of rivals like Huawei and Apple. Huawei surpassed Samsung to ship the most phones in the second quarter of 2020, according to The International Data Corporation, despite the United States trade restrictions it's facing which prevents the company from using Google's apps. 

Part of the new Z Fold 2's success and appeal will likely hinge on its price; the current model costs $1,980, while the Galaxy Z Flip debuted at $1380. Samsung's new foldable also comes at a time when industry giants like Apple and Google are turning their attention to launching new phones that are more affordable, costing well below $1,000.