I tested the Nubia Flip 5G, the most affordable flip phone, and the results were surprising

Fashionable flip telephones have by no means appealed to me for one easy cause: the value. I by no means noticed the purpose of spending flagship cash on a foldable that usually has digital camera downgrades in comparison with equally priced traditional slab handsets.  

In the end, there’s a flip cellphone on sale for a mid-range value. Positive, it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles like the newest Galaxy Z Flip cellphone. However in case you’re merely after that folding expertise however have been held again by these eye-watering prices, the Nubia Flip 5G could be sufficient to transform you to the flip facet.  

Design & Construct 

• Three colors
• 209g
• No waterproofing

For those who’re an enormous fan of 2000’s tech, the Nubia Flip 5G shall be proper up your avenue. It folds in half, which means it’s smaller to carry and put in your pocket. It’s a godsend for girls’s denims, the place sometimes telephones find yourself protruding of the highest, making them fodder for thieves.

This cellphone makes use of waterdrop hinges and seems nearly gapless – I can slip my fingernail in, however in any other case, it closes and not using a hitch. It measures 7mm thick when closed shut, which is on no account the slimmest foldable in the marketplace. Nonetheless, the retro-inspired design works with its barely chunkier nature. It’s additionally on the heavier facet at 209g, although nonetheless lighter than many non-folding telephones.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

I examined out the Sunshine Gold color. It is a shimmering impartial end, which is ideal in case you’re a fan of a clear aesthetic. Nubia additionally provides the cellphone in Cosmic Black and Flowing Lilac, which additionally have that contact of sparkle.  

It’s constituted of Starlight AG etched glass with an aluminium body. Regardless of the fabric, it’s not tremendous slippery and fairly strong. I had a couple of (unintentional) drops and the Flip survived and not using a scratch.

The amount rocker and energy button sit on the right-hand facet of the Nubia Flip 5G, with the USB-C port on the underside. There’s additionally assist for dual-SIM included.  

The outer show is impressed by a vinyl document, and positively stands out from competitor telephones, giving this handset a particular design. The one notable Nubia branding is on the oblong hinge on the rear of the cellphone.  

Haptics are fairly weak and flimsy, with no choice to vary the power of them: they’re both on or off. Biometrics are a deal with, as face recognition works each with and with out glasses, and fingerprint recognition (by way of the sensor constructed into the crimson energy button) has at all times been profitable.

Watch out about utilizing the Nubia Flip 5G round water, although, as there’s no IP ranking for water and mud resistance. It’ll in all probability survive being caught within the rain or a visit to the seashore, however you may’t ensure of that.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Screens & Audio system 

• 6.9-inch AMOLED essential show
• 1.43-inch OLED outer show
• Stereo audio system

There are two shows to mess around with on the Nubia Flip 5G. Let’s take care of the principle, inside one first.  

When unfolded, the Flip 5G sports activities a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a decision of 1188 x 2790 and 95.4% screen-to-body ratio. This has as much as a 120Hz refresh charge, however it’s also possible to go for 60Hz, 90Hz and Auto, which switches between these figures. Nonetheless, there’s no LTPO tech to permit it to drop under 60Hz and save battery life when not wanted.

The show is constituted of plastic, and you’ll really feel a distinction between this and a glass display. Swipes aren’t as easy, and faucets really feel spongier. Alas, that’s one of many pitfalls of a folding system. On its web site, Nubia claims that it’ll final over 200,000 folds, although.

Indoors, the display is nice for movies and watching Netflix. Nonetheless, it doesn’t maintain up below vibrant daylight. I bought plenty of glare, and even the utmost brightness wasn’t fairly sufficient to have the ability to view my messages with out squinting. Granted, I did transfer to it from the cellphone with the brightest show in the marketplace – nevertheless it’s price noting. 

We additionally want to speak concerning the crease. Sure, it’s there and it’s noticeable. You’ll be able to really feel the ridge in the midst of the display, and whether or not you’ll see it or not will depend on the angle. For instance, from this photograph under you’d barely even be capable of inform this can be a folding cellphone.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

The outer show is a 1.43-inch OLED, with a thick bezel and a decision of 466 x 466. The round form is a departure from what we’ve seen from different flip rivals, and while it doesn’t maximise on area it doesn’t essentially have to, because it has restricted features, which I’ll discuss extra within the software program part under.

The Nubia Flip 5G consists of stereo audio system with assist for DTS: X encompass sound. The audio is surprisingly punchy and clear. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t depend on it for any ground-breaking cinematic sound.

Specs & Efficiency 

• Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor
• As much as 12GB RAM
• As much as 256GB price of storage

The Nubia Flip 5G runs on a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, the identical chip seen within the Motorola Razr 40 and the Honor 90. That is paired with both 8- or 12B RAM and 128- or 256GB price of storage.  

It is a mid-tier Qualcomm chip, and efficiency is about in keeping with what you’d anticipate from a cellphone of this value. It’s nippy sufficient for day by day duties and switching between apps, however not the handset for demanding video games and heavy-duty apps. It’s additionally a bit of sleepy when first booting up.  

That is all mirrored in our benchmarking scores, with the Nubia Flip reaching related scores to the rivals talked about above.

Nubia Flip 5G benchmarks

As you may see, it’s eclipsed by the Galaxy Z Flip 5, however that’s one of many trade-offs when choosing a less expensive handset.  

The Nubia Flip 5G has all of the connectivity choices you want, with assist for Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC and 5G (if the identify didn’t clue you in already). 

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Digital camera & Video 

• 50Mp essential digital camera
• 2Mp depth digital camera
• 16Mp selfie digital camera

Cameras on the Nubia Flip 5G aren’t fairly as robust as different mid-range rivals at this value, however compromises have been at all times doubtless at this value.

The primary digital camera is a 50Mp snapper, which additionally comes with an accompanying (and barely disappointing) 2Mp depth sensor. You get the choice to shoot in both 26mm or 50mm focal lengths, and you may digitally zoom as much as x10. However there’s no telephoto lens, so no optical zoom.

See a comparability of the 2 completely different focal lengths under:

Pictures taken in vibrant daylight carry out one of the best. Textures have some pop, and shadows are precisely recreated. Nonetheless, like different cheaper cellphone cameras, this system tends to blow out some tones, particularly vibrant colors. Hotter tones even have a little bit of a yellow tinge to them.

One of many key advantages of utilizing a flip cellphone is you could basically use the extra highly effective rear digital camera with a selfie window, so you may see what you’re doing. You’ll be able to see the way it captures the advantageous fur on the kitten on this snap: 

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Nonetheless, this entrance display is sort of delicate to oblique swipes. For instance, I had the cellphone in my pocket and didn’t contact it for about 20 minutes. I then seen that the cellphone felt radioactive scorching, and after I took the handset out I noticed {that a} video had began recording – almost definitely the cellphone jostled towards my leg and in some way activated the digital camera.

With no OIS (optical picture stabilisation), the Nubia Flip 5G isn’t robust sufficient to seize transferring topics simply, and its efficiency is diminished indoors. Evening mode does carry particulars, however advantageous traces can seem delicate and blurred.

Portrait mode has a robust bokeh impact by default, however this may be adjusted accordingly. There’s no wide-angle digital camera onboard as you’ll discover on the Razr 40, neither is there a devoted macro mode (although I’m not as valuable concerning the latter). 

The 16Mp inside digital camera captures degree of pores and skin element, however the portrait impact is fairly darn poor. I took a number of pictures, and each single one ended up blurring a few of my hair. For those who’re utilizing this digital camera, I’d stick to the usual mode.

I’m additionally (but once more) begging cellphone corporations to cease placing the dystopian ‘magnificence’ filter on cameras mechanically. This blurred out my freckles and made me appear to be I used to be sporting extra make-up than I used to be. It perpetuates the concept that filters are wanted to look enticing, and it completely shouldn’t be on the digital camera as normal.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

For video, the Nubia Flip 5G can document in 1080p at each 30fps and 60fps. It’s also possible to go for 720p or 4K, however these codecs solely document at 30fps. There’s additionally a characteristic built-in to stabilise towards shakes, although this does depart a little bit of a bizarre and compelled end.

Battery life & Charging 

• Day and a half battery life
• 33W charging
• No wi-fi charging

The Nubia Flip 5G boasts a 4310mAh battery, which is larger than the cell within the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5.  

In typical utilization, I’d say this will get me round a day and a half price of utilization. That features taking calls, snapping pictures, listening to Spotify, watching movies and having the always-on show turned on. Contemplating this system is powering two shows, I used to be fairly impressed.  

Charging isn’t groundbreaking, with solely assist as much as 33W. The mandatory charger is included within the field, and bought the cellphone to 76% from flat in half-hour. No wi-fi charging assist is obtainable.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Software program & Options 

• MyOS 13
• Some apps adapt when display is flexed
• Unconfirmed variety of OS and safety updates

The Nubia Flip 5G runs on MyOS 13, Nubia’s pores and skin that’s primarily based on Android 13 somewhat than the newest Android 14. It’s disappointing that there’s nonetheless no signal of an replace to the newest model of Google’s working system.

However certainly, probably the most annoying factor concerning the Nubia Flip 5G is the extreme bloatware. Some apps, like Reserving.com, may be uninstalled – however not all. I’ve a complete folder of ‘scorching video games’, which I can’t say earns its title as a result of I’ve not heard of a single one.  

In any other case, navigation is near what you would possibly discover on telephones from Honor and Oppo. There are all of your normal Google apps, plus assist for all the large social media websites akin to WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram by way of the Google Play Retailer.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

The outer show has restricted features that you need to use it for. This consists of the digital camera, a timer, voice recorder, restricted Spotify playback, climate, step rely and calendar. There’s additionally the choice to have a digital animated ‘pet’, which can attraction to youthful customers.  

It’s also possible to rapidly learn missed notifications and messages, and even take calls with the show closed. The cellphone will immediate you to open if you try to do one thing that requires the principle show.

Some video apps akin to YouTube and Messenger mechanically modify the format when the cellphone is folded, supplying you with another angle for watching movies, similar to Samsung’s ‘Flex Mode’. Sadly there isn’t the identical assist for Netflix and Disney+ on the time of writing.

The folded mode will also be used to take hands-free pictures utilizing the timer, which is a pleasant contact.

The most important query round this cellphone is the dearth of assured software program and safety updates. A spokesperson for Nubia informed me that the staff is wanting into this, however on the time of writing, we don’t know what number of Android upgrades it would get. That shall be a dealbreaker for many individuals.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Worth & Availability 

For those who’ve been looking for a flip cellphone that gained’t break the financial institution, that is it. The Nubia Flip 5G begins from £499/$499 for the 8GB model. It’s also possible to go for the 12GB model for £699/$699.

The cellphone is on the market to pre-order now within the UK and is on sale within the US.

No networks are promoting the cellphone on contract, so that you’ll have to purchase it outright and pair with a SIM-only deal.

That value is £300/$200 lower than the previous least expensive foldable, the Motorola Razr 40 , when it first launched. That stated, this cellphone has some massive reductions on the time of writing. It’s additionally a whopping £550/$500 cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, which comes with a smaller battery.  

Take a look at our charts of one of the best folding telephones and one of the best mid-range telephones for extra choices.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Must you purchase the Nubia Flip 5G? 

Promoting a folding cellphone for £499/£499 is a large milestone for Nubia. This value of the Flip 5G is a lot extra accessible than many different rivals, and it’s not only a copycat of different clamshell builds, with its signature round outer show and daring colourways.  

As with all mid-range telephones, be ready to make sacrifices – the digital camera is a blended bag, and the software program shouldn’t be as clear as what you’ll discover on Samsung and Motorola fashions. It’s additionally unclear how lengthy will probably be supported for.

Nonetheless, if folding tech on a funds is what you’re after, then that is the smartphone for you.  

Specs 

• Android 13
• 1.43-inch, OLED cowl show 
• 6.9-inch, 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, Full HD+ essential show 
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 
• 8- and 12GB RAM 
• 256- and 512GB storage 
• Cameras:
  • 50Mp essential digital camera 
  • 2Mp depth digital camera
  • 16Mp selfie digital camera 
• 4310mAh
• 33W wired charging 
• Stereo audio system
• Facet fingerprint scanner (energy button) 
• 5G 
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Wi-Fi 6E
• GPS
• USB-C
• 170 x 75.5 x 7mm (open) 
• 209g 
• Launch colors: Sunshine Gold, Cosmic Black, Flowing Lilac