Cell phones came in a lot of different shapes and sizes. We had a lot of different types of phones. I got a flimsy flip cover for my first cell phone, which was a hybrid of a phone and a computer. If you didn't have a phone, you weren't "cool" The phones looked the same after the iPhone came out.

Let's face it, it's a bit boring. The idea of folding and flip phones was intriguing to me. There isn't much competition from other manufacturers in the U.S., and that's why SAMSUNG dominates the foldable phone market.

I have been trying out a foldable phone, which is the first of its kind for me, as I mostly use an Apple device. There are some first impressions of a phone.

The crease is always there, always noticeable

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Bora Purple open always on display crease
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

The idea of a foldable phone is appealing to me. The crease on the continuous display is always bothering me. As of late, some manufacturers seem to have improved on the crease, such as the Oppo Find N2, but with my Z flip 4, it is still very much visible.

Maybe the technology just isn't there yet, but I hope that at some point, we get foldable devices where it's hard to notice the crease. I guess I will have to tolerate it as best I can until it gets better.

Unfolding is a two-handed job (for me)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Bora Purple open standing
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

I used to love flip phones because they were so easy to use. It was fun to do and I enjoyed it. It is much easier to use two hands than it is to open it with one. It is easy and possible to close it alone.

The overall exterior is a bit slippery along with the resistance in the hinges. I have been using it without a case, which is the true "out-of-the-box" experience.

It is easier to open with one hand if the resistance is less. There aren't any subtle changes on the sides that would make single-handed use easier.

Even though the Flip 4 is small when it is folded, it is difficult to use one-handed once it is open. Since I have small hands, I find it hard to use my Flip 4 with a single hand.

A minimal but functional cover screen

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Bora Purple cover screen idle in hand
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

The cover screen is one of the best features of the flip 4. The date and time are shown by default. If you move your finger to the right, you can see your notifications in the superior list view, and if you move your finger to the left, you can see other useful glances of information. I like that it is not too much happening at one time, because everything would fit anyways. It is possible to use it as a small viewfinder when taking a selfies.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Bora Purple cover screen notifications
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

The biggest shortcoming of the cover screen is it's limited ability to do anything. By default, you can check your notifications and send quick replies to text messages, but you can't do more.

You don't have a way to reply to third-party messaging, add calendar events or take notes. If you want a cramped but functional experience, you could use something likeCoverScreen OS.

I like the default settings of the cover screen, regardless of how you use it. It serves its purpose well by allowing me to look at information without having to open my phone.

We need more compact phones

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Bora Purple standing closed with a Disney100 Dooney & Bourke bag
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

Since this is my first folding flip phone since the pre-iPhone era, I am in love with the small size of theGalaxy Z Flip 4 when it is closed. Women have small and useless pockets or no pockets at all. I have had to move my phone from my left pocket to my right because it would be uncomfortable. I look for leggings with side pockets as they are a must for me.

It is possible for me to carry it in my front jean pockets again, even though it is thicker when folded, because it is less likely to slip out of my leggings pockets. If I don't have pockets, the Flip 4 is easier to throw into a purse or bag and not get in the way when I need other things.

I like the flip style of folding phones because they are larger. It would be more inconvenient to fit into my pockets if I were to have something like the Z Fold 4 instead.

It’s a godsend for hands-free photography

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Bora Purple open camera viewfinder
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

I love using my mobile phones to take pictures and videos of everything. I upgrade my phone every year because of this.

I noticed from my use of the flip 4 that the fold is a great way to prop the camera up without the need for an accessory. I have a few different photography accessories for my phone, like the Shift cam snap grip, which have proved to be incredibly useful. Extra stuff is the problem with these accessories.

I use the 1.9-inch cover screen as a viewfinder for selfies even though I can have the phone closed. I can have the phone half open so that the bottom half is flat while adjusting the top half for the perfect shot while still having access to all of the camera controls. Since there is an ultra-wide lens, this is especially useful for taking group shots.

If Apple made a folding phone, I would love to use it, because it would be easier to take hands-free photos. Who doesn't like to carry less stuff with their tools?

I’ve been brought into the fold

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Bora Purple cover screen weather
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

I wasn't sure when folding phones would come out. I heard of the failure of the displays of the first iteration of the device, and I wondered how it could have happened. The first generation of a brand-new product category is something that you should be careful with, because of all of the issues that are bound to rear their heads.

foldables are still in their infancy, but they are starting to look more promising. Right now, I prefer the flip phone style, which is better suited for my needs, even though I have yet to experience a foldable device. I hope that there is a way to open foldables with one hand, and that there is a solution for the visible creasing on them.

The future of foldables is positive. It is an interesting way to breathe life into the market where everything else is just metal and glass.

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