Smartphones seem to be stuck after achieving an evolutionary height. Every device is a large rectangular slab usually black. Some argue that the form has achieved the ultimate mix of perfection and functionality. It is very likely true but that does not stop designers trying to wow the consumer one more time.

Samsung flipping out on the competition

Take the Samsung Z Flip. It is a nearly a square device that flips open to reveal a display folded in half. Released in February 2020, this has all the flagship specs with a Snapdragon 855 processor, Adreno 650 GPU and 8GB of RAM. Unfolded, it's a 6.7 inch display. Quite right by today's standards. When you fold it though, it's 17.3mm thick which is basically the same thickness as a classic Nokia 1200.

It launched for USD 1380. We've seen units selling here in Bangladesh for BDT 1,42,000. It tries to bring back the novelty of flip phones from the early 2000's where 'cool' people would have got additional points for flipping open a phone with style. The Z Flip doesn't quite cut the cake as it is too close to being a square and looks more like a vanity mirror.

Samsung also has a similar device called the Fold which er, folds vertically and has the range topping Snapdragon 855 chipset. Huawei did the folding act too but not as well while the Microsoft Surface Duo utilizes two screens separated by a hinge and can rotate 360 degrees.

Motorola trying to regain the crown

The cool flip benchmark though has been set back in 2004 by the Motorola RAZRV3. All aluminum, this was the coolest thing in the world of phones. It sold over 130 million units making it the best-selling flip phone ever. In 2019 the rebirth came in the form of the Moto RAZR 2019, leaving you with no confusion. It looked superb, possibly still the best looking flip phone in the market. The device closes satisfyingly and has a nearly zero gap between screens when closed. Folded up, it had nearly the same thickness as the original (13.9mm versus 14mm now). But the reception was lackluster after the specs rolled out. The Snapdragon 710, small 2510 mAhbattery and average cameras didn't help. At about BDT 1,25,000 it came with a few squeaks when closing or opening. Even though Motorola stated it went through rigorous stress tests, it's scary how fragile that fancy OLED screen feels. An updated RAZR is due soon.

LG wants to give you wings

LG went an untried route with their new Wing, unveiled just last week. Remember reality beding Neo from The Matrix movie? He had a cool Nokia 8110 that would slide open to reveal, er, more phone. LG Wing slides up an entire screen out from the back to form a T shape. You get two screens so that you never ever look up from your device, forever shackled. Very cool concept though and durability testing lasted over 200,000 swivels, close to 100 motions daily for five years. While the processor is not the top tier (Snapdragon 765) LG hopes to make a mark with its supposedly stellar camera setup. The start being a 64 MP, f/1.8 main camera for a whole lot of light promising very, very sharp photos. Hold it like an old-school handycam and shoot videos. Current retail prices are suggested at around $940 when it ships out to South Korea in October.