The Nubia Flip 5G attempts to compete with higher-end flip phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series but at a significantly lower cost. But what do you actually get with the Nubia Flip 5G, and who exactly is Nubia?
Nubia Backstory
Nubia Technology was founded in 2012 as a subsidiary of ZTE Corporation.
In its early years, Nubia leveraged ZTE’s extensive research and development capabilities to produce smartphones that stood out for their design and performance. By 2015, Nubia started gaining recognition in international markets, with a growing reputation for pushing the boundaries of smartphone technology.
What do you get
What you get in the package is
- 1x Nubia Flip 5G
- 1x Clear phone case (split into an upper and a lower part to main the flip functionality)
- 1× 33W Charger
- 1x USB-C to USB-C data cable
- 1x Sim tray ejector
- 1x Quick start guide (in a lot of different languages)
It’s a pleasant surprise to see a charger included, especially compared to big companies like Apple. The included case feels nice and adds value to the package.
Unboxing Experience
The Nubia Flip 5G comes in a larger box compared to other smartphones I’ve owned. The packaging is thoughtfully designed, contributing to an exciting unboxing experience. However, the charger and cable come in separate cardboard boxes, even though there’s enough space for both in a single box.
The Phone
Nubia Flip 5G looks nice and the folding crease is barely noticeable when the phone screen is turned on under normal lighting conditions, You will notice the crease a bit more when the light hits it directly or you look at it from an angle.
Experience using the phone
First off, what are the key specifications of the phone?
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Display:
- Size: 6.9 inches
- Resolution: 1188×2790, 60/90/120hz, OLED panel
Platform:
- Android 13
- Chipset: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, Octa-core, 2.4GHz (released in 2022, so an older chip)
- GPU: Adreno 644
Memory/Storage:
- 8 RAM + 256GB ROM / 12 RAM + 512GB ROM
Camera:
- Rear: 50 MP (wide camera), 2 MP (depth), 4K/1080p
- No ultrawide camera unfortunately
- Front camera: 16 MP (Wide), 1080p@30fps
Sensors:
- Compass/Magnetic
- Accelerometer
- Proximity sensor
- Light sensor
- Fingerprint recognition (on the side)
- Gyroscope
- Hall sensor
- Face scanning
Battery:
- 4310mAh
- 33W wired charging
- No wireless charging
Connectivity:
- WIFI 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, WiFi 6E
- BT5.2
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That all sounds great but what is the phone actually like?
The Nubia Flip 5G is a great phone that is quick and responsive and transitioning smoothly between the folding mode and normal mode (folded and unfolded). Some of the apps can be enabled in folded mode on the backscreen but will require you to unfold the phone to get a better overview.
The screen on the back is also quick and responsive and it is highly customizable
It has a lot of wallpapers and “Wake Up” screens to choose from and you can easily customize which apps you can swipe between in folded mode within their limited selection, I do hope that there is or will be a way to add other apps to the backscreen.
The phone does come with some bloatware applications like tiktok, and clone games of popular games like Asphalt (racing game) and cut the rope and a couple more that contain a lot of ads too. But these bloatware apps can easily be uninstalled.
Conclusion
The Nubia Flip 5G offers excellent day-to-day performance for its price. While it may not be ideal for professional photography or intensive gaming, it is a strong contender in the budget flip phone market. A newer chipset would have been preferable for a 2024 model, but overall, it delivers good value for money.