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Flex Pai Has Smaller Gap, But Z Fold 2 is Superior and More Accessible
Samsung and Royole released upgraded versions to the Z Fold and the FlexPai. The Z Fold folds inward and the FlexPai folds outward. Comparing the two foldable smartphones:
Samsung and Royole released upgraded versions to the Z Fold and the FlexPai. The Z Fold folds inward and the FlexPai folds outward. Comparing the two foldable smartphones:
The Hinge
Royole’s hinge folds completely flat, while the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s hinge leaves a small gap. Samsung’s hinge feels sturdier, with absolutely no creaking when folding and unfolding. The FlexPai 2’s hinge makes a sound every now and then.
Royole’s hinge folds completely flat, while the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s hinge leaves a small gap. Samsung’s hinge feels sturdier, with absolutely no creaking when folding and unfolding. The FlexPai 2’s hinge makes a sound every now and then.
- Samsung placed mini brushes inside the hinge that helps keep out small particles like dust, and a test video by popular
- Royole tested to 1.6m folds, Samsung to 200K
The Galaxy Z Fold 2’s main screen has a 120 Hz refresh rate, more pixels (1768 x 2208), firmer, almost glass-like texture, and higher max brightness than the FlexPai’s 60Hz, 1920 x 1440, plastic screen.
Royole’s screen has less of a visible crease due to its different folding method, and its slightly larger (7.8-inch), 4:3 aspect ratio is more suitable for split-screen text-heavy apps. The FlexPai 2’s screen is more rectangular held vertically, with room to display content even with a full keyboard at the bottom. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is more cramped due to its almost square shape. But the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s screen is just flat out superior tech.
Royole’s screen has less of a visible crease due to its different folding method, and its slightly larger (7.8-inch), 4:3 aspect ratio is more suitable for split-screen text-heavy apps. The FlexPai 2’s screen is more rectangular held vertically, with room to display content even with a full keyboard at the bottom. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is more cramped due to its almost square shape. But the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s screen is just flat out superior tech.
Cameras
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has five cameras; a main triple camera system and two selfie cameras, one for each screen. The FlexPai 2 has a single quad-camera module that doubles as both, the main camera system and the selfie system.
Software
The FlexPai 2 doesn’t fully support GMS because it’s a China-only device at the moment. YouTube, and Google Maps do work fine on the FlexPai 2, which implies there’s some semblance of Google Services framework inside the software.
Samsung’s software for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 works quite well, with the apps jumping from the smaller screen to the larger screen seamlessly more often than not. It’s even added letterboxing on the larger screen for apps that must be in rectangular form (like Instagram), so it doesn’t have any of the formatting issues of the Fold 1.
Combined with a better camera and brighter screen, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is preferable than the Flex Pai 2. But, the Samsung and Royole are pursuing different goal. Samsung expects promotes the Galaxy Z Fold 2 as a mainstream product, sold worldwide. Royole sells the FlexPai 2 only sells in China, to showcase the company’s display tech rather than a mainstream phone. Galaxy Z Fold 2, shaped like a candy bar (or remote control) when folded, is a one-hand friendly device. The FlexPai 2 is wider even when folded up and more difficult to hold.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has five cameras; a main triple camera system and two selfie cameras, one for each screen. The FlexPai 2 has a single quad-camera module that doubles as both, the main camera system and the selfie system.
- The Galaxy Z Fold 2 behaves like any other slab Samsung phone. The FlexPai 2, requires flipping the phone over for selfies.
- The main 64MP camera of the FlexPai 2 produces photos that can be classified as solid or even above-average. But side-by-side against Samsung’s main 12MP camera, Royole’s color science is duller, with less dynamic range. At night, the gap between the two phone widens slightly.
- The FlexPai 2 wins at selfies due to a dedicated 32MP portrait lens that’s part of the main camera module, while the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s 10MP selfie cameras is a tiny lens in a hole-punch.
Software
The FlexPai 2 doesn’t fully support GMS because it’s a China-only device at the moment. YouTube, and Google Maps do work fine on the FlexPai 2, which implies there’s some semblance of Google Services framework inside the software.
Samsung’s software for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 works quite well, with the apps jumping from the smaller screen to the larger screen seamlessly more often than not. It’s even added letterboxing on the larger screen for apps that must be in rectangular form (like Instagram), so it doesn’t have any of the formatting issues of the Fold 1.
- The FlexPai 2’s UI, named WaterOS, is surprisingly smooth. The UI changes from a smaller smartphone form to a larger tablet form without much delay or hiccups, and most apps load fine too, although some apps like Instagram must load in portrait orientation on the FlexPai 2.
- Both phones handle multi-tasking similarly, with a pull-over menu that allows you to launch a second app in split-screen mode right away, and the option for a third. Samsung’s One UI for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 lets you open a fourth (or fifth or sixth) app but they must be in floating window mode; the FlexPai 2
Combined with a better camera and brighter screen, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is preferable than the Flex Pai 2. But, the Samsung and Royole are pursuing different goal. Samsung expects promotes the Galaxy Z Fold 2 as a mainstream product, sold worldwide. Royole sells the FlexPai 2 only sells in China, to showcase the company’s display tech rather than a mainstream phone. Galaxy Z Fold 2, shaped like a candy bar (or remote control) when folded, is a one-hand friendly device. The FlexPai 2 is wider even when folded up and more difficult to hold.
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