The Moto Razr and Galaxy Z Flip 5 could finally get big cover displays this year
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If there is one sticking point about the benefits of clamshell foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Motorola Razr 2022, what matters is whether the cover display is large enough to be functional while the phone is closed. While the Oppo Find N2 Flip significantly increasing the outer screen size, recent rumors about the next Samsung and Motorola clamshell foldables suggest we could see a dramatic increase in the next generation.
On Twitter, a flurry of leaks from various reliable phone sources has painted a picture of what to expect from the next generation of foldable devices this year. Starting with Evan Blass aka @evleakswe get a look at what could be a dramatic update Motorola Razr 2023 with a cover screen that wraps around the camera lenses and fills almost half the length of the phone.
Blass has a locked Twitter account, so instead of embedding his tweets, I’ve included screenshots here.
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While the current Motorola Razr has already increased the size of the cover display, the rumored update almost fills the phone’s face, and it’s clear that’s where clamshell devices are headed.
In apparent response, Twitter leaker Ice Universe claimed the following Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 will have a remarkably similar design and post an unpolished render to support the claim. He also claims that Samsung’s next phone will be a bigger device than the Oppo Find N2 Flip clamshell.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is very likely of this design. I’m doing further research… pic.twitter.com/1bVYOgmC0HFebruary 22, 2023
The design shows a phone with a screen that wraps around the camera lenses, and this makes sense for a cover display. Unlike the external screen on a Galaxy Z Fold 4which on its own is almost as usable as a normal smartphone, a clamshell cover display has to work hard to squeeze any valuable functionality out of the minimal allocated real estate.
Until now, phone manufacturers have used the cover display as a selfie mirror for the main camera. This is a great feature as it focuses the phone’s best lens and sensor on your favorite subject. Unfortunately, the cover screen has been too small to ensure your photo is sharp, let alone help with advanced photo features.
A bigger screen could make selfies a great feature for clamshell phones. Foldable phones are struggling to gain a foothold in the market, even though phone manufacturers release updates every year.
Finally, The edge points us to analyst Ross Young, who says the Galaxy Z Flip 5 will also get a different hinge design. The improved hinge on the Oppo Find N2 Flip made the phone lose the infamous crease found on Samsung foldables. We’ll have to see if Samsung can improve on its own crinkled design.
Probably not soon, certainly not soon enough
It seems a bit early to expect these foldables to hit the market, as both the Galaxy foldables and Motorola’s Razr were refreshed in August 2022. Mobile World Congress is just around the corner, but even if we get a sneak peek at these new phones, we wouldn’t expect them to go on sale until later in the year.
While I’m a big fan of the clamshell design for the experience of flipping the phone shut and “hanging up” to distractions as a result, I find it hard to convince people that a clamshell folding experience is as rewarding as the foldable tablet style found with the Galaxy Z Fold.
The latter gives you two large screens, including a tablet that you can carry in your pocket. The former simply gives you a smaller version of the phone you already have with you.
Cover displays on current clamshell phones are so limited that they barely meet your minimum expectations. I’ll have to take a giant leap in the size and capabilities of these cover screens before I can rightly defend this form factor.
A cover display must be able to do more than simple alarm clocks, music controls and notifications. It must be a selfie mirror that makes me smile.