The video<\/a> only briefly flashes the secondary display that sits on the outside of the device, but in that short glimpse it looks like the smaller screen only displays the time and perhaps some notifications. It\u2019s not clear if it’s a touch screen or if it\u2019s capable of displaying any other information.\u00a0<\/p>\nThis is important. Why? Because on clamshell phones a functional – interactive – second screen is key to saving battery life, minimising unnecessary flips (limiting the risk of wearing out the display) and saving time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The latter point is perhaps the most important for day-to-day use. A second screen with basic functionality lets users do simple things like skip a track, take and view a selfie, quick check notifications to decide if they\u2019re important or not – or any other action that doesn\u2019t require unfolding the phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Motorola has this with its Quick View display on the front of the Razr, which does all of the above and<\/em> has Google Assistant functionality. But it\u2019s not clear if Samsung\u2019s Flip does, which could be a serious design oversight. Aside from the rigmarole of having to repeatedly unfold your phone to do the most basic tasks, it will also drain battery faster and wear the screen down.\u00a0<\/p>\nWe have, however, only seen a glimpse of the phone, which may not even be the final design (although it seems highly likely) – so the actual product that\u2019s released next week might address all of these issues. But if not, then the rumoured impressive specifications might not matter for much if the Flip is awkward to use.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elsewhere the Flip\u2019s unusual design may divide customer opinions. What struck me about the shape of the phone is how tall and thin it is, which reminded me of the 21:9 ratio display on Sony\u2019s Xperia 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sony\u2019s phone was designed to maximise the cinematic effect of media consumption in landscape mode, which may be what Samsung is thinking. But it\u2019ll take some getting used to, as will the new foldable concept and – potentially – no secondary display. Samsung is asking its customers to take a leap of faith with the Flip, especially if it is indeed priced at over $1000 for last year\u2019s specifications, we\u2019ll know how well that gamble pays off in the coming months.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More on Forbes<\/strong><\/p>\nSamsung\u2019s Galaxy Flip Beats Motorola\u2019s Razr With Two Features<\/p>\n
Samsung\u2019s Galaxy S20 Will Kick Off A New Price War<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Delayed](\"https:\/\/specials-images.forbesimg.com\/imageserve\/1166073944\/960x0.jpg?fit=scale\")
<\/div>