Oppo as a brand has been known for its mid-range devices ever since it set foot in India. Recently, the company is known for its popular Reno line of devices, which covers the mid-range segment, while its subsidiary OnePlus has focused on the premium segment with smartphones priced above Rs. 60,000. So far Oppo has launched a few premium phones including the Oppo Find X and more recently the Oppo Find X2 which was the last premium device to come to India. While the Oppo Find X2 also launched after a long hiatus, the launch of the Find N2 Flip, the company’s first clamshell foldable, certainly turned out to be a move nobody expected. Surprise or not, Oppo seems to be back in the premium game as it attacks Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 head-on.
On this week’s episode of the Gadgets 360 podcast Orbital, Guest Host and Senior Reviewer Sheldon Pinto (that’s me) talks to Reviews Editor Roydon Cerejo, who spent several weeks with the Oppo Find N2 Flip. We’ve covered everything from its new hinge design to its larger than average cover display to its new and interesting software bits. And how some of it compares to the only other vertically foldable device in the Indian market, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Oppo recently launched its foldable devices, the Find N2 and the Find N2 Flip, which were officially announced in China, and out of the two, the company decided to bring its vertically foldable smartphone to the global markets and India . We’ll start with a bit of history as the Find N2 models aren’t Oppo’s first foldable devices. Oppo announced its Find N in 2021, which was horizontally foldable but also limited to the company’s home market.
Surprisingly, the Oppo Find N2 Flip appears to be a direct competitor to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4, and there’s no better indicator of that than its price, which is a premium Rs. 89,999. Oppo’s Find N2 Flip seems like a bold move indeed as Samsung has been the only company in India to offer foldable devices so far.
What stands out about the Oppo Find N2 is its larger-than-average 3.26-inch cover display, which has long been on our wish-list for vertically foldable devices. Oppo has done a good job of optimizing this display too, with plenty of full-size gestures, controls and notifications visible on the vertically positioned external display.
Also new is Oppo’s Flexion hinge, which holds the flexible inner display in a U-shaped curve that, in addition to reducing long-term damage, also helps reduce the crease when unfolded. However, this new hinge has its drawbacks as it only stays open at certain angles. Oppo’s first foldable device in India also lacks an IP rating, which has been available for Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip models for a while. Oppo also takes advantage of the phone’s foldable inner display, using its FlexForm software capabilities that allow users to share the large display when using select apps.
Oppo has also teamed up with camera maker Hasselblad, adding a visually different Pro mode and additional features to its main camera. Aside from the lack of an IP rating, the phone also lacks wireless charging, another feature Samsung has been able to squeeze into its foldable device. However, the 44W wired charging appears to be faster than the competition.
So, is Oppo’s first vertically foldable smartphone better than Samsung’s Galaxy Flip 4? Listen to all of this in detail and more in our episode by clicking the play button on the Spotify player embedded above.
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