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Android Authority
14 hours ago
- Android Authority
5 phones you should buy instead of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Samsung's new folding phones are all officially on sale, meaning you can now readily get your hands on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. The Fold 7 and Flip 7 are both shaping up to be excellent upgrades, but the Flip 7 FE is quite strange. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is Samsung's first attempt at a 'budget' foldable, and while the intent behind the phone is good, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The Flip 7 FE is essentially a repackaged Galaxy Z Flip 6, but with an Exynos chip instead of a Snapdragon one, less RAM, and much more boring colors. And at $900, it's not exactly cheap. While you could do worse than the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, you could do a lot better, too. Before you spend your money on it, here are five Flip 7 FE alternatives I think you should buy instead. Which phone do you think is the best Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE alternative? 0 votes Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 NaN % Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 NaN % Motorola Razr (2025) NaN % Motorola Razr Ultra NaN % Samsung Galaxy S25 NaN % Other (let us know in the comments) NaN % Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Hadlee Simons / Android Authority The first Z Flip 7 FE alternative I'd recommend starting with is the phone it's so heavily inspired by: the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The Flip 6 is essentially the same phone as the Flip 7 FE, but with better performance, nicer colors, and potentially a much lower price. First and foremost, almost everything about the Flip 6 and Flip 7 FE is the same. Both phones have a 6.7-inch inner display, 3.4-inch cover screen, 50MP primary camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, 4,000mAh battery, and 25W wired charge speeds — all crammed into a body with the exact same dimensions and weight. So what's different? The Flip 6 has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, whereas the Flip 7 FE has an Exynos 2400. Both chips performed similarly in our testing, though the Snapdragon one is slightly more powerful. Combined with Flip 6 featuring 12GB of RAM instead of the 8GB that the Flip 7 FE has, last year's Flip is the more technically capable. It's a minor advantage, but an advantage nonetheless. Perhaps more importantly, the Flip 6 comes in lovely blue, green, and yellow colors — all of which are worlds better than the boring white and black Flip 7 FE colors. The best part, though, is the price. Since the Flip 6 has been available for about a year, it's pretty easy to find massive discounts at carriers and retailers. And if you're OK buying refurbished or renewed, you can find even better savings that way. You may need to look around a bit, but with the right deal, the Flip 6 is a no-brainer purchase over the Flip 7 FE. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Solid dual-camera setup • Excellent build quality • Class-leading update commitment MSRP: $1,099.99 The Flip gets refreshed. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 introduces several exciting updates over previous Flip phones. It is equipped with a larger battery, improved cooling, and a next-gen chipset. 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage mean you do not need to compromise on performance. The 3.4-inch front display offers info at a glance, while the 6.7-inch 22:9 main AMOLED display offers a 120Hz refresh rate. See price at Samsung See price at Amazon Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Joe Maring / Android Authority Going a step further, I also think there's a strong argument to be made for going all out with the flagship Galaxy Z Flip 7. While it is more expensive ($1,100 vs. the Flip 7 FE's $900 price), I'd argue that it's money well spent. By far, the most significant benefit of choosing the Flip 7 over the Flip 7 FE is the cover display. Not only is the 4.1-inch panel on the Flip 7 larger, but it's also sharper, brighter, and smoother. It's the best cover display hardware we've ever seen on a Z Flip, and it makes a very noticeable difference in daily use. The display technology for the inner screen is largely the same on both phones, though the Flip 7 has a slightly larger overall size and slimmer bezels. The Flip 7 also gets a newer 3nm Exynos 2500 chipset, double the base storage (256GB instead of 128GB), 12GB of RAM, and a larger 4,300mAh battery. I think those upgrades make the $200 price difference easily justifiable, especially when ongoing trade-in deals and other promotions can knock down the $1,100 sticker price considerably. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Largest ever Flex Window • 6.9-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X folding screen • 7 years of updates MSRP: $1,099.00 Melds Galaxy AI with the new edge-to-edge FlexWindow With a 6.9-inch main display and a 4.1-inch FlexWindow outer display, the Samsung Galaxy Flip 7 focuses on putting AI smarts in your pocket. Measuring just 13.74mm thick when folded, it's the slimmest Z Flip phone yet. Packed with a 50MP camera and a suite of AI tools, Samsung calls the Z Flip 7 a "pocket-sized selfie studio." See price at Amazon See price at Samsung See price at Amazon Save $200.00 Limited Time Deal! Motorola Razr (2025) Ryan Haines / Android Authority But let's say the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is too rich for your blood. If you're interested in the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE primarily because of its lower price, I'd steer you toward the Motorola Razr (2025) instead. In every regard, the Razr (2025) is either similar to or better than the Flip 7 FE. Starting with the displays, the Razr features a slightly larger 3.6-inch cover screen, but more importantly, it has a significantly higher resolution and a smoother 90Hz refresh rate (the Flip 7 FE is stuck with a 60Hz one). The Razr also benefits from 256GB of base storage, a larger 4,500mAh battery, and faster wired charging. Both phones have comparable chips, the same 8GB of RAM, and similar rear camera setups. The kicker, however, is that the Motorola Razr (2025) costs just $700. Throw in some wonderfully fun color options, and it's far and away the better value foldable between the two. Motorola Razr (2025) Motorola Razr (2025) Improved hinge • Flexible cameras • Excellent price MSRP: $699.99 The most affordable 2025 Razr A good looking 6.9-inch folding display is paired with a 3.6-inch external display to make up a compact folded phone, with few compromises at full-size. The Motorola Razr 2025 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300X and 8GB of RAM, a 50MP camera, and a 4,500mAh battery. See price at Amazon Motorola Razr Ultra Ryan Haines / Android Authority The Razr (2025) is proof that Motorola knows how to craft a great mid-tier foldable. If you're curious about what an all-out flagship from the company looks like, look no further than the Motorola Razr Ultra. Compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, the Razr Ultra beats it in every single way. In fact, it's one of the most highly specced and capable flip phones on the market today. Between the 4-inch cover screen with a 165Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of base storage, 4,700mAh battery, and 68W wired charging, the Razr Ultra has virtually everything you could ask for. As you might expect, this does come at a price — $1,300 to be exact. That's definitely not 'affordable' and is significantly more expensive than the Flip 7 FE. However, the Razr Ultra is the best in its league. If you value having a top-tier cover screen, capable cameras, excellent battery life, and fast charging, splurging for it over the Flip 7 FE might make sense. Finally, while the Razr Ultra is expensive, Motorola has proven that it can offer excellent promotions for the phone. You'll still pay a pretty penny, but it should be fairly easy to save a few bucks and/or get some freebies. Motorola Razr Ultra Motorola Razr Ultra Blisteringly fast charging and excellent battery life • Ultra-flagship-tier performance • Top-notch materials and eye-catching Pantone colors MSRP: $1,299.99 High-end processing power in a folding shell Adding Ultra to the name, the Motorola Razr Ultra is the first folding phone from Moto with a top-tier processor. The 7-inch folding display is paired with a half-size front display to give you both a premium experience, and a compact and portable communication device. See price at Amazon Samsung Galaxy S25 Joe Maring / Android Authority My last pick is the only 'normal' non-folding phone on this list, and before you immediately write it off, at least hear me out. While it may lack the fun flip-phone design, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is a better and cheaper option than the Flip 7 FE. There's no cover screen on the Galaxy S25, but its single 6.2-inch display looks great and is compact enough that you can easily use the phone one-handed. The S25's Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is among the best available today, and the addition of a dedicated telephoto camera is a feature not found on the Flip 7 FE or any of the other Samsung phones mentioned on the list. Combined with an IP68 rating (compared to IP48 on the FE) and 12GB of RAM, those are a lot of perks. The Galaxy S25 isn't a particularly exciting phone, but it is a practical one. And with a starting price of just $800, you'll keep some extra money in your wallet, too. Follow
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Huffing and puffing our way out of the group stage'
St Mirren fans, we asked for your views on Sunday's Premier Sports Cup win over Ayr United. Here's what some of you had to say:David: Huffing and puffing our way out of the group stage. Sure we are bedding in a lot of new players and the group format is nonsense but we desperately need a new striker and creative Stephen Robinson can try to paint a positive picture out of the matches, however the second half performance was extremely poor. I worry for both the left and right hand side of the defence, and that is two weeks in a row that we have conceded from a straightforward corner. Play like that second half and Celtic will walk over us next Sunday. Best described as "curate's egg" performance with more bad than good unfortunately!John: Can't argue with Scott Brown, we should have been out of sight by half time but well done to Ayr for their second half Any win in a cup tie is well deserved. Some fans should look back on previous so called easy ties and realise that getting into the next round is the main aim. Well done to the team and I was at the match and have been a St Mirren fan all my life, the first half we played well second half we eased off and credit to Ayr who deserved their goal. Here's to a good season ahead and we get top six again and are a bit more consistent.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Brown expects 'quality' from teenage Celtic duo
Scott Brown is expecting 19-year-old Celtic midfielders Jude Bonnar and Kyle Ure "to add quality" to his Ayr United side on loan this made his third appearance as the former Celtic midfielder's side lost 2-1 in their final Premier Sports Cup group game away to St Mirren on Brown credited the half-time substitute with helping turn the game in the Championship side's favour after going into the break two goals down to their top-flight hosts."The change of shape and personnel helped and I thought Jude coming into the middle of the park was exceptional and that helped us keep the ball - also a bit of urgency and aggresseness as well," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound."Coming from Celtic to come in and play for us like that, it looks like he's been part of this team for some time."Bonnar scored in his debut as a substitute in Ayr's opening 4-0 win over Arbroath and started their 3-0 defeat of Forfar Athletic, while Ure played the closing minutes in Paisley."Obviously, if you are good enough, you get game time and Jude so far has shown he's not out of his depth and he can probably push on again," Brown added. "Kyle we've not seen too much of just yet, but he was only just in training the other day and gets his minutes on the park today. "The two of them are fantastic footballers and it's another two lefties in the team and they have a good understanding of the game and they want to better themselves. "Hopefully they can get game time and, at the same time, add quality on the pitch."
STV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Killian Phillips at double as St Mirren advance in cup with win over Ayr
Killian Phillips' first-half double set St Mirren on course for a 2-1 home victory over William Hill Championship side Ayr United as they booked their place in the second round of the Premier Sports Cup as Group D winners. Scott Brown's Honest Men also progressed as one of the three best runners-up despite losing their perfect record in the competition against their William Hill Premiership hosts. Dunfermline were waiting in the wings hoping to profit from any Saints slip-up or an unlikely nine-goal defeat for Ayr, but Neil Lennon's side are now out of the competition. St Mirren and Ayr join top-flight contingent Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian, Dundee United, Hearts, Motherwell, Kilmarnock, Livingston and Falkirk plus Championship trio Partick Thistle, St Johnstone and Morton and League One outfit Alloa in the last 16. Dundee – eliminated after losing their opening two fixtures – were the only top-flight side to fail to make it through the group stage. St Mirren, who gave a debut to on-loan Wycombe keeper Shamal George, knew they needed some kind of positive result to ensure they did not follow the Dee in crashing out at the first hurdle. A win would secure top spot in the group while a penalty shootout victory following a draw would have been enough to take Stephen Robinson's side through as one of the best runners-up. Any tension in the Buddies camp was eased in the 16th minute when they went ahead after Phillips fired home Roland Idowu's cutback from 15 yards out. The recently-capped Republic of Ireland midfielder doubled his tally in the 38th minute when he turned home another Idowu delivery from just outside the six-yard box. Ayr pulled one back in the 64th minute when Kevin Holt headed home Dom Thomas' corner to ensure a nervy finale for the hosts, but in the end both sides made it into the last 16. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
5 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
How the groups look as clubs eye place in League Cup second round
There are nine places in the League Cup second round up for grabs as the group stage comes to a close this weekend. Motherwell and Hearts have already booked their places in Sunday's draw along with European qualifiers Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United. The eight group winners qualify for the last 16 along with the three runners-up with the best records. The three group winners with the best records will be seeded in the draw along with the five European qualifiers. Here is the state of play in each group ahead of the finale. Falkirk will secure top spot if they beat Spartans at home. Cove Rangers are only a point behind ahead of their trip to Queen's Park while Spartans will leapfrog the Bairns if they pull off a shock. Falkirk's superior goal difference could help them out if they are held to a draw. It's all to play for in Dingwall as leaders Partick Thistle aim to maintain their 100 per cent record and potentially seal a seeded place in the draw. Ross County need to beat the Jags to move above them, although a draw and shoot-out success could potentially seal a best runners-up spot. Another winner-takes-all encounter takes place at the Albert Bartlett Stadium where Airdrie and Alloa will put their perfect records on the line. A winner would also be in the running for a seeded place. It all comes down to Sunday's game in Paisley where St Mirren need to beat Ayr to claim top spot. A draw would suffice for Scott Brown's side and a win would put them in a strong position to claim a seeded place given their goal difference of 12. Even a defeat could see Ayr progress as best runners-up. They will know exactly what is needed by then. Hearts have put themselves in a commanding position to claim a seeded place given they finished on 12 points and a goal difference of 15. Dunfermline can move on to nine points and will be looking to add to their goal difference of two when they host Stirling, to push for a best runners-up place. St Johnstone are looking to continue their perfect record and boost their goal difference of 5 when they host Elgin. Inverness need to beat Raith Rovers and hope Saints suffer a shock defeat to win the group, but with a goal difference of five, they would be contenders for a best runners-up spot if they win in Kirkcaldy and the hosts get a result in Perth. Motherwell finished on 11 points and still have a slim chance of being among the seeds. Morton and Clyde both have six points and are playing for second place at Cappielow, but a winner would likely need to boost their goal difference significantly in order to qualify for the second round. Kilmarnock will guarantee top spot if they beat second-placed East Fife at home but Livingston are only a point behind ahead of hosting Kelty Hearts. Even fourth-placed Kelty have a chance of topping the group but Livi will also have an eye on a best runners-up spot if Killie slip up and they can find some goals. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
