Latest news with #coverdisplay
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Android Authority
I loved the Galaxy Z Flip 7's new cover screen until the software ruined it
I love flip phone foldables. More specifically, I love flip phones with big cover screens. Being able to comfortably reply to texts, check notifications, and use apps on a large, high-quality cover screen is one of my favorite things about the flip phone form factor — and it's why I was so excited to get my hands on the Galaxy Z Flip 7. For the last couple of years, Samsung's cover screen tech has paled in comparison to its competitors, namely Motorola in the US. For all Samsung has gotten right with the Z Flip series, its small, low-resolution, and low-refresh-rate cover displays have always lagged behind the competition. But not so this year. I've had the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for just about a day, and I've spent most of my time playing with the new cover screen. It's a massive improvement over Samsung's previous attempts and by far the best we've seen on a Z Flip yet. But as much as I love the hardware, Samsung's software greatly holds everything back. Do you think the Galaxy Z Flip 7's cover screen was worth the wait? 0 votes Yes, it's exactly what I've been waiting for. NaN % I love the hardware, but the software is disappointing. NaN % No, I'm not impressed by it at all. NaN % Other (let us know in the comments). NaN % The Galaxy Z Flip 7's cover screen hardware is exceptional Joe Maring / Android Authority I want to start by talking about what Samsung got right, which, admittedly, is a lot. The most obvious upgrade over the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is the display size, which has increased from 3.4 inches to 4.1 inches. That new full-screen design, combined with impressively thin bezels, is a truly impressive sight to behold. Apps, like Telegram and Slack, are easy to navigate and don't feel cramped in the slightest. I can see a long list of notifications without scrolling, and typing on the cover screen's keyboard is far more comfortable than it was on the Flip 6. An extra 0.7 inches may not sound like much, but in practice, it's a night-and-day difference. And as much as I've enjoyed the cover screen's extra real estate, that's not the only hardware upgrade I've been thrilled with. The resolution jump from 720 x 748 to 948 x 1048 is immediately noticeable. Where the Flip 6's cover screen looked grainy and fuzzy to my eyes, the Flip 7's is as sharp as a tack. Joe Maring / Android Authority The upgrade from a 60Hz refresh rate to 120Hz is even more apparent, making the cover screen feel fluid and responsive in a way no Z Flip cover screen has felt previously. Additionally, the brightness increase (from 1600 nits up to a staggering 2600 nits) has been immensely helpful when using the Flip 7 in direct sunlight. I've been waiting for the day that Samsung finally released a Z Flip with a cover screen that didn't feel stuck in the past. Having now used the Z Flip 7, I can confidently say that day has finally come. At least, it has from a hardware perspective. But the software is another story Joe Maring / Android Authority Unfortunately, it's a different conversation we need to have about the cover screen software. In Samsung's efforts to springboard the Flip 7's cover screen hardware into the modern era, the software was largely left behind. Samsung created a big, bright, and sharp display I want to interact with, but numerous roadblocks create a lot of unnecessary friction. The most obvious complaint is that of using apps on the cover screen. Samsung still requires you to jump through extra hoops and use Good Lock if you want to use anything other than Google Maps, Messages, Netflix, or YouTube. It is annoying, though Samsung has slightly simplified the process this year, and it's only something you have to do once. However, this perfectly highlights a far bigger issue. Why create such a high-quality and capable cover screen yet withhold such basic functionality from it? Once the Good Lock widget is on your cover screen, you see all of the apps you've chosen, along with a + icon to add more. Presumably, tapping that icon would allow you to add more apps directly from the cover screen. But no. Instead, it displays an 'Open phone to continue' pop-up, forcing you to open the Flip 7 to proceed. Unfortunately, this is something you see a lot of. Want to customize your current clock face? You need to open the Flip 7. Want to add a new clock design? Open the Flip 7. Want to edit widgets on one of your home screens? Time to open the Flip 7! Even some app notifications refuse to display the notification content on the cover screen, instead telling you to 'Open the phone and check the notification panel for details.' There are other issues, too. You can't customize the quick settings panel on the cover screen, and the toggles that are present are extremely limited compared to the main display (such as only being able to toggle Wi-Fi on/off and not being able to select a specific Wi-Fi network). Also, while you can reply to texts and emails, you have to use the terrible, horrible Samsung Keyboard even if you've set something like Gboard as your default keyboard. I just have one question for Samsung: Why? Why create such a high-quality and capable cover screen yet withhold such basic functionality from it? These are limitations carried over from previous Z Flips, and it feels lazy on Samsung's part not to fix them for the Flip 7's upgraded cover screen. What could have been Joe Maring / Android Authority Sometimes while using the Galaxy Z Flip 7, I'm thrilled with the phone's cover screen. The bigger size is terrific, the resolution and refresh rate upgrades are fantastic, and every interaction is better than one on the Z Flip 6's cover screen. But when I see that 'Open phone to continue' pop-up or am forced to type a typo-ridden message with Samsung Keyboard, the magic fizzles. Samsung finally has a cover screen that's just as good as the competition, and it's a damn shame it's still held back by frustrating software like this. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 easily has the best cover screen of any Z Flip to date, and I wish I could thoroughly love it. But considering how much more it could have been, I'm left feeling a bit disappointed. 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! Follow
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Android Authority
The Galaxy Z Flip 7's new cover screen camera tricks will elevate your selfie game
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR The Galaxy Z Flip 7's larger cover screen greatly improves the camera experience, allowing for much better selfies without unfolding the phone. A revamped camera UI offers more on-screen controls optimized for one-handed use, an enhancement that is also coming to older Z Flip models. Other new features like cover screen effects and FlipShot add visual indicators and customization options to the cover screen while taking photos. People often buy clamshell folding phones for their compact size. When folded, they easily fit into smaller pockets, but the trade-off has always been needing to unfold them for the full smartphone experience. However, the cover screens on these devices keep getting bigger with each new model. The Galaxy Z Flip 7, for instance, now boasts the largest display yet in the Z Flip series. This extra space allows for more on-screen camera controls, promising a much better selfie experience without having to open the phone. A more one-handed friendly Flex Cam The Galaxy Z Flip 7 features a 4.1-inch cover display that spans edge-to-edge, wrapping around the two cameras. In contrast, the previous generation model (and the newer budget FE model) has a 3.4-inch cover display that doesn't encompass the cameras, leaving a large black bezel at the top. This larger screen allows for a revamped camera UI with more controls. Samsung has optimized the layout for one-handed usability by moving the zoom, menu, and gallery buttons to the bottom left. This is a big improvement over the old design, which hid most options behind a dropdown menu in the top right. The zoom toggles and slider have also been shifted from the bottom edge to the left side to be more one-handed friendly. You can even use Samsung's camera filters directly from the cover screen, though fine-tuning them still requires opening the phone. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority If you prefer holding the phone with your right hand to take selfies, you can press and drag any of these controls to move the entire layout to the right side. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority Although these improvements are most impactful on the Galaxy Z Flip 7's larger screen, they aren't exclusive to it. In a forum post (H/T Reddit user FragmentedChicken), Samsung confirmed the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE will have the same cover screen experience. Furthermore, Samsung says these enhancements will also come to the older Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, presumably with the One UI 8 update. Cover screen effects A camera feature exclusive to the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is cover screen effects, which displays a visual indicator around the specific lens being used for a cover screen photo. For example, when you zoom out to 0.6X, a ring of light circles the ultra-wide lens. When you zoom in to 1X and beyond, the ring of light moves to circle the main lens. There are many other effects tied to different camera modes, and while it might take a moment to learn them all, mastering them will elevate your selfie game. Video recording cover screen effect Night Mode countdown cover screen effect Timer countdown cover screen effect FlipShot Lastly, a new feature called FlipShot allows you to display 'stylish photos and messages' on the cover screen, replacing the standard camera preview. This isn't a built-in function but is instead part of MultiStar, one of Good Lock's many customization modules. To use it, you'll first need to set it up: Open the MultiStar module in Good Lock. Tap on 'I ❤️ Galaxy Foldable' and select FlipShot. Create your custom photo or message and toggle the feature on. Once enabled, you'll see a 'FlipShot' button appear above the thumbnail preview in the camera app, which you can tap to activate your custom screen. FlipShot isn't exclusive to the Galaxy Z Flip 7, but Samsung hasn't elaborated on exactly which older models support it. There's still time to pre-order the Galaxy Z Flip 7… If you're looking to score a great deal on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, you should hurry, as the pre-order deals will soon expire. Samsung offers generous discounts during the pre-order period, especially if you have an older Samsung or Apple device to trade in. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
07-06-2025
- Android Authority
Here are 5 ways I actually use the cover screen on my Motorola Razr
Ryan Haines / Android Authority I love the cover screen experience that Motorola has curated for its Razr flip phones. I've said it before — often while bashing the hoops that Samsung makes you jump through to get the same usefulness from its Flex Window — and I'm sure I'll say it again, but only because I believe so strongly in it. As someone who would love to push all his friends to pick up a flip phone, it's much easier to recommend Motorola's open, easy-to-use interface, which is ready to grab and go at a moment's notice. However, just because it's easy doesn't mean people will know how to use it. Suddenly, you have this small, square display in front of you that's both a phone and not quite a phone — it works like one, yet kind of does its own thing. So, with that in mind, I thought I'd sit down and walk through a few of the ways I've started using the cover screen on my Motorola Razr (in this case, the Razr Ultra) every day. Who needs a big keyboard when a little one will do? Ryan Haines / Android Authority My love for all things flip phone started when Samsung launched its Galaxy Z Flip 4. It was my first chance to play around with the form factor, and I immediately knew it was the one for me. And, if you remember the Galaxy Z Flip 4, you'll remember that it had a tiny, inconvenient cover screen that offered little more than a quick peek at an email or the ability to read a text. Sure, you could open the door a little wider with Coverscreen OS, but it never made the cover screen big enough to use comfortably. So, when Motorola cranked its cover screen from a 1.6-inch (or so) window to a sweeping 3.6-inch panel, it changed a few things. Suddenly, I had enough space to open up a full QWERTY keyboard that still gave me just enough space around the edges to see the message I was responding to. And, with that new flexibility, the Razr's cover screen became my favorite place to respond to messages. It's much easier to tap out a quick response and then slot my phone back into my pocket without the temptation to doomscroll social media or check a hundred other things. Of course, I still do those things on the cover screen, but I don't feel quite as drawn to them. Besides, responding to messages on the Razr Ultra's cover screen isn't reserved for just texting. I've managed to keep up with Telegram group chats, Instagram DMs, and an endless stream of emails ahead of a busy summer of launches, all from the comfort of a four-inch display. Don't get me wrong — I'm not sitting here writing this article from the cover screen of my phone, but I could if I wanted to. I have time to waste? Give me a silly little soccer game Ryan Haines / Android Authority Remember when I said I like avoiding the temptation to waste time on my Razr? Well, here's where I immediately admit that was only a half-truth. Or, at least it was true until Motorola added a devious little app called GameSnacks to its cover screen. My stumble into the world of GameSnacks started in the same way as most tech reviewers — with Stack Bounce. Motorola first added it to the Razr Plus (2023), and it inspired something of a competition between all of us. We agreed to give the game our best shot, ultimately acknowledging the highest scorer in all of our reviews (you'll have to go back and read mine to find out who it was). Then, the following year, we all switched to Freekick Football in honor of the World Cup. We ran through the same competition, only to find out that none of us was good enough to earn a high score worth mentioning. Now, on my third generation with a Motorola Razr in my pocket, the world of GameSnacks is my oyster. I'm not competing with any other tech reviewer as much as trying to find the one game I can feel like an expert in. You'd think it would be easy, as GameSnacks has a few dozen titles in its pantry, but I'm still out here looking for it. Perhaps the best (most dangerous) part of wasting time in GameSnacks is that it comes pre-loaded on every Razr by default. It also automatically has a space in the cover screen slider as soon as you set up the phone. You'll need a constant data connection to play, which means it's a no-go on long flights, but I like to think of that as my forced break from screen time. This is the grab-and-go interface that Gemini was meant for Ryan Haines / Android Authority When I think about using my Razr Ultra closed, I'm usually thinking about one thing: making my own life easier. Most of the AI features that Motorola has added are designed to do the same. They do their very best to take the thinking out of my hands and try to let my phone do it for me. And the most convenient part is that I can do a lot of those things from the comfort of my cover screen — it's like a hands-free win-win. Of course, there are limits to which Moto AI features Motorola has ported to its cover screen. You can ask your Razr to Pay Attention, making a note in your digital journal, or Catch Me Up, running through your notifications like text messages, or you can ask Moto AI a question and wait for an answer. Also, if you have the Razr Ultra, you can tap into Look and Talk, which turns your flip phone into a sometimes-watching assistant, waiting for you to come within an arm's reach before it opens a Gemini Live-like interface. I've used a mix of Look and Talk and simply opening Gemini itself, depending on what answers I'm after. I usually opt for Look and Talk for a few faster tasks like kitchen questions while I'm cooking and have to work hands-free, while I'll turn around and ask Gemini for more research-oriented assistance, especially while I'm planning out what to do in Philadelphia around the Grand Slam Track event. It's proven much easier to ask Gemini for a few tips on getting to and from Franklin Field and then having NoteBook LM generate a quick podcast so I can make my plan while I log morning miles. Granted, you'll have to add Gemini to your cover screen via the app drawer — it no longer comes as one of Razr's default four apps. Welcome back, iPod Touch Ryan Haines / Android Authority Back in my pre-smartphone days, my everyday carry was an iPod Touch. As a middle-schooler, I loved that thing. It had all the music I could ever ask for (at least in my iTunes library), and it looked much cooler than the SanDisk MP3 player I got for my tenth birthday. Then, I got my LG G3, and my iPod Touch went in a drawer. My screens got progressively larger, and I had more and more control over what music I was playing once I picked up a Spotify subscription. Now, I love that my Motorola Razr has pushed me back to the good old days. By that, I mean that Motorola's Spotify widget is barebones in a good way. It doesn't let you search for songs, and you can't pick where your playlist starts; you get a grid of the last eight things you played — artists, podcasts, playlists, whatever — and Spotify takes over from there. It's like the perfect mix between my finely trained Spotify algorithm and the radio, just without the pitfalls of either one. That said, there's one fairly large problem with Motorola using Spotify as its default music widget: It doesn't work with the Playlist Studio. See, Motorola decided to add an AI-powered image generator and a playlist generator, but it would only make the latter work with Amazon Music. So, although you can create sets of ten songs to fit just about any prompt, the only way to bring them over to Spotify is to make the playlists by hand. Unfortunately, I think Motorola's new AI feature will lose out to my time-tested Spotify library in this situation, but maybe a future update will change that. I'm learning that social media is best consumed as a microdose Ryan Haines / Android Authority If you haven't figured it out by now, I use the cover screen on my Motorola Razr Ultra a lot. I'm glad Motorola doesn't give me the screen time metrics for it, because I think I'd be ashamed of just how often I whip it out of my pocket for one thing or another. However, my screentime numbers might not be too different from when I reviewed the more traditional Pixel 9 or iPhone 16. In fact, they might be just a little bit better. What I mean is that when I pull a regular old candybar-style phone out of my pocket, everything is right there. I can jump from Spotify to Instagram to TikTok and lose an hour without thinking about it. Everything is perfectly sized to the tall, thin display, which makes it easy to lose track of time. On the Razr Ultra's four-inch cover display, though, social media is inconvenient. You can keep up with the final day of the Premier League season on X (thank you, Manchester United, for beating Aston Villa), but it's tough to catch most of an Instagram post in a single frame, and Reels and TikToks come out small enough that they're not worth doomscrolling. In a way, that slight inconvenience is my favorite part about scrolling social media on the Motorola Razr Ultra's cover screen. I get just enough of a fix, but I'm more willing to pull the plug when the ads become even a little inconvenient. When they do, I simply revisit anything else on this list, and I'm immediately reminded why I fell in love with the Razr to begin with.
