There Isn’t a Flawless Flip Phone Cover Screen, But One Approaches Closer Than Others
In the constantly changing landscape of smartphones, flip phones have made a fashionable and practical resurgence. Among their key features is the cover screen — the compact external display that lets users engage with their device without needing to open it. While this capability might initially appear to be a gimmick, it has demonstrated its worth as a helpful tool for quick tasks, notifications, and even complete app usage. However, not all cover screens are made the same.
Two major contenders in the flip phone arena — Motorola and Samsung — have adopted distinct strategies regarding the cover screen experience. The Motorola Razr Plus 2024 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 both feature external displays, but only one is on the verge of delivering a genuinely smooth experience.
Motorola Razr Plus 2024: A Cover Screen That Nearly Gets It Right
Motorola has raised the bar with the Razr Plus 2024. From the get-go, the cover screen is user-friendly and ready to go. There’s no need for complicated setups or additional apps. Users can quickly activate the app widget, tailor their app list, and dive into their favorite apps directly from the cover screen.
The Razr’s external display is sizeable and almost square, providing sufficient space for apps to operate comfortably. This design choice reduces UI overlap and facilitates more practical multitasking. Motorola even incorporates a multitasking view for users to alternate between apps — a feature conspicuously absent in Samsung’s model.
Moreover, Motorola’s cover screen accommodates a broad array of widgets and panels, including weather, contacts, games, and beyond. The option to pin commonly used apps to the home screen significantly improves usability.
However, the Razr Plus is not without its drawbacks. The positioning of the dual camera system in the bottom right corner of the display can impede UI components, especially in messaging apps. Motorola has devised a clever solution — users can slide the app UI upward to sidestep the obstruction, though it remains a minor hassle.
Another limitation is the lack of access to the complete Settings app from the cover screen. While users can toggle Bluetooth and other quick settings, pairing new devices still mandates opening the phone. Social media apps such as Instagram also struggle with vertical videos, often zooming in and truncating crucial content.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Potential Compromised by Complexity
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6, although a formidable device, stumbles in the cover screen aspect. The setup process is tedious, requiring users to navigate Samsung’s Good Lock app and activate the MultiStar module just to operate third-party apps on the cover screen. Even with enhancements in One UI 7, the experience remains disjointed.
The Z Flip 6’s cover screen is smaller and more restrictive, resulting in squeezed app interfaces and overlapping UI elements. Notifications are confined to pre-approved apps, and users must open the phone to adjust widgets or app accessibility.
Multitasking is nearly nonexistent. There’s no app switcher available, necessitating users to exit one app and manually load another from the launcher panel. The quick settings menu is also fixed and unmodifiable, hindering customization.
Samsung’s keyboard limitation poses another issue — users are compelled to utilize Samsung Keyboard on the cover screen, regardless of their preference for alternatives like Gboard. This inconsistency can frustrate those who depend on their favored input methods.
Despite these shortcomings, the Z Flip 6 does provide some handy panels for quick tasks like checking the weather or managing music. However, overall, the experience feels more like an auxiliary feature than an integral part of the phone.
The Verdict: Motorola Approaches Closer to Ideal
While neither device presents a perfect cover screen experience, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 undoubtedly comes nearer to that aim. Its larger display, straightforward setup, multitasking features, and superior integration with Google services render it the more practical option for users wishing to maximize their flip phone experience without frequent openings.
Conversely, Samsung has work to do. Streamlining the setup, broadening app compatibility, and enhancing multitasking could significantly elevate the Galaxy Z Flip’s cover screen competitiveness.
Looking Ahead
As we advance into 2025, both Motorola and Samsung have chances to hone their designs. The forthcoming Razr Plus 2025 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 might bring essential enhancements to the cover screen experience. Until that time, the Razr Plus 2024 remains the best — albeit not flawless — illustration of how a cover screen ought to function on a contemporary flip phone.
Ultimately, the ideal cover screen should transcend being a mere novelty. It ought to serve as a practical extension of the smartphone experience — and Motorola is paving the way.
