As an alternative of zoom ranges, Nubia lists focal size (the gap the place lens and sensor converge) measured in millimeters, and smaller numbers imply a wider area of view and depth of area. The Flip 5G digicam offers you an choice of fifty mm or 26 mm. There isn’t any telephoto lens, so zooming tends to clean out particulars. The processing is usually heavy-handed, typically taking a second or two and leading to an oil portray impact.
Most elective modes, together with portrait, are poor, and the ensuing images by no means look pure, however you’ll be able to obtain an affordable bokeh impact with the common digicam. Depend on the automated settings and you’ll be disenchanted usually. It really works higher when you flip off the AI and greatest in case you are ready to tinker with Professional mode, however there’s plenty of gimmicky fluff within the digicam app. There isn’t a lot name to make use of the 16-megapixel front-facing digicam exterior of video calls, however it’s satisfactory.
Software program Worries
The Nubia Flip 5G will get off to a nasty begin on the software program entrance, with the already outdated MyOS 13 on high of Android 13. It’s pretty near inventory Android, however there’s some bloatware and pointless shortcuts to obtain apps and video games you virtually actually don’t need.
It’s vital to notice that the duvet display doesn’t help third-party apps. It might probably show notifications, music controls, climate, your calendar, a pedometer, a stopwatch, or a voice recorder, and it lets you take selfies with the principle digicam, however that’s about it. The “interactive” pets are tremendous cute (my daughter cherished the cat), however they aren’t actually interactive; they’re simply animated wallpapers.
Nubia has a poor observe document for updates. After I requested the corporate for readability, it couldn’t present a particular timeline for Android 14 or subsequent updates. Based mostly on previous telephones, you’ll be fortunate to get three years, and that’s woeful when you think about Google is providing seven years for the equally priced Pixel 8A.
The closest competitor is the Motorola Razr (2023) and, sadly, Motorola can be dangerous at software program updates. There isn’t a lot to separate the 2 past the totally different designs. I choose the look of the Nubia Flip 5G. It expenses quicker and comes with extra storage. However the Razr helps wi-fi charging and scores an IP52 score. One last consideration which may swing it for Motorola is community compatibility. The Flip 5G needs to be largely OK on T-Cellular or AT&T within the States, however cross-check supported bands along with your provider before you purchase.
For those who can dwell with out the fold, choose one thing higher from the greatest low-cost telephones. If you’re set on a folding flip telephone, attempt to discover an additional $200 or so for one thing just like the Motorola Razr+ (7/10, WIRED Recommends) or Samsung Z Flip5, which each supply a extra helpful cowl display. In the end, I loved utilizing the Nubia Flip 5G, and it’s cute sufficient that my 11-year-old daughter requested to commerce it for her Pixel 6.