Oppo flips in with the Find N2 Flip
By Shawn Chung - Singapore
Oppo’s foray into foldable and flippable devices is well documented, with the Find N2 Flip debuting in the Chinese domestic market in December last year.
At MWC 2023 in Barcelona a couple of weeks back, Oppo announced the global debut of this new device and announced its European prices, but more recently in Singapore, Oppo held a media event to launch the Find N2 Flip in Singapore and Malaysia, and loudnwireless.com was there to leave our oily fingerprints all over one.
With the advent of flexible electronic displays and devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Flip, the Huawei Mate X and the Motorola Razer in 2019, we had expectations that foldable devices would quickly become a trend, but the technical complexity and cost of foldables, plus the two years we spent in lockdown, has lead to the dreaded SUPPLY CHAIN issue, which still has lingering effect in 2023.
We spoke to Oppo during the launch event, and they were very clear of the various constraints in play, from foldables being considered a niche device, and without the mass production scale of mainstream smartphones, to the need to properly engineer the hinge on the device. Flip smartphones, in general, now have a US$200 premium over their traditional counterpart - for almost exactly the same technical specifications, and this is a major barrier that stops consumers from purchasing one.
This year’s MWC, however, showcased a new wave of Foldable devices, including the Motorola Rizr, an update of the Huawei P50 Pocket, and the Honor Magic VS, while OnePlus announced an upcoming foldable device that will launch later this year, thought Oppo is the first out the gate with the new Find N2 Flip.
The new OPPO Find N2 Flip features a flagship camera system with a Sony IMX890 sensor, MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ power, ultra-fast dual-SIM 5G connectivity, and best-in-class charging speeds.
Measuring 3.26 inches, the Find N2 Flip's cover screen is the largest of any flip phone currently available. Its extra size makes everything easier to do, be it taking selfies or checking notifications. The vertical orientation is also a game-changer, allowing the cover screen to display as many as six notifications in one view. Consumers can also reply to messages quickly in mainstream messenger apps, toggle settings, record a voice note, answer a call and more – all without picking up or opening the phone.
The Find N2 Flip's cover screen is home to one of five interactive pets and users can choose between a bird, cat, dog, hamster or rabbit to keep them company. From playful to laugh-out-loud, users can set a GIF as their cover screen wallpaper for memes on loop, and sticker packs from Bitmoji can be set as their AOD (always-on display). In addition to Bitmoji and OMOJI stickers, the AOD also displays helpful insights including the time, date, power status, and notifications.
With polished aluminum sides, a fingerprint-resistant glass cover and a unique micro-etched wave pattern across the hinge, while the Find N2 Flip has a simplified design, it feels rich in the hand and is available in two colors: Astral Black and Moonlit Purple.
Weighing just 6.7 ounces (191g) and measuring 0.293 inches (7.45mm) when open, the Find N2 Flip is thin and light, and with its micro-arc, precision curved glass back cover, it fits comfortably in the hand, whether open or closed.
Its immense 6.8-inch E6 AMOLED display is also picture perfect, with cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Viewability is also excellent across environments thanks to an advanced Anti-Reflection film and up to 1600 nits of brightness.
The Find N2 Flip’s flagship 50MP main camera features a large Sony IMX890 sensor with an f/1.8 lens – a strong foundation for incredible imaging. See more and capture with confidence, as the largest cover screen of any flip phone gives the clearest selfie previews available. Users can make use of the Dual Preview function to see how they look when they are taking a photo or video using the rear camera.
The Find N2 Flip’s 17:9 aspect ratio cover screen is the same vertical orientation as the phone’s camera sensor, which reduces the cropping to a minimum for maximum detail, while with FlexForm Mode, the Find N2 Flip holds its position mid-fold between 45º and 110º for waist-level dynamic angles, and evocative 4K time-lapse video.
FlexForm Mode also turns the flip phone into a tripod-steady, hands-free camera. Just part-fold it, place it on a surface and then trigger the shutter release with an open palm gesture – perfect for group shots. It also harnesses the power of the 32MP selfie camera. With its Sony IMX709 sensor, autofocus, and wide-angle lens, rest the phone down for a high-quality hands-free video call, with FlexForm mode optimized for apps like WhatsApp and Zoom.
Co-developed with the legendary camera manufacturer Hasselblad, Find N2 Flip captures pro-grade colors, a fully featured Professional Mode, and its unique XPAN mode freezes time in a wide, cinematic frame. While the use of Oppo’s own in-house imaging NPU, MariSilicon X, boosts night video to capture ultra-clear 4K footage in low light, and users can also hold the phone part-folded and sideways, just like a camcorder for a steadier grip.
Much of what makes the Find N2 Flip incredible is made possible by its New Generation Flexion Hinge, which works in harmony with the main display to create a robust, folding screen with an incredibly subtle crease. The hinge’s miniaturized design is made up of fewer components than the original Flexion Hinge, and in its intricate simplicity, OPPO has also achieved a new standard of mechanical stability. The New Generation Flexion Hinge is more compact than ever, creating more space for a larger cover screen and a higher-capacity, faster-charging battery.
There is no hinge gap when the Find N2 Flip is closed, so it keeps dust out, and the phone has been certified by TÜV Rhineland to withstand over 400,000 folds and unfolds at standard room temperature. That's equivalent to opening and closing the phone around 100 times a day for more than ten years, and it's also tested up to 100,000 times at 50ºC and 95 percent humidity, and at -20ºC. Thanks to Flexion Hinge, the Find N2 Flip’s touchscreen has a barely discernible crease in its open configuration.
The Find N2 Flip crams a massive 4,300mAh battery into its compact body, and the Find N2 Flip is the first flip phone to confidently offer a full day of use on a single charge. OPPO has also included the fastest charging of any flip phone on the Find N2 Flip – 44W SUPERVOOC, taking the battery from nearly empty to 50 per cent in just 23 minutes, and up to 100 per cent in less than one hour.
Pricing and Availability
The OPPO Find N2 Flip (with 8GB RAM, 256GB storage) will be available on the 10th of March in Malaysia for RM3,999, and the 11th of March in Singapore for SG$1,299. Pre-orders are now available at Oppo Concept Stores and online at Amazon, iShopChangi, Lazada, Qoo10, Shopee, TikTok and Challenger.
The device is now available globally, including the UK for GBP£849, and Australia for AU$1,499.