World’s cheapest flip phone that (hopefully) won’t flop: ~$420 for ZTE’s Libero Flip

World’s cheapest flip phone that (hopefully) won’t flop: ~$420 for ZTE’s Libero Flip،

“What’s that thing that costs as much as a flagship (or more), but doesn’t have the latest and greatest?”

To which we can say: “Yeah, but it’s really nice to carry a foldable phone!” »

Here's a phone that folds in half, but after you buy it, your wallet will still be full enough that it won't fold in half as well: the ZTE Libero Flip, an all-new flip.

It is now in Japan (apparently it was launched in the land of the rising sun first and China will follow soon) and it sells for around $420. Nice number, although $399 would be even better. Pre-orders are already underway and the Libero Flip is expected to hit shelves on February 29.

Is it the cheapest on the market?

Until five minutes ago, the most affordable phone capable of Flip(s) was the Moto Razr 2023. Launched at $699, it was initially available for $599 thanks to a $100 discount at various retailers . Eventually, Motorola discounted the Razr 2023 (apparently permanently) to $499. This makes the ZTE Libero Flip even cheaper at around $420 in Japan, but it remains to be seen whether the price should remain when (rather – if) it launches in Japan. United States.

What can $420 get me?

The world's cheapest flip phone that (hopefully) won't fail: ~$420 for ZTE's Libero Flip

Chinese devices and flagships often turn out to be very cost-effective (not you, Xiaomi 14 Ultra – rumor has it this one could come to the EU for over $1,600!), with ridiculous specs for several hundred dollars less than phones bearing Samsung, Apple or Google inscriptions.

Four hundred dollars for a foldable phone can't get you anything magical in 2024, but it doesn't have to: some people just want to try a foldable phone without breaking the bank.

Gizmochina reports that the Libero Flip is ZTE's first vertically foldable 5G phone. Under the hood, there's the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset – again, don't expect anything crazy in terms of raw power, but it should be enough to handle various everyday tasks. The storage configuration is just one, apparently: 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage.

The interior screen is a 6.9 inch with a resolution of 2790 × 1188 px; the exterior screen is a fun-looking 1.43-inch circular hatch. This external display supports a range of features, including using the camera for selfies, step tracking, weather updates, and music playback control.

Coming to the cameras, the Libero Flip comes with a 50-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel depth-of-field lens. On the front, it offers a 16-megapixel shooter for selfies. The device is said to be able to rest between 60 and 110 degrees, allowing you to use the camera by placing it on a table for smoother selfies.

There are three color options to choose from: Gold, White and Blue. It measures 76mm wide and has a slim profile of 7.3mm when unfolded (15.5mm when folded). It weighs 214g and has an IP42 dust and water resistance rating.

In terms of battery life, the Libero Flip offers a robust 4,310mAh capacity and supports 33W QC4+/PD3.0 fast charging. The device can be fully charged in 73 minutes.

By the way: Nubia, the brand formerly a subsidiary of ZTE, could possibly launch a phone called Nubia Flip 5G, which was spotted in the IMEI database a few months ago. Could the Nubia Flip 5G be the rebranded ZTE Libero Flip scheduled for global release? We'll have to wait and see, but let's hope the price doesn't exceed $399. Or $420.