Daily Authority: 👏 Almost flipping impossible

🌤️ Good day all, and welcome to the Daily Authority. I hope you’re having a wonderful October thus far. We’ve certainly been kept plenty busy thanks to Google and Apple. But today, we’re changing pace.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is great for those seeking an alternative compact phone, but it has one critical design flaw — it’s almost impossible to use with one hand.

The Galaxy Z Flip 4’s biggest issue?

• The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 received high praise in our review for its subtle but meaningful improvements in almost every department.
• We also loved its compact design when folded, which extends to a more usable 6.7-inch screen when opened.
• But in this nifty design trick also lies the phone’s biggest annoyance.
• As AA‘s Hadlee Simons explains, it’s difficult to use the phone with one hand, making it a pretty impractical phone.
• “This is particularly irksome when I’m at the grocery store with a basket and want to check my shopping list. It’s also an inconvenience when I’m carrying something else in one hand (such as a carrier bag, food, water bottle, etc.).”

So how do you open this thing?

• If you don’t use two hands, you can’t really open it in a safe manner.
• We’ve seen some people wedge a finger into the gap and flick open the phone like a knife.
• But we wouldn’t advise doing this.
• Samsung advises against putting too much pressure on the folding screen, as your nail could damage the display.
• You could also use your chest or abdomen to gently nudge open the screen, but this is not at all graceful or dignified.
• All in all, if you don’t have two hands at the ready, prepare to learn how to open this phone and worry about damaging it.
• Of course, it doesn’t have to be like this.

Please fix this, Samsung

• We believe in the “flip phone is a compact phone” adage, but Samsung needs to fix this huge annoyance.
• For one, the company could consider reducing the number of magnets holding the phone’s two halves together. Samsung could also decrease the magnets’ strength, making the phone easier to pull apart.
• But this could brew its own potential set of problems.
• Alternatively, a little notch on the bottom of the phone could improve finger grip when using one hand to open it.
• Then there is the solution phones in the 1990s used — a spring-loaded hinge.
• Notably, Motorola has used this design as recently as the Motorola Razr 5G, but for Samsung, this design would mean no Flex Mode.
• Whatever solution Samsung decides to use, it’ll likely cement the Galaxy Z Flip’s place as one of the best alternative compact phones around.

Roundup

📡 Has Google finally fixed the reception problems with the Pixel 7 series? Here’s the cross-continental answer (Android Authority).

📸 We put Google’s Pixel 7 Pro’s macro mode under the microscope. How did it perform? (Android Authority).

🍏 Tested: Has Apple finally shrugged off its reputation for poor battery life with the iPhone 14 series? (Android Authority).

🍎 iMessage isn’t just about texting, it’s a crafty play to win over the next generation of customers (Android Authority).

🗳️ Apple Store workers in Oklahoma vote to unionize, making it the second Apple store in the US to do so (The Verge).

💻 How a Microsoft blunder opened millions of PCs to potent malware attacks (Ars Technica).

🎮 Razer Edge pricing, specs revealed: Does it have the edge over rival handhelds? (Android Authority).

🌞 From emissions-free heating to greener fertilizer: How limitless green energy would change the world (BBC).

🔋 6 common battery myths you probably believe and definitely shouldn’t (Android Authority).

🐕 The search for a pill that can help dogs (and humans) live longer (Wired).

🛫 Wisk wants to be the Uber of the skies, but will its low-cost transport dream ever take off? (CNET).

🧇 Non-Americans, what do you think every American person has in their house? (r/askreddit).

Monday Meme

We’re deep into spooky season, but not everything should be about staying up late and gobbling candy. Keeping active during the latter half of the year is incredibly important for your health and wellness.

Don’t just take it from us…

Thankfully, you don’t need a Peloton to stay fit.

• If you ever wanted to know anything about breaking a sweat, find our best tips here.
• We’ve rounded up some great fitness apps to get you into shape. Several have free tiers, too.
• Don’t fancy running around the block? Enjoy a home workout with these apps.
• If you find apps a little too boring, workout games are a thing too.

Between candy consumption and getting your heart rate up, be sure to browse our Halloween content, from the best horror movies to the best horror shows.

Until next time,

Andy Walker, Editor.