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Samsung's new flip phone puts most Android smartphones to shame (Update: Incredibly expensive)
Update, November 12, 2019 (3:41PM EST): GizmoChina reported that the W2019 with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage costs an astronomical 18,999 yuan (~$2,732). Such a high price already makes it an unreasonable purchase for 99.99 percent of the population, with the remaining .01 percent likely looking to flaunt their stacks of cash.
Original article: Almost one year after Samsung unveiled its ultra-premium W2018 flip phone, GizmoChina reported that the company is back at it again with the equally-premium W2019. As was the case with Samsung’s previous flagship flip phones, the W2019 will only be available in Asia.
In terms of the exterior, it looks like Samsung built an absolute tank with the W2019. Clad in aluminum with a unique-looking hinge, the W2019 looks like it will break the ground if you drop it. Then again, the phone features glass on the front, back, and inside. The back panel is made out of Corning Gorilla Glass, but we do not know if the same can be said of the displays on the outside and inside.
On the sides are a fingerprint reader and Bixby button, while the back features dual 12-megapixel cameras with OIS, 2x optical zoom, video recording up to 4K resolution at 60fps, and Full HD-resolution slow-motion videos at 960fps. The main 12MP sensor also supports f/1.5 and f/2.4 apertures. Around front is a 4.2-inch Super AMOLED display with 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, though there is no headphone jack.
Flip the W2019 open and you can see the second 4.2-inch Super AMOLED display with the same Full HD resolution, a directional pad, and a numeric keypad. Home, Back, Overview, and Copy buttons flank the directional pad.
What you do not see are the Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB of RAM, either 128GB or 256GB of expandable storage, and 3,070mAh battery. The W2019 runs Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, with an update to Android 9 Pie hopefully in the pipeline.
Finally, W2019 owners will have access to exclusive concierge services.
Whether you can stand the design is one thing, but there is no question that the W2019 mostly sounds like a 2018 flagship Android smartphone. Geared towards those with an eye for ultra-premium gadgets, the W2019 looks to sell for over 10,000 yuan (~$1,439). The price makes the W2019 more expensive than the Galaxy Note 9, which launched with a 6,999 yuan (~$1,009) starting price.