ZTE Libero Flip review

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The ZTE Libero Flip is a foldable phone that boasts an affordable price tag, retailing around $4.5 million in Japan. This device's sleek design features a Chic circular external display, sturdy metal frame, and a matte glass back with a distinctive camera design. With components that are solid yet slightly scaled back, the Libero Flip aims to provide a competitive edge at a budget-friendly price. This review will delve into the phone's features, performance, and overall value for money, helping readers decide if this foldable phone is worth considering.

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Key takeaways
The ZTE Libero Flip's battery life is decent but not exceptional, lasting around a day with moderate use.
The ZTE Libero Flip boasts an outstanding display, offering vibrant OLED quality and adjustable refresh rates.
The ZTE Libero Flip's camera delivers decent results, but limitations, such as video recording issues, hold it back.
The ZTE Libero Flip's performance is marred by lag, sluggishness, and battery concerns despite some promising aspects.

Build Quality and Design

The ZTE Libero Flip is one of the most affordable foldable phones on the market, priced around 6 million Dong in Vietnam and approximately 4.x million in other countries. Upon unboxing, I was impressed by its sleek circular external display, which exudes a sense of style and sophistication. The phone's build quality is another story altogether. While it feels sturdy at first glance, upon closer inspection, I noticed that the frame creaks slightly when held firmly. This might be a concern for those who value premium feel in their devices. In contrast to Samsung models, which are known for their robustness, the Libero Flip's build quality is more akin to an average mid-range phone. The design, however, is striking. The matte glass back resists fingerprints and provides a smooth finish, while the camera module boasts a distinctive design that adds visual interest. However, it's worth noting that the foldable hinge, though less pronounced than some competitors, might be a concern for those who value durability. One of the standout features of the Libero Flip is its compact foldable design, which looks incredibly smooth and Sleek. The internal screen boasts an OLED display with a blistering 120 Hz refresh rate, adjustable to 90 Hz for power savings. While my initial impression was that the colors are vivid and truly OLED-like, I did notice a slight yellow tint. Overall, while the ZTE Libero Flip's build quality might not be on par with premium flagships, its design is certainly attention-grabbing. The phone's affordability and feature-packed specs make it an attractive option for those looking to dip their toes into the world of foldable phones. However, I would caution potential buyers to expect a more mid-range feel in terms of build quality.

Battery Life

The ZTE Libero Flip's battery life is a notable aspect of this affordable foldable phone. The device boasts a 4310mAh battery capacity, which is substantial considering its price point. However, during my testing, I found that the actual battery life was not as impressive. In normal usage, the phone lasted around a day with moderate use, including social media browsing, email checking, and some gaming. However, if you're an avid user who likes to listen to music or watch videos for extended periods, you might find yourself needing to recharge the device more frequently. One positive aspect of the battery life is its fast charging capabilities, which support up to 33W. This means that you can quickly top up the battery when it's running low, but unfortunately, this doesn't make up for the relatively short battery life. While the ZTE Libero Flip's battery life is decent, it's not exceptional by any stretch. If you're looking for a phone with all-day battery life without needing to worry about recharging, you might want to consider other options in its price range. However, if you prioritize affordability and are willing to live with some limitations on battery life, the Libero Flip is still worth considering.

Display

The ZTE Libero Flip boasts an impressive display, featuring a stunning Chic circular external screen that's truly eye-catching. Priced at around 6 million Dong in Vietnam and approximately $220 in other markets, this affordable foldable phone offers a lot of value for its price. The main highlight of the display is its vibrant OLED quality, surpassing full HD in resolution with a blistering 120Hz refresh rate that's adjustable to 90Hz for power savings. The colors are vivid, and the display appears to have a slight yellow tint, which might be a minor drawback for some users. One notable feature of the Libero Flip is its OLED display, offering a vibrant visual experience. However, during my testing, I noticed a slight lag in the device, which seemed to improve after restarting it. The screen's Edge displays notifications, and it's quite nice to have this feature available. The 6.9-inch side-screen measures has an OLED display that surpasses full HD quality with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it a visual powerhouse. Overall, I was impressed with the Libero Flip's display, considering its price point. While some minor flaws exist, such as slight lag and a yellow tint, the device still offers an excellent viewing experience. In conclusion, the ZTE Libero Flip's display is a major selling point for this affordable foldable phone. With its vibrant OLED quality, adjustable refresh rate, and impressive color accuracy, it's hard to find fault with this feature at its price point.

Camera

The camera on the ZTE Libero Flip is an intriguing aspect of this budget-friendly foldable phone. While it may not boast high-end specs, it still manages to deliver impressive results. The rear camera setup consists of a 16MP primary sensor, paired with a 50MP lens and a 2MP depth sensor. In ideal lighting conditions, the Libero Flip's camera takes crisp and clear photos with decent color accuracy. However, in low-light situations, the image quality tends to degrade slightly, although it still manages to capture sufficient details. One of the notable aspects of the Libero Flip's camera is its ability to take 4K video at 30fps or full HD video at 60fps. While this may not be as impressive as some other flagships on the market, it still offers a good level of quality for casual users. The selfie camera, which uses the main rear camera lens, produces bright and detailed images with minimal noise. However, its raw footage lacks algorithmic enhancement, resulting in a slightly softer image. One major limitation of the Libero Flip's camera is its inability to record videos using the external screen. This feature is only available as a screen function, not an app capability, which is disappointing considering the phone's foldable design. Overall, while the ZTE Libero Flip's camera may not be the strongest aspect of this phone, it still manages to deliver decent results in various lighting conditions. However, its limitations, such as the inability to record videos using the external screen, hold it back from being a top contender in the camera department.

Price and Value

In the world of foldable phones, affordability is key, but sacrificing quality is often unavoidable. Enter the ZTE Libero Flip, a phone that defies this notion with its impressive features and wallet-friendly price. Priced around 6 million Dong in Vietnam (approximately $260 USD) and just under 4.5 million Yen in Japan ($42 USD), the Libero Flip offers an unbeatable value proposition for those on a budget. This affordability factor makes it an attractive option for users who want to experience the benefits of a foldable phone without breaking the bank. While the design of the Libero Flip may not be as sleek or premium as its competitors, its compact and sturdy build is undeniable. The external display is also a highlight, with vivid colors and a 120Hz refresh rate that makes it perfect for gaming and media consumption. However, the lack of features in certain areas, such as the camera and battery capacity, may raise some eyebrows. In terms of value, the Libero Flip offers an impressive package considering its price. The phone's OLED display is top-notch, with excellent color accuracy and contrast. The foldable design also allows for a unique user experience that is hard to find elsewhere. While the Libero Flip may not be perfect in every aspect, its affordability and overall value make it a compelling choice for those on a budget. If you're looking for a feature-packed phone without breaking the bank, the ZTE Libero Flip is definitely worth considering.

Performance

The ZTE Libero Flip is an affordable foldable phone that promises a lot for its price. In terms of performance, the device shows some promise but also has some notable drawbacks. One of the major issues I encountered was lagging when switching between features on the external display. Even after adjusting the refresh rate to 120Hz, the device would only register as 60Hz. However, after restarting the phone and making some adjustments, the performance improved significantly. Another concern is the battery capacity, which is 4310 milliamps with fast charging standards up to 33w. While this is decent, I'm not convinced that it will be sufficient for heavy users. The camera on the Libero Flip is another area where improvement is needed. With only two rear cameras (a 50MP lens and a 2MP depth sensor) and a limited zoom capability (2X or 6X), the camera quality is decent but not impressive. Furthermore, recording videos using the outer screen is not supported, which is disappointing. In terms of overall performance, the Libero Flip feels sluggish at times, with some delays when switching between apps. However, it's worth noting that restarting the device seems to resolve these issues temporarily. While the ZTE Libero Flip shows promise in terms of design and features, its performance lags behind what I would expect from a mid-range smartphone. With some tweaks and improvements, this device could be a solid contender in the market. However, for now, it's a wait-and-see situation to see if ZTE can address these issues through software updates or future revisions.

Pros

1. The Libro flip is genuinely impressive even when contrasted with the new shomi mix flip from xyi

2. The compact foldable design is undeniably Sleek it looks incredibly smooth

3. The OLED display surpasses full HD in quality with a blistering 120 HZ refresh rate adjustable to 90 HZ for power savings

4. It has two speakers that are not top tier but get the job done

5. The device has a feature that enables explore personalization settings with an outer screen that houses a background

Cons

1. Components are solid yet slightly scaled back, making it feel less sturdy than Samsung or Xiaomi phones

2. The design isn't friendly and can be painful to remove the SIM card and press the power button

3. The device is sluggish and can lag when scrolling through menus

4. The battery capacity of this device is 4310 milliamps which might not be enough for heavy users

5. The camera on this device is limited, with only two rear cameras (50 MP lens and a 2 MP depth sensor) and no support for recording videos from the outer screen

FAQ

Structure
Width:
76
Height:
170
Depth:
7.3
Weight:
214
Usable surface:
85 %
Materials:
Glass
Aluminium
Colors:
Black
Blue
Gold
Hardware
Model:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen1
CPU:
1x2.4GHz Cortex A710 + 3x2.36GHz Cortex A710 + 4x1.80GHz Cortex A510
Type:
Octa-Core
Nanometer:
4
Frequency:
2.4000000953674316
64 Bits:
GPU:
Adreno 644
RAM:
6
Type:
LPDDR4X RAM
Capacity:
128
SD slot:
Fingerprint security:
Yes, on the side
Fingerprint sensor:
Proximity sensor:
Light sensor:
Accelerometer sensor:
Compass sensor:
Gyroscope sensor:
Antutu Score:
690000
Antutu Version:
Antutu v10
Antutu Standing:
Overall performance better than 80% of devices
Cooling system:
Gaming buttons:
Cameras
Phone rear cameras
Standard:
Resolution:
50
Type:
CMOS BSI
Aperture:
ƒ/ 1.7
Portrait mode (depth):
Resolution:
2
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.4
Phone front cameras
Resolution:
16
Type:
CMOS
Aperture:
Unknow
Flash:
LED
Optical stabilisation:
No
Slow motion video:
Yes, 120 fps
Rear camera features:
4K Video
Digital zoom
Dual camera
Digital image stabilization
Ultra stable video
Autofocus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Manual focus
Continuous shooting
Geotagging
Panorama
HDR
Face detection
White balance settings
ISO settings
Exposure compensation
Scene mode
Self-timer
Night Mode
Screen
Diagonal:
6.9
Type:
AMOLED
Aspect ratio:
21:9
Resolution in pixels:
1188 x 2790 px
Resolution quality:
FHD+
ppi:
439 ppi
Density:
Very high density
Others:
Hole-punch Notch
Refresh rate 120 Hz
DCI-P3
Full sRGB standard
10 Bits panel
Scratch resistant
Capacitive
Multi-touch
Frameless
Foldable Display
Battery
Capacity:
4310
Type:
Li-Polymer
Fast charge:
Yes, 33.0W
Others:
Reverse charging
Non-removable
Connectivity
2G:
3G:
4G LTE:
5G:
SIM card:
Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM)
Standards:
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac, WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
Others:
Dual band
Wi-Fi Hotspot
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Display
Wi-Fi MiMO
Version:
Bluetooth 5.2LE
Profiles:
A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
LE (Low Energy)
APT-x
LDAC
SBC
AAC
Navigation:
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2)
Charging:
Mass storage:
USB On-The-Go (OTG):
USB Type C:
NFC:
Audio jack:
Radio FM:
Computer sync:
OTA sync:
VoLTE:
eSIM:
Software
Operating System:
Android 13
Google services: