Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Thom Browne Edition Hands-on: Surprisingly Tepid

Thom Browne's $2,480 Galaxy Z Flip is surprisingly mundane

If the $1,380 price tag of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip wasn’t enough to make a dent on your pockets, Samsung also has the fashion focused Thom Browne Edition up for grabs soon. If you can tolerate forking over the anticipated $2,480 to pick it up.

That’s close to buying two Galaxy Z Flips. At least it’s packaged with the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, Galaxy Buds+, and a pebbled leather cover for the smartphone. All of them are decked out in the hues and patterns of fashion designer Thom Browne’s suits. For the Samsung faithful, it’s an opportunity to go all-in on brand fandom and look good while doing it.

So, is the Thom Browne edition striking enough to be worth the extra scratch? Well…that depends on how much you like Thom Browne’s apparel.

The phone is decked out in a grey matte finish with the designer’s iconic red, white, and blue striped pattern running down the length of the phone’s rear. The matte finish helps in keeping fingerprints and smudges from showing, unlike the mirror finishes we’ve seen previously. But, it’s a moot point if you intend on buying a case. 

The included leather cover adds a bit of sophistication. Yet it’s a reminder that you can emuluate the look with leather accessories from a third-party company. You might as well buy the standard version of the phone, spend no more than $50 on a case, and call it a day.

Unless, of course, you’re a diehard fan of Thom Browne.

Beyond aesthetics, the Galaxy Z Flip feels solid, especially in the hinge. The display’s crease is still noticeable, but it’s not distracting when you’re looking at the display, a gorgeous 6.7-inch AMOLED with a slightly strange 21.9:9 aspect ratio. If you want to know about the Z Flip itself, check our our Z Flip Hands-on.

Samsung customized the look of the interface for this special edition, using a theme that follows the tradition of Thom Browne’s designs. It’s not as flattering as the stock look and feel of Samsung’s One UI, however, as the theme’s backdrop is painted in grey, and the icons appear to be sketched on.

Though there are few cases available at the moment, I’m certain we’ll see something similar in style from a case maker. Tommy Hilfiger sells a number of its cases online for different phones, all of which seem to be priced under $20 — and closely resemble Thom Browne’s design.

Samsung fans who want the most exclusive version of The Z Flip will obviously flock to the Thom Browne edition. Otherwise, as special editions go, it’s tepid. It certainly doesn’t compare to more dramatic phones like the OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition and Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 Winter Olympics 2018 limited release.

Editors' Recommendations

John Velasco
John is the Smart Home editor at Digital Trends covering all of the latest tech in this emerging market. From uncovering some…
Does the Samsung Galaxy A54 have wireless charging?
The Galaxy A54's main screen.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is Samsung's latest addition to its excellent midrange A-series smartphones. While we've yet to spend a good amount of time with it, we're optimistic this cut-price king is likely to be a great option if you want a smartphone for just $450. But what does the wireless charging situation look like?

A lower price often means some features end up on the cutting room floor, and wireless charging is often one of those features first on the cost-saving block. If you're a fan of the convenience of wireless charging, you'll want to make sure your new phone supports your favored charging method. So, does the Samsung Galaxy A54 have wireless charging?
The Samsung Galaxy A54 does not have wireless charging

Read more
Could this be our first look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5?
Concept render of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.

As the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 has drawn closer, there's been plenty of speculation regarding what the new foldable will look like. Now, we may be one step closer to solving that mystery.

Recent concept images shared by Technizo Concept and YouTuber Super Roader aim to give fans an idea of what to expect when the Z Fold 5 is officially revealed, or when leaked renders inevitably start to surface. Before viewing the concept images, it's important to remember that they're just that: a concept. There's nothing official about what Technizo Concept has made; they're not leaked renders or official stills. Instead, the renders provide a look into what the Galaxy Z Fold 5 could look like based on information that's leaked so far, as well as recent trends in Samsung hardware.

Read more
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 may get a feature we’ve never seen before
Render of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 with two cover screens.

As we get closer to the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 5, details have started surfacing more regularly. In February, we learned that the cover display will be much larger than the one found on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Now, rumors seem to suggest that the new foldable will be the first of its kind sporting two discrete cover displays.

According to renders shared in a recent video by mobile insider SuperRoader, the Galaxy Z Flip 5's dual cover screens will greatly differentiate the foldable from the rest of its kind. The two screens are vastly different in size, and seem to serve two distinct functions.

Read more