Nubia Flip2 In-Depth Review: A 2899 Yuan "National" Foldable Phone Can it Lead the Foldable Phone Democratization?

Nubia Flip2 In-Depth Review: A 2899 Yuan "National" Foldable Phone Can it Lead the Foldable Phone Democratization?Having used almost every foldable phone on the market, my interest in them remains lukewarm. This isn't a reflection on the products themselves

Nubia Flip2 In-Depth Review: A 2899 Yuan "National" Foldable Phone Can it Lead the Foldable Phone Democratization?

Having used almost every foldable phone on the market, my interest in them remains lukewarm. This isn't a reflection on the products themselves. Current foldable phones offer flagship-level specifications and excellent daily usage experiences. However, price remains a significant barrier to entry for most consumers. The manufacturing cost of foldable phones is far higher than that of traditional straight phones, resulting in a considerably higher price tag, deterring many potential buyers.

Nubia has taken a different approach, avoiding direct competition with flagship foldable phones and instead focusing on attracting users with a more affordable price and reasonable experience. Their newly launched Nubia Flip2 is the perfect example. Officially unveiled at MWC 2025, the 2899 Yuan starting price truly caught my attention. This affordable price justifies its moniker as the "National" foldable phone. But how does the Nubia Flip2 actually perform at such a low price point? The following is a detailed review based on my personal experience.

Upgraded Appearance, Stunning Feel

The Nubia Flip2 adopts the current mainstream dual-camera and square cover screen design, a significant improvement in practicality over the circular cover screen of its predecessor. The body and frame are finished with an AG matte process, resulting in a smooth and comfortable feel. The frame design has also transitioned from the previous generation's angular style to a more rounded one, significantly enhancing the grip.

Weighing only 192.7 grams, this is a significant advantage for a small foldable phone. It not only boasts the foldable feature but is even lighter than many traditional smartphones. The side design is a highlight, cleverly integrating the power button and fingerprint module, featuring Nubia's signature bright red accent. This red power button undoubtedly enhances the Flip2's aesthetic appeal.

The cover screen is a 3-inch OLED display, maintaining the mainstream 21:9 aspect ratio. However, due to cost constraints, the bezels are noticeably thick. Despite this, after several days of use, it's clear Nubia put considerable effort into the cover screen design; I'll elaborate on the experience later.

The inner screen is a 6.9-inch OLED display with a 1.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 1200 nits brightness. Viewing angles are excellent, with only slight green tint visible at extreme angles.

Regarding the crease, my opinion remains consistent: most foldable phones on the market have excellent crease control, making it virtually invisible under normal viewing conditions. After all, nobody looks at their screen from the side intentionally.

Core Specifications and Feature Overview

The Nubia Flip2 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300X processor, features a 4325mAh battery with 33W wired fast charging, and includes NFC and digital car key functionality. The rear camera system consists of a 50MP main sensor and a dedicated depth sensor. While not a top-tier flagship in terms of hardware, the specifications are more than sufficient for daily use. Furthermore, performance isn't the primary selling point of a small foldable phone; ease of use and design are key.

Cover Screen and Main Screen: A Clear Division of Labor

Many small foldable phones fall into a trap: overemphasizing the cover screen, prioritizing size, resolution, and functionality. While well-intentioned, this becomes cumbersome on a small foldable phone. Unlike large foldables, which offer approximately a 6.5-inch usable screen even when unfolded, small foldable phones have cover screens rarely exceeding 4 inches. This significantly impacts the user experience with applications designed for larger screens.

Therefore, the cover screen of a small foldable phone should only integrate simple, practical functions such as time, weather, music control, calendar, and schedule information viewable without unfolding. For high-frequency tasks like replying to WeChat messages, using TikTok, or Little Red Book, unfolding the main screen is recommended. It's like not playing games on a smartwatch.

The Nubia Flip2 clearly understands this. While supporting over 300 apps, it prioritizes simple operations like accessing payment codes, launching the camera, and switching songs.

AI Exploration in Small Foldables

Let's discuss the Nubia Flip2's AI experience. While 2024 saw the emergence of large language models (LLMs), by 2025, DeepSeek's global popularity made LLMs a coveted feature for smartphone manufacturers. Many announced their phones' integration with the DeepSeek-R1 model, but most simply added a DeepSeek access point or separate interface to existing AI components rather than integrating it system-wide.

Frankly, most manufacturers have implemented "shallow integration," requiring minimal effort but allowing them to capitalize on market trends. Nubia's approach differs; the Nubia Flip2 comes pre-installed with a full-size DeepSeek model, requiring no app downloads or separate interface. Simply long-press the power button to activate the voice assistant, say "Please DeepThink...", and DeepSeek will be automatically invoked.

Detailed AI Feature Experience

Beyond DeepSeek, the Nubia Flip2's new Nebula AI OS offers more AI features. The "AI Pet" feature is a standout: close the phone, illuminate the cover screen, long-press the volume button, and a little tiger named "Xiaoxing" will appear to chat with you.

The "AI Wallpaper" function is also noteworthy. Besides preset options, users can generate images with custom prompts.

The "AI Voice Translation" function is equally impressive, supporting real-time bidirectional translation with options for simultaneous voice interpretation or text display. The range of supported languages is extensive, sufficient for daily use. In testing, translation speed was fast, although accuracy with technical terms could be improved, but this is a minor flaw. Users can even remove the original voices of both parties for a more immersive call experience.

Additionally, the Nubia Flip2 has common "AI office" capabilities, including AI writing. The photo album also integrates AI erasure, AI image upscaling, and AI portrait features.

Conclusion: Making Foldables More Accessible

Let's summarize the Nubia Flip2's pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Excellent hand feel and grip, among the best for small foldable phones.

2. Clear and reasonable functionality division between cover and main screens.

3. Integrated AI features offering a good user experience.

Cons:

1. The hinge seems to have minor issues.

2. Users with high core configuration requirements should proceed with caution.

The Nubia Flip2 isn't a flagship foldable phone, but at 2899 Yuan, it offers the most suitable hardware configuration at this price point, meeting daily needs. Previously, buying a foldable phone at this price meant resorting to the used market.

The Nubia Flip2 not only enhances market diversity but also introduces a new user base to the small foldable phone segment. With foldable phones gradually becoming mainstream, Nubia's ambition in launching this small foldable is clear. If you have a limited budget but want to experience a small foldable phone, the Nubia Flip2 is an option you can't ignore.