Samsung's New Galaxy Z Flip 5 Retro Is a Blast From the Past

pcmag.com:

If you're old enough to remember flip phones, there are probably a few that stand out in your mind. The Motorola Razr, the Nokia 3310, and the Samsung SGH-E700 are three such examples, and that last one is coming back—in the form of an updated Galaxy Z Flip 5.

The new Galaxy Z Flip 5 Retro is, realistically, just the same as any other Galaxy Z Flip 5. You get the same improved cover display, a more durable hinge, and other features. But Samsung skinned the outside to resemble the SGH-E700.

The homage makes sense, as the SGH-E700 launched in 2003, making the phone 20 years old this year. When it was released, it was the first phone from Samsung with an integrated antennae. It's hard to remember now, but in the late 90s and early 2000s, most phones had an unsightly antenna that either stuck out at all times, thus making for an uncomfortable pocket experience, or relied on a flimsy pull-out wire solution.

It was quite a popular phone, with over 10 million units sold, Engadget notes. It was lauded for its dual color displays and VGA camera: how the times have changed. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 Retro picks up that famous phone's color aesthetic and a few other customizations, too. It'll get a "UX design reinterpretation of 2000s pixel graphics" along with a custom animation for the Flex Window featuring a "cityscape with a touch of nostalgia."

You also get three cards with older versions of Samsung's logos, a Flipsuit case, and a collector card with an engraved serial number.

Alas, this phone won't come to the US, it seems. Samsung says the Galaxy Z Flip 5 Retro will go up for sale in Korea, the UK, Germany, Spain, Australia, and France. Those looking for a dose of nostalgia in the US can check out the basic Z Flip 5 or the