Galaxy Z Fold3 has moved its category one level further (review)

Are flexible phones really the future or not? So far, no one will give us the answer to this question with absolute certainty, however, the Korean Samsung does not pay much attention to doubts or uncertainties, the banner of flexible mobile phones proudly keeps going and walks forward with it. A few weeks ago, it officially introduced and a few days ago it launched new Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 models. The former is a continuation of the “clamshell” style, the latter more revolutionary trend with horizontal opening. Flip already has a review with us and in the following lines you can read here for the latest Fold…

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Review

Packaging and design

The square and very low box shows that there is no ordinary phone in it. In addition to hiding the latest Fold, it contains just the other common features that other Samsung phones come standard. The package may surprise you only if in recent months you have completely missed the information that the Korean giant has stopped giving charging adapters to mobile phones. The box only contains a telephone, a double-sided USB-C power cable, a pin for opening the SIM card slot and a basic manual.

There were only slight design changes on the body of the phone compared to last year’s model. The most visible is the one that took place at the camera panel. This time they are arranged below each other together with the flash and the module is much narrower and more rounded. The new Fold is then complete slightly smaller and lighter, which can be caused by a new alloy frame or battery capacity. We’ll get to those. The attentive detailist will also not miss the fact that the SIM card slot has been moved up from the bottom tent, and this time the designers have forgiven a few roundings on their backs. As with the previous model, it is here as well rely on fitting all the edges and “snapping” the hinge in the right positions.

One very significant appearance change occurred on the main display, but we’ll discuss that later. Otherwise, the flexible screen is almost the same in terms of display quality as in the previous generation, it also has the same size and resolution. Paradoxically, no major improvements have been made here. The display is still very plastic to the touch and in contrast to the front one, it is a big difference. But this is simply the current tax on flexibility. For darker displayed content or at some angles, there is a visually noticeable central “groove”, but it is much less annoying for the finger than with the Flip. The great thing is the external display has now also been given the option of adaptive frequency change up to 120 Hz.

Main specifications

• Android 11 / One UI 3.1.1
• dimensions 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm unfolded / 158.2 x 67.1 x 14.4 (16) mm folded and weight 271 g
• display
  • main: adaptive 120Hz 7.6 ″ AMOLED 2X with a resolution of 1768 x 2208 pixels
  • external: adaptive 120Hz 6.2 ″ AMOLED 2X with a resolution of 832 x 2268 pixels
• procesor Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
• memory variants 12/256 and 12/512 GB
• cameras
  • main 12 MPx, f / 1.8, 26mm, 1 / 1.76 ″, 1.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
  • telephoto 12 MPx, f / 2.4, 52mm, 1 / 3.6 ″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
  • ultraširoký 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 12mm, 1.12µm
  • front outer 10 MPx, f / 2.2, 26mm, 1/3 ″, 1.22µm
  • front inner (below the display) 4 MP, f/1.8, 2.0µm
• batteries with capacity 4 400 mAh (25W fast, 11W wireless and 4.5 reverse wireless charging)
• endurance IPX8, Gorilla Glass Victus on external surfaces
• 2x nano SIM, or 1x nano SIM + eSIM
• pen support S Pen (special version for Fold)

Equally flexible, more durable

In terms of opening mechanics, the phone is almost the same as its predecessor last year. However, the designers took care of several interesting innovations that cannot be seen at all at first glance. For example, the third Fold meets, like the new Flip, the IPX8 resilience standard, which, according to common definitions, guarantees sufficient protection “against continuous immersion in water”(Caution, does not apply to dust particles, for example IP68). There is such a thing with an electronic device with a hinge definitely remarkable. Samsung recently explained in a separate video how it succeeded.

Overall, the phone is also more durable due to the fact that it has not only on the external display but also a glass boasting the Gorilla Glass Victus standard on the back. This manages to protect the mobile phone from a lot of unwanted interference from the keys in the pocket or the consequences of unpleasant falls. He also got space frame made of newly developed aluminum alloy. According to the manufacturer, the main feature of the whole phone, ie the flexible 7.6 ″ display, should also be a bit more durable. After a few days of normal use, no scratches appeared on it and I did not plan to create them in a targeted manner. But if you want to see what not only the front screen can handle, you can take a look at the resistance test submitted by JerryRigEverything.

Cameras

If you juxtapose the parameters of all five cameras in the Z Flip2 and Z Flip3 models, you will find that there is only one change. From the point of view of mere numbers, it is even a change for the worse, because the internal front camera (ie the one located in the space of the flexible display) “Reduced” from the previous 10 megapixels to four. The reason, however, is that efficiency has given way to the effect. The lens of this camera is this time “Invisibly” hidden below the display layer.

This brings more comfort when watching the screen (the overlay grid is differently visible at different angles and at different colors displayed), but also a little worse comfort when taking a selfie photo. The main consequence of this solution so far is that (apart from the slower response after pressing the shutter button) the photos or videos are of lower quality.

However, this does not matter specifically with the Fold, mainly because the selfie can also be taken through the external front sensor and even in the unfolded folded state, even main cameras with a preview on a smaller display. This hidden camera can therefore be used for video calls or face unlocking.