Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Review: Probably the most sensible flexible

Are flexible phones really the practical and ideal future that the world of mobile phones awaits? We probably can’t answer that at the moment, however, several large manufacturers are still betting on this card, investing in improvements and pushing the trend forward. Among the most progressive is definitely Samsung, which has on its account and also on the market even already several generations of flexible pieces. The Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 models were recently launched. This review is dedicated to the latter, ie the vertically opening “lid”. In it, you will learn, for example, where Samsung pleasantly worked or vice versa does not completely bring the expected progress…

Review of the flexible Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 mobile phone

Package contents

The already traditional Samsung box for mobile phones does not contain anything extra surprising. As with the Galaxy S21 series, new owners of the folding Flip must take into account, for example, that the package does not include a charging adapter, but USB-C / USB-C cable only.

If this fact annoys customers, it will again depend on the number of older chargers they (do not) have at home. And also on how much they share this ecologically motivated initiative with the Korean manufacturer. In addition to the cable in the box, you will also find a pin for sliding out the SIM card slot and a basic manual.

Official specifications

• 6.7 ”FHD + main display 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Infinity Flex (2640 x 1080 px), 425 ppi
• 1.9 ”external display Super AMOLED (512 x 260 px), 303 ppi
• dimensions 72.2 x 166.0 x 6.9 mm unfolded and 72.2 x 86.4 x 17.1 mm folded
• weight 183 g
• protection IPX8
• cameras
  • 12mpx main (Dual Pixel, OIS, F1,8, 1,4μm)
  • 12mpx ultraširoký (F2,2, 1,12 μm)
  • 10mpx front (1.22μm, F2.4)
• Procesor Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
• 3 300mAh battery with support for 15W wired, 10W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless charging
• 1x eSIM + 1x Nano SIM (bez slotu na microSD kartu)

Refreshed design

At first glance, it is clear that Samsung has significantly affected the appearance of the new cover compared to previous models (let’s remember that the Galaxy Z Flip3 is not quite directly related to the Z Flip and Z Flip 5G). Basically, only three elements have changed, but they are very important. First of all, it ‘s about an external display that grew from a small tint to a much more useful form, almost two-inch, panel. The placement of this display in a wider glass strip in black is related to another change.

This time, the cameras are placed side by side along the longer edge of the cell phone, and the frame that surrounds them both has disappeared. Instead, each slide has its own protective ring. Gorilla Glass Victus was given space here. Another design modification applies to the edges of the phone, which are now a little “sharper” and at least they will come to me a little more suitable for a man’s hand than the original rounded Flip, which seems to be made for women’s handbags. Even the surfaces are flatter and thanks to the glass quite smooth and also slippery. On the right side there are volume buttons and a really good fingerprint sensor. Paradoxically, nothing extraordinary has happened on the front side, which should be the most interesting thing about a flexible phone.

The flexible panel still needs slightly higher edges, which makes making full-screen gestures a little uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the fact that the phone has a slight slit when it clicks in the middle also makes it an effective collector of lumps and debris. So look forward to constant wiping. If something more harmful should approach the screen, Samsung promises on the Galaxy Z Flip3 greater display durability. This will be shown especially by longer tests, I didn’t want to dig into my new mobile phone completely.

From the point of view of the overall construction, the phone is processed with absolute precision and can be felt perfect snap into the end positions of the hinge, but the mobile phone holds up nicely at any angle (greetings from Franta from Most!). What threw me a lot, and I’m not entirely sure if the original Flip had it that way, was location of the wireless charging module. It is under the cover in the lower half of the mobile phone, which means, among other things, that it has a problem receiving energy in some stand chargers or holders. In the case of the Xiaomi Mi 20W Wireless Car Charger, it is basically without a chance with regard to a secure grip.

A duo of great displays

While the outer panel attracts attention only with its size and full color, the main display hides the best in itself. And no, it’s not an invisible lens camera. A pleasant novelty of the flexible screen in the third Flip is the adaptive frequency, which is needed as needed rises to 120 Hz. Fans of smooth movement on the display (ie perhaps everyone who had the opportunity to taste such a frequency) will certainly appreciate this. The center groove strikes me as as visible and emotionally deep as previous Samsung flexors. If the display is lit, you will not see the grooves from most angles.

Although it is a flexible phone, where logically the biggest star should be the main flexible display, in this case it is more like the one on the back of the device. He experienced an enlargement as well entrusting several practical tasks. In the system, several cards can be thrown on it, led by the clock, music control, counting down the countdown, fitness information, calendar events or the weather. Of course, notifications have not disappeared, but it is now possible to see them as well with multi-line previews.

When this smaller display is not enough for something, it will prompt you to open the mobile phone and automatically launch the appropriate application. You can change the ringtone or volume mode and also launch the Samsung Pay payment gateway via drag and drop gestures. Unfortunately, all the mentioned cards are (so far?) Part of it closed offers, where you can’t just add something else. The design of the clock can be changed and there is even a harmonization of the visual with the Galaxy watch.

System with fashion for toys

I will stay at the external display for a while and mention the photo selfie mode, which is very similar to the one introduced by the second Fold. Thanks to the full-color screen, it is not necessary to open the mobile phone to take a photo quickly. Just press the main button, the phone, twice wakes up the lenses and the external display and you can start taking photos. By dragging up and down, you can switch between classic and ultra-wide lens, swipe to the side to jump to video recording again. Very fast and practical.

You can find the result of such a photo shoot among other pictures in the gallery. Interestingly, these are straight square after purchase, although the preview is above standard noodles. As can be seen from the table values ​​for the sensors, Galaxy Z Flip3 he is not completely motivated to endanger photomobiles with his equipment. However, a similar set is used by excellent Pixels, and even Samsung is not doing badly with the duo 2x 12 pixels. In addition, the One UI 3.1.1 system with elements for flexible phones uses cameras in a creative way.

Old-fashioned, for example, is the director’s mode, where you can play back images from all three cameras. Even with a normal selfie photo shoot with a half-open mobile phone, a special layout of the Camera application is available, divided into two halves. This layout is repeated for all places where he holds office tzv. Flex mode. In the new Flip, he got the right to halve basically any application you choose in the menu. After bending the display, it will appear on the lower half controls for screenshot creation, volume, etc. Flex mode can traditionally be used for comfortable YouTube viewing and even more efficient work, but this is probably not completely expected from Flip.

That’s how he breathes all day

Do you feel that the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 seems almost perfect so far? And do you have any “buts”? So here it is. From my point of view, it is quite sad that the new lid got jand 3 300mAh batteries. In combination with up to 120Hz display (without adaptive switching, it would be much, much worse) and also a larger external panel the phone has something to do to be able to say at least “all day”.

Often, during testing, I had to charge it in the early evening to read or release some news from the networks. I’m a little worried about how the main target group of this product will look at this fact – users constantly glued to social networks, selfie maniacs and fans of wireless music listening.

Price and availability

The new Flip, together with the new Fold, will be available in the Czech Republic from August 27, 2021. In the colors Cream (in this review), Phantom Black, Green and Lavender (lavender) at prices 26 999, – for 8/128 GB variant and 28 999, – for 8/256 GB model. When ordering by August 26 from the e-shop www.samsung.cz or in Samsung branded stores or at selected retailers and meeting other conditions, the customer is entitled to gifts in the form of Samsung Care + for 1 year free, set Note Pack and the possibility of buying old equipment with a bonus of up to CZK 10,000. You can also equip the flip with several types of original and practical packaging.

Final evaluation

I dare say that with regard to price and real usability it is probably the most sensible flexible phone that an ordinary person can buy. I also liked Fold a lot and its horizontal opening, however, a lot of things can be solved on the external display, and sometimes you have a little feeling if you don’t carry the folded brick a little unnecessarily. Flip is a decent square, which can be transformed into a regular smartphone.

Definitely for overall improved practicality the external screen contributes greatly. Many will also enjoy the IPX8 protection, which is a rarity for flexible phones. The icing on the flexible cake is the adaptive 120 Hz display, which in turn is a hassle for a relatively small battery, which can certainly be considered a weakness. The missing SD card slot can also be marked as this.

What fascinated you most about the new Galaxy Z Flip3?

Thank you to the Czech Samsung for renting a mobile phone