Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 test: even without competition, it gets better …

The Samsung Galaxy Fold3 is a device for wealthy people, let’s not be afraid to say it. At € 1,799, and even with discounts on Galaxy Buds or Galaxy Watch, it’s a hell of a bill to afford the Korean giant’s folding smartphone. This year, The “Fold” offers compatibility with the S Pen. The latter must be purchased in addition, but in our opinion is only a piece of plastic at 50 €. Yes we are tough, but if the tip retracts to avoid damaging the fragile screen and it is very pleasant to write with, it does not offer the Bluetooth functionality of the Galaxy Note20 Ultra and it is not possible to store it in the body of the smartphone. You will need to purchase a special case to take it with you.

The big news is the IPX8 certification which allows the device to be immersed in water. A feat when you look closely at the joints and the hinge of the device. Why not IP68? Because dust is the enemy of this Z Fold3. This is not the device to take to the beach! The hinge gives a real impression of solidity on the other hand the fold on the screen is still visible. So of course we quibble and it goes unnoticed after a few days, but this is a parameter to be taken into account when putting three RSAs in a smartphone …

A beautiful baby …

The Galaxy Z Fold3 is still very heavy with its 271 grams on the scale and remains a little thick: 16 mm in the closed position. Yes it is a bit normal, the Korean engineers are very strong, but they are not magicians either… The device does not have a jack, but it is possible to connect an audio headset via the USB-C port . The speakers deliver excellent sound, but be careful not to block them with your hands when the device is open. Another novelty, the selfie module inside is “hidden” behind the screen. We put quotes because this subterfuge is no illusion. Certainly it’s better than nothing, but we are already used to punches and it no longer shocks us and then it does not help, because we could very well have done without it. Indeed, the external screen already has a sensor for selfies. The closed camera can fend for itself, but with the opened camera, it is also possible to use the “normal” sensors on the back since the external screen can then act as a “viewfinder”. Finally, the device offers a very nice matte metallic coating.

Two neat screens and a powerful chip

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 offers 2 screens. Let’s start with the 6.2-inch external display with the odd 24.5: 9 ratio. However, this is not a panel that has been neglected since with its 120 Hz refresh and its HD + definition, it is no longer a “gadget” screen. There are 6 divisions away from that of the first Z Fold. But what interests us here is the 7.6-inch interior screen which offers a definition of 2208 x 1768 pixels. We know the flaws: more reflections than on the glass slabs and this fold that we end up not seeing after a few days.

Regarding the protective film which caused a lot of problems for the first version, we are still skeptical. The copy provided to us by Samsung, almost new, showed traces of a one-millimeter peeling off on one of the corners. Nothing serious since this detachment has not been accentuated in 3 weeks of use with us, but it is a fragile screen that must be avoided too much manhandling. Afterwards, it is a real pleasure to use the device. We have a tablet in our pocket with a very pleasant resolution and all the software possible to adjust it to our eye with regard to colorimetry. It’s quite an experience and going back to a “toothless” smartphone is painful.

When it comes to performance, Samsung has not skimped. It must be said that you need potato for a device of this caliber. As for the first two versions, Samsung does without the house Exynos chip to send wood: here the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 with 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM… A device that never slows down and is particularly swift. We could even make a pocket console …

A “copy and paste” for the photo part

Side photo, there is no evolution compared to its predecessor. No extraordinary 108 megapixel sensor as we have seen on the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but 3 12 MP modules: wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and optical telephoto x2… By day, the main lens is very good, but as usual with Samsung the treatment does not go with the back of the spoon. We can see it especially when we photograph a flower. For blue skies and the sea, it’s really great. When the light is lacking, it is also very good, we rarely have unpleasant surprises with this sensor.

At night, there is a little noise, but the pictures do not turn yellow and it remains natural. The ultra wide-angle is very precise with a respected colorimetry, by day in any case, because when the light lacks the sharpness on the contours does the same The distortion is also quite pronounced, it must be said that with the focal length of 12 mm (compared to a full 36 mm sensor) the “recoil” effect is very powerful at maximum. At night, you should not count on a flattering result. As usual with this kind of module, you will need a light source (such as public lighting) to have something usable.

Finally, the 52mm x2 zoom doesn’t really stand out. It is certainly good by day, but when the light is less good we see its limits with a very pronounced treatment. Be careful, it holds up anyway, but it’s not the best lens of this type we’ve seen. On the selfie side, of course, we advise you to unfold the device to take pictures with the main sensors: you can enjoy a quality ultra wide-angle for group photos and the main sensor does wonders in this regard. . Note that when it comes to video, there is no 8K for this model: you will have to be content with 4K at 60 fps. And yes it is hard.

He holds the day (phew!)

Two 120 Hz screens with one of the two which is the size of a small tablet and a Snapdragon 888 at the controllers, we could fear the worst for this Galaxy Fold3 in terms of autonomy, especially as the battery goes from 4500 to 4400 mAh. In the end, the device holds up well on this side, at least as well as its predecessor. You will of course have to be careful with its video consumption, especially if you like to go hard on the brightness, but we were surprised at its endurance in “mixed” use. It will last at least the day even if you abuse it a little … The device is compatible with a 25W load not crazy since it will take 1 hour to increase the gauge from 8% to 100%. Wireless charging still offers 11 W while reverse charging displays 4.5W: enough to troubleshoot its Galaxy Buds, but little more. Please note that there is no charging unit in the box. After making fun of Apple, Samsung in turn discovers an “ecological” fiber.

Our verdict:

So of course this Galaxy Z Fold3 looks a lot like its predecessor and the photo part is a “copy and paste”, but with its water resistance and its external screen which becomes a “real display”, this model is striking. We can also note that the price of these devices, even if they are still very expensive, is only decreasing since we go from € 2,020 to € 1,799 at the launch between the Z Fold2 and the Z Fold3. It is also a swift device that offers a suitable S Pen and even if we were not convinced by it, it will undoubtedly interest a certain clientele. Finally, we can say that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is an experience apart in the world of mobile telephony. Another way to see your phone and how to use your equipment.

Tests taken