A lot of us were somewhat skeptical when Samsung released their first foldable smartphone. And for a good reason: Galaxy Fold phones are expensive, and fragile displays on the very first models cracked easily.
The newest Galaxy Z Fold 3, while still expensive, is actually a little cheaper than the previous Fold 2 model; it is much more durable and, alas, it now supports the S pen.
Let’s take a closer look at this very innovative piece of technology from Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Perks Summary
- Waterproof
- Tablet-like 7.6-inch display with 24.5:9 aspect ratio
- S Pen Pro and S Pen Fold support
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Pricing & Availability
The model was released just over a week ago, on August 27, 2021. It is currently available for pre-order on the Samsung website to be shipped by September 24.
The base model with 256GB of storage retails for $1799.99, while the 512GB version costs $1899.99. Samsung also offers three-year financing with $50.01 monthly payments.
It should be noted that the new Fold 3 is a little cheaper than its Galaxy Fold 2 predecessor when it first launched. The older Z 2 model started at $1999 in 2020. Right now, you can find a brand new one for about $1385-$1460 on eBay.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G Design
Looks-wise, the phone is no different from the two previous releases, still offering the same book-like folding design. However, the center hinge feels much more durable now. In fact, it should be 80% stronger than the previous model, according to Samsung.
It is still quite bulky in its folded state, making it somewhat tricky for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 to compete with regular bar-type smartphones. But it unfolds into a 7.6-inch display, making it almost like a smaller size tablet. Samsung also added a cool taskbar to the Z Fold 3 display, very similar to the one you can find in Windows. The phone is supposed to be a productivity gadget, offering as close to PC experience as you can get.
The frame of the phone is made from a lightweight but strong armor aluminum material. Still, it is a heavy device, weighing 9.56 ounces. Regardless, because of the foldable feature, it works better than the Microsoft Surface Duo foldable phone-tablet, as it is much more portable and therefore easier to handle. One major upgrade is that the new Fold is water-resistant with an IPX8 rating, meaning the phone is safe if submerged in water deeper than one meter. Samsung did not test for dust resistance, however.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 comes in the following color options: Phantom Black, Phantom Green, and Phantom Silver.
Galaxy Z Fold 3 Display
The phone’s display measures 6.2-inches diagonally when folded, revealing a huge edge-to-edge 7.6-inch panel once you unfold it.
The larger (main) display consists of the Samsung ultra-thin glass, scratch-resistant and less prone to damage.
Both displays offer a 120Hz refresh rate. The top (smaller) screen features OLED technology, while the inner one is AMOLED. Because of its wide 24.5:9 aspect ratio, this smartphone is perfect for reading and web browsing and can easily replace any e-reader tablet.
The screen resolution hasn’t changed, still at 2208 x 1768 pixels, but the screen is much brighter now. But unfortunately, it still lags behind Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max flagship phones.
Cameras
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 cameras could be better. And don’t get us wrong, they work well, but they are no match to the ones on the Galaxy S21 series phones.
This model has five cameras. The main one is 12MP f/1.8 with optical image stabilization (OIS). Then there is a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, and a 2MP f/2.4 2x zoom with OIS. All three are located on the back. Then you have a single 10MP f/2.2 camera on the front. And finally, inside, there is a front-facing 4MP camera hidden under the display panel, which is nice because you don’t have the annoying punch hole opening other Galaxy S and Note phones have.
We should note that Samsung failed to update cameras on their newest Z Fold model, as the 2020 one offered the same exact specs.
Battery Life
Samsung “downgraded” its latest Z Fold model to a 4400mAh battery from a 4500mAh pack the 2020 phone had. While it may sound like not a lot, those who intend to use this smartphone for work will definitely notice the difference. And if you are planning on taking advantage of the 5G network, be prepared to recharge your phone at least once a day.
Like all the latest Samsung Galaxy models, Z Fold 3 does not come with a power adapter, but it supports wireless charging.
In Conclusion
While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G is not for everyone, it is still undeniably cool and innovative. So if you are ready to make the switch this fall, consider selling your used iPhone now, as it will drop in price significantly as soon as the new iPhone 13 comes out. The same applies to Android owners: get a quote today and lock it for 30 days if you want to sell a preowned smartphone for the most value.
