Have you noticed that lately there’s been more talk or hype about Samsung’s foldable cell phones? The Korean company has wanted to warm up the ground for the coming tidbits. And among them is the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, a new member of its family of flip phones or with a foldable screen, which polishes and improves some details of the previous version. It is clear that they are looking to take over the market for foldable phones, and not only do they have experience and a mature product, but they are starting to lower prices to bring these phones to market. Will they succeed?
At the moment I can tell you that we have touched the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G for a few minutes, and we have learned about its new features compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2. It stands out above all in physical improvements such as IPX8 certification that makes it resistant to accidental immersion in water. Or its construction, thinner and stronger, inside and out, so that carrying a folded phone in your pocket will not be a problem without reducing the size of the integrated screens. Want to know more? Then read on.
Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Datasheet
| Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | |
|---|---|
| Inner screen | 7.6 inches, 2X Dynamic AMOLED, Infinity Flex Display with resolution 2,208 x 1768 pixels, 374 dpi, and support for S Pen |
| Exterior screen | 6.2 inches Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a resolution of 2,268 x 832 pixels and 387 dpi |
| Cameras | – Main: 12 megapixels Dual Pixel and aperture f/1.8 with OIS and AF – Secondary: 12mp ultra-wide-angle with aperture f/2.2 – Third: 12mp with telephoto 2X Zoom and OIS and aperture f/2.4 |
| Secondary cameras | – Cover camera: 10mp with f/2.2 aperture – Under-screen camera: 4mp and f/1.8 aperture |
| Internal memory | 256/512 GB of UFS 3.1 |
| Processor and RAM | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G 12GB RAM |
| Battery | 4,400 mAh dual battery |
| Operating system | Android |
| Connections | 5G WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.2 USB C 3.1 NFC GPS |
| SIM | Dual nano-SIM or one eSIM |
| Color | Silver, black, or dark green |
| Dimensions | – Folded: 67.1 x 158.2 x 16.0 / 14.4 mm – Unfolded: 128.1 x 158.2 x 6.4 mm – Weight: 271 grams |
| Featured Features | IPX8 resistance, flow functions between screens, toolbars, and actions, support for new S Pen, fingerprint sensor on the side button, a renewed camera app |
| Release date | August 27, 2021 |
| Price | – 256GB capacity model: $1,799 / € 1,809 – 512GB capacity model: $1,899 / € 1,909 |
Better Construction: More Resistant and Secure
Since Samsung introduced its Galaxy Z family, one of the points of focus has always been the resistance of flexible screens. After some scandals and problems with some models, Samsung knew how to go with these panels. It went from the plastic of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold to a glass barrier much more pleasant to the touch and, above all, more resistant in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2. Now, it goes a step further in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and claims to have achieved a panel 80% more resistant than in the last edition. Not that there were special problems with the flexible glass, but it is not superfluous to know that there is an evolution in this aspect.
On the outside, the phone has also changed for the better. The body is made of Aluminum Armor, a material that achieves 10% more resistance compared to the previous edition. Of course, it maintains the resistant hinge to open it at any angle (the tight gap between screens is maintained). And, to protect the outer screen, it has opted for Gorilla Glass Victus, which is the strongest on the market today. Samsung wants you to know that it is a resistant mobile.
And all this in a lighter and compact design. They have achieved 6.4 mm in size in the thickness of the hinge. And a weight of only 217 grams for everything included in this equipment. A thinner, lighter, and more resistant evolution of a contortionist mobile.
Same Screen Size, but More Agile and Powerful
Although the body has shrunk slightly, the panel size remains the same between the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. On the outside, there is a 6.2-inch panel to be used as a regular mobile. Its technology is Dynamic AMOLED 2X and its resolution of 2,268 x 832. More than enough to enjoy quality content. And if you want to transform it into a tablet, you can always open it to find a panel of the same technology, but with a size of 7.6 inches and a resolution of 2,208 x 1,768 pixels. Bigger, with the fold mark, but just as capable and resolute.
The difference now is that the 120Hz screen refresh can be enjoyed on both the inside and outside panels. And one more key point that may be the first step before the much talked about demise of the Samsung Galaxy Note: there are already supports for S Pen that Samsung has developed. They are sold separately, of course, and you can get a more compact one without Bluetooth connectivity called S Pen Fold Edition, which weighs only 6.7 grams in its 132.1 mm length. Or buy the S Pen Pro, with all the capabilities and compatibility (even with the Galaxy Z Fold2) but with a larger size of 173.64 mm and a weight that goes up to 13.8 grams. Of course, this time there is no hole inside the mobile to carry it. So you will have to get a case with space for the S Pen to make the set more comfortable to carry.
And one more important detail: the inner screen, the big one, has a camera under the panel itself. There is no perforation or hole. Instead, Samsung has decided to remove a few pixels from this area to allow the camera to do its job even though there is a screen in between. As a result, the inner camera is barely visible when watching a full-screen video.
The Latest in 5G Power and Connectivity
Of course, Samsung could not be left behind with the technical specifications of this new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and has put the latest from Qualcomm inside to move everything with ease. It is the Snapdragon 888, which is built on 5nm with 8 cores to be as efficient as possible. Although, the extra point goes to the 5G modem. So you have it all in one, no second editions as happened to the Galaxy Z Flip. It has also been loaded with 12GB of RAM, which helps everything run smoothly on each screen or even both.
The Features That Make Sense
We will not stop to comment on what the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold family has achieved with the two previous editions. You have our respective reviews to take a look at everything they include. Here we will see what’s new, the evolution, and what makes sense to opt for mobile with these features. Thus, in addition to moving content between the outer and inner screen, it is now possible to create a side taskbar to have at hand the applications and tools we need more quickly. Something reminiscent of the Windows system.
In contrast, and on the opposite side, on the left, they have also developed a menu of basic or usual functions. With them, Samsung wants to make the large screen of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G more comfortable. And this is joined by more capable multitasking, with possibilities to drag content from one app to another.
And, of course, all the functions of the S Pen that we already know from the Galaxy Note. Animated notes, transcriptions, recordings, and synchronized notes, etc. are now also present in this Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. In addition to other options such as opening YouTube and the notepad in flex format (with the screen folded) to write details seen in a video. Or the option to use the S Pen in multitasking mode with different active notes on both sides of the large inner screen.
Finally, as a novelty, there is also all the software that automatically adapts, whenever possible, the experience of having two screens on mobile for apps that have not been adapted. Thus, in the settings, you can bring functions from one screen to another to applications that originally do not allow it.
A Mobile Full of Cameras and Functions
We already saw that having cameras inside and outside a folding mobile is very useful. And it is that we can take advantage of the best sensors at any time and in any format. Well, there was still a twist for this Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. We find the already usual system with the main camera with Dual Pixel technology, accompanied by an ultra-wide-angle and also by a telephoto lens with two optical magnifications. And, on the front, on the outside, a 10-megapixel selfie camera. Now, we also have the camera under the screen, which is 4 megapixels, instead of piercing the screen.
What’s interesting is everything we can do with them. We can frame ourselves with either one thanks to being able to use the two screens of the mobile comfortably. Either the inner one taking advantage of the flex mode to use this folded body as a tripod, or the outer one to take the photo comfortably without unfolding the mobile. Now, in addition, the camera app allows you to see the shots just taken if you have the phone open, so you don’t have to go to the gallery to see the result. They have also improved the auto framing to include up to 4 people within the photo area automatically. If you don’t see yourself on the screen, the software automatically frames you, chasing you around the scene in a pretty amazing way. All while being able to trigger the camera remotely with a wave gesture to automate everything and make selfies, with any camera, more comfortable.
Dual Battery and Dual Security System
Where the change is less in this evolution of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is in the battery. This is because we now have a dual 4,400 mAh battery, instead of the 4,500 mAh of the previous edition. Less body had to be noticed in something, of course. It also has a more efficient processor. Something that we will have to check in our user experience when we get our hands on it.
What is maintained is the security system. You can unlock this Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G with your face thanks to the front camera, or use your fingerprint on the side button that has a fingerprint sensor. It is a very agile system and is well placed.
By the way, it also has a dual system in terms of connectivity. Inside we can insert an eSIM card or two Nano-SIM cards. One more, in the latter case, than in its previous edition.
Pricing and Availability of the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
This time Samsung wants to fully bring the products to the market. It is clear that they are more mature and are fully useful. But the price in the case of the Galaxy Z Fold has always been a drawback. Now they have also wanted to adjust it and reduce it compared to the $1,999 / €2,000 that the previous versions were worth.
So you can get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G for $1,799 / €1,809 in its model with 256 GB of storage. And for $1,899 / €1,909 if you prefer to have 512 GB of capacity.
By the way, the phone is available in three colors this time: an eye-catching silver, an elegant and sober black, and a slightly marked green that adds a touch of color.
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