Hands-On With Samsung's New $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 3

[MacRumors]

Samsung earlier this month unveiled the new Galaxy Z Fold 3, its latest flagship foldable smartphone. We thought we'd check out the Z Fold 3 to see the technology improvements that Samsung has made to its foldable smartphone lineup.

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Foldable smartphones are still expensive, and as a Samsung flagship, the Z Fold 3 is priced starting at $1,799.99, which is more than you have to shell out for some computers. Of course, this is meant to serve as both a phone and a tablet, so there's a little more versatility than your average smartphone.

Design wise, the Z Fold 3 is Samsung's best foldable device yet because the camera is under the display for an all-display design. It looks great and while it's not entirely hidden, it maximizes available screen space.

The Z Fold 3 is a book-like device where the two sides come together in an inward fold. When folded, the outside display measures in at 6.2 inches, and when unfolded, it has a full 7.6-inch display inside. We found the display to be brighter, sharper, and more vibrant than Samsung's Z Fold 2.

Other than the fold and the in-display camera, the Z Fold 3 is basically on par with other smartphones. It has a 120Hz display, three 12-megapixel rear lenses, and a 10-megapixel front camera. It features IPX8 water resistance, a 4,400mAh battery, and a protective display film that's more durable than Samsung's past foldable devices.

The Z Fold 3 is Samsung's first foldable that supports the S Pen, and Samsung designed an S Pen just for the new smartphone. It has a tip that's designed to retract a bit while you're writing to prevent damage to the display, and it features the same S Pen functionality available with other Samsung devices. The S Pen is an optional add-on, though, so there's no dedicated storage.

As for the folding functionality, Samsung did a better job with the hinge this year and the folding mechanism feels more durable and like it will better hold up to damage.

At this price point, the Z Fold 3 is still a niche device that most people aren't going to want to pay the price for, but it's a definite improvement over the prior Z Fold 2. Samsung now has a few years of foldable device development on Apple, so it will be interesting to see how Apple's foldable iPhone measures up should one ever see a release.

Article Link: Hands-On With Samsung's New $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 3

 

[Zachari]

IMO foldable phones are a gimmick, but I do appreciate Samsung pushing Apple to ACTUALLY innovate.

 

[contacos]

Biggest flop is how narrow it is in „phone“ mode, what a weird aspect ratio oh and that it costs more than an iPhone and an iPad combined

 

[n3sh]

Foldable phones are the future. Glad Samsung is doing this so apple can order the foldable OLED modules in 2025

 

[wirtandi]

Beautiful, beautiful piece of tech. Those saying foldable phones are trash, you wont buy them etc - wait until you see Apple release one and talk again

 

[_Spinn_]

$1,800 for a phone is way too much for me.

 

[Zmmyt]

rather have an iPhone + ipad

foldables are not there yet

 

[astro_]

$1,800 for a phone is way too much for me.

Guess you won’t be buying the iPhone 14 then.

 

[DJLAXL]

Just got mine. I had a Fold 2 that I enjoyed very much, but the small design changes to the 3 makes it feel so much better in the hand (you know the procedures). Makes holding my work 12 Pro Max a chore now. I keep the Fold folded the majority of the time to answer quick messages, etc. I keep it open at home to consume media. Its an awesome, awesome phone. I used to be a Samesucks hater to the core, but they are definitely growing on me.

 

[Zmmyt]

IMO foldable phones are a gimmick, but I do appreciate Samsung pushing Apple to ACTUALLY innovate.

I am sure the trillion dollar company has been researching foldable phones for some time now. possibly even a space program.

 

[now i see it]

That crease!
Elephant in the room that never gets mentioned even though it is it's fatal flaw

 

[syklee26]

You won’t appreciate the foldable tech until you actually have used it. Samsung has done a remarkable job with foldables. Sure, it is not perfect by any means yet, but they are getting there.

before dismissing this and Samsung, give it a try. I can’t stand some Apple fanboys who always worship what Ale does and doesn’t do and dismiss everyone else’s effort to innovate.

 

[syklee26]

That crease!
Elephant in the room that never gets mentioned even though it is it's fatal flaw

Have you actually used it? Nobody talks about crease once they use it because you won’t really notice it. Stop hating.

 

[performa_6400]

Odd device, but the tech is definitely interesting.

 

[MathersMahmood]

I'm one of the lucky few that was sent the phone a week early and it's honestly fantastic. I haven't used my ipad since.

And the phone mode actually isn't that bad.

 

[CopyChief]

Is the crease the new notch? It seems so obvious in pictures, but I imagine once you use it and get used to it, it "disappears." I'm far too embedded in the Apple ecosystem to even consider one of these, but it's definitely an intriguing piece of tech.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I like it it’s different.

MacRumors: Can we please do a giveaway for this phone. Make us happy 😍😍

 

[Just sayin...]

I’m interested, but cautious about the longevity of the folding screen. Hopefully, the guys over at The Verge will put this thing through the same tests that killed the Gen 1 version of this proudct. Also, I want to know about battery life with the smaller battery…

EDIT: I just found The Verge’s review by Dieter on YT!

 

[MathersMahmood]

Is the crease the new notch? It seems so obvious in pictures, but I imagine once you use it and get used to it, it "disappears." I'm far to embedded in the Apple ecosystem to even consider one of these, but it's definitely an intriguing piece of tech.

Nor really. Depends on the light and the angle. When I'm watching videos on there it disappears.

 

[Wildkraut]

Come-on Apple, don’t be shy, you can beat this with $1,999 for spiPhone13!

 

[CiccioAtSea]

I own a Microsoft Surface Duo and I'm IN LOVE with this thing,
I can't put it down, my 12pro is getting used less and less...

I've got to give a try to the Samsung but honestly did not like it as much: maybe I prefer two separate screens for productivity

Like on a pc somehow... I feel better working on two regular monitors rather than a single but bigger one

 

[AlexESP]

The technology is obviously interesting, way better concept than the Surface Duo, and it will become mainstream some time in the future.
The problem is that it’s a brick phone for its main use case (closed), and that kills any possible advantage.
Until it can get to 8mm closed with no significant compromises (and that’s difficult, because at equal thickness a classic phone will optimise space better), it won’t succeed.

 

[Daum]

Had my Fold 3 for 2 days. If you're used to a notch, the crease and under display camera is a non issue, even when using the S-Pen the crease is barely noticeable if none existent. I can see how some may find it too narrow but it is the same width as an iPhone 12 Mini and I love how I can grip it and use it with one hand. To be honest, cameras are good for the average joe. Only thing I wish it had was some dust resistance but other than that I love this phone.

If Samsung wants to make the outter screen wider and add better cameras, I hope they make it a Plus or Ultra model and keep the Fold 3 width how it is as a default model for people like me.

 

[n3sh]

That crease!
Elephant in the room that never gets mentioned even though it is it's fatal flaw

Like the notch?

 

[Lemon Olive]

Foldable phones are the future. Glad Samsung is doing this so apple can order the foldable OLED modules in 2025

Why? they're a gimmick. They offer NO true utility. None. Even if it were done "right". They are not the future of anything, except spam articles about flop products.

Edit: You can "disagree" and "angry face" all you want. That doesn't make this flawed idea have a purpose. Way too many people who follow this trend that want to see materialize simply because you have a dopamine deficiency and want to see something new and different available.