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

[Abazigal]

You know you don’t have to use it in tablet mode every time, right? It has a fully functional display on the front for checking emails or replying to texts or quickly looking something up. When you need more screen real estate, that’s when you open it.

Here’s my decision flow.

If I am going to use the smaller display for quick tasks, it’s going to be narrower than what is offered with a more conventional smartphone, though it is likely that this will not bother some users.

So the more you rely on the front display, the more you are disadvantaging yourself vs using a normal smartphone, and the more you fall back on the larger display, the more you have to unfold and fold the device, which works out to many times over the course of the day unless you have a fairly atypical use case to start with.

Which is why I said in an earlier post that in the very least, the front of the galaxy fold needs to more closely resemble the dimensions of an iPhone, thereby reducing the opportunity cost of using one. Otherwise, most people are simply better off just using a normal sized smartphone.

As such, I see it continuing to remain a niche device for the near future, despite Samsung continuing to market it to the mainstream.

 

[TheSapient]

Here’s my decision flow.

If I am going to use the smaller display for quick tasks, it’s going to be narrower than what is offered with a more conventional smartphone, though it is likely that this will not bother some users.

So the more you rely on the front display, the more you are disadvantaging yourself vs using a normal smartphone, and the more you fall back on the larger display, the more you have to unfold and fold the device, which works out to many times over the course of the day unless you have a fairly atypical use case to start with.

Which is why I said in an earlier post that in the very least, the front of the galaxy fold needs to more closely resemble the dimensions of an iPhone, thereby reducing the opportunity cost of using one. Otherwise, most people are simply better off just using a normal sized smartphone.

As such, I see it continuing to remain a niche device for the near future, despite Samsung continuing to market it to the mainstream.

Well, there are many different iPhone sizes. But I get it. You want the best and most efficient screen size for any given task, and therefore carry a plethora of Apple products at all times.

But let's just consider someone who only carries two. They have an iPhone, of course. Which one? That doesn't matter. Every iPhone width is the right width for any non-iPad tasks. And they have an iPad. For efficiency, they carry both with them at all times. When a larger screen is useful, it must be as easy to access as an unfolding phone. But is it really all that efficient to constantly keep 2 devices immediately at hand? Then again, if you have to run upstairs once per week for your tablet, you are already losing more time than a person who uses a fold.

And what happens if you just want to look at the time or check your notifications? You've been carrying an iPad and a too-wide phone around for that? Best make sure you have an iPhone SE, a Pro Max, and an iPad to cover your bases.

 

[bobcomer]

Here’s my decision flow.

If I am going to use the smaller display for quick tasks, it’s going to be narrower than what is offered with a more conventional smartphone, though it is likely that this will not bother some users.

So the more you rely on the front display, the more you are disadvantaging yourself vs using a normal smartphone, and the more you fall back on the larger display, the more you have to unfold and fold the device, which works out to many times over the course of the day unless you have a fairly atypical use case to start with.

Which is why I said in an earlier post that in the very least, the front of the galaxy fold needs to more closely resemble the dimensions of an iPhone, thereby reducing the opportunity cost of using one. Otherwise, most people are simply better off just using a normal sized smartphone.

As such, I see it continuing to remain a niche device for the near future, despite Samsung continuing to market it to the mainstream.

It really sounds like you're trying to justify not wanting a Fold 3, rather than thinking about how you actually would use one. And that's okay, I don't want one either, it's too heavy, but I can certainly see why some would want one! They are actually selling pretty well if you look at the numbers.

As for my Flip 3, it beats out my iPhone 11 Pro Max in a lot of ways, and I love it, but it's not perfect. It's close enough to be the phone I carry with me, and insures I wont need to buy an iPhone 13 next month...

 

[ibirmingham]

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.

Received my fold 3 last week, upgraded from my iphone 11 pro max. Honestly, the crease is not noticeable. The phone feels very sturdy and premium. The 120hz screen (on both screens) makes it the smoothest phone I have ever used. It's an awesome phone which replaces my phone, tablet and e-reader...I didn't expect to be this impressed, but fair play to Samsung

 

[dalestrauss]

I agree that hands-on yourself is the only way to evaluate a product for yourself but Apple fans are tired of companies like Samsung racing to market with half-baked products. We know for a fact that folding phones will get much better over next few years than they are right now. Apple has enough sense to sit out this round until the technology is up to the standards of their customers. The real innovation is in knowing what gives customers the best experience, even if that means not getting there first.

Like you, I was an Apple fanboy (since 2007 standing in line for the first iPhone), and now I've pitched my iPhone 11 Pro for a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (in fact that silly name is one of its poorest features). Yes, I am willing to sacrifice thickness and weight for having an iPad Mini 5 and iPhone 11 Pro in my pocket, both with 5g cellular.

As a 14 year user, I think I have the right to comment on the two bolded observations above: (a) neither of the prior two Folds were "half-baked" but there was no way Samsung could have field tested that first screen that much so it was pulled and replaced (some of those failures were folks intentionally removing the display screen protectors); (b) speaking of half-baked let's talk about iPhone 4 "You're holding it wrong!" - well, let's not; (3) as for waiting "until the technology is up to the standards of their customers...." you obviously didn't suffer 2g WAITING for 3g nor the whole 5g slow boat; and (4) if you go outside iPhone - where is cellular in ANY Mac and why did you put a laptop class processor in a tablet and make NO CHANGES in your operating system to accommodate it?

Apple is not saintly, just a good design and execution firm.

 

[wigby]

Like you, I was an Apple fanboy (since 2007 standing in line for the first iPhone), and now I've pitched my iPhone 11 Pro for a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (in fact that silly name is one of its poorest features). Yes, I am willing to sacrifice thickness and weight for having an iPad Mini 5 and iPhone 11 Pro in my pocket, both with 5g cellular.

As a 14 year user, I think I have the right to comment on the two bolded observations above: (a) neither of the prior two Folds were "half-baked" but there was no way Samsung could have field tested that first screen that much so it was pulled and replaced (some of those failures were folks intentionally removing the display screen protectors); (b) speaking of half-baked let's talk about iPhone 4 "You're holding it wrong!" - well, let's not; (3) as for waiting "until the technology is up to the standards of their customers...." you obviously didn't suffer 2g WAITING for 3g nor the whole 5g slow boat; and (4) if you go outside iPhone - where is cellular in ANY Mac and why did you put a laptop class processor in a tablet and make NO CHANGES in your operating system to accommodate it?

Apple is not saintly, just a good design and execution firm.

The folding screen technology is a compromise that no one was accepting a few years ago and now some are willing to accept so it has been improving. I still think "half baked" is a fair assessment of the initial release just because Samsung had to fix all of them. That's not a manufacturing issue. That's a basic design issue. That's half baked but I also don't care about this tech so I'm sure it would excite me more if Apple cared more about it.

 

[clerkpalmer]

This thread is the epitome of why I rarely come to macrumors anymore. The apple fanaticism is on full display and it's bizarre to me. Same story as when the Air Pods Max were released and deemed "THE GREATEST HEADPHONE EVER" by Apple fans despite the fact that well, they aren't and there are numerous better options in the market for less money. The anger and vitriol over anyone suggesting that the headphones were flawed and overpriced was ridiculous.

To be clear, I own both apple and Samsung products. I like both companies for different reasons. Apple for building superb, stable, predictable and ultra polished devices that simply "just work". Samsung for pushing boundaries, taking chances and doing more bleeding edge products that often lack the polish of Apple. As a huge fan of tech, I can appreciate both approaches.

I don't understand the hate on the F3. I also don't understand posts saying "I hope it fails!"? Why would anyone want that? If the device isn't for you, is too expensive for you, lacks the polish you expect or doesn't improve your life, then don't buy it. But why would anyone care whether its successful or not? As tech fans, don't we want more choices not less?

I recently traded in my Pro Max 12 for the F3. I tend to switch phones frequently, and I like trying new things. I had a Fold 2 before the iphone 12. Both devices are amazing for different reasons. I am seeing two primary criticisms of the Fold here. First, the crease, which is a joke. The crease is simply not an issue in real world use. I don't even think about it or notice it. It does not detract from the experience in any way, shape or form. It's the consequence of having a folding tablet in your pocket. Arguing about the crease is lazy. It's not an issue. Second, the price. I don't understand how Apple fans can complain about the price of anything. Given the engineering involved, the price is pretty reasonable. And it's frankly amazing that Samsung was able to reduce the price in the middle of a global pandemic, historic inflation and well known supply chain issues. Also, the street price of the phone, after incentives and juiced up trade in values is typically more like $1100. My total bill after my iphone trade in was $1050 and I got free true wireless headphones and a case. Samsung's way of selling is high MSRP plus high discounts and incentives.

As for the phone itself. I love it. It's not perfect and has compromises. For one, the battery life is poor. Second, it is a chore to open the phone to get to the bigger screen. When you do, you are rewarded with a full tablet experience and I agree with others that once you have that much real estate in your pocket, it's hard to go back. You have to redefine how you use your phone. You have to be willing to open the device to get to the magic. If that's not for you, that's totally reasonable. But for many of us, the payoff is worth the price. As for the rest, there aren't really any drawbacks other than the fact that ios is still superior to android in my view. But the gap has been narrowing and continues to do so. Perhaps most importantly, I find the phone to be fun to use. I haven't felt that way about an iphone in years.

In summary, there is no reason to hate on the Fold3. The phone is apparently selling very well. I think foldables are here to say and I think Apple will eventually do a foldable when the technology gets to a place where it can be implemented for the masses. The F3 is not for everyone right now and that's fine. In the meantime, let's just enjoy that we have amazing iphones and amazing Samsung phones.

 

[Septembersrain]

Folding and flipping devices are something I'll never be interested in. It's gimmicky to me. I sure hope this doesn't become the norm.

 

[clerkpalmer]

Folding and flipping devices are something I'll never be interested in. It's gimmicky to me. I sure hope this doesn't become the norm.

It's not a gimmick. It's an engineering solution for more screen real estate and a smaller form factor.

 

[bobcomer]

Folding and flipping devices are something I'll never be interested in. It's gimmicky to me. I sure hope this doesn't become the norm.

I'm sure you'll always have a choice, whether it's the norm or not. I want it and actually wont do without it anymore.

 

[Johns12]

Here’s my decision flow.

If I am going to use the smaller display for quick tasks, it’s going to be narrower than what is offered with a more conventional smartphone, though it is likely that this will not bother some users.

So the more you rely on the front display, the more you are disadvantaging yourself vs using a normal smartphone, and the more you fall back on the larger display, the more you have to unfold and fold the device, which works out to many times over the course of the day unless you have a fairly atypical use case to start with.

Which is why I said in an earlier post that in the very least, the front of the galaxy fold needs to more closely resemble the dimensions of an iPhone, thereby reducing the opportunity cost of using one. Otherwise, most people are simply better off just using a normal sized smartphone.

As such, I see it continuing to remain a niche device for the near future, despite Samsung continuing to market it to the mainstream.

I don't think Samsung is marketing these folds as mainstream. What I think they are doing, is trying to capture the younger user. Those that are more open minded and looking for something cool. Their ads are not aimed at anyone over 25 it seems. I think it's a smart move. Only time will tell if this moves the needle for acceptance. I'm talking more about the flip than fold.

 

[Abazigal]

I don't think Samsung is marketing these folds as mainstream. What I think they are doing, is trying to capture the younger user. Those that are more open minded and looking for something cool. Their ads are not aimed at anyone over 25 it seems. I think it's a smart move. Only time will tell if this moves the needle for acceptance. I'm talking more about the flip than fold.

Well, it seems to be pretty popular in Singapore at least. Happy to eat crow on this one.

 

[bobcomer]

I don't think Samsung is marketing these folds as mainstream. What I think they are doing, is trying to capture the younger user. Those that are more open minded and looking for something cool. Their ads are not aimed at anyone over 25 it seems. I think it's a smart move. Only time will tell if this moves the needle for acceptance. I'm talking more about the flip than fold.

Well, I have a Flip3, and I'm only 61.