Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test; we tested the Galaxy Z Fold 3, the foldable smartphone that saw itself as a tablet. Check out our full review.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test
Samsung continues its crazy adventure in the world of folding smartphones. After an almost conceptual first try with the Fold, the Korean improves his copy yearly.
With Fold 2, it marked the first turning point. This model drew the contours of what we expected from a folding smartphone. However, it was still too fragile and suffered from some crippling flaws because of its very high price.
Is Samsung’s third attempt the right one? The manufacturer announces a whole batch of new features promising to correct the weaknesses of previous generations. The Z Fold 3 wins waterproof certification, a more substantial screen or a reworked hinge. By the way, its price falls below the fateful bar of 1713 pounds. Sufficient to democratize a model hitherto reserved for a wealthy and passionate public? Answer in our entire test.
Summary
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Mobile
Ultra Thin Glass Screen - the biggest leap in our foldable display technology. With the addition of a panel layer and protective film
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test: Design revised and corrected.
At first glance, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 resembles its predecessor. Same concept, same format, same punched screen on the front, same folding system. Still, Samsung has made a lot of changes to its new star.
The manufacturer has mainly worked on the robustness of the device, the main fear of consumers with these models. For the first time, Samsung’s foldable smartphones are IPX8 certified, ensuring they are resistant to water (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes in fresh water) but not dust. This precision is essential since it will be risky to take your precious item to a beach or construction site.
Still, to strengthen the phone, Samsung has reworked the hinge. More resistant, it can endure 200,000 opening-closing cycles, i.e. the equivalent of 100 operations per day for five years. Finally, the external screen and the back cover are covered with a protective Gorilla Victus glass from Corning, the most resistant.
Inside, Samsung has reinforced its plastic-looking screen that is still a bit cheap. The manufacturer announces that the panel is 80% more resistant than the Z Fold 2. Enough to drive out the old demons from the first Fold of the name? Without a doubt. In any case, we never felt this fragility that the first Fold left us.
By the way, the manufacturer has put his star on a diet for his new tour. The Z Fold 3 is thinner (6.4 mm open, 14.4 mm closed) and lighter (271 g against 282 g for the Z Fold 2). If it is still not forgotten in a pocket, its weight is a little closer to that of a large classic smartphone. The Galaxy S21 Ultra, for example, weighs 230 g. It is still 40 g more, some would say. It isn’t easy to feel a difference daily, especially as the Z Fold 3 has the narrower advantage.
The S-Peine stylus: towards the end of the Note range?
Will the Galaxy Z Fold replace the Note line?
Is Samsung preparing for the end of the Galaxy Note range? Samsung France executives assure that this is not the case. However, like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 comes with a stylus, the principal (not to say unique) point of difference in this family.
The S-Pen Fold Edition does not come with the foldable smartphone and will cost an additional 50 euros (100 euros for the more precise S-Pen Pro with remote control). You have an imposing stylus comparable to those accompanying the manufacturer’s tablets with its case for this price. It has no fixing system (not even magnetic), meaning it must be transported separately. We have seen more practical.
To transport the S-Pen. Therefore, acquiring the case with an integrated S-Pen for the modest sum of 80 euros is recommended. After spending 1,800 euros, the pill is struggling to pass.
Especially since the large size of this Fold version S-Pen testifies to an inconsistency in Samsung’s strategy. The strength of the Note was to embed the S-Pen directly in its chassis, something impossible with the Z Fold 3. Samsung mentions technical reasons that we can understand. Still, the alternative solutions proposed by the manufacturer lack relevance.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Mobile
Ultra Thin Glass Screen - the biggest leap in our foldable display technology. With the addition of a panel layer and protective film
|
Thus, we have tasted very little of the S-Pen Fold Edition on the go. First of all, its large size does not make it exceptionally comfortable. Then, having to transport it separately increases the risk of loss. Therefore, this accessory is especially useful in the office or home, a shame for a mobile device.
Unfortunately, the format of the Z Fold 3 is the logical continuation of the Note range. You can take notes, draw or edit photos with much more comfort. Samsung still has some work to do to convince Note worshipers unless a new generation arrives in 2022.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test: Fullscreen
We do not change a winning team, even if the confrontation promises to be complicated. By opting for a foldable smartphone with two screens, Samsung would almost be looking for trouble.
The Korean must deliver two screens with almost similar characteristics to ensure continuity between the smartphone experience and the tablet experience. However, the external screen is based on a classic 6.2-inch AMOLED panel. The internal screen is on a 7.6-inch AMOLED Infinity Flex technology with a sensor under the panel (see box).
To deliver such a smooth experience on both screens, Samsung replaced the Z Fold 2’s 60Hz external panel with a 120Hz one. Above all, the engineers worked on continuity regarding colourimetry, contrasts and luminosity. The result? Simply stunning.
The two screens of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 are fantastic. The external screen naturally imposes itself as an interface for consultation or rapid interactions. But the real star of the Z Fold 3 is the interior display. Although the Fold is noticeable (especially with dark colours), it is quickly forgotten as impressive display quality. Whether it’s productivity or multimedia, we never tire of this giant screen that can be slipped into a pocket in no time.
Because this is the essence of Fold 3, faced with a display of comfort like this, should we perceive it as a smartphone that unfolds to become a tablet or a tablet that folds up to become a smartphone? Samsung does insist that this is a phone, first and foremost. But, in our experience, we will lean more towards the second hypothesis.
The sensor under the screen is almost invisible.
Samsung is, therefore, the first manufacturer to market a smartphone equipped with a photosensor under the screen. The goal could not be simpler: to have a front sensor while enjoying a full screen. Samsung France is clear on this point: it does not pretend to make the punch completely invisible but camouflages it as much as possible.
In this sense, the bet is successful. After a short time of accommodation, the sensor under the screen quickly becomes imperceptible. Whether playing, working or watching a video, the display covers the entire interior screen—a delight.
However, the youth of technology is showing its limits with still images. On plain backgrounds (mainly black or white), there is a small grid of pixels at the punch. A minor flaw that we will quickly forget but that we must point out in all impartiality.
On the other hand, it will be difficult to miss the catastrophic photo quality delivered by this sensor. Samsung has not found a way to compensate for the weak light entering this sensor of only 4 Mpx. The pictures obtained are close to the quality of an HD webcam. Suffice to say that we turn away very quickly from this sensor to return to the more classic punch positioned on the external screen. So there is still a bit of work.
A smartphone? A tablet? A computer? No, it’s the Z Fold 3!
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Mobile
Ultra Thin Glass Screen - the biggest leap in our foldable display technology. With the addition of a panel layer and protective film
|
The very particular format of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 raises questions. Is it a smartphone? A tablet? A computer? In reality, it can be all three at the same time.
Let’s quickly go over the pompous technical characteristics. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 has everything you would expect from an ultra-high-end smartphone, namely a state-of-the-art chip (Snapdragon 888), lots of RAM (12 GB) and ample storage (256 or 512 GB). Enough to provide the necessary power for all uses, from the most basic (web, social networks, messaging) to the most demanding (photo editing, editing, gaming).
Above all (and unlike its brother), the Z Fold 3 does not heat up, allowing prolonged resource-intensive applications.
Folded, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is. Therefore, a high-end smartphone with all that one expects from it. Unfolded, it becomes a small tablet and becomes a formidable productivity tool.
Beyond the wonder at each switch from smartphone mode to tablet mode, the optimizations offered by Samsung completely change daily use. If the Z Flip 3 is a foldable smartphone that we will adopt for style, the Z Fold 3 fully exploits the potential of this screen technology and anticipates our future uses.
This transformation takes place through a few adjustments that make all the difference. With such a screen diagonal, multi-windowing takes on its whole meaning. In this new version, Samsung proposes to divide the screen into 4 for the most connected among us. Better yet, we can pin the small sidebar to access open applications quickly. A sort of macOS-style Dock. Well seen.
When it comes to productivity, the Z Fold 3 is unmatched in the market. Reading an article, editing a spreadsheet, writing a note, responding to a message, browsing social networks, everything takes on another dimension thanks to the big screen. To try it is to adopt it.
Of course, not everything is perfect. Some applications, for example, do not switch directly to full format once the screen is open. For example, this is the case of Instagram, which leaves two wide bands around the vertical design calibrated for classic smartphones. But Samsung, still very clever, proposes to force the display on full screen.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Mobile
Ultra Thin Glass Screen - the biggest leap in our foldable display technology. With the addition of a panel layer and protective film
|
Once your tasks are finished, close the smartphone to put it back to sleep. However, suppose you want to switch from smartphone to tablet mode and vice versa. In that case, it can be configured in the settings application by application.
Finally, the integration of Samsung DeX (available for a few years on the brand’s high-end models) makes it possible to transform the Galaxy Z Fold 3 into a desktop PC. To do this, connect it with or without a wire to a monitor. An interface suitable for keyboard-mouse use then appears.
These adaptations, combined with the format of the Z Fold 3 make it a three-in-one device. How to put the price of the beast into perspective? A little.
Galaxy Z Fold 3 in Flex mode
Like the Z Flip 3, the Z Fold 3 has the Flex mode feature. Behind this name hides a little originality specific to Samsung’s foldable smartphones. This feature allows you to make the most of this screen technology by adapting the display to the Fold.
More simply, when the two parts of the screen are bent at 90 ° (like a mini-computer), the display changes. On Youtube, the video is displayed on the vertical screen, with comments and suggestions on the horizontal screen. Ditto with the Camera application, which adapts when the smartphone is in this exact configuration.
Flex mode, therefore, provides absolute comfort in multimedia uses. However, we regret that the compatible applications are so few. No Netflix, Prime Video or Twitch. Also no compatibility with play store games or music apps.
Fortunately, Samsung has more than one trick up its sleeve. In the Parameters, forcing the display in Flex mode application by application is possible. On Spotify, this is materialized by presenting the playlist on the vertical screen and the control buttons on the flat side.
It’s a nice twist that turns out to be effective most of the time, even if we prefer that more developers optimize their applications.
Galaxy Z Fold3 at the best price base price: £1,599.00
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Mobile
Ultra Thin Glass Screen - the biggest leap in our foldable display technology. With the addition of a panel layer and protective film
|
Autonomy, Samsung’s next challenge
Samsung engineers seem to have some difficulty optimizing the autonomy of foldable smartphones. On this ground, the Z Fold 3 fails to console us for the disappointment of the Z Flip 3.
Suppose the tallest model manages to do a little better than his brother. In that case, he is far from inviting himself to the marathon table. Count a big day of maximum use for versatile use. The most connected will go through the recharging box in the early evening, depending greatly on your frequency of big screen use.
We could fear this (very) average autonomy when reading the technical sheet. Samsung has reduced the size of the battery compared to the previous generation (4400 mAh against 4500 mAh), integrated a more powerful processor, and, above all, endowed the screen on the front with an adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz. It’s good for the eyes, less for the battery.
We have tried to improve the whole by reducing the frequency to 60 Hz. This sacrifice only allows us to gain one or two hours of autonomy daily. Not very relevant.
We could have consoled ourselves with an ultra-efficient charging system as Xiaomi, Realme, or Oppo know how to do. Unfortunately, the Z Fold 3 only supports a maximum load of 25 W, far too little for a model of this range. Allow 1h30 for a full charge, a duration far removed from the 30 minutes of the competition. For 1800 euros, we expected much more.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test: What else?
Like its little brother, the Z Fold 3 comes with Android 11 with the One UI overlay in version 3.1.1 with the security update of July 1, 2021. Therefore, we find everything that makes the strength of Samsung’s overlay, namely an interface that is both simple and highly customizable and an optimization for one-handed use.
On the photo side, Samsung is scratching production costs and selling off its stocks of sensors designed for the Galaxy S10 generation. In addition to the 4 Mpxl sensors under the inner screen, there is a 10 Mpxl front sensor (lens aperture f / 2.2) on the outer screen.
On the back of the device, Samsung, therefore, opts for lenses that we know well: a wide-angle (f / 1.8), an ultra-wide-angle (f / 2.2), a telephoto lens with 2x ( f / 2.4), all accompanied by a 12 Mpx sensor.
We will, therefore, not dwell on the talents of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 as a photographer. Without reaching an S20 or S21 Ultra level, Samsung’s most expensive smartphone is effective in all circumstances.
Well aided by image processing algorithms, it produces more striking shots than the Galaxy S10 in its day. The wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle are formidable in good light conditions. The telephoto lens can make compelling 2x (optical), 4x (hybrid) or 10x (digital) zoom shots.
The Z Fold 3 does well in low light. Without reaching the level of an S21 Ultra, it produces excellent shots. We mainly highlight his talent for capturing portraits, undoubtedly his best asset.
Finally, like most high-end Korean smartphones, the Z Fold 3 is particularly gifted in the video.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test Gallery
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test: Galaxy Z Fold 3 pricing and availability
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is already available for £1,599.00 for the 256 GB version and 1899 euros for the 512 GB model. It is available in Phantom Black, Phantom Green and Phantom Silver.
Like the Z Flip 3, the Z Fold 3 is much more accessible than its predecessor. And even if it remains the most expensive model on the market at present, this price drop (-£ 170) marks the beginning of the democratization of the foldable smartphone.
For comparison, the iPhone 12 Pro Max in the 256 GB version already costs a trifle of 1379 euros. The Galaxy S21 Ultra with the same storage capacity is marketed at 1199 euros in the same family.
Galaxy Z Fold3 at the best price base price: £1,599.00
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test: Our opinion on the Galaxy Z Fold 3
The first Fold is only three years old. And yet, Samsung’s design advancements are nothing short of mind-blowing. The Galaxy Z Fold Three fixes almost all the flaws of previous generations. More resistant and more powerful, it even pays for the luxury of inaugurating the first sensor under a screen. Samsung has also adjusted other features, such as the contribution of 120 Hz to the external screen.
The Koreans also understood that the folding smartphone would not impose itself on the market if it did not bring novelties in terms of uses. The main lines are drawn if there is still work to be done (especially on the developers’ side). So much so that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 can double as a smartphone, tablet, and PC for most consumers. Therefore its price of 1800 euros must be put into perspective. Is it better to have a Galaxy Z Fold 3 that works as an all-in-one or go for three different products?
The question of autonomy will no doubt help answer this question. For now, it is the main weak point of this little gem of technology. But at the pace at which Samsung reviews its copy, this ultimate weakness will undoubtedly be quickly corrected.
Samsung Fold 3 release date UK | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is available now was scheduled to be released on August 27, 2021, in the United States and the United Kingdom, and on September 10, 2021, in Australia.
Samsung Z Fold 3 price UK | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test
Despite a price decrease between the Z Fold 2 and this latest edition, the Z Fold 3 remains one of the company’s most costly smartphones, with both beginnings at £1599.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 battery life | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 test
The battery performance of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 may be improved. In our online browsing test, the foldable lasted less than 8 hours, while other smartphone manufacturers lasted 10 hours or more.
