The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G arrives loaded with news compared to the previous generation. Now the smartphone boasts a screen with a better refresh rate and, while maintaining its dimensions, it is possible to show off a lighter weight. To this we add exceptional features such as protection against water and the best processor of 2021.
Its price may still be somewhat prohibitive but the brand is responsible for adding value to its phone by adding support, for the first time, for the Samsung S-Pen.
What more surprises does the technical sheet of the Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 5G hide?
Features of Samsung’s folding mobile
The smartphone keeps intact its hallmarks with respect to what has been seen in previous generations. That is, on the one hand we have a phone that hides a flexible screen inside it of more than 7 inches while on the outside it has a 100% usable secondary panel. In addition, the phone boasts being built with the new Armor Aluminum, the strongest aluminum ever used in a Galaxy smartphone, along with the strongest Corning Gorilla Victus glass to protect it from scratches and accidental drops.
It integrates three cameras, two front and one rear with several sensors and sports a special version of One Ui specially focused on the multitasking possibilities of the smartphone. It is based on Android 11.
Screen
The Galaxy Z Fold3 features two edge-to-edge Infinity-O displays, almost bezel-less. The secondary screen, which is the one we use with the mobile folded, measures 6.2 inches and the huge main screen measures 7.6 inches, the same as in the previous Galaxy Fold. This Infinity Flex panel boasts new under-screen camera technology. Also with the new Eco screen technology, the screen is 29% brighter and consumes less power. Thanks to the adaptive Super Smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, you can experience even smoother screen scrolling and fast interaction with the device, both on the main screen and on the front bezel.
Productivity lovers will also enjoy the enhanced functionality that the S-Pen provides to both displays, for which the Flex mode of this Fold3 5G has been adapted. Now lets you get more done at once, such as joining a video call on the top screen of the device while reviewing meeting notes on the bottom, making plans by composing a text message while viewing the calendar, and many more options from the foldable screen of the phone.
Mind you, you’ll have to learn to ignore the still noticeable crease that is part of this internal AMOLED display. Samsung has not yet managed to make it 100% invisible, as with the front camera, but it is less noticeable than in the Fold 2.
Performance
Obviously Samsung’s most expensive phone had to mount the best Qualcomm-made processor at the time of the Fold3’s launch. It is a Snapdragon 888, perfect for running any type of app or keeping various tasks open while also having a 5G modem compatible with SA and NSA networks.
As for the memory configuration, it is a phone with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, but this year we can also buy it with double the memory, that is, with 512 GB.
Cameras
Lets start by the beginning. The smartphone has two front cameras, one on the secondary screen of 10 MP, with ƒ / 2.2 and 26mm that has all the tools that can be required of a selfie camera in 2021. But the one that attracts attention, not because of its characteristics if not for its design, is the front camera (under screen) that is hidden in the flexible panel. It has a resolution of 4 MP, ƒ / 1.8 and a pixel size of 2 µm. It is covered by a single grid of pixels that is less dense in resolution than the rest of the screen. It produces a mosquito net effect on the camera which is not the ideal solution, but is ultimately a significant improvement over a giant black hole on the screen.
Behind, there is not much evolution. The triple rear camera is the same as the one we saw last year on the Fold2, with a 12MP main camera at f / 1.8, a 12MP ultra-wide camera with f / 2.2, and a 12MP telephoto camera with f / 2.4. which is capable of letting us work with a 2x optical zoom
The video quality itself is perfect, although if you were expecting 8K resolution recording, you will probably be disappointed. At least you’ll find that the audio zoom is on the phone and it’s as good as ever, helping to block out background noise and focus on the subject you’re zooming in on.
Battery
Powering the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is a 4,400 mAh battery, which is 100 mAh smaller than the Z Fold2 battery, perhaps the reason why the smartphone weighs even less with the same dimensions.
The brand has not given clues about the autonomy of this terminal but if we consider that it has two screens, and one of them is more than 7 inches, we cannot expect it to last the same as a panel with a single screen. It will be difficult for us to get to the night without charging the smartphone.
The key points regarding the Fold2
The main peculiarity that the smartphone debuts is its compatibility with the s-Pen. The manufacturer has decided to put aside the Galaxy Note range and take the stylus to its new folding mobile, greatly expanding the office automation possibilities with the flexible screen smartphone. We have an option with and without Bluetooth.
Obviously the processor is also new, as well as the hinges that have been completely renewed compared to the previous generation. But if this Fold3 stands out for something, in addition to these characteristics, it is because it is the first folding that opens protection against water and splashes thanks to its IPX8 certification.
It should also be noted that the front camera, the one with the flexible screen, has undergone a special treatment that allows it to hide and become invisible until it is activated.
The colors, green and silver, are totally new as they did not exist in last year’s model. The Fold 3 is 11 grams lighter than the Z Fold 2, a negligible difference on paper but surprisingly noticeable in real-world use.
Price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G in Spain
Compatible with the S Pen Pro (14 grams) or the S Pen Fold Edition (8 grams but without Bluetooth connectivity) it is on sale in Spain in the colors Phantom Blai, Phantom Geen and Phantom Silver. Its price is € 1,809 for the 256 GB storage model and € 1,909 for the 512 GB model.