Source: Apoorva Bhardwaj/ Android Central
Two screens are available on the Galaxy Z Fold 3. One is a 6.2 inch outer screen with a 2268x832 resolution and tall 25/9 ratio. The inner screen, which unfolds to 7.6 inches, has a resolution 2208x1768. The inner screen was used most of the time. However, the panels can both refresh at 120Hz so there is no difference in fluidity between the two screens. The crease that runs down the middle of your screen isn’t as annoying as you might think. The new PET plastic coating that Samsung has applied to the glass panels is a major change. This coating protects fragile panels of the phone and, unlike other versions, doesn't feel plastic. Samsung has done an excellent job imitating the feel of glass with this coating. It is so thin, that I often forgot it existed. The crease was another thing that I did not notice. The crease that runs down the middle of my inner screen was something I worried about before I bought the phone. It doesn't pose a problem for day-to-day usage. The crease blends into the background and is not noticeable when browsing, playing games, or streaming videos. The Z Fold 3 helped me be more aware of how my phone is being used. If it's a regular notification or a short message, I switch to the outer screen. To maximize screen real estate, I switch to my foldout screen if it is an actionable email or ongoing conversation. I have been able to reduce distractions thanks to this system. I do not use Chrome, nor pull up my Twitter feed via the outer screen. This is only for interactions that last less than a minute. The foldout screen is great for looking up information, reading articles, and browsing Twitter.
Source: Apoorva Bhardwaj/ Android Central
It's also fun to fold a screen. This effect is enhanced by the smooth hinge motion. Closing the inner screen feels like closing a book. Regular phones lack that feeling. The camera hidden under the inner screen is my only complaint. It is difficult to ignore due to the different pixel density than the rest of your screen. It's a productivity powerhouse
Source: Apoorva Bhardwaj/ Android Central
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be replacing the Galaxy Note series. This means it has big shoes in productivity. It has a lot to offer from a hardware standpoint. The inner screen is great for multitasking and the Samsung adding S Pen integration makes the Z Fold 3 just as versatile for writing down notes as the Note 20 series last year. The large screen allows most apps to automatically switch to tablet mode. This is a big advantage when browsing Chrome or listening to Spotify music. While the default browser view is desktop, long-form content can be read on the Z Fold 3 just like a tablet. Samsung offers a handy feature that allows you to switch to a 2-panel layout for WhatsApp. The Z Fold 3 is a great choice for multitasking. Split-screen view on Galaxy Z Fold 3 is amazing. You can use two apps at once, scaling and adjusting as necessary. You can also use floating windows to dock them on your screen for quick access. You can stream videos on the big screen, which is great for productivity. The panel's AMOLED quality is comparable to Samsung's flagships. The Z Fold 3 also has powerful stereo sound. It is also great to play games on this device. There are some scaling issues with a few titles but overall, the extra screen real estate makes a big difference. Some services, such as Instagram, don't know how they can make the most of the tablet-sized screen so they are letterboxed. Samsung offers a keyboard with a split layout on the inner screen. While it is great, I am too familiar with Gboard to switch to any other keyboard. Google's keyboard on the inner screen is huge. It would be great if Google had a Gboard version that can foldable. Google must do more to allow Android to take advantage of foldable form factors. Android 12.1 seems to be paying more attention to this category. It is amazing.
Source: Apoorva Bhardwaj/ Android Central
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 starts at $1,800. It is Samsung's most expensive phone, and it makes sense that it receives the best hardware. It is powered by the Snapdragon888 chipset. While this shouldn't surprise North Americans, it is refreshing that Samsung has chosen Qualcomm's chipset to be the default option around the globe. Although the Exynos 2100 does a lot better than the flagship Qualcomm designs, it's still not up to the same standard. It is therefore great to see that the Z Fold 3 is equipped with the very best Qualcomm has to offer. Samsung doesn't skimp on storage and memory; the Z Fold 3 standard model comes with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, 256GB UFS 3.1 storage and a 512GB version.
The Z Fold 3 didn't experience any slowdowns or lag during the month that I was using it. The phone was able to handle visually intense games and multitasking without any issues. It also didn't heat up during gaming sessions. The Z Fold 3 doesn't have a 3.5mm jack nor MicroSD slot, but it's still a great phone. Wireless earbuds that deliver exceptional sound quality for less than $100 are the best, and the 256GB storage should be sufficient for most users. Battery life is another issue. I was able to get a full day of use from the 4400mAh battery. However, there were instances when it dropped to 10% at the end of each day. It takes almost two hours to fully charge the battery with standard 25W fast charging (I measured 110 minutes). These cameras are great.
Source: Apoorva Bhardwaj/ Android Central
Samsung had shared details about the Z Fold 3's hardware, but I was disappointed by the fact that the cameras modules had not changed from last year. Samsung's camera tuning efforts have made a visible difference in image quality in everyday use. The Z Fold 3 features a trio camera setup at the back. There is a 12MP primary module with f/1.8 aperture and a 12MP wide angle lens with 123 degree field of view. A 12MP telephoto has 2x optical zoom and a 12MP macro. The outer screen has a 10MP camera and an under-screen 4MP camera.
Amazing shots are possible in daylight situations. The Z Fold 3 can deliver high dynamic range, saturated colors and shadows while still retaining fine details. It is equally powerful in low and artificial lighting. The dedicated Night mode enhances highlights and preserves details, but there is some noise. Although the Z Fold 3 isn't the most advanced phone camera, it has great results in all lighting conditions. The Galaxy S21 Ultra offers more versatility and allows you to take precise shots at 10x zoom. While the Mi 11 Ultra's large 108MP sensor takes stunning shots, the Mi 11 Ultra is equipped with more powerful lenses. The Z Fold 3 is able to stand its ground in this regard. I was surprised that I could say that after looking at the hardware. It's just as durable and reliable as a regular smartphone.
Source: Apoorva Bhardwaj/ Android Central
Foldables are not durable. There are many things that could go wrong with foldables, including the hinge mechanism and fragile screens. Samsung has done a better job with the Z Fold 3. The phone features an aluminum alloy frame that is easy to hold and uses, and the hinge remains solid even after months of heavy usage. The biggest improvement this year was the addition of water resistance. Samsung has somehow managed to stop water ingress from Z Fold 3. This makes it more useful for swimming in inclement weather and at the pool. Although it doesn't offer dust protection, the IPX8 rating means that water can't get inside the chassis. The panels of glass have a Gorilla Glass Victus coating on both sides. While it is not impenetrable, it provides a layer protection.
Source: Apoorva Bhardwaj/ Android Central
I was concerned about dust entering the hinge and causing damage. However, that has not been an issue. Whatever Samsung does to secure the hinge, it is clearly working. It's the first time that I've ever used a foldable for any significant length of time. I must say, the Z Fold 3 has held up better to daily use than I expected. Foldables are clearly the future.
Source: Apoorva Bhardwaj/ Android Central
While the Fold 3 is a very expensive product, Samsung is the only one in town. This is due to its first-mover advantage. This category will mature over the next few years. We'll also need foldables made by Chinese companies to lower their prices. I am waiting for Samsung's FE version to be released. It has already set the stage with the $999 Galaxy Z Flip 3 positioning the Fold 3 as an alternative to its flagship S21+. Seeing how the Galaxy S20 FE continues to sell in 2021, I am convinced that a Galaxy Z Fold 3 FE device would be the best to propel Samsung's foldable ambitions forward. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the best option, provided that you are willing to spend the money.
