Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Review: Foldable with S Pen

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the prime foldable phone that we suggest to people who regularly call themselves early adopters but held out on previous year’s Fold 2.

The fence-sitters will be affected by its S Pen support, more excellent durability, and water resistance in a contrarily familiar-looking foldable with unchanged cameras. It’s still pricey but originates at a slightly lower price than its predecessors, suggesting it’s ideal for fresh adopters who have been anticipating on the sidelines.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3: Design and Display

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is created to assure you that ‘the third time’s an appeal when it comes to buying into the infinity of foldable phones, and without a Galaxy Note 21, there’s a lot of pressure on Samsung to make good on that adage.

This foldable phone feels more robust than its two predecessors, and this time around, it’s waterproof, while its tablet-like inner screen can withstand heavy stylus strokes.

S Pen support creates a perfect impression on a screen of this size. Moreover, it’s more comfortable than a full-sized traditional tablet as the Z Fold 3 can be closed to half its available size and held in a pocket.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3: Specifications

FeatureParticulars
Cover display2268 x 832 pixels resolution, Dynamic AMOLED, 6.2-inches, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Main display7.6 inches, 2208 x 1768 pixels resolution, Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 888
RAM12GB LPDDR5
Operating systemAndroid 11
Storage256GB internal storage (512GB available) UFS3.1
Camera12MP f/1.8 wide-angle camera, 12MP rear f/2.4 telephoto with 2x optical zoom, and 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera. 10MP f/2.2 cover camera. 4MP under-display camera on the main display
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E, GPS/Galileo, GLONASS/Beidou, NFC, UWB
SensorsFingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Hall Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Light Sensor
Battery4400 mAh non-removable with fast wireless charging. Wireless PowerShare is also available
Water resistanceIPX8 rating
Folded Dimensions158.2 x 67.2 x 16mm 
Open Dimensions158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4mm
Weight271g
ColorsPhantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Green

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3: Camera Specs

You’ll get visual image stabilization in the telephoto and ultra-wide cameras on this design. S Pen stylus may be an alternative for those who appreciate camera capability over form factor. 

There are two different cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 3, both designed for selfies. You’ll discover a 10MP f/2.2 shooter on the phone’s outer screen, which resembles what we observed on the Z Fold 2.

More significantly, the Z Fold 3 also arrives with Samsung’s first commercially obtainable under-display camera, which is covered under the screen on the right-hand side of the internal screen – although when it is said, it’s hidden, it’s not entirely undetectable. You’ll be capable of seeing the camera poke through when the screen is off, and when the screen is on, there’s a slight matrix effect that means you’ll always be aware of where the camera is.

There is a 4MP f/1.8 camera, and it works distinctly less well than the camera on the front screen. As a result, photos captured with this camera were much less sharp, and we can see many people defaulting to the ‘regular’ option for their selfies.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3: Battery and S Pen

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 has been powered by a 4,400mAh battery, 100mAh more minor than the Z Fold 2. Unfortunately, there’s no charger in the box with the Galaxy Z Fold 3, so you’ll want to keep the existing charger or purchase one individually.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 works Android 11 with Samsung’s own One UI overlay on top. There are some optimizations here to suit the foldable design. The keyboard on the screen rises in two separate sections – and it’s broadly similar to what we’ve seen on previous foldable.

If you enjoy employing a stylus with your phone, you’ll enjoy using the S Pen on this handset’s big screen. However, there isn’t a different place to store your stylus – you’ll require to opt for a specific case to possess a spot to put it – and it takes extra on top of the handset.

Early Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 could be the breakthrough design for those who’ve been on the fence about switching to a foldable phone over the last two years. Unfortunately, it won’t convince average consumers to ditch their reasonably priced Candybar-style smartphones. The battery life is not that great for an average user, especially with the new S Pen functionality. You must charge it up during the day. That’s a trade-off you will be willing to make to enjoy the many other benefits of the Z Fold 3. Excellent work Samsung, now, let’s improve the battery life and get better camera hardware in the Z Fold 4.