At this point, Samsung owns the foldable market. Although we’ve seen a handful of other companies launch foldable phones, none of them can match Samsung’s breadth of options, software support, or durability.
Galaxy Z fold 3
Full HD+ resolution at up to 4K 120Hz display
Foldable screen
Water resistance (IPX8)
Triple Rear Cameras with a telephoto lens
USB-C charging
It looks like Samsung is still the king of the hill when it comes to foldable phones. It has a clear head start on everyone else, which means that if you want a quality foldable phone for work or play, your only real choice is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.
However, it isn’t perfect. There are some things we would have liked to see improved, such as its design, performance, and battery life. And while it is definitely one of the best foldable out there, it also costs a pretty penny.
Note: You can buy an open box Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 for $1649 AUD from Phonebot
Design
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a large device. Its size makes it tough to fit into most pockets, so you won’t be able to carry it around everywhere you go easily. However, it doesn’t feel heavy, especially considering how thick the screen protector is on the front.
It’s not quite as thin as a regular smartphone screen, but it feels just about right. At 6.4mm thick, it’s thicker than the Galaxy Note 10 Plus’ 8.50mm thickness, but not quite as bulky as the Galaxy Z Flip 3, which measures 6.9mm thick.
Despite its bulkiness, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is made out of glass, metal, and plastic. A small portion of the back is covered in Gorilla Glass, which helps protect the LCD panel. There’s a full metal frame around the edges, and a small section of plastic wraps around the sides. It’s sturdy enough to survive being dropped, but don’t try throwing it in a toilet bowl.
There’s a fingerprint scanner underneath the screen on the left side. The same scanner is used across the entire line of Galaxy Z devices to help unlock the device. Since the fingerprint reader is located next to the power button, it is easy to accidentally press it when trying to open the phone. That said, the fingerprint reader works very well.
Like the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has a hole on the lower right corner for attaching a stylus. In addition, the device charges via a USB-C connection. Samsung has made it a priority for the last few years to include USB-C ports in every new flagship device. While it’s not always possible, Samsung has found ways to make it work in a way that’s convenient and efficient.
All the standard Android features you’d expect are included. These include notifications, a clock, weather, and calculator apps, as well as Google Assistant. The phone also supports Samsung Pay, allowing you to pay for things using your phone.
Camera
Although the main camera is quite good, we wouldn’t recommend purchasing the Galaxy Z Fold 3 without first checking out the secondary camera. This is because the dual rear cameras on the device offer a lot of flexibility regarding what you capture.
For starters, the rear camera of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has a 12MP Ultra-wide camera, 12MP Wide-angle camera & 12MP Telephoto camera. With such a high megapixel count, you can capture a lot of detail, even in dim lighting. However, keep in mind that a lot of that detail is compressed when you take pictures. So, unless you’re planning to print out images, you might want to stick to smaller resolutions.
This allows you to capture a broader view of the world around you. The wider field of view also enables you to zoom in further, which is ideal for taking close-up shots. This camera can record videos at 1080p at 60fps, and capture photos at 12 MP.
In the end, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a solid pick for anyone who wants something different or someone who is just starting to explore the world of photography. However, if you aren’t really interested in shooting photos or videos, then spending half the price on a regular smartphone may be better.
Battery
The Galaxy Z Fold 3’s power bank is rated at 13,000mAh, which is on par with what you get in a regular smartwatch. However, the phone itself only has a 4,400 mAh and non-removable battery.
That’s not terrible, but it isn’t stellar either. Even though it is bigger than many other smartphones, it still manages to drain quickly. On average, I got about four hours of screen time under moderate stress, and three and a half hours under typical stress. If you plan on using your phone heavily, you’ll need to charge it frequently.
