The new Galaxy Z Flip3 5G has a difficult task to demonstrate that this futuristic design factor is now prepared to enter the mainstream given the disastrous introduction of the first Samsung Galaxy Fold in 2019 as well as the defective Motorola Razr, which arrived last year.
However, things are off to a good start already. With a price that almost falls into four figures, it may still be a bit out of reach for many, but the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is a definite sign that folding phones aren’t going away any time soon thanks to its long list of advancements. This might be the first one that’s worthwhile purchasing, say it softly.
Review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G’s design and main features
The Flip3 5G’s design aesthetic is consistent with that of its forerunners. When folded, it is only half the size of a typical phone, and when you flip it open, the large inside screen is only accessible.
The main difference this time is that it includes waterproofing that is IPX8 rated. This means that it should be able to withstand being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters; however, the setup warning makes it clear that it lacks rated protection against dust particles, warning that “exposure to small particles such as sand may cause damage.”There have been other improvements made to durability as well. This year’s Flip, like the Fold3, has a new protective film put to the inner screen, making it, in Samsung’s estimation, 80% more scratch-resistant than the one from the previous year. The cover screen has a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus protection, making it substantially stronger as well.
Additionally, both of Samsung’s newest foldables have a new component termed “Armour Aluminium” for the metal frame and hinge. The marketing hype claims that new model has 10% more durability than the previous one. Finally, there are a bewildering variety of color variations available for the Flip3 5G, including phantom black, green, lavender, cream, white, pink, and grey. The latter three types are only offered on Samsung’s website.
So how does it feel to use? After testing both of Samsung’s most recent foldables, I greatly prefer the Flip3’s more portable design. The phone’s square aspect ratio when folded in half makes it fit nicely into small pockets or handbags, and the outside of the device has a small cover screen so you can quickly check your alerts without opening it.
Although the Z Flip3 has an unusually tall 22:9 aspect ratio, when opened, it performs identically to any other smartphone. It’s small—just 6.9mm thick—and comfortably fits in one hand. The inside screen still feels soft beneath the finger despite the durability upgrades, and it might not appear as immaculate a few months from now after a few unintentional fingernail scrapes.
Review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G: Interior and exterior displays
The Flip3’s internal screen is 6.7 inches in size and features a resolution of 2,640 by 1,080 pixels, or 426 ppi, which is essentially the same as last year’s model. The name “Dynamic AMOLED 2X” that Samsung is using this year, which refers to its improved capability to handle refresh rates of up to 120Hz, is different from the previous one.
There are other display improvements as well. The front cover AMOLED screen has also been strengthened, growing in size from 1.1 inches on the model from last year to 1.9 inches on the Z Flip3. With the option to scroll down for more, it is four times bigger and can show up to four notifications at once. When using Samsung Pay, it prompts you to utilize the fingerprint reader. You can also change fast access settings, such screen brightness.
Review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G’s functionality and battery life
The phone is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 888 engine, which is also paired with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The Flip3 5G has twin 1,650mAh batteries with a combined 3,300mAh capacity, and it only accepts one nano-SIM and one eSIM.
Performance as a whole is swift, as expected. The Flip3 5G’s speeds are among the best in the industry, as evidenced by the Geekbench 5 graph below, but in regular use, everything from opening apps to navigating menus feels incredibly fluid and blazingly responsive, with the high-refresh 120Hz display adding a sprinkle of extra gloss.
The Flip3 5G’s gaming skills are comparable. Using it to play a variety of games, from Call of Duty: Mobile to Genshin Impact and Arlo’s Adventure, they all looked and performed nicely. It achieved an average frame rate of 105fps on the GFXBench Manhattan 3 onscreen test, which is no small feat.
Sadly, the Z Flip3 5G fell short when it comes to battery life, unlike its larger sibling. The Z Flip3 5G lasted 15 hours and 54 minutes before dying in our video rundown test, which involves calibrating the display to a predetermined brightness and activating flight mode while playing a looped video until the battery gauge reaches zero. Even the iPhone 12 Pro can’t match the two-and-a-half hours longer Fold3 5G battery life.
Review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G: Cameras
The Z Flip3 5G’s camera selection has not changed in the slightest. On the front cover, it still has two 12MP cameras, one of which is an ultrawide camera with a 123-degree field of view. The Flip’s selfie camera is a straightforward 10MP device that is integrated into a central hole-punch notch.
These seem like very mundane specs, but the Z Flip3 5G’s cameras are actually quite good. The majority of the photos I’ve taken with the primary camera have been excellent, with lots of clarity, muted saturation, and a reasonable degree of contrast in both good and terrible lighting. In certain instances, it even outperforms the iPhone 12 Pro, especially when it comes to images of landscapes taken as the sun is sinking.
Review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G: Verdict
We’ve made far too many mistakes along the way, but now we’re in a place where purchasing a foldable phone isn’t a foolish investment. We have been anticipating the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G since we first saw Samsung’s flexible displays all those years ago, and it has finally arrived. It is a top-tier foldable flagship with few compromises and an affordable price rather than an unaffordable one. What more could one ask for?
