Samsung is finishing off 2021 on a strong Note.
Foldable smartphones may be out of reach for many, but that hasn’t stopped Samsung from trying to make them more mainstream. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the latest example of this, offering a more streamlined design at a price that may still be out of reach for many, but which remains more affordable than its predecessors at launch. In addition, in lieu of a Galaxy Note 20 successor, Samsung has opted to bring its best features over to the new foldable, thanks to improved display toughness and new S Pens.
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If you’re looking for a smartphone that will turn heads, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the device for you, thanks to the versatility of its folding display.
Mainstream foldable
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
From $1,800 at Samsung
Double the phone for less
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 isn’t cheap, but that’s because you’re getting some of the best that Samsung has to offer. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 powers two incredibly vibrant displays, a versatile triple-camera setup, and a new Under Display Camera that blends in with whatever is on-screen for uninterrupted viewing.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3:
- Price
- Availability and deals
- Specs
- Design
- S Pen
- Z Fold 2 comparison
- Z Flip 3 comparison
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Price
There’s no getting around it; the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a pricey phone, more than twice the cost of the standard Samsung Galaxy S21. That said, Samsung has actually managed to bring the price down compared to last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 2, which launched at $2,000 for 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. The latest offering will be available at a starting price of just $1,800 for the same configuration. Of course, you’ll have to fork over a bit more if you want the 512GB storage option.
Considering the latest advancements in Samsung’s new foldable, it’s fairly impressive that Samsung has managed to bring its launch price down. That only shows how the company is willing to make its foldables more affordable and hopefully within reach of more prospective customers.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Availability and deals
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 won’t be in stores until August 27, but you’re able to preorder the device starting now! And if you do, Samsung is throwing in a few sweet deals.
Those who preorder the device through Samsung’s website or app will get a $200 credit which can be used on products like the new Galaxy Watch 4 or the new Galaxy Buds 2.
In addition, Samsung is allowing customers to trade in up to four devices to receive up to $800 in credit towards the purchase of the Galaxy Z Flip 3. That brings the price well in reach of many of the best Android phones on the market today.
And, of course, you’ll want Samsung’s great device protection plan for such a pricey smartphone. The company is offering a year of free service when signing up for a 3-year Samsung Care+ plan for anyone that preorders through the website or app.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Specs
With the Galaxy Z Fold 3, you’ll find that Samsung threw in pretty much everything but the kitchen sink when it comes to top-tier specs, and it’s unlikely to leave you disappointed in terms of performance.
| Operating System | Android 11 / One UI 3.1 |
| Cover Display | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED HD+ 120Hz refresh rate |
| Main Display | 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED QXGA+ 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Memory | 12GB RAM |
| Storage | 256GB or 512GB |
| Expandable Storage | ❌ |
| Rear Camera 1 | 12MP primary |
| Rear Camera 2 | 12MP ultra-wide |
| Rear Camera 3 | 12MP telephoto (x2) |
| Inner Camera | 4MP (Under Display Camera) |
| Cover Camera | 10MP |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor face unlock |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, 5G (sub-6 and mmWave), UWB |
| Battery | 4,400mAh |
| Charging | 25W fast charging 10W wireless charging 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Water Resistance | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 67.1 x 158.2 x 16.0mm (folded) 128.1 x 158.2 x 6.4mm (unfolded) |
| Weight | 271g |
One of the biggest changes Samsung is making with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the inclusion of an official IP rating, meaning the device can handle more than a splash. This is something that was omitted in Samsung’s previous foldables and stands to make the device a bit more durable. Unfortunately, there’s still no expandable storage, but the device offers plenty of internal storage for most people’s needs.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Design
As far as design goes, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 isn’t much different from its predecessor. The device features the same size displays on the outside and inside and a similarly aligned triple-camera system at the rear. However, it’s a bit thinner, whether folded or unfolded, and has less of a gap when closed.
Of course, the inclusion of an Under Display Camera makes the viewing experience on the inner display a bit better since it blends in more than on the Galaxy Z Fold 2.
This year, Samsung is offering the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in three colors, Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, and our new favorite, Phantom Green. The rear also has a frosted texture that’s smooth to the touch and likely won’t attract fingerprints quite as often.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 S Pen
One of the more notable additions to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is S Pen support, taking over for the absence of a Galaxy Note. After Samsung launched a separate S Pen for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the company mentioned that it would work to bring the stylus to more devices in its smartphone lineup.
Samsung launched two new S Pens alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 3; the S Pen Foldable Edition and the S Pen Pro. Both feature Samsung’s “specially engineered retractable Pro tip with force limit technology” designed to protect the Fold 3 display while retaining super-low latency.
The S Pen Foldable Edition is a more basic experience similar to the stylus that launched with the S21 Ultra, meaning there are no Bluetooth functions. On the other hand, the S Pen Pro comes with those Bluetooth functions and is compatible with any Galaxy device that has S Pen support.
Since there is no dedicated slot for the S Pen, anyone interested in purchasing the device will also have to consider buying one of the best Galaxy Z Fold 3 cases, and preferably one with an S Pen compartment.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 2 Comparisons
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is quite impressive, but its predecessor is also a very capable device. So what exactly are the differences between these two powerful foldables?
As noted before, both devices offer the same size main and cover displays, and both feature variable 120Hz refresh rates. However, the newer model is a hair thinner in almost every aspect and a bit lighter, too.
Things are also pretty close, spec-wise. Both smartphones offer top-end processors, although the Z Fold 3 is powered by the newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, which offers a notable performance increase over the Z Fold 2’s Snapdragon 865+. Cameras are largely identical, with mostly the same resolutions across the board, including the 2X telephoto lens. However, one difference lies in the main display’s front-facing camera, which now offers Samsung’s first commercial Under Display Camera. Because of the nature of the camera, Samsung has lowered the resolution to 4MP while increasing its pixel size and aperture to bring in more light.
Both feature12GB of RAM and at least 256GB of onboard storage. There are also stereo speakers on board with Dolby Atmos support. Curiously, the newer Z Fold 3 has a slightly smaller battery than the Z Fold 2, at 4,400mAh versus 4,500mAh, respectively. That may have contributed to the slightly thinner build and may not make a noticeable difference given the more efficient 5nm chipset.
Of course, the biggest changes lie in the IP rating and S Pen support, making the Z Fold 3 more durable and versatile. And given that both devices cost the same now, it seems almost like a no-brainer to go for the newer device. That said, last year’s model is still a good phone, so you shouldn’t feel any buyer’s remorse if you recently picked one up.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 3 Which should you buy?
Samsung has refreshed two of the best foldable phones, but both devices offer different experiences and form-factors for different needs.
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is for those that want a smartphone that can essentially become a tablet. The inner 7.6-inch AMOLED display offers an incredibly immersive experience thanks to its dynamic 120Hz refresh rate and Under Display Camera. This makes it ideal for viewing videos, fullscreen applications, multitasking, and more, especially with the included S Pen support.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a smartphone that becomes more compact and pocketable, with a more traditional smartphone display aspect ratio that folds in half when not in use. It’s a modern take on a throwback style, but one that works well thanks to the larger outer display that’s perfect for viewing notifications, controlling music, and even taking selfies, all without needing to open the phone. Unfortunately, there’s no S Pen support here.
And, of course, there’s the Galaxy S21 Ultra. This is the phone you buy if you want the very best that Samsung has to offer in 2021, and in doing so, you’re treated to one heck of a phone.
The choice between the two foldables comes down to what style you prefer and what features you want, between the versatile Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the compact Galaxy Z Flip 3.
Going mainstream
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
From $1800 at Samsung
More phone for less
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 offers all the right upgrades at a price that matches its predecessor, making it a compelling buy for anyone interested in having the latest and greatest. With its folding 7.6-inch AMOLED display, the Z Fold 3 is bound to turn heads no matter where you go.
