Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is the third attempt by the Koreans to get the mass user accustomed to their smartphones with an unusual foldable tablet-phone form factor.
The third generation did not become cheaper, but it received some improvements. All the details are in the review of the new product.
Main specifications of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G (model SM-F926B)
SoC Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G, 8 processor cores (1×Cortex-X1 @2.84 GHz + 3×Cortex-A78 @2.42 GHz + 4×Cortex-A55 @1.80 GHz) GPU Adreno 660 Operating system Android 11, One UI 3.1.1 Foldable display Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 7.6", 1768×2208, 374 ppi, 120 Hz External display Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 6.2", 840×2289, 25:9, 120 Hz RAM 12 GB, internal memory 256/512 GB UFS 3.1 No microSD support Nano-SIM support (2 pcs.) Networks 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA, 4G LTE FDD, 4G LTE TDD, 5G Sub6 FDD, 5G Sub6 TDD GPS/A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, QZSS Wi-Fi 6e (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD NFC USB 3.0 Type-C, USB OTG No 3.5mm audio output Cameras 12 MP + 12 MP (wide-angle) + 12 MP (optical zoom 2×), video 4K @ 60 fps Front camera 10 MP + 4 MP Proximity and light sensors, magnetic field, accelerometer, gyroscope Side fingerprint scanner IPX8 protection Battery 4400 mAh, charging 25 W, wireless charging Dimensions 158×128×6.4 mm (158×67×16 mm when folded) Weight 271 g
Appearance and usability
The design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has remained virtually unchanged from the previous generation.
However, despite the improved specifications, the device has become even thinner and lighter — albeit by fractions of a millimeter and a few grams (11 g lighter and 0.8 mm thinner).
In any case, this is a very thick and heavy (271 g) block that does not quite fit the title of a pocket device.
Unless for the pocket of a sturdy jacket. But people who buy the Galaxy Z Fold3 do so consciously, understanding that they are buying more of a folding tablet than a folding smartphone.
It is the huge area of the almost square display with a diagonal of 7.6 inches that attracts buyers of this hot new product.
The ergonomics of the smartphone are peculiar. It is impossible to open the device with one hand, and closing it back is even more difficult.
At a minimum, you need to press the crease inside with your finger to start folding; otherwise, it won't work.
And during any manipulation with the halves, overcoming the resistance of the quite stiff hinge, fingers often inadvertently grab the screen, pressing and activating something unnecessary.
The crease at the point of the screen's bend is, of course, present, and it seems it won't go anywhere in future generations of screens.
You have to type text with both thumbs; otherwise, it won't work, and the virtual keyboard is split into two parts. Well, you can fold the smartphone and switch to the narrow external display.
There are small edges around the screen, so the surface should scratch less. A factory film is glued over the flexible polymer coating, but its edge does not quite reach the borders, and grease and dust accumulate between them.
By the way, the halves close with a loud clatter of hard edges against each other. This sound cannot be softened, even if you clap the slightly ajar halves. All the listed features of the ergonomics of folding and unfolding stem from the absence of a spring-loaded damper. It is not here because the creators of the smartphone offer the user an experience of using the device with the halves open at any angle, not just in a fully folded or fully unfolded state.
The materials of the case are state-of-the-art: the panels are made of durable Corning Gorilla Glass Victus of the latest generation, and the side frame is made of matte aluminum. The smartphone does not slip in the fingers, and fingerprints on the glass panels with a grease-repellent coating are hard to leave and quickly wiped off. There are no problems with this; the smartphone always maintains a presentable appearance.
The fingerprint scanner is predictably embedded in the power button on the side (this is a universal option). The smartphone does not have a 3.5mm audio output or a memory card slot.
Despite its small area, the scanner works flawlessly and quickly. The volume button protrudes from the surface not very much, making it hard to find by touch. And the power button with the scanner is even more recessed.
The device has two front cameras: one regular, on the outer panel, and one unusual, on the inner part, used when the case is opened. Its peculiarity is that it is the first under-display camera, over which the image is displayed. The camera, by the way, is as simple as possible, "just for show." But a precedent has been set, and the evolution of under-display cameras will begin from here.
About the external screen, it can only be said that it is very narrow and elongated (25:9), so all elements on it are small, and sometimes it is hard to hit with a finger. Except for this, in the folded state, it turns into an ordinary smartphone that functions completely, without the need to open it and switch to the internal display. That is, the closed device can be used just like an ordinary smartphone, with no limitations. It is not a small additional screen with reduced functionality, like in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G smartphone is available in two calm colors: black and green. The case has water protection according to the IPX8 standard (submersion for 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1.5 m), but officially has no dust protection (this is indicated by the "X" in the abbreviation in place of the first digit — unlike some familiar IP68 standard).
Screen
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G smartphone is equipped with a main flexible AMOLED display with a diagonal of 7.6 inches and a resolution of 1768×2208. The physical dimensions of the screen are 12×15 cm, and the pixel density is 374 ppi. The width of the bezel around the screen is 4 mm on all four sides. The screen supports a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The external screen is also based on an AMOLED matrix, covered with Gorilla Glass Victus, has dimensions of 55x144 mm, but when working with it, one should consider the maximally cut rounded corners and the inconvenient aspect ratio of 25:9 for displaying text. So, one should not expect comfortable perception of information from such a screen, especially textual; it is less convenient than in the case of a regular smartphone screen. In fact, the screen is merely auxiliary.
