Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G:
As foldable smartphones continue to push the boundaries of modern technology, Samsung has positioned itself at the forefront of this innovation. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, released in August 2021, embodies Samsung’s ambition to make foldable phones more accessible and practical. While the previous versions introduced the concept, the Z Flip3 refines the execution, delivering a premium experience in a compact and visually stunning design. This in-depth review explores every facet of the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, from its aesthetic appeal to its functionality, offering a comprehensive view of how it stands up in the competitive market.
Design: Style Meets Innovation
Compact, Elegant, and Practical The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G’s standout feature is its foldable design, which combines nostalgia for flip phones with futuristic technology. The phone folds vertically, transforming from a large-screen smartphone into a pocketable square that fits easily in the palm of your hand. When folded, it measures just 86.4 x 72.2 x 17.1 mm, making it one of the most portable smartphones available.
The Z Flip3 feels premium in every way, thanks to its Armor Aluminum frame, which Samsung touts as the strongest aluminum used in its smartphones. This frame is paired with Gorilla Glass Victus on the cover and rear, adding durability to its slick design. The hinge mechanism, a critical component of any foldable device, has been improved to feel sturdier and smoother, delivering a satisfying snap when closed.
Samsung also introduced several stylish color options, such as Phantom Black, Lavender, Green, Cream, and bespoke colors, allowing users to customize the look of their phone. The device appeals to a broad range of consumers, from tech enthusiasts to fashion-forward users.
Durability and IPX8 Water Resistance Foldable devices often raise questions about durability, and Samsung has addressed many concerns with the Z Flip3. The phone is IPX8 water-resistant, making it the first foldable device with such certification. While it’s not dust-resistant, the water resistance ensures that users can handle the occasional splash or even submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Display: Dual-Screen Experience
Main Display: Unfolding an Immersive View When unfolded, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G reveals a stunning 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. This screen offers 1080 x 2640 pixels resolution, with a 425 ppi density that results in crisp and vibrant visuals. With HDR10+ support and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, the display excels in delivering smooth performance, whether you’re scrolling through apps, watching videos, or playing games.
The main screen uses Samsung’s Ultra Thin Glass, which has been improved for durability but still maintains some flex. The central crease is more noticeable than on traditional smartphones, but it becomes less of a distraction after regular use. Samsung’s foldable software optimizations ensure that apps transition smoothly between the cover and main display.
Cover Display: A Boost in Utility The cover display has seen one of the most significant upgrades from the previous Z Flip model. Now featuring a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 260 x 512 pixels, it’s four times larger than before. This increase in size makes the outer screen far more useful, allowing users to view notifications, control music, use widgets, and even take selfies without opening the phone. You can customize the cover screen with various clock faces, wallpapers, and shortcuts to make it more personalized.
The cover display’s functionality is a game-changer, giving users the ability to handle basic tasks quickly and efficiently. The ability to use the camera on this small screen is particularly convenient for capturing high-quality selfies using the main camera, leveraging the superior rear camera setup for better results.
Performance: A Flagship Powerhouse
Under the hood, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor powers the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, offering flagship-level performance. This chipset, combined with 8GB of RAM, ensures that the device can handle any task with ease, whether you’re switching between apps, playing resource-intensive games, or multitasking with the phone in Flex Mode.
Storage Options include 128GB and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, offering fast read/write speeds. However, one drawback is the lack of expandable storage via microSD, a limitation that could be an issue for users who require more space for media and apps.
In terms of day-to-day performance, the Z Flip3 is snappy and responsive. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is seamless, and gaming performance is strong, thanks to the Adreno 660 GPU. The 5G capabilities ensure fast data speeds, and with Wi-Fi 6 support, connectivity remains strong even in crowded networks.
Software: Flex Mode and One UI 3.1
Samsung’s One UI 3.1, based on Android 11 (upgradable to later versions), is well-optimized for the foldable form factor. The interface feels intuitive, with several custom features designed to make the most out of the phone’s unique design.
Flex Mode, one of the most innovative features, allows the phone to be used in a semi-folded position. Apps like YouTube, camera, and video calls automatically adjust to show content on the top half of the screen, while controls are displayed on the bottom half. This hands-free use is perfect for streaming content or taking photos without needing a tripod.
The software also supports enhanced multitasking, allowing users to run two apps simultaneously in split-screen mode. The transition between the outer cover display and the main display is smooth, with apps resizing automatically as you unfold the device.
Camera: High-Quality, Though Not Ultra-Premium
The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G’s camera setup isn’t as advanced as Samsung’s Galaxy S or Note series, but it still offers solid photography and videography performance for most users.
Rear Cameras:
- 12MP wide-angle sensor with OIS (f/1.8)
- 12MP ultra-wide sensor (f/2.2, 123-degree field of view)
The main camera captures sharp, vibrant images with accurate colors in well-lit conditions. Samsung’s image processing helps retain details and produces a balanced dynamic range. In low light, the Z Flip3 5G holds up reasonably well, though it lacks the performance of higher-end flagships with more advanced sensors.
The ultra-wide camera is equally impressive in bright conditions, providing a wide field of view for group shots or expansive landscapes. However, it suffers from some distortion at the edges, a common trait among wide-angle lenses.
Selfie Camera:
- 10MP front-facing camera (f/2.4)
The front-facing camera, located in a punch-hole cutout in the main display, captures clear selfies but isn’t the star of the show. However, the ability to use the rear cameras for selfies via the cover display vastly improves the quality of self-portraits.
Battery Life: Compact Design Comes with Trade-offs
The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G’s 3,300mAh battery is one of its most significant limitations. While the battery is adequate for a day of moderate use, power users may find themselves reaching for a charger before the day is over. The smaller battery is a trade-off for the phone’s slim and compact design.
The device supports 15W wired fast charging, 10W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, but charging speeds are not as fast as other premium smartphones, which often offer 25W or higher.
Connectivity and Audio: A Full Suite of Features
As the name suggests, the Z Flip3 5G supports 5G networks, ensuring future-proofed connectivity. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC for contactless payments. The device features stereo speakers tuned by AKG, providing a surprisingly rich and immersive sound for a device of this size. While it lacks a headphone jack, wireless audio options are plentiful, thanks to Bluetooth 5.1 and support for high-quality audio codecs like AAC and aptX.
Pros:
- Stylish, compact foldable design
- Water-resistant (IPX8)
- 120Hz AMOLED main display
- Improved cover screen functionality
- Flagship performance with Snapdragon 888
- Flex Mode for multitasking
Cons:
- Average battery life
- No telephoto lens
- No microSD card slot
Price Point
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G was introduced at a significantly lower price compared to previous foldable phones, which played a key role in making it more accessible to a broader audience. When it launched in August 2021, its price in most regions started at around $999 for the 128GB model and $1,049 for the 256GB model. Galaxy Z Flip6 5G full review.
This pricing is quite competitive for a foldable device, especially considering its flagship-level performance and premium design. Earlier foldable phones, like the original Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold series, were priced much higher, often exceeding $1,400 or more. The Z Flip3’s pricing was a clear indication that Samsung aimed to bring foldable technology into the mainstream, targeting users who were interested in premium devices but hesitant due to the high cost of previous foldable models.
Why the Lower Price Point?
- Economies of Scale: By the time the Galaxy Z Flip3 was launched, Samsung had refined its production processes for foldable devices. The company had been working on foldable screens and hinges for several years, allowing them to lower production costs and pass those savings to consumers.
- Targeting a Wider Market: With the Z Flip3, Samsung wanted to capture a larger market beyond early adopters. The sub-$1,000 price point made the device more competitive with other premium smartphones, such as the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S-series, giving consumers an option to experience a foldable device without spending significantly more than they would on a traditional flagship.
- Trade-offs for Affordability: While the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is a high-quality phone, Samsung did make a few compromises to keep the price competitive. For instance, the device doesn’t have a telephoto camera, and its 3,300mAh battery is smaller compared to other flagship smartphones, which often have 4,000mAh or larger batteries. Additionally, it supports only 15W fast charging, which is slower than some of Samsung’s other high-end devices that support up to 45W.
Competitiveness in the Market
When the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G launched, its price positioned it as a premium smartphone that could compete directly with flagship phones like the iPhone 13 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, its foldable design made it stand out, offering something entirely different from other phones in the same price range.
Even though it was priced similarly to non-foldable flagship smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G provided additional value in terms of its unique design, flexible form factor, and futuristic appeal, making it an attractive choice for tech enthusiasts and those who wanted a more portable yet high-performance device.
Price Variations and Discounts
As time passed, the price of the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G has seen discounts and special offers, especially with the release of its successor, the Galaxy Z Flip4. Depending on the region, carrier contracts, and sales events (like Black Friday or holiday promotions), the price often dropped below the original $999 starting point, making it an even more attractive option.
In 2022 and 2023, Samsung and other retailers frequently offered trade-in deals, promotions, and discounts, allowing buyers to get the Z Flip3 for as low as $600-$700, depending on the condition of their old phone and the specific offer.
Conclusion: A Foldable at a Competitive Price
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G’s price point represents a significant shift in the foldable phone market. By offering a high-quality, innovative device at a price similar to that of traditional flagship phones, Samsung made foldable smartphones more accessible to mainstream consumers. This strategy helped drive greater adoption of foldable devices, making the Z Flip3 one of the most popular foldable phones of its time. For users seeking a premium, stylish, and futuristic device, the Z Flip3’s pricing made it an appealing alternative to traditional flagships.
