Samsung is betting all the chips on its folding line. This became even clearer after the manufacturer left the Galaxy Note family in the fridge to focus on the Z Flip and Z Fold 2021. The company has been brave, has received criticism and seems to have improved a lot this year to prove that it is at the forefront of folding smartphones. Can the Galaxy Z Flip 3 show Samsung’s maturity in the industry?
Like any other top-of-the-line phone, the Z Flip 3 has a powerful processor, the Snapdragon 888 5G, a sophisticated IPX8-certified construction (I don’t know how magical they did here), AMOLED display with 120 Hz rate and a high price. Maybe this is a cell phone for ordinary people. Is it? That’s what we’re going to find out in this review.
Ethics Notice
Tecnoblog is an independent journalistic vehicle that has helped people make their next purchasing decision since 2005. Our analyses are not intended to be advertising, so they highlight the positive and negative points of each product. No company has paid, reviewed or had early access to this content.
Design
Unlike Fold, the Z Flip 3 is not that foldable phone with the proposal of “flip tablet”. This is a large device, with almost 7-inch screen, which, even so, has not lost the compact aspect. Closed, you can transport it without any difficulty in the bag or even in the pocket of the pants. And I’ll say more: even open, the person should have no problems charging it, after all the Z Flip 3 is a normal cell phone — until double.
Speaking of design and construction, the current device has the same layout of the first generation, but the dedication of the company with the finish this year is what impresses me most. It’s like the first Flip is a prototype and Flip 3 is the final product. It is more sophisticated, colorful and refined. Samsung sent us the cream version, which appears to be even more refined. Flip 3 is still available in green, black and lavender. I’ve enjoyed them all.
The model is built in aluminum, now more resistant, for the tranquility of those who are willing to pay for everything that Samsung asks for. In fact, it is a quality material and the sophisticated folding sides resemble those of the iPhone 13. I don’t know exactly how Samsung did it, but just like the Fold, the Flip 3 is water resistant thanks to the IPX8 certification.
To complete design, South Koreans are to be congratulated for their care this year. Today I look at the first Z Flip and think “what an ugly phone”. The second generation not only hits the look, but also ergonomics and endurance. We still can’t stop talking about nostalgia, which is very strong, making us go back in time and remember the classic flip phones of the 2000s.
Internal and external screen
Z Flip 3’s foldable screen is 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED. It has Full HD+ resolution with 2640 x 1080 pixels and a 22:9 aspect ratio. In short, it is a super screen for those who like and are always marathoning series or playing on the smartphone. Samsung worked with thin edges and added a hole to the front camera. As for the quality of the panel, there’s not much to talk about, because like any other top of the line in the company, you’ll find strong brightness, excellent contrasts and a deep black that only AMOLED can provide.
I believe that many people are suspicious about the crease that exists in the middle of the display. I can state that the experience is the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which is even more comprehensive. After a few minutes of use you will barely remember this interference and, no, it does not compromise usability. The device unfortunately does not support the S Pen pen, but at least delivers 120 Hz refresh rate for more fluid navigations.
