TODAY’S BEST DEALSThe Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is surely the very best clamshell foldable available on the market, though as the most recent addition to what’s a particularly restricted machine area of interest – solely the Z Flip and Motorola Razr occupy the class, and Motorola’s most up-to-date contender is a yr old-fashioned – that’s not saying a lot.But the Z Flip 3 additional refines every part a clamshell foldable ought to be, and in addition manages to be fairly good at every part else trendy telephones are imagined to do. It retains up with different flagships when it comes to efficiency (Snapdragon 888 chipset, 8GB RAM, 128GB or 256GB storage) and when flipped open has a good-sized 6.7-inch plastic OLED show that delivers an image someplace between LCD and OLED ranges of colour vibrance and crispness, and with a clean 120Hz refresh charge.The Z Flip 3’s comparatively small 3,300mAh battery may be limiting (it not often lasts greater than a day), however the phone’s greatest shortcoming is its digital camera setup, which hasn’t modified from its predecessors, the unique Z Flip and its 5G variant (there’s no Z Flip 2, with Samsung skipping a quantity with the intention to preserve its Flip vary consistent with its Z Fold collection). There are 12MP f/1.8 important and 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide cameras on the rear, and a 10MP f/2.4 selfie digital camera. It’s a suitable providing, however not akin to what you’ll discover on telephones just like the comparably-priced Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus with its 3x optical zoom, or telephones with higher telephoto cameras, just like the S21 Ultra or ZTE Axon 30 Ultra, each of which have 5x optical zoom cameras.However, these different flagship telephones can’t be folded up and slipped right into a small pocket, and that’s a novelty that’s by no means been extra inexpensive that it’s right here: with a beginning value of $999 / £949 / AU$1,499, shoppers can get a clamshell foldable for the worth of a top-tier typical flagship phone. Not everybody wants that novelty, although, and it’s simple to see the place the Z Flip 3 is a stepping-stone to a successor that’s much more inexpensive, packs zoom cameras, and has a big sufficient outer show to allow you to ship texts or emails and use apps. As it stands, the phone is a pleasure to make use of for people who’re keen to pay for one thing extra pocketable, however all its non-folding options may be had for a lot much less elsewhere.(Image credit score: Future)Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 value and launch dateThe Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 was formally unveiled at Samsung Unpacked on August 11, and you should purchase it now (it went on sale on August 27, 2021) within the US and UK. Those in Australia will see the phone go on sale on September 10. It is available in two storage sizes: 128GB, which prices $999 / £949 / AU$1,499, and 256GB which can set you again $1,049 / £999 / AU$1,599 For comparability, the unique Galaxy Flip price $1,380 / £1,300 / AU$1,800, and the 5G mannequin was much more at $1,449 / £1,399 / AU$2,599, so the brand new phone is way cheaper at launch, and across the value of different flagships just like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus or iPhone 12 Pro. On the opposite hand, each the unique Z Flip and the Z Flip 5G have gotten a lot cheaper since launch, and are at the moment extra inexpensive than the Z Flip 3.The Z Flip 3 can be a complete lot cheaper than its bigger sibling, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, a real foldable phone that begins at $1,799 / £1,599 / AU$2,499. With twice as a lot show and S Pen assist, the Z Fold 3 is a powerful various – however one which’s meant for productiveness, not portability.Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Future)Image 2 of 3(Image credit score: Future)Image 3 of 3(Image credit score: Future)DesignThe Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 doesn’t look a lot totally different from its predecessors, apart from an growth of the outer show and a rearranging of the rear cameras round it. It’s nonetheless a clamshell foldable with two ‘halves’ rotating round a big, Samsung-branded hinge. Unfolded, it’s nonetheless a really tall and slender phone, with a 6.7-inch show. There are some (principally aesthetic) enhancements, nonetheless. While the phone doesn’t fold fully flush, there’s much less of a niche between sides when it’s closed, and the protecting plastic bumper ringing around the internal flex show remains to be there, nevertheless it’s thinner, trying extra like a guardrail strip than the rounded pontoon layer lining the sting of the Z Flip’s display screen.The rear cowl design has additionally been modified, from a single-color end on the Z Flip to a two-toned impact on the Z Flip 3: the underside two-thirds are a single hue, whereas the highest third is all-black glass, and homes the outer show, with the dual rear cameras aligned vertically subsequent to it. It’s a extra good-looking look this time round, though among the colour choices are extra interesting than others (our cream hue wasn’t terribly engaging). The again is roofed in Gorilla Glass Victus (which its maker, Corning Glass, claims is extra sturdy than Gorilla Glass 6 with twice the scratch resistance), whereas the display screen inside has a ‘glasstic’ versatile plastic show. For the first time in a foldable, Samsung has secured an IPX8 score for water resistance, which means the phone may be submerged in 1.5 meters of water for as much as half-hour. It’s not rated for mud resistance, nonetheless (therefore IPX8 as an alternative of the extra frequent IP68, with the ‘6’ denoting mud resistance). (Image credit score: Future)Other than the enlarged outer show, the phone is ready up very similar to its predecessor. On the fitting aspect is a lock button with a fingerprint sensor and a quantity rocker above it, that are admittedly a bit excessive for consolation when the phone is unfolded – the previous is simply reachable with a thumb (to unlock the phone), however elevating or decreasing the quantity is nearly inconceivable to do one-handed. This setup isn’t arbitrary – when folded up, the buttons sit in the midst of the aspect of the highest half of the phone.On the left aspect close to the highest is a SIM slot, though sadly there’s no microSD slot, so you possibly can’t add to the built-in storage. The prime solely has a microphone, whereas on the underside there’s a USB-C slot within the middle, with a speaker on the fitting and mic on the left. (Image credit score: Future)What’s it prefer to fold?The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the very best clamshell foldable available on the market, though that’s not saying a lot provided that the phone’s solely competitors is the year-old Motorola Razr 2020. The telephones take totally different approaches to the shape issue: the Razr has extra performance on its outer display screen, whereas the Z Flip 3 permits for unfolding the phone to any diploma (till absolutely flat), with extra performance in semi-unfolded phases.Unfolding the Z Flip 3 is just a little powerful to do one-handed (as was the case with earlier Z Flip telephones), however this resistance means you possibly can unfold the machine to no matter diploma you need and really feel assured it is going to keep locked in place, which is as practical as it’s enjoyable. There are most likely only some use instances that may require part-folding the Z Flip 3, no less than till extra apps construct in performance that splits the display screen (known as Flex Mode), however having this selection elevates some experiences above what regular telephones are able to. Video chatting is so a lot better when you possibly can prop up your phone; likewise with taking selfies.(Image credit score: Future)But principally, the Z Flip 3’s foldability turns out to be useful if you’re carrying it round. While it gained’t slot in some pockets – as iFixit discovered when folding closed older clamshells, the smaller footprint nonetheless leads to a thicker phone – it’s a terrific feeling to slip it in a pocket or bag and never fear in regards to the internal show getting scratched by keys or different bits and items. The exterior show stays the foldable’s least spectacular characteristic – it’s nonetheless too small to make use of for a lot past seeing notifications, previewing selfies, and controlling audio. The display screen seems just about the identical in read-only mode (faucet it as soon as) and interactive mode (faucet it twice), so it would look like contact performance is irregular, though it’s definitely extra usable than its predecessor. However, the Motorola Razr’s bigger 2.6-inch outer display screen nonetheless has extra performance, and might work together with extra apps than on the Z Flip 3’s exterior show.ShowImage 1 of 3(Image credit score: Future)Image 2 of 3(Image credit score: Future)Image 3 of 3(Image credit score: Future)The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3’s shows have been improved, though not by an excessive amount of, all issues thought-about. That’s advantageous, however we’re nonetheless ready for parity between glass and plastic shows – and no folding seam – earlier than we’re blown away by clamshell foldables.The seam is shallower than on earlier clamshell foldable shows, and when you’ll nonetheless really feel it whereas operating your finger throughout the middle of the 6.7-inch Full HD Plus (2640 x 1080) show, it’s not too annoying. The display screen itself is vibrant sufficient for viewing outside, and has comparable visuals to different flagship Full HD shows, although it’s not fairly as crisp as telephones with OLED shows.The Z Flip 3’s plastic internal show doesn’t appear to have an inferior image in comparison with glass telephones, however in side-to-side comparisons it could exhibit a barely much less sharp image than screens on OLED telephones. The display screen has been barely improved over the show on its predecessor, with a 120Hz refresh charge for smoother shopping and gaming.As talked about, the Z Flip 3’s 1.9-inch exterior show is sort of 4 occasions the scale of the unique Z Flip’s 1.1-inch outer display screen. Instead of barely displaying a single line of textual content, and maybe the world’s smallest photograph preview, the Z Flip 3’s bigger display screen makes it so much simpler to preview selfies, and there are mini-app widgets for easy audio controls, setting timers, and some different issues.CamerasThe Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 has sufficient cameras to deal with informal pictures, missing any telephoto functionality however managing every part else effectively. The phone advantages from Samsung’s spectacular photograph software program, with photographs trying properly detailed and colourful. The pair of shooters on the again of the phone – a 12MP f/1.8 Dual Pixel important digital camera with optical picture stabilization (OIS) and 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide digital camera – don’t appear to have been modified from the pair on the Z Flip. That mentioned, they seize pictures that evaluate favorably to pictures taken with different Samsung flagships, with good colour stability in daylight.(Image credit score: Future)There’s a 10MP f/2.4 front-facing digital camera that takes respectable selfies, though these have barely much less element than pictures from front-facing cameras in rival flagships just like the iPhone 12 Pro. Still, that is essentially the most selfie-friendly phone we’ve used shortly – having the ability to shoot with the phone unfolded midway, with one aspect resting flat on a floor, is way simpler than awkwardly bending an arm to suit your self and others in body, a observe that’s doubtlessly trickier for people with out a variety of movement. The Z Flip 3 also can take selfies when folded closed, utilizing the superior rear important and ultra-wide cameras, to take pictures which are previewed on the outer show – simply double-tap the lock button to open the digital camera mode. The contact interface is completely easy: swipe as much as change between the principle and ultra-wide lenses, and swipe left and proper to change between photograph and video.It’s super-simple and a terrific occasion trick, and undeniably a better approach to take selfies. Just remember that this mode inexplicably takes absolutely sq. pictures (perplexing given the widescreen-formatted outer show) – and different photograph dimensions aren’t doable.Camera samplesHere are some samples taken with the Z Flip 3’s rear cameras, in addition to a selfie with the front-facing digital camera (effectively, front-facing when the internal display screen is open):Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Future)Image 2 of 3(Image credit score: Future)Image 3 of 3(Image credit score: Future)Some meals pictures, naturally:Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Future)Image 2 of two(Image credit score: Future)And final, a zoom check, beginning with ultra-wide, then important digital camera, after which in larger magnification utilizing the crop zoom from 2x, 4x, and the utmost 10x:Image 1 of 5(Image credit score: Future)Image 2 of 5(Image credit score: Future)Image 3 of 5(Image credit score: Future)Image 4 of 5(Image credit score: Future)Image 5 of 5(Image credit score: Future)Specs, efficiency and software programThe Samsung Z Flip 3 has flagship specs, and performs as impressively as any phone outdoors the priciest top-tier handsets. It runs on the Snapdragon 888 chipset (which you’ll discover within the main Android handsets launched in 2021), and has 8GB of RAM and both 128GB or 256GB of storage. Unfortunately, the storage isn’t expandable through microSD, which means you’re caught with the onboard restrict – however whereas it could look like a step again to supply a 128GB model (the Flip and Flip 5G got here in a single 256GB configuration), it in the end permits the phone to be provided at a lower cost level. It isn’t excellent, however there are options, like cloud storage, in the event you want extra space. Overall efficiency is spectacular: whether or not we had been shopping the net, watching media or taking part in video games, the phone did not stutter or falter, and saved up with no matter we put it by. Its Geekbench 5 common rating of 2801 is spectacular sufficient, although not fairly on the extent of the yr’s top-level telephones just like the Asus Rog 5 (3732) or iPhone 12 Pro (4007).This common displays a variety of particular person scores, from a excessive of 3252 to a low of 1953, and whereas we didn’t discover the phone’s efficiency differ in real-world duties (we didn’t see any slowdown whereas watching video or taking part in video games, as an example), most flagship telephones have far much less variance of their benchmarks.The Z Flip 3 runs Android 11 out of the field, bringing the very best perks from the newest Google working system. Given that it solely took a number of months for the unique Z Flip and Z Flip 5G (each launched with Android 10) to get upgraded to Android 11 after the latter phone launched in October 2020, per Android (*3*), it’s an inexpensive guess that the Z Flip 5G may get this yr’s Android 12 improve in the identical time-frame. One of the large options coming in Android 12 is Material You, which redesigns your interface primarily based in your chosen colour palette – and the Z Flip 3 has its personal model of that, enabling homeowners of a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 4 Classic to sync their watch face with their outer show, giving the latter matching colours, fonts, and even little photographs. It’s a small contact that folk won’t use, nevertheless it’s cool to see extra personalization of the outer show. (Image credit score: Future)Battery lifeThe Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3’s greatest disadvantage might be its 3,300mAh battery, which is removed from the largest battery amongst flagship telephones, and steadily drains over the course of a day – don’t anticipate it to final into the second day. There’s additionally no charger within the field, as a part of the corporate’s shift towards extra sustainability and fewer waste (in addition to saving on prices). The battery drains a bit quicker than most telephones simply by holding the show liveopen and the phone on; one sooner or later, the phone held up till it hit round 10%, after which dropped sharply. But unusual duties shouldn’t drain this phone greater than some other – as an example, watching a half-hour Netflix present sapped the battery by 3%, which is fairly typical.We used essentially the most highly effective wall charger available, a 60W Asus brick, which recharged the battery to 46% in half-hour and 80% in an hour. Not unhealthy, however not nice in comparison with telephones tuned to high-wattage recharging – the OnePlus 9, as an example, recharges twice as quick (76% in half-hour in our check).Should I purchase the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3?(Image credit score: Future)Buy it if…You need essentially the most inexpensive flagship foldableWell, the Z Flip 3 isn’t precisely inexpensive, however it’s the least expensive of the brand new foldables available on the market. If you wish to strive foldable phone tech out whereas spending as little as doable, get the Z Flip 3.You need a pocketable phoneThe Z Flip 3’s greatest perk is definitely that it’s packing flagship functionality in a foldable package deal, and at a greater value than ever.You need a selfie machineLet’s be actual: no phone makes taking selfies simple… aside from the Z Flip 3. This is the phone to get for selfies and video calls in case your favourite topic is you.Don’t purchase it if…You need a flagship phone with a telephoto lensThe Z Flip 3 doesn’t have a telephoto lens – and take it from us, the utmost zoom is blurry. If you need a phone that may shoot distant topics, go for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or one other handset with a telescope zoom lens.You need extra display screen along with your foldableYou might hear ‘foldable’ and be stunned that the Z Flip 3 solely has as a lot internal display screen space as a typical phone – if you’d like twice the show actual property of your traditional handset (and S Pen stylus assist), decide up the brand new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.You need an excellent cheaper clamshell foldableLike the ‘flip phone’ format however need it even cheaper? You can get an older Z Flip, Z Flip 5G, or Motorola Razr for lower than the Z Flip 3 prices at launch. First reviewed: August 2021TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 review: The first cheaper foldable phone
