Here are my first impressions of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable smartphone!
Find out if this is the foldable smartphone for you!
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 : Unboxing + Contents!
The new Galaxy Z Flip 3 is Samsung’s third-generation Flip device, featuring not only a large foldable 6.7-inch display, but also IPX8 water resistance!
As a Samsung ultra-premium smartphone, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 comes in a premium two-tone black-grey box.
Once you fully unbox it, you should find these items inside :
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 smartphone
- Quick Start Guide
- USB-C to USB-C data and power cable
- SIM tray ejection pin
Unfortunately, it does not come with a fast charger in-the-box, or an USB-C to 3.5 mm audio adaptor.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 : Hands-On + Key Features!
6.7-inch Foldable Display
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 boasts a large 6.7-inch Infinity Flex display, with a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel that has a 120 Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels.
Its foldable display has a new protective film made from stretchable PET, and newly-optimised display panel layers that is 80% more durable than the Z Fold2 display.
The foldable display lets you partially unfold at any angle, and is now certified to withstand folding at least 200,000 times!
1.9-inch Cover Display
In the front, it has a small 1.9-inch Cover Display with a Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 260 x 512 pixels.
This redesigned Cover Screen is 4X larger, making it easier to view notifications and messages without opening the Z Flip 3.
You will be able to check your schedule, the weather, and your daily step count with the new Cover Screen widgets. You can even coordinate its wallpaper with the new Galaxy Watch4 or Galaxy Watch4 Classic!
The Cover Display also serves as a camera preview display, letting you use both rear cameras for superior selfies!
Performance + Storage
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is built around the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G mobile platform, which makes it one of the most powerful smartphones in the world.
Our review sample came with 8 GB of memory, and 128 GB of fast UFS 3.1 storage. It is also available with 256 GB of storage.
It only supports a single SIM card, with no microSD card tray. There is no option to increase storage, but generally 128 GB of storage is more than enough for most people.
Protection
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is water-resistant in up to 1.5 metres of freshwater for up to 30 minutes, but is not dust-resistant due to its foldable display and folding mechanism. Hence, it is IPX8-rated.
To protect against dust and other particles, its Hideaway Hinge has enhanced Sweeper technology, with shorter bristles.
In addition, its chassis is made with Armor Aluminium, and the Cover Display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Its Dual Pixel main camera is also protected by Gorilla Glass with DX.
Front Camera
Samsung flagship smartphones are notable for featuring cutting-edge cameras, but the Galaxy Z Flip 3 stayed with the last generation cameras.
In front, it uses a 10 MP punch hole camera, with an f/2.4 aperture. To be clear, this is an excellent camera. It’s just not new.
Dual Cameras At The Back
In the back, it has a dual-camera system, which consists of :
- a 12 MP main camera, with f/1.8 aperture
- a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, with f/2.2 aperture
These cameras are offer great image quality, even in low-light conditions – thanks to their large apertures.
And as I pointed out earlier, the Cover Display lets you use these cameras for really excellent selfies.
Buttons
The only buttons you will find are on the upper right side of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 – the Volume control buttons and the Power button, which doubles as the fingerprint sensor.
Pressing the Power button twice activates the Quick Shot mode, which lets you take selfies using the rear cameras with the Cover Display for preview and control.
Only One Port
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 comes with a USB Type C port, which supports USB 3.2 connectivity.
It does not come with a 3.5 mm audio jack, or a USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter in the box.
Battery + Charging
Powering all that is a 3,300 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, which supports 15 watt fast charging, and 10 watt wireless charging. It can even wireless recharge other devices, albeit at just 4.5 watts.
This is a pretty small battery, and rather slow charging speeds. I’m currently testing its battery life and will share with you the results shortly.
Unfortunately, it does not come with an in-box charger. So you will have to use your old charger, so buy a new one.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 : Specifications
| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G |
| Model | SM-F711B |
| Main Display | 6.7-inch Infinity Flex Display Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel 1080 x 2640 pixels, 425ppi 120 Hz refresh rate 900 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Cover Display | 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display 260 x 512 pixels, 302 ppi 935 nits (HBM) |
| Protection | IPX8 Water Resistance No Dust Resistance |
| OS | Android 11 with One UI 3.1 |
| Platform | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (SM8350) |
| CPU | 1 x Kryo 680 Prime core (2.84 GHz ) 3 x Kryo 680 Gold cores (2.42 GHz) 4 x Kryo 680 Silver cores (1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Qualcomm Adreno 660 |
| Memory | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB UFS 3.1 |
| Front Camera | 10 MP camera (f/2.4) |
| Main Cameras | 12 MP Dual Pixel camera, f/1.8 12 MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.2 |
| Audio | Stereo speakers tuned by AKG Surround sound with Dolby Atmos UHQ 32-bit and DSD64/128 support |
| Connectivity | Network : 5G / 4G / 3G Wi-Fi : 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e Bluetooth : BT 5.2 USB : USB-C 3.2 |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes, Side-Mounted |
| Other Sensors | Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic, Hall, Proximity, Light |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS |
| NFC | Yes |
| Battery | 3,300 mAh Li-Po battery |
| Charging | Wired : 15 watt Wireless : 10 watt Reverse wireless : 4.5 watt |
| Folded Dimensions |
72.2 mm wide 86.4 mm tall 15.9 mm to 17.1 mm thick |
| Unfolded Dimensions |
72.2 mm wide 166.0 mm tall 6.9 mm thick |
| Weight | 183 grams |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 : Colour Options
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 comes in four colour options (from left to right) : Green, Cream, Lavender and Phantom Black.
Samsung also directly offers three more exclusive colours in their online store – Gray, Pink and White.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 : Price + Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is available for purchase from 27 August 2021 onwards, with a starting price of US$999 – about £723 / A$1,361 / S$1,357 / RM 4,231.
- US : $999.99 to $1049.99
- UK : £949 to £999
- AU : $1,499 to $1,599
- SG : $1,398 to $1,498
- MY : RM3,999 to RM4,199
Here in Malaysia, you can pre-order one from 19 September to 21 September 2021, with these freebies :
- RM600 e-voucher for Samsung Malaysia Online Store
- Samsung Care+ protection (1 year), which covers accidental damage, including screen replacement, water damage and back cover replacement
In Singapore, you can pre-order one with these freebies :
- Free Wireless Charger Duo and Clear Cover with Ring
- Samsung Care+ protection (1 year), which covers accidental damage, including screen replacement, water damage and back cover replacement
In the United States, you will get these offers or freebies when you buy a Galaxy Z Flip 3 :
- 50% off Samsung Galaxy Buds2
- Free 4 months of YouTube Premium
- Free 6 months of SiriusXM Streaming
- Free 3 months of Spotify Premium
In the United Kingdom, you will get this freebie + offer when you buy a Galaxy Z Flip 3 :
- Free 4 months of YouTube Premium
- 5% cash back on Samsung.com purchases using Samsung Pay+
In Australia, you will get these offers when you buy a Galaxy Z Flip 3 :
- Bonus $300 when you trade-in an eligible device
- 50% off Samsung Care+
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
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- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 : Everything You Need To Know!
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 + Z Flip3 Video + Details Leaked!
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