Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 : My First Impressions!

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, CreamLavender 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.

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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