Samsung has announced its latest foldable smartphones with the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 5G.
While foldables are still a niche category of mobile devices, Samsung has seen increasing growth and demand over the years. The company notes that the global foldable market is expected to triple in 2021, compared to 2020.
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Samsung is strengthening its hold on this market with a launch of not one, but two foldable devices at its Unpacked event on 11 August.
The company notes that with the latest devices, it took customer requests into consideration, including: water resistance, S Pen Support, and light, slimmer form factors.
Here’s what to know about each of the new Samsung smartphones, which the company dubs its most advanced foldables yet…
Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G
The new Z Flip 3 includes a larger, upgraded cover screen with more functionality than its predecessor.
In case you’re wondering, there was no Z Flip 2 – but it seems that the naming convention is aimed at signaling the new generation of Samsung foldables.
The Z Flip 3 has a slimmer design than the Z Flip, but the same size display.
This 6.7-inch display has been upgraded to a 120Hz refresh rate in the new Z Flip – upgraded from 60Hz in the previous generation.
In terms of the cover screen, you’re getting a four times larger display with the 1.9-inch screen. This brings additional functionality, such as quick settings, notifications, Samsung Pay, and certain widgets (such as music controls and alarms).
The cover screen also houses the phone’s rear camera – featuring a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 12MP wide-angle lens.
Meanwhile, the front camera, housed in the folding screen, features a 10MP lens.
The design also has more colour styles to choose from, with Samsung saying that it enhanced the design to make it more fun and fashionable.
The colour choices now include Cream, Phantom Black, Green, and Lavender.
Samsung will also be selling exclusive colour options on its website – White, Pink, and Gray (though the colour options available locally will still need to be confirmed).
The Z Flip 3 also comes with IPX8 water resistance.
You can see a summary of the Z Flip 3 5G’s specs below:
- Cover display: 1.9-inch Super AMOLED (512 x 260 pixel) display
- Main display: 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex (2640 x 1080 pixel) display
- Processor: 5nm 64-bit octa-core processor
- Main camera: 12MP ultra-wide lens + 12mP wide-angle lens
- Selfie camera: 10MP
- Battery: 3300mAh dual battery
- RAM: 8GB
- On-board storage: 128GB/256GB
Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G
Like its predecessor, the Z Fold 3 features a 6.2-inch cover display that can be used when the phone is folded.
However, the device has a slightly slimmer and smaller profile. While Samsung has shaved off a few millimeters and decimal points, this also results in a slightly lighter device – with the Fold 3 weighing 11 grams lighter than the Fold 2.
Meanwhile, the inner folding screen (Infinity Flex Display) measures 7.6-inches and supports a 120Hz refresh rate.
In an even newer step for the brand, the Fold 3 also features Samsung’s first under-display camera lens – under the phone’s folding display.
Targeting one of the biggest concerns regarding its predecessors, the Fold 3 is also the most durable foldable from Samsung.
According to the company, it features an 80% more durable protective film on the inner, folding screen. It also has a 10% stronger outer case and hinge, and 50% stronger rear glass thanks to the inclusion of Gorilla Glass Victus.
Like the Z Flip 3, the phone also comes with IPX8 water resistance.
It also supports the use of the S Pen, including the use of the exclusive S Pen Fold Edition.
In terms of software, Samsung has also optimized the UI for users to make the most of the foldable experience and extra screen space. The company has also introduced a taskbar that can help users navigate between apps.
You can see a summary of the Z Fold 3’s specs below:
- Cover display: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED (2268 x 832 pixel) display
- Main display: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex Display, with S Pen support
- Processor: 5nm 64-bit octa-core processor
- Rear camera: 12MP ultra-wide lens + 12MP wide-angle lens + 12MP telephoto lens
- Under-display/front camera: 4MP
- Cover camera: 10MP
- Battery: 4400mAh dual battery
- RAM: 12GB
- On-board storage: 256GB/512GB
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G and Z Fold 3 price in South Africa
So when will the new foldables arrive in South Africa? And what will the price of each phone be?
Pre-orders for the phones will open on 1 September, with the official launch date set for 17 September.
For the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, the recommended retail cash price is R21 999. Customers can also choose credit plans for R999 x 24 months or R699 x 36 months.
Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 will have a recommended cash price of R37 999.
Credit plans will also be available for R1 699 x 24 months, and R1 299 x 36 months.
You can find out more about the phones on the Samsung South Africa online store.
Read more: Xiaomi brings Redmi Note 10 series to South Africa: price and details
Feature image: Samsung
*Editor’s note: Pricing for this article has been corrected.
