A luxury guy with both power and flexibility.
Galaxy Z Fold 3, the third generation of Samsung (Samsung) folding smartphone, has been released.The price slightly lowered from the previous work, the waterproof specification of IPX8, etc., can I buy it?Many people may think.GIZMODO's Sam Rutherford reporter has made a review for a while, so please see below!
Samsung's largest folding smartphone has been on a long way of three generations.The first Galaxy Fold was a challenge to a completely new category called folding, but it was also a rough experiment.After that, after the design -sophisticated Galaxy Z Fold 2, this Galaxy Z Fold 3 (hereinafter Z Fold 3) will be able to provide more functions than any other smartphone while receiving daily stress.rice field.The price of $ 1,800 (about 198,000 yen) is not cheap just for folding everyone.Nevertheless, Z Fold 3 is a finish that seems to be ready for Samsung's folding smartphone to enter the mainstream.
Smartphone SUV
It's a bit of a soba to compare a smartphone to a car, but this analogy feels great.If the general glass display smartphone is a sedan, Z Fold 3 is a luxury SUV.The thickness of the folded state is 0.62 inches (about 16mm), weight 9.5 ounce (about 271g), Z Fold 3 is much larger and heavier than a normal smartphone.However, if you open the flexible screen, you can immerse yourself in the content, and even if you consider the size that is too large, you can have a lot of experience.It is similar to being able to expand the capacity by putting out the third row seat with just a large SUV.A new space that has never been before appears.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
What is this?: 7.A large folding smartphone equipped with a 6 -inch flexible display.
Price: $ 1,800 (about 198,000 yen, unpublished in Japan).
Favorite place: Beautiful flexible display, greatly improved robustness, water resistance of IPX8, S PEN, powerful battery life, solid specifications.
I don't like it: The hardware of the camera is the same as last year, it is too expensive, too large, multitasking support is required.
Although it is Z Fold 3 in 2021, the overall design did not change significantly from the first Galaxy Fold.In other words, the cover screen outside the main unit is thin 6..Using 2 inches to quickly check notifications, messages and maps, a large flexible inside 7.The 6 -inch AMOLED display opens and closes with a hinge.There is a fingerprint sensor on the side, so you can easily unlock, and the lower side is equipped with a USB-C port.And even if it is opened or folded, you can hear a relatively rich sound from the stereo speaker.
Although the design is not much different from the previous, fine adjustments are well adjusted.The edges are off -square and slightly easier to hold, the hinges are more powerful, making it easier to hold at the angle of various screens.Looking from a distance, Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 2 are almost indistinguishable, but Z Fold 3 is generally thinner and smaller, and the gap between the displays when closed has become thinner.There is still the folding of the screen when it is opened, but it is hard to see from the front.If you stare while changing the angle, you can see the fold, but personally, the folds have disappeared from consciousness and cannot be seen.If you compare it to a car, it feels like you will not be aware of the heat rays for the rear glass frost.
The screen is greatly upgraded
Even in Z Fold 3, the design did not change, but the inside and foreign displays were upgraded greatly.First, the outer cover screen has a refresh rate of 120Hz, and both displays have the same flowing visuals, and the brightness is maintained (up to 700 Nito).The color is still vivid.
But more important is the inner flexible display.Z Fold 3 is the first device equipped with Samsung's latest ECO 2 OLED panel, reducing power consumption by Samsung to 25 %, and has improved the transmittance by 33 % because it does not use plastic polarized layers.In addition, the environmental impact is also small.However, the biggest thing I personally think is that the screen of Z Fold 3 is more vivid than Z Fold 2, and the test shows the brightness of 750 Nito.
The biggest significance of buying Z Fold 3 is on this folding screen.Even when playing a game, watching a video, or sharing a Mome to a friend, the tablet -sized screen can be placed in a pocket with a giant high -resolution 2208 × 1768 display of Z Fold 3, and any taskIt is accepted.Thanks to this display, all experiences have been better, from scanning QR code in restaurants to playing katan with my wife every night.
That's not just that.The inner screen of Z Fold 3 is slightly softer than the normal glass display, so it is better not to operate it with nails, so S PEN is supported.In other words, I brought the best function of the Galaxy Note line to the super size Z Fold.By upgrading this stylus fan joy, you can draw pictures and take notes with a large screen at ease.There are two S -Pen options, one is S Pen Fold Edition of $ 50 (about 5,500 yen), the other is S Pen Pro of $ 100 (about 11,000 yen), and the latter can be used on other Galaxy devices.。
For the time being, I only use S Pen Fold Edition, and this has only basic functions (for example, I do not support AIR ACTIONS functions), but still all needed.There are convenient eraser buttons, and there are several types of pen tips.S Pen Fold Edition is completely passive, so there is no need to charge.I thought that both S PENs were smart, but if you press the screen too strongly, the pen tip will be automatically stored.It is safe to use it on a soft screen of Z Fold 3.Because if you get scratched with S Pen used to avoid damaging the screen, it's going to fall.However, when I was using S Pen Fold Edition in Z Fold 3, I did not store the pen tip except when I pushed it strongly for the test.
If there is a problem with Z Fold 3 S Pen support, there is no place in the main unit to put the stylus.You have to buy a dedicated case or put it on your ears.
As expected, a sense of speed
Regarding processing capacity, Z Fold 3 is the highest specification, with 12GB RAM and 256GB base storage (upgraded to 512GB for $ 100) in Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (in North America).
Whether you look at the social media or play a game, Z Fold 3 shows the firmly maintained SUV crisp movement (around Lamborghini Urs).The benchmarks are all wonderful, and if you can get a higher score than Z Fold 3, I think it's the strongest gaming smartphone like ASUS ROG Phone 5s, which can increase RAM with the latest Snapdragon 888+.
Software has room for improvement
The subtle thing about Z Fold 3 is the handling of the app.A number of improvements are being made, but if you look closely, you will get a rough part.The most different thing than before is that many of the Samsung apps are tablet versions, and the UI is definitely worthy of the Z Fold 3 display.For example, in Samsung Internet Browser, the tab is displayed on the top of the app, just like a computer browser, instead of hiding in the three -line menu.
In other apps, Samsung cooperates with Microsoft and Google (Google) to make use of the tablet screen, can now use an interface customized with apps such as Outlook and YouTube.For example, in the Flex Mode layout that can be used in some apps, it is easier to use Z Fold 3 even if it is half -opened like a notebook PC.In the case of YouTube, the upper half of the screen will be a wide screen view, and a comment will be displayed in the lower half.Nevertheless, two and a half years after the birth of Galaxy Fold, there are still few such apps, and there are only about 50 apps optimized for folding devices.I hope that it will increase more in the future.
In Z Fold 3, a taskbar that can be placed next to the screen is added, making multitasking easier.To turn on the taskbar, you have to enable the Samsung Labs option and specify the taskbar to the side of the screen.This setting method is not intuitive.
To make multi -window mode, just drag and drop the app icon somewhere on the screen from the taskbar or edge panel, and then make the same.It is very good to be able to use a PC -like taskbar with a flexible smartphone like Z Fold 3, but it was a redundant feeling because the application was originally available at the bottom of the screen.I think it would have been nice to use the pin of this app for different folding smartphones.
Z Fold 3 software also had a little bit of a part.For example, to create an app pair, first launch the app you want to make, adjust the window size and arrangement of each app, and then press the button on the window pane to create a pair icon.But I think that you have to make an app pair without launching an app, just like making a shortcut on a personal computer.However, I think this is a sign that multitasking on hybrid devices is still under construction, not only in Samsung but also in the industry.Anything is not smooth sailing, and it will not be completed immediately, but Samsung is trying to open a way to improve productivity on mobile.
Furthermore
Folding smartphones or flexible screen generally the biggest question is how hard you can keep the robustness when used for a long time.When I was using Z Fold 2, I was really thinking about it, but Z Fold 3 seemed to have dealt with all of the big concerns.
Until now, the Galaxy Fold device was non -waterproof, but Z Fold 3 acquired IPX8 authentication.In other words, water depth 1.It was okay to sink to 5m for 30 minutes.I'm glad that I just lost my worry about being broken by submerging, but when compared to a flagship smartphone that is not folded, I think it is meaningful to be robust.
In Z Fold 2, there was a problem that the screen protection film attached by default was peeled off, but Z Fold 3 uses more powerful adhesive, and the material of the protective film is changed from TPU to PTE.80 % enhancement has been enhanced.I don't know what it is in the long term, but I hope I can tell you that.
Samsung has developed a new type of aluminum alloy called "Armor Aluminum" for the hinge of Z Fold 3 to enhance strength.He also increased the number of brushes to prevent garbage from entering inside.
However, what I want to evaluate a little more carefully is the support and service system when something happens.This Z series has been launched not only for some power users and core smartphones, but also for a wider range of people.If Z Fold 3 becomes the mainstream as Samsung's aim, the number of people who need support will inevitably increase, so I think it is necessary to determine whether it can be responded without puncture at that time.
When the screen protection film of Z Fold 2 began to come off, I tried to fix it to the Samsung flagship store in New York and two Samsung Certified Service Center.But unfortunately, there was no stock protection film in the inventory, and the only way to get repaired was to mail the Z Fold to the destination for repair.Of course, Z Fold 2 can no longer be used for 15 days.
It may depend on people, but I don't think the service is particularly good if you can't use your smartphone (and most people, especially if you don't have an alternative smartphone).Moreover, Z Fold 2 was very expensive, and at that time it was not a year since I started using it.There is a reason that Apple's Genius Bar is always highly evaluated.If you are Apple, you can often get a screen cracking or a battery replacement on the same day.
Samsung says that the development of Samsung Care+can provide more generous support for Z Fold users.But at this time, how hard it is when you want to repair Z Fold 3 is unknown.
Four of the five cameras are the same as last year
It was a pity that four of the cameras equipped in Z Fold 3 were the same hardware (just tweaked the software) as last year.The four of them are self -camera (10 million pixels) in the punch hole at the top of the cover screen and triple lenses on the back (all 12 million pixels, ultra -wide angle, double light zoom).
Although it is the same hardware, it is more than enough in image quality, and it is still located in the upper layer in all smartphones.However, there is a part in Z Fold 3 that if there is a camera or 10 times light zoom of Galaxy S21 Ultra or 10 times the light zoom.Such a camera module may be bulky in size, but since it costs nearly 200,000 yen, it should not be an unreasonable desire.However, the hardware of the product that has been released is no longer possible, so those who want high -performance cameras and the best image quality have bought Galaxy S21 Ultra or Google Pixel 5 (or wait for Pixel 6).It is better.However, of course, these smartphones are not folded, so you should not compare them with Z Fold 3.
How long can the camera at the bottom of the screen can be used?
The only camera upgraded this time is the inward -in -screen camera.In an attempt to eliminate disturbing elements such as notches and punch holes from the smartphone screen, Samsung created the world's first camera under the world for flexible display.
But there is a trade -off as the first generation technology.The camera at the bottom of the Z Fold 3 is not completely invisible, but you can clearly see that it is hidden.Pixels and transistors in the smartphone display reduce the light that enters the camera sensor, which is affected by the overall image quality.The pixel density of the display part on the camera is dropped to about 25 % of other parts to capture as many light under the screen at the bottom of the screen.So you can see that only this part has a clear image quality in appearance.
Regarding the image quality that can be taken with the camera at the bottom of the screen, I feel that it is generally low, but the first attempt is excellent.In the sense of the appearance on the display, especially when there is a lens part in the white or black background, it is really clear, but such a background is usually a border displayed up and down of the movie or a notification bar.I do.Even when playing the game, you can see only the RGB sub -pixel only the camera part, but the camera is on the edge, there is a certain resolution, and unless you stare at it, you can forget its existence.increase.That's enough.
The image quality of the camera below the screen, which is inward, is clearly reduced compared to the outward cellphye camera.However, when I was using Z Fold 2, I only had the opportunity to shoot with an inward camera, so I don't think it's a problem.The camera at the bottom of the screen is only a bonus function that can be used when you want to make a video call while watching a large screen of Z Fold 3, and it is a camera that works well in such situations.
Is the battery decreasing dramatic?I thought
The battery capacity of Z Fold 3 is 4,400mAh, which is smaller than last year, but the energy efficiency of Samsung's ECO 2 screen works more than it is.In the video regeneration test, Z Fold 3 has an amazing 18 hours and 33 minutes, exceeding the 18 hours and 18 minutes of Pixel 5a.By the way, this test is carried out on the larger display, so if you use a small cover screen, it should be longer.
But is it 200,000 yen ...
Here is a real thought.Z Fold 3 dropped by $ 1,800 (approximately 198,000 yen) to $ 200 (about 22,000 yen) from Z Fold 2.I'm glad that it's slightly affordable, but it's hard to say that Z Fold 3 is a must -buy, no matter how much money you have.
Certainly, Z Fold 3 is really a luxury SUV on a smartphone.Thanks to the firmness, durable, and flexible functionality, you can handle from a small task processing in the city to the content viewing on the huge screen.Especially if you are a huge screen enthusiast, you should be able to enjoy a wonderful feeling.Still, I don't think Z Fold 3 is a smart shopping.However, I am very interested in the new folding screen personally, so I would like to use my own eyes to see how the durability is and for a short period and a long period of time.
The talented car reviewer Doug Demuro says that it is really interesting to buy unusual products, but that is exactly the case.Among all smartphones that you can buy now, there is no power and flexibility of Z Fold 3.I think it's the birth of something like a sports utility von after SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle).
