Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Review | Everything you need to know

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the second generation of Samsung’s flip lineup since it was first introduced in 2020. I know some may be wondering why there was no Z Flip 2. Well, Samsung saw the need to align the numbers with its bigger brother, the Z Flip 3. Since then, a lot has changed, from the software aspect down to the hardware and design.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 has definitely improved in almost every way when compared to its predecessor. Before we dive even deeper, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. Why would you even consider buying phones with this form factor.

Answers vary from person to person, but it all boils down to two key factors; Portability and Fashion statement. Portability is definitely one of the key reasons one might even consider buying such a phone.

The fact you can fold the display in half, is mesmerizing by itself. It fits comfortably in any pocket and when you flip it, it becomes a massive 6.7” display. It is very comfortable to hold for every day use. The cover screen found at the back of the device takes the portability of this device to a whole new level.

The previous generation of this device had a very small cover screen, but this year Samsung has increased the screen to 1.9” which big enough for most apps and widgets. It works perfectly when the phone is folded. You can view your latest notifications, access Spotify with all the playback controls and what’s even more impressive, is that Samsung let’s you access your camera from this cover screen. Since you are using the main camera in this case, the selfie images will be crisp and vibrant.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 has become more than a phone. It is now a fashion statement. Due to its smaller footprint when folded, it can fit comfortably in any pocket you put it in. Unlike bigger devices such as the Galaxy S21 Ultra, this device does not bulge out making it a bit safer to walk around with. When unfolded, especially in a public place, this phone definitely attracts a lot of attention. It is unlike anything in the market and when combined with the cool and casual colors that it comes with, it becomes more than a phone; it becomes a fashion statement.

Some of the major improvements this year include a 120Hz refresh rate display, a larger 1.9” cover screen as compared to 1.1” from last year and finally the price dropped to an MSRP of $999

Specs.

• 6.7” Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X front display
• 120Hz, HDR10+ with 1200 nits of brightness (peak)
• 1080 X 2640 pixels (front display resolution)
• IPX8 rating.
• Super AMOLED, 1.9”, 260 X 512 pixels (Cover screen)
• Android 11 with One UI 3.1.1
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB/ 256GB Storage
• Plastic Front, Glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), Aluminum Frame
• No SD Card slot
• Dual camera setup 12MP (wide) 12MP, 123˚ (Ultra-wide)
• Video quality – 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+
• 10MP (Wide) selfie camera capable of shooting 4K@30FPS
• No 3.5mm Jack
• Bluetooth 5.1
• NFC – Yes
• USB-C Port
• Side Mounted Fingerprint sensor
• 3300mAh non-removable battery
• 15W Fast charging (cable)
• 10W Fast wireless charging
• 4.5W reverse wireless charging
• Colors – Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, Cream, White, Pink, Gray
• Starts from $999

Design Language

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 has one of the best and stylish form factors in the market currently. It’s Flip design makes it a sheer joy to carry around all day. It offers portability and versatility unlike any other device out there.

When folded, it fits perfectly in any pocket and unlike it’s bigger brothers, like the Galaxy S21 ultra, this device does no bulge out making it much safer to walk around with. When unfolded, it becomes a massive 6.7” AMOLED 2X display. This year, the screen is brighter (1200 nits peak brightness) and crispier as compared to its predecessor.

The device is surrounded with an aluminum chassis. The Front is covered in a plastic display while the back is covered in Gorilla glass Victus which is the toughest glass from Corning currently. In addition to this, Samsung introduced some new color schemes to this lineup; Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, Cream, White, Pink, Gray. To add cherry on top of the cake, Samsung made the top quarter of the back black, which brings a satisfying contrast.

At the back of the phone, we have a cover screen which is a 1.9” Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 260 X 512 pixels. Beside the cover screen, we have a double camera setup comprising of a wide and an Ultra-wide lens. At the front, we have the plastic 6.7” AMOLED 2X display and a 10MP wide selfie camera. All in all, this device is well made and it is just as good to hold as it is to use.

Cover screen.

The cover screen is the display at the back of the device. It is a 1.9” Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 260 X 512 pixels. This display is very handy especially when the phone is folded. It displays numerous Apps, widgets and you latest notifications. One use case scenario, is when you remove it from your pocket you don’t want to unfold it. It provides you with all the information you need without unfolding the screen.

From the cover screen, you can access various widgets such as the clock widget, control music playback through Spotify or any other music streaming app, control your alarm and timers and so much more. Your latest notifications are also available at your disposal.

What makes this display even more functional, is that you can now access your camera but unlike in the previous model, it is now bigger. Basically, you can take photos and videos from this display. Since you are using the main cameras, you can be sure that your selfies will come out crispier and more vibrant.

Camera

This phone has a double camera setup at the back and a single selfie camera on the front. The double camera comprises of a 12MP (wide) 12MP and a 123˚ (Ultra-wide) camera lenses. The front facing camera is a 10MP wide camera.

Although the camera quality is not as good as the ones found in its bigger brothers like the Galaxy S21 lineup, it is decent enough for every day photography. The back cameras are capable of shooting, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+ while the selfie camera is capable of shooting 4K@30FPS. All in all, the camera quality is definitely above average and most people won’t mind it that much.

Final thoughts

This phone is definitely worth considering now that Samsung has dropped the prices. This phone is perfect for anyone who has a taste for style and most enthusiasts who have some money to spare. Samsung really did a good job this year and I can’t wait to see what the next generation of Flip phones has in store for us.

Here is a list of differences between the First-generation Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.