Introduction
A few days ago, I unboxed the Galaxy Z Flip3, a flip phone that was launched alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3. Just like the Z Flip3, the Z Fold3 is also currently available for pre-order until 21 September 2021. As usual, I was able to get the phone earlier, and here’s my unboxing and first impressions of the latest Samsung foldable phone!
Unboxing
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 comes in the same thin black box with the same design language as the Z Flip3.
Opening up the box, you’ll see the unfolded Z Fold3 at the top. There’s a pull tap below for you to lift up the phone, and the rest is the same as the Z Flip3.
Yup, there’s no charging brick, protective case, and earphones included in the box. Looking back to the first-gen Galaxy Fold, you’ll notice that there are quite a lot of accessories missing in the Z Fold3’s box. However, the Z Fold3 launch price is also cheaper than its predecessors. Plus, if you pre-order the phone, you’ll get an RM850 Samsung Online Store e-voucher, just purchase the charging brick, stylish flip case, and other accessories using the e-voucher!
First Impressions
The cover of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 looks the same as the Z Fold2, you won’t really notice any difference by just looking at the cover display. Its Cover Screen is now a 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The phone now features an Armor Aluminum frame to protect the hinge. It still has the same Hideaway Hinge, which can unfold the phone at any angle, quite convenient for me actually.
The Main Screen is a 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. How about the hole-punch camera? Well, it now has a 4MP selfie camera now has made its way under the display, making it the first Samsung phone to have an under-display camera.
If you look closer at the screen, you’ll definitely notice the under-display camera cutout. Also, next to the under-display camera is actually the light sensor, and it hides better when the screen is lit.
For the first time, the Z Fold3 now supports S Pen, but you are advised to use either the S Pen Fold Edition or S Pen Pro as both feature a specially engineered retractable Pro tip with force limit technology to protect Z Fold3’s Main Screen. I tried using a normal S Pen, but as long as the phone detected it is not the S Pen designed for the Z Fold3, a prompt will appear to warn you.
As for the camera, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 comes with the same triple-camera setup as its predecessor — 12MP ultra-wide + 12MP main with Dual Pixel AF and OIS + 12MP telephoto with OIS. Expect it to have the same performance as its predecessor.
Lastly, just like the Z Flip3, the first thing I did after setting up the phone was to dunk it in the water since it now comes with an IPX8 rating for water resistance.
Retailing at RM6,699 (256GB) and RM7,099 (512GB), the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is now available for pre-order alongside the Z Flip3 until 21 September 2021. The phone is available in three color options — Phantom Black, Phantom Green, and Phantom Silver. Each pre-order will receive a complimentary Samsung Care+ 1 Year Plan worth RM699 and a Samsung Online Store e-voucher worth RM850. You can pre-order the phone via: