Samsung’s third generation of folding phones are the Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip3. (It wasn’t called the Flip2, but the Flip 5G.) The Flip’s redesign is a lot different from the Fold’s. The biggest change is that the outside screen is now much bigger and takes up half of the closed phone.
At 1.9 inches and 512 by 260 pixels, it’s big enough to show alarms and timers, show notifications, and let you control how your music plays. Like a smart watch, this screen gives you just enough information and functionality to keep you from opening your phone unless you really need to.
It can be folded in half. You can open it with one hand and your wrist. Use the outside screen when the phone is closed, and put it just about anywhere you want to record videos and take photos. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 could be the first foldable phone you think about buying because it costs less, comes in seven colors, and has a variety of bold cases that make it look like a toy.
But if Samsung wants the phone to be widely used, it needs to make the changes it said it would and show people that they can rely on the Z Flip 3 without having to change how they use their phones every day.
Not only does it look a little bit different, but it is also useful. The cover screen is really useful, and the main screen has everything you’re used to seeing on your phone. I’m glad that Samsung has made it seem more likely that the phone world will change.
You can use the usual PIN, pattern, or password to get into the phone. Face recognition and a fingerprint scanner that is built into the power button are also options.
In general, the camera is hit or miss, depending on where it was focused and how bright it was. It had trouble keeping different parts of the shot in balance at times. In the same way, colors mostly looked bright and true, but without the right lighting, they could sometimes look dull.
Even though the camera system probably won’t blow you away, you should know about a few really useful features. First of all, Flex Panel also works here. With the screen folded in half, you can put the preview on the top panel and the camera settings on the bottom. This lets you hold the camera steady while you change the settings and modes.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the best clamshell foldable phone you can buy. It has specs and a price that are on par with flagship phones. It has a small battery and doesn’t have a telephoto lens on the camera.
Some people may want to wait until the Flip 4 comes out to see what new features it has, but the Z Flip 3 is a good choice if you want a phone that folds up to fit in more bags and pockets and has the same performance as flagship phones.