Note: This article was originally published on 4 September 2021 and is now bumped up as phones are now officially on sale today (10 September 2021).
Should I get Z Fold3 or Z Flip3? Or neither?
Samsung released two phones with foldable displays (Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy Z Fold3 5G) while skipping its more conventionally-styled Galaxy Note. Those itching for a phone upgrade now might be caught in choice paralysis.
Prices aside, which is the better foldable for you? If any?
It’s not entirely true that Z Flip3 is made for trendy fashionistas, nor is the Fold3 only for high-productivity professionals. From our experience, the choice between these two depends on the value-add you desire most.
We think the Z Flip3 5G satisfies the need for a normal smartphone with added pocketability and style points. Using a Flip3 requires you to unfold the device most of the time, with shortcuts on the outside for tasks that don’t need the whole handset. For example, a time-strapped professional might value the Cover Screen notifications for their summarised alerts and privacy (by virtue of a tinier display), and choose only to unfold the phone for priority tasks.
The Z Fold3 5G is the opposite. The front-facing Cover Screen offers a narrower, near-standard smartphone experience, while its significantly bigger Main Screen lets you unfold a tablet-like experience. Sure, you can multitask off the cloud with the Main Screen, but you’re just as likely to keep your favourite Korean drama running in the top half of the screen while gushing to your friends about how handsome the male lead is via Telegram or WhatsApp in the other half below.
At Samsung’s current Galaxy Z juncture, picking one foldable or neither of them boils down to your expectations on how your next flagship phone should serve you better. Instead of the traditional hard-specs comparison, we've distilled possible considerations into a few tables to help you determine how these phones fit better into your life.
Editorial note: To keep this article's light-hearted nature and taking a page from our forum community, the 'Dr.Vijay thinking face' has been designated to mark the recommended device(s) for each point of consideration.
(Side Note: The image originated from our community's meme generation effort that was derived from our decade-old Tech Awards entertainment video.)
The right display for you
With different Cover Screens, preferring one type of phone over another doesn't stop at the usual 'hard' specs - like colour accuracy or peak resolution and refresh rates.
Fundamentally, the Flip3's Cover Screen is nowhere as all-encompassing as the Fold3's, yet the Fold3's Cover Screen isn't quite the same experience as a regular phone either. How do you choose the 'right' display for yourself?
Scenarios | Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 | Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 | Get a 'Normal' Single-slate Flagship |
Both displays should support the full functions of a normal phone | -- | ||
Checking notifications shouldn't need the whole display / should be discreet | |||
I enjoy and want a significantly bigger display on my phone | |||
The crease ruins my life | |||
I want minimal black bars when watching videos of common aspect ratios |
Using a phone on the go
A phone's portability comes with expectations around its quick-fire, instant access. However, being easy to use doesn't only stop at whipping the phone out to tap away; does the handset suit your quirks and common behaviours?
Scenarios | Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 | Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 | Get a 'Normal' Single-slate Flagship |
I don't want extra steps before I unlock and browse on my phone | |||
Ability to operate the phone with one hand sometimes | |||
Able to operate the phone with one hand at all times | |||
I need hands-freephoto-taking / show-watchingwithout propping up the phone | |||
It should not impede dual-handed mobile gaming | |||
It needs to be easily mounted inside/on my personal transport (car, van, bike, bicycle) | |||
Convenient to carry during outdoor exercise |
Multi-tasking, productivity, and other feature priorities
Besides habitual use, your priority features can affect your phone choice as well. Here are some considerations based on what you absolutely must do with your phone.
Scenarios | Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 | Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 | Get a 'Normal' Single-slate Flagship |
... have stylus support | |||
... support two "fullscreen" apps side-by-side | |||
... support multiple apps at once, regardless of aspect ratio | Or get a tablet | ||
... last long enough during a commute | |||
... last more than 10 active hours without requiring a recharge | |||
... have cutting-edge photography features | |||
... have social media-friendly imaging/video capabilities |
All things material
A phone isn't just a tool - the intimate position it holds in our lives speaks to our primal needs for self-expression. How much is one willing to pay to be special? This section doubles as a 'gift guide' if you're wondering the recipient would take well to the chosen phone.
Scenarios | Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 | Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 | Get a 'Normal' Single-slate Flagship |
I'm a trendsetter / first mover | |||
I want something new / fresh without changing too much | Select models | ||
I want a huge variety of default colour options for my phone | Select models or use a phone case | ||
My next device should fundamentally reinvent how it does things for me | |||
I value simplicity / don't want to change how I use a phone | |||
I genuinely enjoyed using flip phones of the past | |||
Receiving attention from passing strangers is my birthright | |||
I'm cooler than all of my followers and some of my friends | |||
Looking important is not enough - I must look more important than anyone else | |||
A phone to match my cuteness | |||
No phone should cost more than S$1,000 | |||
The price must substantiate its performance | |||
Money is no object to me |
Making a choice
Preferences aside, the most ideal state of foldable display technology would be one where it's no longer of consequence. Just like how users expect their new phones to have the basics (water resistance, NFC, both 4G and 5G connectivity for now), we hope for the day when foldable phones and their fringe features mature enough to be included in any handset, and not just on the Galaxy Z series.
If you've figured out which Galaxy Z phone is better for you, don't forget to check out our article containing all its pricing and availability details.
We hope this article has been handy for your shopping needs.
Read Next:-
1) Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 full review: Living the flip life
2) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 full review: Splash-proof multitasker