The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is Samsung’s first smartphone to adopt under-display camera (UDC) technology. It’s also the only one to boast UDC, even though Samsung’s other foldable flagship — the Galaxy Z Flip 3 — got unveiled at the same event.
Samsung explained why the Galaxy Z Flip 3 doesn’t have UDC and why the Fold 3 does. It has to do with the fact that UDC technology can’t match the quality of a standard selfie sensor, so the Galaxy Z Fold 3 was a natural launchpad for UDC, seeing how the phone also benefits from a standard cover selfie camera.
So how does the new under-display camera compare to the cover selfie sensor in terms of quality? Well, we’ll talk a whole lot more on this topic in our upcoming reviews, so stay tuned for that, but until then, we’re sharing a couple of sample selfie shots to give our readers a quick side-by-side comparison. Check the gallery below (the picture to the left was captured with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 cover camera; the other one with UDC).
The UDC’s lower quality is not as evident on the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s displays
There it is. The UDC sensor’s larger pixels do a pretty respectable job at keeping decent luminosity and color levels compared to the 10MP cover camera selfie, but the picture is not as crisp.
Because of this, the difference in quality is not as obvious on smaller displays like the ones the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has. But these differences will be a lot more obvious when viewing the photos on a bigger screen such as a monitor or a TV.
Stick around for our upcoming review and check our hands-on story if you want to learn more about the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
Samsung unveiled its newest foldable smartphones a couple of days ago. The new devices have better build quality, a water resistance rating, brighter screens, faster processors, and improved software. While the phones are already available for pre-order in Europe, South Korea, and the US, the company had not revealed the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3’s pricing or availability for the Indian market.
Today, Samsung India tweeted a reply to Indian filmstar Alia Bhatt and mentioned “a special delivery coming your way on 20th August. Unfold and pick your foldable!” with hashtags #GalaxyZFold3 and #GalaxyZFlip3. Looking at the tweet, it is expected that the two foldable smartphones will go on pre-orders in India on August 20, 2021. The company is already allowing Indian customers to pre-book (not to be confused with pre-orders) the devices.
The South Korean firm is making its foldable phones more affordable. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the Galaxy Z Fold 3 are cheaper than their predecessors. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 starts at just $999.99, and that’s without considering the trade-in deals and pre-order offers. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 starts at $1,799.99.
Earlier, it was rumored that the Galaxy Z Flip 3 could cost anywhere between INR 80,000 (~1,076) and INR 90,000 (~1,211) in India, while the Galaxy Z Fold 3 could be priced around INR 1,35,000 (~$1,817). Samsung could also offer pre-order gifts with its new phones, and those benefits could include free Galaxy Buds 2 and cashbacks.
Just about every major OEM out there (with the notable exception of Apple) has fallen prey to the global semiconductor shortage. As a consequence, Samsung was unable to launch a Galaxy Note device this year. The fan-favorite Galaxy S21 FE’s release date got pushed back, too, although a recent leak speculated that production of the phone was back on track. It is now one step closer to launch as it has bagged Bluetooth SIG certification.
Is the Galaxy S21 FE finally on its way?
A total of three Galaxy S21 FE variants with model numbers SM-G990N, SM-G990B and SM-G990B_SD have shown up on the Bluetooth SIG database. It doesn’t tell us much in the way of specifications, but Bluetooth SIG listings are often light on such details. However, we have a decent idea about the Galaxy S21 FE’s innards thanks to previous leaks.
Lastly, the Galaxy S21 FE will draw power from a 4,500mAh battery. One document says that it will support fast charging at 45W, but we’re of the opinion that Samsung will cut that down to 25W to bring it on par with the original Galaxy S21 trio. It looks more or less like the vanilla Galaxy S21, complete with the three vertical camera modules at the back.
There is no word about the Galaxy S21 FE launch date just yet, but our sources had informed us that it wouldn’t be unveiled before Q4, 2021, so we may have to wait a while before we get to see it in action. That said, considering Samsung accidentally published a picture of the S21 FE recently on one of its social media handles, the launch could happen sooner rather than later.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 was unveiled a couple of days ago. Samsung’s latest clamshell-style foldable smartphone features powerful internal hardware, including the ultra-fast Snapdragon 888 processor, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 128GB/256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. However, it still lacks one of Samsung’s best productivity features.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 misses out on Samsung DeX, a productivity feature that Samsung fans love. Even the original Galaxy Z Flip and the Galaxy Z Flip 5G lack the feature, but it was rumored last year that Samsung could bring DeX to those devices with a software update. However, that hasn’t happened yet. A lot of Galaxy Z Flip series users have already complained to Samsung on the company’s official forums regarding the missing DeX feature, but Samsung hasn’t confirmed whether or not DeX would eventually come to those smartphones.
When connected to a monitor or a TV via the USB Type-C to HDMI cable or Wi-Fi Direct, DeX allows the phone to be used as a desktop PC, thanks to its PC-like user interface. You can create and edit documents, browse the web in a standard multi-tabbed browser, and watch photos and videos on a bigger display using DeX. It also works on computers, which is great for transferring files between the phone and the PC.
If you are someone who is upgrading from a Galaxy Note, Galaxy S, or Galaxy Z Fold smartphone to the Galaxy Z Flip 3, you should note that your new foldable phone won’t support DeX.
Do you use DeX on a regular basis? Would you buy the Galaxy Z Flip 3 even though it lacks Samsung DeX? Let us know in the comments section below.
I’ve been a huge fan of the Galaxy Z Flip ever since it came out in 2020. The device just had me in awe of how it felt, a feeling I explained at great length in my Galaxy Z Flip hands-on. It’s not just the form factor with all the feel-good vibes of nostalgia it evokes or the solid fit and finish.
It’s how the device wraps all that’s revolutionary about it in a cloak of normalcy. The Galaxy Z Flip had a point to prove after the botched launch of the original Galaxy Fold. Samsung showcased its engineering prowess with the device perfectly. It shut everyone up who doubted Samsung’s move into foldables.
Samsung has reminded everyone again about its leadership in the foldable segment with its latest devices. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is such a substantial upgrade compared to its predecessor that it’s hard to imagine that this is only the second iteration of Samsung’s clamshell foldable.
It has only taken us one generation to get an IPX8 water-resistant Galaxy Z Flip device that also has a brighter foldable panel with a stronger protective film. The performance has been bumped up to flagship-level with the Snapdragon 888 chipset. Stereo speakers have been added for an enhanced audio experience.
All of that is superb but what I’m most impressed by are the design changes. They may be subtle but boy are they meaningful. The larger 1.9-inch cover display does more than just make it easier to get stuff done without having to flip the phone open.
It adds a whole new visual aesthetic to the device. The frame around the display is blacked out regardless of the color you choose. The color options that Samsung has created for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 perfectly complement it. Getting the dual-tone design right isn’t easy but Samsung has done a wonderful job with it.
My assessment is that Samsung has aimed to achieve a look of understated elegance with the Galaxy Z Flip 3. It has made the sides flatter which helps make the design appear modern. That blends in nicely with the muted and subtle finish of the Cream, Green, Lavender and Phantom Black colors.
What I particularly like about the new finish is that it’s no longer screaming to grab your attention like Mirror Purple and Mirror Gold on the Galaxy Z Flip. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is going to grab your attention for all the right reasons. You’ll be in awe of the refinement made to the industrial design and just how well it pairs with the new colors.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 also feels more sturdy in the hand thanks to the tougher aluminum Samsung is using. Gorilla Glass Victus protects the entire back and also contributes to that premium look. This confluence of perfection has landed me in a dilemma. I don’t want to hide the Galaxy Z Flip 3’s beauty behind a case.
I wouldn’t mind using a case with a Mirror Purple Galaxy Z Flip but I can’t even think about hiding the visual appeal of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 behind a case. It’s not to show it off to the world. It’s because I just never want to stop looking at it.
Durability is obviously a big concern with foldable smartphones. Many wouldn’t dare use one without a case. To be fair, Samsung does have a range of very cool Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases, but it’s also given us reasons to justify using the device without a case.
For starters, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is built to be more durable than its predecessor. It uses a tougher material, a stronger screen protection film, has an improved hinge and is even water-resistant. There’s also Gorilla Glass Victus on the back which is the toughest cover glass yet.
Perhaps the biggest justification of using the Galaxy Z Flip 3 without a case is provided by the price tag. At $999, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 costs the same as a Galaxy S21+. I’ve been using $999 flagships without a case for years. There’s no lingering thought at the back of the mind that I’m putting more at risk than what I normally have been.
One can’t deny that there’s no direct comparison of the durability of a foldable and a conventional smartphone. I understand the risk but it’s one I’m willing to take for my own satisfaction.
The new software update for the Galaxy Note 10 Lite has firmware version N770FXXS8EUG3. It includes the August 2021 security patch that fixes 40 vulnerabilities related to privacy and security. The update could also include general bug fixes and device stability improvements, but don’t expect to bring any new features or user-facing changes.
If you are a Galaxy Note 10 Lite user in Brazil, you might have already received a notification of the update. If you didn’t get the notification yet, you can check for the update manually by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install. You can also flash the firmware manually, but you need a Windows PC, and you have to download the latest firmware file from our firmware database.
