Samsung recently announced the Galaxy Z Flip3, a foldable smartphone “for those who want to stand out from the crowd and express their individuality”. Samsung introduced the Z series of smartphones to differential the foldable phones from the traditional slate style smartphones. The Galaxy Z Flip3 is a second generation device but it is a third device in the series after the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Flip 5G. Samsung most likely decided to go with Flip3 name to avoid buyers mistakenly assuming that it is an older model than the Galaxy Fold3.
Foldable smartphones are not new in 2021 as both Motorola and Samsung have previously released foldable smartphones. Is the foldable smartphone finally better and is it time to make the jump or stay with the traditional smartphone? Let’s see how the brand new Galaxy Z Flip3 stacks up against the Galaxy S21+.
When comparing a foldable smartphone with a slate smartphone, we have to look at both the technical specifications and overall experience. In terms of the specs, the Galaxy Z Flip3 and S21+ are very similar as they both have similar if not the same features for processor, screen, RAM and storage. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 has a secondary 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display which is not available on the Galaxy S21+. However, the Galaxy S21+ definitely has the edge as it has an additional 64MP telephoto camera, a bigger 4800 mAh battery and IP68 water/dust resistance rating. Check out the full comparison of the technical specification below.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 vs S21+: Specs Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
| Processor | Octa-Core 2.84GHz, 2.4GHz, 1.8GHz | Octa-Core 2.84GHz, 2.4GHz, 1.8GHz |
| Display (Internal) | 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2640 x 1080 px (22:9) 425ppi 120Hz adaptive refresh rate 1200 nits | 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2400 x 1080 px 394 ppi 120Hz 1300 nits |
| Display (External) | 1.9-inch Super AMOLED 260 x 512 px 302 ppi 935 nits | N/A |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Camera (Rear) | 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide) 64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto) 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Camera (Front) | 10 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide) | 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) |
| Video capture | UHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@60fps | UHD 8K (7680 x 4320)@24fps |
| Expandable storage | None | None |
| Battery | 3,300mAh Fast Wireless charging Fast charging Reverse wireless charging | 4800mAh Fast Wireless charging Fast charging Reverse wireless charging |
| Fingerprint sensor | Side | Under Display |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | No | No |
| Water Resistance | IPX8 water resistant | IP68 dust/water resistant |
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Dimensions (unfolded) | 166.0 x 72.2 x 6.9mm | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8mm |
| Dimensions (folded) | 72.2 x 86.4 x 17.1mm | N/A |
| Weight | 183g | 200 g |
| Price (USD) | $999 | $999 |
As you can seen in our comparison above, the technical specs of the Galaxy Z Flip3 are very well balanced and it can be just as good purchase as the Galaxy S21+ if you factor in the experience you get with the smartphone. The Galaxy Z Flip3 opens a whole new door for smartphone usage experience. As the name suggests, the Galaxy Z Flip3 folds in portrait mode so that it fits in your pocket easier but unfolds to reveal a full screen display. The Flip3 is half the size of a regular smartphone when it is folded. In addition, the Galaxy Z Flip3 improves on the last year’s experience by improving the build quality and offering a premium experience with a foldable smartphone. The Galaxy Z Flip3 features metal design with camera and Cover Screen arranged in one single area to avoid any camera protrusion for a sleeker look. Even when the phone is folded, the additional cover screen can be used to check notifications & alarms, take pictures, control playlists, record a voice memo, set timers, display your favorite pictures and even make payments with Samsung Pay.
Samsung has dropped the pricing of the Flip3 to $999, which is the same price as the Galaxy S21+ and it also makes the Flip3 the cheapest foldable phone on the market. When we look at the evolution of modern smartphones, the core smartphone usage experience has remained the same even though the specs have improved over the years. At the end of the day, the only remaining question is, do you want an experience that no other phone can provide or do you want to stick to familiar ground and better technical specs. With the new reduced price, the Galaxy Z Flip3 is a very compelling option that all buyers should consider, as it offers a very unique experience without compromising on the technical specifications.
Check out our comparison and 7 Reasons why Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is better than Motorola Razr.
Source: Samsung, PhoneArena
I am officially a tech addict and enjoy providing my views on matters related to this industry. I am always interested in trying out new tech gadgets and I have owned multiple smartphones including the legendary HTC One, SGS2, Nexus 4, iPhone 4, 5S, 6S, XR, Note 9. You can ask me any tech related questions in the comment section or on twitter @hookedNav