Galaxy Z Flip 3 in the test: A folding phone as a reinvention of the clamshell phone

Despite the thickness of 17 centimeters (closed), the Flip 3 feels good. Samsung’s new colors beige-white (“cream”), green, lavender lilac and matt black look particularly elegant in contrast to the black of the OLED exterior display. Visually, the unusual cases also make a powerful impression, which Samsung equips with a thick ring or a strap. In practice, however, they should hardly be used to lash the smartphone to the belt or backpack – it is more of a design gimmick.

Respect: Samsung is also delivering the smaller folding phone waterproof for the first time. In the small print, however, Samsung makes it clear that you are not allowed to go on a liveaboard with your smartphone: “IPx8 means: Protection against permanent submersion at 1.5 m water depth for 30 minutes and only in clear water. No protection against salt water and other liquids, especially soapy water, alcohol and / or heated liquids. The SIM card holder must always be completely attached to the Lock the device so that no water can penetrate through it. “

There are two 12 megapixel cameras on the outside, one telephoto is completely missing:

• Wide angle: 12 megapixels (1 / 2.55-inch sensor), aperture f / 1.8
• Ultra wide angle: 12 megapixels (1 / 3.0 inch sensor), aperture f / 2.2

The image quality of the cameras is good, similar to the Fold 3 for daytime shots. However, the quality drops visibly in low light, presumably because the slightly smaller sensor can capture less light. The Flip 3 cannot be used for zoom shots, however, because there is neither a telephoto camera with optical magnification nor a high-resolution sensor with high sharpness reserves for enlarging sections of the image. Apart from that, most should be satisfied with the image quality, the ultra-wide-angle camera also takes strong, high-contrast photos. Only in some cases are the colors a bit overdrawn, so grass is often shown in a slightly exaggerated green.

Selfie shots: open or close?

On the inside there is a front camera with 10 megapixels (1 / 3.24-inch sensor, aperture f / 2.4). If you want to take selfies of the best possible quality, you can use the better main camera with a trick: double pressing the power button opens the camera, then the central section of the camera viewfinder appears in the mini display, and pressing the volume button triggers the photo capture out.

The predecessor Z Flip 5G was already fast, but the Z Flip 3 5G is even faster. This is ensured by the Snapdragon 888, flanked by 8 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and either 128 or 256 GB of data storage. The quick response time of the touchscreen was also noticeable in the test. Only a latency of 45.8 milliseconds (ms) was measured compared to 62.5 ms for the Galaxy S21 Ultra. There is also a lot else that one expects from a luxury smartphone, albeit a little less than its larger relative Fold 3: 5G, Wifi 6 (with MIMO and up to 80 megahertz channel width). Dual SIM is only possible through the combination of eSIM and Nano SIM. With the Fold 3, two nano SIMs are alternatively possible. Biometrics are possible on the side using the fingerprint sensor in the power button or, with less certainty, using face recognition using the front camera. However, as usual, face recognition could be tricked with a simple photo. The fingerprint is recognized very quickly, but the sensor on the side is a bit too high up when the phone is open and was not always hit correctly in the practical test – especially since the volume rocker is above it and the hinge below it.

The battery is not very big with 3,300 mAh, the runtime of almost seven hours (6:53 h) with continuous use with the cell phone open is just okay. But since the quick check from Wetter & Co. is already closed, the capacity could be sufficient in everyday life. A power supply unit is not included, quick charging is possible with a maximum of 15 watts – accordingly it takes more than two hours (2:12 h) to fully charge an empty battery. A charge of 22 percent is achieved after 15 minutes, and 43 percent after 30 minutes.

The Flip 3 could be Samsung’s icebreaker for folding phones. Because it has everything it needs on board: a striking and successful design, good technology and it is robust enough to survive the everyday life of most users. Since the sensitive folding display is hidden inside, it may even be better protected from scratches than the display of conventional smartphones. Another plus point: With a contract, the Flip 3 is affordable for more users for the first time. Seen in this light, the future of the folding cell phone could really lie in the clamshell cell phone in the end.

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