Since folding smartphones began to have relevance, the question has been raised: forgetting their high price, what is it like to use a foldable smartphone on a daily basis? Will it be convenient and practical? Is the system fully optimized? That’s what I’ll try to answer in these lines about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive analysis of the equipment, but it intends to report my experience of just over a week with a smartphone that it is certainly not for everyone. First because it has a price of 1476 € in Portugal, and then because its format is not the most comfortable for the common user.
Unboxing and design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Let’s start with the experience of unboxing and equipment design. As long as you take it out of the box, this is special equipment. You are presented with a beautiful 7.6″-inch panel when unfolded, or 6.2″-inch folded.
Only the smartphone comes in the box, the part to place the SIM card and a USB-C to USB-C cable. No charger, in a pretty box premium and minimalist as expected.
This is the most mature folding ever
The first time you touch the Galaxy Z Fold 3 you can see the path that Samsung took to get here. It is a device that easily unfolds to become a tablet. But its robustness is noticeable from the first hour, and we no longer notice that fragility that was seen mainly in the first version.
This is a terminal where we find three main materials: aluminum in the frame, glass on the exterior and rear display, and plastic on the interior display. This screen is the most fragile but also the most interesting part of the terminal. Now we also have water resistance.
To pick up the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is to pick up a heavy device. They are 271 grams, and this is especially noticeable when the equipment is folded with a maximum thickness of 04mm, and you only use it with one hand.
Outdoor display is of quality, but not ideal for gaming or consuming media
This 6.2”-inch outdoor display is probably the one with which you will have more contact on a normal day. And being a Samsung screen, here we have the best colors on the market, with the fluidity of a panel Hz provides.
However, it’s a very tall and shallow screen, making it good for browsing social media, reading or even listening to your favorite songs on Spotify. But when it’s time to play games or play video, it’s the biggest screen you’ll want to use.
The folding zone is remarkable, but you easily forget about it
Opening and using the 7.6”-inch indoor screen is a real pleasure. Although the folding area is there, and you will notice it with a lot of light, in a more careful light environment it is completely unnoticeable. Especially if you are a horizontal video consumer.
I confess that this was my biggest concern, in addition to the possible weakness of this screen. But the truth is, if you’re careful, you won’t have any problems. Gaming, watching your series on Netflix or using it as a GPS on a car trip is another level compared to a “normal” smartphone, and it’s closer to the tablet experience.
One of the details you’ll rely on on this interior screen is the camera under the screen with 4MP. This is for taking occasional selfies or making video calls. Most of the time you’ll forget it’s there, as the pixels fade when it’s not in use.
Cameras of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 are quite versatile
We have here a very versatile camera system, as Samsung has already got us used to. There are three chambers of MP, and the main one is joined by an ultrawide lens and a telephoto with 2X optical zoom.
The problem with this camera system is that it ends up not receiving changes compared to the previous generation. This means you won’t be disappointed, but if cameras are your priority, maybe the Galaxy S11 Ultra is a better option.
Photo captured with the main camera of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Still, the results produced are of high quality as you can see in the shared examples. Even in video, it can reproduce good colors, with reliable stabilization and focusing.
Audio is at the level of the best. Autonomy can improve
In terms of sound, this is also a terminal that won’t let you down. Even as it unfolds, the two speakers produce clear audio, with good bass and quality. Although it shouldn’t be compared to audio products like the Galaxy Tab S7 from the same Samsung, but rather to a smartphone. And there it is at the level of the best.
In terms of autonomy, let’s say that this is not a terminal that will last all day for intensive users. Especially if it is used in a work or gaming scenario, it will suffer. But if you are a more regular user, you should reach the end of the day without having to plug in the power.
Leave the performance part of this smartphone to the end because there is little to say. It’s among the fastest smartphones you’ll find on the market, it’s as simple as that. The Snapdragon 868 combined with GB of RAM and a panel of 120Hz makes the experience truly premium. During the tests I didn’t notice any glitches, or problems running any app.
What is it like, after all, to use a folding device on a daily basis?
For my type of use of those who are mostly at home, this is a really pleasant device to use. Although it’s a little heavy and tall, I found myself unfolding it almost instinctively.
The outside screen is there, and it’s the one you’ll use mostly in the basic tasks. Whether it’s making a call, taking a quick photo, choosing what to tap on Spotify or sending a message, that’s the screen to use most of the time.
But when entertainment comes in, and productivity, it’s the biggest screen you’ll ever want. For watching videos the smaller screen is not ideal due to its proportion. But there is the bigger screen, where the experience of watching a good series on Netflix is excellent.
If you are an executive who uses your smartphone a lot to write or send emails, this is probably the smartphone for you. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to test the S Pen developed for this model, I believe that the accessory can elevate the experience even more.
This is a product whose price of 888 € makes it prohibitive for most consumers. In addition, its ergonomics, and the fact that it is difficult to put it in your pocket can also be an obstacle for many.
One thing is certain: if it is a foldable smartphone with this ideology you want , this is the choice to follow. Above that there is nothing else. And this is the best compliment you can pay to a terminal that is not for everyone, but that intends to show that it can be for more and more people.
Strengths of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3:
-
- Very versatile rear chambers
Robust design for a folding
- Two screens of 93 Hz of great quality
Versatility and great for multitasking
Weak points of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3:
Battery autonomy can still improve
It is not the ideal smartphone for and air in your pocket
- Still expensive for most consumers
-
Thank you to Samsung Portugal for providing the equipment for testing.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Your comment and facebook share will be appreciated