As someone who has had hands-on experience with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2, Z Flip, Buds + and other newer headphones, let’s say the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 (or rather, the virtual media briefing I had attended) had my attention.
If you’ve heard of new folding versions of the tech giant through the vineyard, the event virtually confirmed your suspicions. Samsung’s new range of devices includes:
- Galaxy Z Fold3
- Galaxy Z Flip3
- Galaxy Watch4
- Galaxy Watch4 Classic
- Galaxy Buds2
Galaxy Z Fold3
Before we get into dry specs, let’s take a look at some of the interesting updates of this folding phone. One of the first things I would notice when deploying the Z Fold3 would be the lack of a black hole in the camera on the screen.
This time, Samsung is finally presenting its lower screen camera (UDC). The technology is still fairly new and it will be interesting to see if it can overcome 2 shortcomings of current UDCs: lower selfie quality and a camera that is still slightly visible on lighter wallpapers.
(Personally, I’ve never had any issues with bevels or that little black hole, so a phone without a UDC isn’t a breaker for me).
If you have complained about the lack of S Pen support for the previous Fold2 (like me here), Fold3 remedies that. Is going to supports the S Pen Fold Edition (stored in the phone case) and S Pen Pro, two new products from the brand as well.
In terms of functionality, there is nothing too different from the previous S Pen, although there are some improvements in quality of life.
For example, when the screen folds, you can press the S Pen button and double-tap it on the bottom screen to display Samsung Notes. This means you can take notes at the bottom while watching YouTube videos of formulas or recipes or in video calls.
One thing I noticed in Samsung’s videos (since it was a virtual showcase) demonstrating the use of the S Pen Fold Edition was that it didn’t look like users were getting their hands on the screens. It makes me wonder how good the rejection of the palm for the Z Fold3 screen will be, but it remains to be seen.
Those who are worried about water damage from their phones may be happy to learn that the Z Fold3 will carry a IPX rating of 8. Its predecessor had no waterproof rating or IPX, but reviewers mentioned that it could still survive a sub.
Still, a legal warning is probably still needed – don’t take it to the pools or the beach (when the pandemic is less severe).
| Display of the cover screen | 2x HD + 6.2-inch dynamic AMOLED display, 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Main screen | 7.6-inch 2X QXGA + dynamic AMOLED display, 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Weight | 271 g (11 g lighter than the Z Fold2) |
| Application Processor (AP) | 64-bit 5 nm Octa-Core processor (2.84 GHz + 2.4 GHz + 1.8 Hz) |
| Colours | Phantom Black, Phantom Green, Phantom Silver |
| Rear triple camera | Ultra wide: 12MP, F2.2 Wide angle: 12MP, Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8 Telephoto lens: 12MP, PDAF, F2.4, OIS, Dual OIS, 0.5x off and 2x optical zoom, digital zoom up to 10x, HDR10 + recording, AF tracking |
| Deck camera | 10MP, F2.2 |
| On-screen camera (UDC) | 4MP, F1.8 |
| Battery | 4,400mAh (typical) dual battery |
| Memory | 12 GB of RAM with 256 GB / 512 GB of internal storage |
Galaxy Z Flip3
Previously, the cover screen of the Z Flip did not have much echo. I find practically useless for the small 1.1-inch screen at the time, but that of the Z Flip3 has almost doubled in size.
With a larger screen of 1.9 inches, you can scroll through notifications and tap them to read them, for example. You can also change the music, adjust the brightness and intensity of the phone, and so on.
Considering the aesthetics, Samsung has it now combines the cover screen and the camera module to get a simpler, simpler look as well. The camera orientation has also been changed from horizontal to vertical.
Along the same lines, great care is taken to make the phone attractive to older and younger people as it has launched a wide variety of accessories to help the users to customize the phone to their style.
| Display of the cover screen | 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display |
| Main screen | 6.7-inch 2X dynamic FHD + AMOLED display, 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Weight | 183 g (same as the Z Flip) |
| Application Processor (AP) | 64-bit 5 nm Octa-Core processor (2.84 GHz + 2.4 GHz + 1.8 Hz) |
| Colours | Cream, green, lavender, black, with Samsung.com’s exclusive colors of gray, white and pink |
| Rear dual camera | Ultra wide: 12MP, F2.2 Wide angle: 12MP, Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8 |
| Front camera | 10 MP selfie camera, F2.4 |
| Battery | 3,300mAh (typical) dual battery |
| Memory | 8 GB of RAM with 128 GB / 256 GB of internal storage |
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Overall, I’m not a fan of smartwatches or wearables, so I can’t comment much on the Galaxy Watch4 and the Watch4 Classic. However, it is worth noting its new operating system.
Samsung had previously teamed up with Google to announce that they were combining Wear OS and Tizen to create them A user interface clock, its new smartwatch operating system that will debut with the Galaxy Watch4.
The biggest advantage for users is that they will no longer have to make multiple downloads. If you install a Play Store app that has a clock app, it will automatically install on your Watch4. Any modified settings in the phone app will also sync seamlessly and be reflected on your Watch4 without any further action.
Another device for fans will be the Galaxy Buds2. From my experience with the Buds + i Buds Pro, I am confident in Samsung’s ability to bring other real wireless headphones to market. (The Buds Live was fun though not so functional as the most modest designs.)
It will move the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature found in Buds Pro and Buds Live, which is an update to previous Buds. Surprisingly, it will also have a two-way speaker located on the Buds Pro, which leads me to believe that it should offer a much better overall sound than the Buds and Buds +.
At the time of writing, neither the prices of these new devices in RM nor their release dates in Malaysia have yet been revealed, but check out this space for updates once we receive them.
- You can read our previous articles on Samsung devices here.
Featured Image Credit: Samsung
