Samsung’s New Foldable Phones Are Cheaper, More Durable With Under-Screen Camera

Never stopping at innovative technology, Samsung still has confidence in a future where foldable phones are in vogue. Recently, the tech company announced the release of two new foldable devices to come later this month: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, and The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G.

While Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G opens outwardly like a book to form a tablet, The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is flipped open vertically; the same way a laptop is opened. Recall any flip phones from the early 2000s? That is how the design for this looks like.

In the past, users of foldable phones phones by Samsung did make notable reviews about the inability of the earlier versions to handle drops of dust or water, also the screens were not quite durable. Samsung has therefore taken a step to address this in these new models. The Z Fold3 and Flip3 are slimmer, lighter, with water resistant abilities that were not found with earlier versions.

At its best with foldable phones, Samsung still has a long way to go with getting its consumers to agree with the tech style. Consider: in just 3 months ending in June, the tech company only shipped 257,000 foldable phones; in contrast with 58 million non-foldable phones. Since 2019, the company’s offerings make up only 66% of the 3.4million foldable devices shipped. As Ben Stanton, research manager at market research firm Canalys notes: “it is still niche… but Samsung envisions this as a new paradigm for the industry… with itself at the center”.

Still, one cannot blame Samsung much. Tech companies are still battling with the scarcity of the semiconductor chip. The delay in the manufacturing of Note series can be attributed to this.

What features should be expected?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G

Layered to protect against wear and tear, this new tech item has a 7.6-inch infinity flex display, and features scratch resistant Gorilla Glass.

The outer frame is made up of aluminium with 10% stronger material than previous models. The hinge is designed with shorter internal bristles to be dust and particle repellent.

There are 3 cameras at the back – a wide angle, ultra-wide angle, and a tele-photo lens. The extra feature; an under-screen camera. This front facing camera is built in a way that its display does not disturb what the user sees on their screen. Since the technology has just been discovered, there are possible issues to address, however, Stanton notes that this gadget is a perfect “test bed” for this type of tech because the portable device is more of a prestige device than for the mass market.

Another feature users would find useful is the S Pen functionality that aides multitasking. Notes could be taken on one side of the device with a video call on the other side, or to-do list could be checked while reading emails.

Pricing of this product is at approximately N750, 000($1,821). 

To explore the power of colours, there is the black, green and silver version of this phone.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G opens vertically like the traditional flip phone. It comes with a thinner hinge, cover screen that has been redesigned to be four times larger, addressing one of the shortcomings Flip2 had.

View notifications and messages, widgets, the weather and a schedule without having to flip the phone open. 

Use the cover screen to take a photo or make a video. If the phone is partially folded while watching a video, move the video to the uppermost part of the screen, and use the downward part to control brightness and volume.

Both phones are compatible with Google and Microsoft applications, so nothing to worry about as regards app compatibility.

Pricing starts from N550,000 ($1,335).