© Lemon squeezer
- The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is in fact the 2nd foldable clamshell smartphone. Samsung chose the 3 to simplify the range.
- It is now certified waterproof (IPX8)
- It features the latest Snapdragon 888 processor and a 120 Hz screen
- Its price is down sharply compared to the previous generation (-€500)
- With the release of Flip4, the Galaxy Fold 3 has never been as interesting a proposition as it is; in 2023
Expected by enthusiasts of new technologies and other geekery, the folding smartphone is having a hard time establishing itself on the market. It must be said that the proposals are not legion. Huawei and Motorola have made a few attempts, obviously without much success since the two manufacturers have not repeated.
On the other hand, the world leader in smartphones Samsung is continuing its efforts with enthusiasm. After a first generation closer to the concept than to a marketable product, the Korean launched the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Z Flip last year, two more convincing but still very expensive models.
This year, the Korean intends to democratize the folding smartphone (or foldable, depending). The new Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 (he skipped the 2 to simplify the range) are still improving and above all seeing their price drop significantly.
For our first test, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 passed into our hands. It was marketed from 1,059 euros when it was released, a lower price than the iPhone 12 Pro, Oppo Find X3 Pro or (in the same creamery) the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Enough to democratize the foldable smartphone? Answer in this complete test.
In the emerging family of foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 falls into the “flip phone” category. It is therefore not a smartphone that can be unfolded horizontally to make a tablet (Galaxy Fold 3) but a model that can be folded vertically to slide it more easily into its pocket. pocket and bag.
This second generation (Samsung skipped the Flip 2 for a better understanding of the range) therefore takes the ingredients of the past generation. We therefore find a 6.7-inch smartphone with a 22:9 format screensurrounded by large black bands necessary to fix and protect the flexible panel. So much for the aesthetic side.
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© Presse-Citron
Unfolded, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is extremely thin (8 mm) and long (approximately 166 mm). With its 183 g on the scale, it undoubtedly stands out as the lightest premium smartphone available on the market. An asset that we use much more on a daily basis. Combined with the 22:9 format, this featherweight makes one-handed use incomparable.
When folded, the thickness of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 still drops to 1.7 cm. It is therefore easier to slip into a pocket or bag but it does not mean you will forget it. Those who experienced the first flip phones will understand. Others will have to handle it in store, something now possible since Samsung has deployed a large-scale commercial strategy in order to democratize its latest generation of foldable smartphones.
Aesthetically, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 looks exactly like its predecessor. Apart from the larger external screen (see box), we find the same materials and a level of finish worthy of the brand's reputation. Our test validated it: the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is sublime, unique in its kind. And even if our black version is not the most flashy, it remains elegant. However, we will prefer the cream model (our favorite) which we took in hand before the product was released.
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© Lemon Squeezer
This year, Samsung has mainly worked on robustness.This new generation is IPX8 certified, ensuring watertightness. On the other hand, it does not officially have dust resistance. The hinge mechanism is probably the cause. Questioned on this point, Samsung France has not yet provided us with a response.
This hinge, precisely, Samsung has also perfected. It is now more flexible and deploys smoothly. The mechanism is also more resistant in order to extend the lifespan of the product. On the other hand, it is still difficult (if not impossible) to open it with one hand. This doesn't stop us from frantically opening and closing the phone, a guilty pleasure of which we never really get tired of and which would almost in itself justify the purchase of a foldable smartphone (okay, we're overdoing it). little).
The market for flexible screens is still embryonic, Samsung did not have to think long to choose that of the Z Flip 3. It sports an Infinity Flex Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel of 6 .7 inches.It is still protected by a plastic-looking protective film that attracts dirt and other fingerprints.
This new edition of the Korean flip smartphone therefore uses the same screen technology as its predecessor. It logically inherits the same assets, namely very good brightness, infinite blacks, a very good level of contrast and excellent colorimetry. And even if, by default, the colors appear a bit cold, a little tweak in the parameters allows you to obtain an almost perfect result.
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This new screen, however, has two particularities: one welcome, the other a little less so. Let's start with the least impressive: its format. Unfolded, the Z Flip 3 screen displays a 22:9 format that is longer than it is wide. This has the effect of “squeezing” the videos between two large black bands which we could do without.
The other new feature will delight fans of social networks and gaming since the panel of this Z Flip 3 offers an adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz. This promises more fluidity in animations, transitions and scrolling. By default, this frequency automatically switches from 60 Hz to 120 Hz depending on the content displayed in order to preserve the battery, and this is not a luxury (we will come back to this).
Finally, to the recurring question “do you feel the bend of the screen when you slide your finger?”, the answer is yes. However, you quickly get used to it until you forget it. In any case, as far as we are concerned.
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Like its predecessor, the Z Flip 3 sports a second external screen.And this year, we can talk about a “real” screen. With its 1.9 inch diagonal, it is close to the format of a (very) large connected bracelet. Nothing to do with the small eyecup of the first Z Flip.
This large size allows the screen to fully play its role. You can read and scroll through received notifications or navigate between different widgets without having to open the phone.
While it is nice to control your music or check the weather directly from this screen, we regret that Samsung did not follow through with its idea. For example, we would have liked to access certain features such as airplane mode, silent, Do not disturb or Clock directly from this small screen.
Samsung is making up for it by (almost) fully exploiting the potential of this screen in photography. Rather than using the front sensor located inside, you can use the main sensors using the secondary screen as feedback. The software detects whether you are shooting a selfie or a group photo and automatically switches from wide-angle to ultra-wide-angle.
You can also switch to video mode from the small screen. Too bad we can't navigate the different shooting modes, especially portrait. But we're quibbling.
As a premium smartphone, we were able to appreciate the latest components from the Korean manufacturer in the Z Flip 3 test. On the program: Snapdragon 888 chip(top of the range from Qualcomm), 8 GB of LPDDR 5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage (128 or 256 GB). On paper, Samsung's 3.0 flip smartphone looks great. On paper…
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In practice, the Z Flip 3 has two major drawbacks. First, it has an unfortunate tendency to heat up.This is mainly felt in multimedia use (video, gaming) but also during prolonged requests.
However, the Korean has integrated a system aimed at reducing performance when fever is felt. This technique – used on its other high-end smartphones – has proven itself. Here, we have to put up with these little flaws. This does not take away from the fact that the Z Flip 3 is a powerful smartphonewhich will meet all the requirements of the most demanding users.
With its first Z Flip, Samsung was unable to meet the challenge of autonomy. Difficult in such a thin format to fit a battery large enough to power all the integrated hardware. Not to mention that flexible screens were still in their infancy, which didn't make the task any easier.
With experience, Samsung learns and improves. The engineers have managed to maintain the same autonomy as on the very first model while integrating a more efficient chip and above all a 120 Hz screen.
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Despite this great feat, autonomy remains insufficient for a high-end smartphone of 2021. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is even among the least durable models on the market. It's a real black spot.
Count a short day in versatile usewith an adaptive display frequency. We can hope to continue the evening by limiting multimedia uses, but no more. Intensive users will benefit from carrying a charger in their bag. Suffice to say that we are firmly awaiting an update improving this point.
Moreover, the speed of the recharge does not allow us to console ourselves. To limit heating (we suppose), Samsung limits the charging power to 15 W. This is far too little for a high-end model since you will have to wait 1h30 to recover a full battery. This duration is doubled with a wireless charging system, an eternity.
Like all Samsung smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 came with Android 11 with the One UI overlay here in version 3.1.1(in 2023 it is entitled to Android 13 and One UI 5). We find what makes the (good) reputation of Samsung's software, namely an interface that is both easy to use, rich in customization and optimized for one-handed operation.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is entitled to some adjustments of its own. For example, you can personalize the second screen like a connected watch (widgets, Alway-on Display, etc.).
Above all, Flex Mode (widely promoted by Samsung) allows you to take advantage of the Z Flip 3's contortion skills.Placed at 90°, it displays Youtube videos at the top of the screen and comments at the bottom. You can also use this format to take photos – in which case the top screen displays the composition and the bottom screen the different shooting options. Flex Mode also works with certain video applications like Google Duo.
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When they are not optimized, you can force certain applications to display with this Flex Mode. For example, Spotify displays control buttons at the bottom and music at the top. Finally, this functionality is very interesting for multi-windowing.
On the photo side, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has the same duo of sensors as its predecessor (wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses), i.e. the same sensors as the Galaxy S10. We will therefore not dwell on this point.
The photographs and videos turn out to be very correct, especially since Samsung has improved the digital processing with major algorithms. However, this Z Flip 3 remains below most high-end smartphones. Also, the absence of zoom limits the possibilities for experienced photographers. We would have liked a little effort from Samsung on this point. See you for the next version?
< img class="aligncenter" src="/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/f026c225fc4ef7c181c1e74903acea3d.jpg" alt="Galaxy Z Flip 3 test: Samsung opens its flap wide" />
< img class="aligncenter" src="/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/5c351cb392aac420a1fdd2b8c5043fc3.jpg" alt="Galaxy Z Flip 3 test: Samsung opens its flap wide" />
Selfie shot of folded smartphone with the main sensors
< /p>© Presse-Citron
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 was launched at a price of 1,059 euros for the 128 GB version and 1,109 euros for the model with 256 GB of storage. In 2023, the price of the foldable smartphone collapsed thanks, among other things, to the new generation Galaxy Z Flip4.
We can easily find it in 2023 the Galaxy Flip 3 for less than 500 euros. It is available in four colors from partner distributors (cream, black, green and lavender) and in three exclusive colors on the official samsung.com website (gray, white and pink).
In our opinion, is the Galaxy Z Fold 3 still worth buying in 2023? The idea of foldable smartphones is relatively old, and Samsung is a pioneer in the market. Yet, as incredible as they are, these products are not yet 100% mature, even if this new version is making real progress in just about every direction.
The first essential point is that Samsung has managed to make the smartphone much more durable. First – we didn't expect so much – Samsung is confident enough in the product's water resistance to certify the device IPX8. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 nevertheless remains sensitive to dust, even if Samsung has redoubled its tricks to install some sort of 'brooms'. in the gaps most likely to let dirt in.
In addition to this, Samsung has reinforced the hinge, so that we can speak of a real leap in terms of durability between the Z Flip and the Z Flip 3 which finally allows us to really advise you to buy the product . Beyond that, the device is very efficient, thanks to its Snapdragon 888 chip but not only that, since the device has 8 GB of RAM as standard and has ultra-fast UFS 3.1 storage technology. In addition, the foldable AMOLED screen upgrades to 120 Hz refresh for incredibly smooth animations.
On the photo side, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has a dual 12 Mp main sensor (around what we find on the iPhone 13) and a 10 Mp selfie sensor. Moreover, at this stage, it is almost half the price observed at its launch – which obviously reinforces the attractiveness of the proposal. Samsung still offers it at €999 but it can be found elsewhere at lower prices, from €649. Before rushing to buy the smartphone, it is nevertheless important to clarify two or three things. First, in our opinion, the Galaxy Z Flip has room for improvement in terms of autonomy.
In fact, the device only has a 3,300 mAh battery which limits the autonomy of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 a little too much in our opinion. The integration of the chip does not 8217;is not entirely well controlled, particularly in terms of energy management: the smartphone heats up a little too easily when it is used intensively. Finally, it seems to us that Samsung would have been inspired to introduce some exclusive features that take advantage of this astonishing format.
Because as it stands, in our opinion the Galaxy Z Flip 3 does it all what your current smartphone does, nothing more… nothing less. The fact remains that this foldable smartphone is as unique as it is attractive, and currently has no real competitors. If you are about to change your smartphone, and want a taste of the future mixed with a little nostalgia for flip smartphones, this device is completely made for you.
If you are expecting a revolution in your daily uses, on the other hand, move on and opt for the other major foldable reference, the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which allows you to do much more in terms of multitasking, for example. example. In 2023, with a price below €500, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has however become an excellent deal for inexpensive access to the best in technology.