Samsung's Vibrant Pricing Strategy for the Chromatic Galaxy Z Flip 3
Phone manufacturers have been endeavoring to revive the legendary flip phone's allure (and practicality) once more, but none have managed to quite succeed – until now. Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G, and it's not just a minor upgrade. The phone has undergone a makeover and is now available in a diverse array of seven hues.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 boasts a high-definition screen with a swifter refresh rate and a slightly expanded cover screen, providing a little more punch than its predecessors. It's a contemporary interpretation of yesteryear's flip phone experiment, to be sure. Moreover, Samsung has fortified the chassis, ensuring that the foldable device is now water-resistant and more robust, which is a crucial consideration for foldable phones.
Water-Resistant Frame, Enhanced Screens
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 boasts a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth video streaming. Image credit: Sam Rutherford / Gizmodo
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 sports a 6.7-inch FHD+ Infinity Flex interior display. The screen's 120Hz refresh rate is twice that of the Galaxy Z Flip's, which will yield noticeable improvements as you transition between screens and navigate the simplest mobile games. In theory, it's a slightly superior screen compared to the Galaxy Z Flip, despite retaining the same pixel density.
The exterior display (readable when the phone is closed) has also been enhanced. It now boasts a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED Display, up from 1.1 inches, with a 260 x 512 screen resolution and a 302 pixels-per-inch (PPI) pixel density. That's impressive for such a compact screen, ensuring that texts and graphics in notifications appear sharp and clear, while selfies will be pin-sharp too.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is powered by a 5nm octa-core processor and 8GB of RAM. It can be purchased with either 128GB or 256GB of storage space. A dual 3,300 mAh battery supplies the necessary power, which is slightly smaller than the battery in Samsung's Galaxy S21, although its display is slightly smaller, too, while the battery capacity is 4,000 mAh. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 runs Android 11 out of the box.
From left to right, we have black, cream, lavender, and gray variants of the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Image credit: Sam Rutherford / Gizmodo
Samsung has opted for a more textured finish, the Z Flip 3's exterior, rather than the shiny, reflective sheen of its first-generation equivalents. The Z Flip 3 will be available in vibrant shades, including cream, green, lavender, and phantom black. Additionally, gray, white, and pink shades will be exclusive online purchases.
Samsung asserts that the Armor Aluminum casing on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is its strongest aluminum frame yet. We eagerly await the opportunity to check it out in our review. However, the most significant modification to the Z Flip 3's chassis is its water resistance. The major issue with the first Galaxy Z Flip was its vulnerability to water damage, which can occur when a phone is held in your hand or kept in your pocket during everyday use. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is rated IPX8 for water resistance, meaning it can withstand being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to half an hour. It can withstand immersion in the bath, but Samsung advises against swimming or sunbathing with it. It is not dust resistant.
Impressive Cameras
A quick selfie can be snapped using the small selfie window on the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Image credit: Sam Rutherford / Gizmodo
The cameras on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 deserve our attention. The 10-MP front-facing camera has an f/2.4 aperture and an 80-degree field of view. The front-facing camera is activated through the front display, utilising a feature called Quick Shot, so you can take a selfie without opening the phone.
Two rear cameras are responsible for capturing photographs: a 12-MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 123-degree field of view, and the primary lens, a 12-MP wide-angle camera with dual pixel autofocus, OIS, an f/1.8 aperture, and a 78-degree field of view, as well as up to 10x digital zoom.
Additional Accessories and Availability
Since color is a key aspect of the Galaxy Z Flip 3, Samsung has produced matching accessories to complement its flip phone range. Samsung will offer five different-colored cases to accommodate its collection of flip phones. Two cases with contrasting hand straps for secure holding are available in white and navy. Three other cases – olive green, red, and purple – feature phone rings on the back for a more comfortable grip. It's nice to see a variety of stylish protective cases for Samsung's flip phone at launch.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 will be available on August 27. Image credit: Sam Rutherford / Gizmodo
Perhaps most importantly, Samsung has announced a significant reduction in the price of the new Galaxy Z Flip to $1,000, making it a compelling option against high-end competitors like the iPhone 12 Pro.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 can be pre-ordered from August 11 and will be on sale from August 27. The initial cost of $1,000 includes 128GB of storage. You can choose from seven colors, with three of them offered exclusively online.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3's improved technology allows it to boast a 5nm octa-core processor and a 120Hz refresh rate on its high-definition screen, ensuring smooth video streaming and gaming experiences. The future of foldable phones looks promising with Samsung's commitment to enhancing their durability, as the Galaxy Z Flip 3 now boasts a water-resistant frame, making it more robust and suitable for daily use.
