ChandrakantSeptember 29, 2021 3:42:36 PM
The smartphone and its features improve with every iteration. Every generation change brings a better camera for smartphones, a faster processor and an impressive screen. But all those years ago we didn’t see any disruptive changes in the iPhone rollout process. In fact, some companies have experimented with new collapsible form factors. However, due to the lack of sophisticated hardware and exorbitantly expensive price tags, these devices are not yet mainstream. Samsung plans to change that perception with the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Find out if it’s worth its price of 84,999 rupees
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 turns your head anywhere. Image: Tech2 / Chandrakant Isi
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The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a perfect balance of incredible technology and striking style. Its unique hinges and flexible display will never be overlooked wherever you go. When I switch to a test device, friends usually ask me about the device, and that’s it. But on Flip 3, almost everyone I met was amazed by its futuristic look.
Such an appeal to this cell phone is understandable. That’s because the last time I saw the corner of a popular phone was the iPhone 6, which shouldn’t have happened. In addition to extreme technology, the handset is also an ergonomic victory. Its compact form factor is intended to bring a breath of fresh air into the ocean of large, unwieldy smartphones.
When opened, the Z Flip 3 is as slim as a conventional flagship. Thanks to the use of aluminum alloy and fully matched hinge resistors, the Flip 3 feels incredibly sturdy. Samsung’s water resistance is even more impressive.
screen
The Z Flip’s flexible display is the star of the show. A 6.7-inch Full HD OLED panel developed by Samsung with a resolution of 2640 x 1080 pixels. The company set the screen to have a refresh rate of 120 Hz. With a peak brightness of 1,200 stripes, the display supports HDR10 +. It’s a punch-hole design that is compatible with selfie cameras. Every time you swipe in the center, the creases are felt, but there is little distraction.
Flip 3 comes with a secondary cover display. It is a pill-shaped 1.9-inch panel with a resolution of 260 x 512 pixels. The panels have a neat mirror finish, which creates a two-tone look. Samsung did a great job making this screen useful. On this screen you can check messages, notify calls and operate music. It can also be used as a camera viewfinder, so you can take photos when folded. There are also several ways to customize how the cover is displayed.
experience
The Z Flip 3 is a futuristic device that regains the appeal of last year’s clamshell phone. Open your device and pick up the phone to go back to the 2000s. Samsung has also thought about a software adjustment. The highlight of Samsung’s One UI Skin based on Android 11 is the Flex mode.
Flex mode is activated when the device is partially opened like a laptop. For example, if you open the camera in Flex mode, the live frame will move to the top half of the screen and the camera settings will move to the bottom half. This is a great feature, but only a handful of apps currently support this mode. Samsung claims the software team is working on making more apps compatible over time.
If you don’t mind jumping into Settings, you can head to the Advanced Features Lab to enable multiple windows to show other apps. However, this only adds more app brightness, volume, and screenshot controls. Labs has not yet completed this feature, so expect some bugs.
power
Flip 3 focuses on style, but Samsung doesn’t compromise on performance. The Korean brand uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 chipset. Needless to say, your phone will handle the games you throw in the best possible settings. However, this sophisticated phone lacks effective thermal management. As a result, Flip3 does not offer sustained performance. It is imperceptible in normal use. However, if you plan on playing COD: Mobile for hours, the thermal throttling will give you a sense that it is there.
Flip 3 is 5G compatible but couldn’t be tested for obvious reasons. However, the phone had no issues with 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS. Let’s move on to other functions: the fingerprint scanner attached to the side is fast and the integrated stereo speakers offer astonishingly good sound.
camera
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 comes with a dual camera setup. It consists of a 12MP standard and a 12MP 123 degree wide angle lens. Because of its unique form factor, Flip3 opens up many possibilities for photography. For starters, the bottom half of the phone acts like a small tripod in the partially open position. Ideal for recording time-lapse videos. Likewise, it can be placed on the dashboard of a car.
In terms of image quality, both standard and wide-angle lenses deliver excellent results in the sun. There’s noticeable barrel distortion around the edge of the wide camera, but that’s not really bad. The main camera holds up very well in dark places. Remember, you need to hold your phone steady for a few seconds to get good results. It captures quite a bit of detail, but the dynamic range is where it really shines. Wide-angle cameras struggle in dark places with visible noise on almost every shot.
Samsung’s latest phone also gives selfies an interesting twist. However, the 10 MP camera in the punchhole is pretty good. But if that doesn’t work, you can use your phone’s external display to frame your selfie shot with your primary 12 MP camera.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 can record 4K videos at up to 60 frames per second. The results are detailed and wonderful. In addition, the video is very fluid thanks to the optical image stabilizer (OIS).
battery
If Flip 3 has a department to drop the ball, it should be battery life. Since the Flip 3 is a compact device, it’s no wonder it can carry a tiny 3,300 mAh battery. After using this device for 2 weeks, you may find that it doesn’t last more than 12 hours on a single charge. This might not be a problem in the current WFH scenario, but once the office opens you will likely need to carry a power bank with you.
Samsung could have defused the situation with fast charging technology. Allows you to quickly replenish your device during downtime. However, the brand opted for a 15W charge. This is slower than the peak traffic in Mumbai.
verdict
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 has a futuristic look without compromising on elegance. It’s unique enough to make people feel surprised, but it never looks out of place. In fact, it is limited by its overwhelming battery life. Plus, most people wouldn’t find it practical. However, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is similar to the Jaguar E-Type in the smartphone world due to its unique clamshell design. It has some habits and may not be for everyone, but it’s undeniably great.
Strong points
Breathtaking design
Excellent workmanship
water repellent
Foldable high quality OLED screen
Set to 120 Hz refresh rate
Attractive second screen
Onboard stereo speakers
disadvantage
Small battery
Fast charging up to 15W
Charger not included
Evaluation: 4/5
Design and construction 5/5
screen 4.5 / 5
power 4/5
camera 4/5
battery 2.5 / 5
software 4/5
Value of money 3.5 / 5
