Samsung’s new foldable devices have only just been announced and we’ve already got details for their Malaysian pre-orders. The new foldable smartphones are Samsung’s latest step in creating a new normal for smartphones. The Galaxy Z duo seems to be incorporating some of the most wanted features into the new generation with IPX8 and the S Pen. Of course, you can get all the details in our Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 articles.
The foldable smartphones will be going on pre-order in Malaysia starting on 19 August 2021 until 21 August 2021. Of course, as always, Samsung is offering special pre-order freebies. All preorders of the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 will come with a complimentary year Samsung Care+ and an e-voucher for the Samsung Online Store.
Prices for the Fold3 start at MYR6,699 for the 256GB version and MYR7,099 for the 215GB version. The Flip3 starts at MYR3,999 for the 128GB version and MYR4,199 for the 256GB version.
Together with the Galaxy Z series, the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 series is also going to be available for pre-order. Each pre-order of the Galaxy Watch4 Classic will be entitled to an e-voucher worth MYR250. The Galaxy Watch4, on the other hand, will be entitled to an e-voucher worth MYR150. Like the Galaxy Z series, the Galaxy Watch4 series freebies will only be usable on the Samsung Online Store.
The Galaxy Buds2 will also be available for purchase. It will be priced at MYR499.
Samsung is no stranger to foldables. The company already has more foldables out in the market than any other company out there. This year, the company is doubling down on foldables touting it as the new normal for smartphones. The Galaxy Z series is now Samsung’s new flagship line up which will bring their vision of foldable smartphones to the mainstream. Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip3 are iterative updates that up the ante in what Samsung calls a “meaningful way”.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 looks to be coming in to fill in the void left by the Galaxy Note this year. Samsung is gearing the Fold3 to be the next productivity powerhouse in its arsenal. Similar to previous Z Fold smartphones, the Fold3 comes with two screens: a 6.2-inch cover screen with a 24.5:9 aspect ratio and a larger 7.6-inch display with a 22.5:18 aspect ratio. The two screens strike the delicate balance of being accessible with a large display. Both displays are Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Big Innovations Unfold with the Fold3
The biggest change to the Galaxy Z Fold3 comes with the inclusion of a digitizer in the smartphone. Both the cover and main displays of the Z Fold3 come with digitizers that enable S Pen functionality. What changed with this year’s Fold? Samsung and Wacom worked together to adapt digitizer technology for a new form factor. We say new form factor because, as the company highlighted, a flexible display will continuously bend which can damage the digitizer. So, Samsung and Wacom opted to use two separate digitizers for each side of the phone while filling in the gap at the hinge with an algorithm which allows the phone to seamless detect movement and usage.
Source: Samsung
Together with the integration of the digitizer, Samsung and Wacom also developed a unique S Pen specifically for the Galaxy Z Fold3. The new S Pen Fold Edition comes with design and function changes which allow all the S Pen functionality while preserving the softer, foldable display. The first change is the replacement of the sharp, pointed tip with a rounded one for use on the softer display. The S Pen Fold Edition also has an internal spring to preserve the sensitivity that S Pen users are accustomed to. Latency is also improved on the new S Pen.
In addition to the S Pen, the Galaxy Fold3 is also the first Samsung smartphone to feature an under display camera. The main front facing camera is now hidden behind the pixels of the main screen. The 4-megapixel sensor only appears when it is in active use. Otherwise, it remains hidden behind the pixels of the content on screen giving users a seamless, uninterupted experience.
Powered for Play, Optimized for Productivity
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold3 is running on the Snapdragon 888 mobile platform. The 5nm processor has already proven its prowess in both power efficiency and performance this year. In the Fold3, it’s paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. The trifecta promises smooth performance even when it comes to multitasking – which the Fold3’s large screen is built for.
However, it’s not all about the raw power when it comes to the Z Fold3. Samsung has also introduced optimisation to One UI 3 in the smartphone. They have redesigned a number of apps to have better optimisations for the larger main screen of the smartphone. Apps like the calendar app have more functional layouts which maximise the screen to allow better usage. These optimisations are not just limited to Samsung apps. Samsung has collaborated with a number of partners including Spotify, TikTok and YouTube to optimise their apps for the Fold’s unique form factor.
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
When it comes to the cameras, the Galaxy Fold3 comes with a triple sensor setup. This year it comes with three 12-megapixel sensors: wide angle dual pixel, ultra wide angle and telephoto. The cover camera is a 10-megapixel sensor.
Pricing & Availability
The Z Fold 3 will cost USD$1,799 (MYR7,632.64*). It will be available in Phantom Black, Phantom Green, and Phantom Silver
The Galaxy Z Fold3 will be available for pre-order in select markets starting from 11 August, 2021. It will be on shelves starting August 27, 2021. A limited edition Thom Browne edition of the smartphone will be available at the same time. It will come in matte white with silver accents.
Official Specifications
Source: Samsung
*USD to MYR conversions taken from xe.com at the rate of USD$1= MYR4.23955 on 12 August 2021 at 1am.
