Samsung’s new foldables are getting a much needed update to reflect a new era spearheaded by Galaxy AI. The new Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6 are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 12GB of RAM. Both come with some meaningful updates that make them easier to use and more useful. The Z Fold6 is slimmer and sleeker than ever before with more powerful features that take Galaxy AI to the next level. The Flip6, on the other hand, takes self expression and customisation to the next level with more accessories.
Tag Archives: Galaxy Z Fold
Flip Out with the Galaxy Z Flip5 & Galaxy Z Fold5 in Flip Town!
Samsung is cooking up something in the vibrant Golden Triangle…and has unleashed Flip Town! From now until 31 August, visit Flip Town to try out the latest Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 before they hit the stores!
To start your Flip Town adventure, start at the Bukit Bintang crossing, where you’ll see six Galaxy Z Flip5 lifestyle visuals by local Malaysian artists. This will also be your opportunity to snap OOTDs while flipping the cityscapes around you for Instagram-worthy moments.
If you head on over to Optimist Coffee on Jalan Bukit Bintang, you can also take pictures with loan units of the phones at the selfie stations until 13 August . Don’t forget to claim your free stickers! There are also convex mirrors that will allow you to experiment with unique angles to make your photos pop. Samsung is also giving out free coffee when you follow the @GalaxySpaceMY page.
Next – this one’s for the BTS ARMY! Look out for the wall poster of BTS’s Jimin and strike your best poses next to the giant Galaxy Z Flip5 prop. Don’t miss out on visiting the Flip Town Experential Zone, where you can take photos with the wall poster of BTS’s Suga with the FlexCam. Snap more photos with loan phones at this pop-up station until 16 August for fresh, trendy shots next to Suga.
Stay connected with the Flip Town community by using the hashtags #GalaxyZFlip5, #GalaxyZFold5, #JoinTheFlipSide, #MYFlipTown. You can also follow @GalaxySpaceMY and @samsungmalaysia for updates.
If you’re itching to own the Galaxy Z Fold5 or Galaxy Z Flip5, pre-orders are now available until 17 August 2023. Visit the Samsung website to learn more.
Samsung’s New Galaxy Z Fold5 Is Built for Productivity with a Slimmer S Pen & Slimmer Silhouette
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold5 is looking to further the company’s approach to larger display foldable devices. It keeps a lot of the best of the Z Fold lineup while improving where its predecessors lacked. The new Z Fold5 is 2.4mm slimmer when folded and has a sturdier hinge.
The Galaxy Z Fold5 comes with Samsung’s new Flex Hinge. The new hinge comes with fewer moving parts and a slimmer, more seamless profile. It also helps prevent creasing on the display by keeping it in a waterdrop shape. The hinge is also sturdier and can fold at more angles than before allowing you to get more functionality from FlexMode. It’s also water resistant this year with an IPX8 rating.
The cover screen on the Galaxy Z Fold5 is a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with HD+ resolution. The main screen is a Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with a QXGA resultion of 2176×1812 pixels. Both screens have a 120Hz refresh rate. The Z Fold5 cotninues to support the S Pen. In fact, Samsung has redesigned the S Pen for Fold and made it slimmer and sleeker. The new S Pen case also integrates the S Pen silo seamlessly without added bulk.
The Z Fold5 comes with the same camera setup as the Fold4. The main sensor is a 50-megapixel wide Dual Pixel sensor with Phase dectection Autofocus (PDAF) and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This is complemented with a 12-megapixel ultra wide sensor and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. On the front, on the cover display, there’s a 10-megapixel selfie camera while under the flexible display, there’s a 4-megapixel selfie camera.
Under the hood, the Fold5 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. It comes complemented by 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. Powering all of this is a 4,400mAh battery wwith support for Fast Charging and fast wireless charging 2.0.
Pricing & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Fold5 will be available in Icy Blue, Phantom Black and Cream. Additional colours like Gray and Blue will be available exclusively from the Samsung Online Store.
In Malaysia, the Fold5 will be available in three configurations. The 256GB version of the smartphone will cost MYR6,799; the 512GB version will cost MYR7,299; while the 1TB version will cost MYR8,299. Internationally, prices will start at USD$1,799.
Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 start today and end on August 17 2023 together with the Flip5, Tab S9 series and Watch6 series. Pre-orders will be entitled to a free double storage upgrade worth MYR500 and up to 40% off purchase-with-purchase on Samsung accessories, Samsung Care+, Galaxy Tablets, Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds series. If you pre-order from the Samsung Online Store, you’ll be able to get an e-voucher worth up to MYR600 on your next purchase.
During the pre-order period, trade-ins of older devices will be entitled to an additional rebate of up to MYR600 under the Enhanced Trade-in Program.
Samsung’s New Galaxy Z Fold4 Unpacked With More Productivity-Focused Features
It would seem like the Galaxy Note needed to step aside to make way for the ultimate powerhouse productivity series. What exactly is it? The Galaxy Z Fold series of course. Samsung is packing even more features into its Galaxy Z Fold series to gear it up for even better productivity. The Galaxy Z Fold4 is a step in that direction.
The new Galaxy Z Fold4 doesn’t bring a lot of changes in terms of design. However, it brings updated specifications that make it more in line with Samsung’s flagship smartphones than ever before. Samsung has also made design optimisations which have resulted in thinner bezels and a slimmer hinge as well.
First Foldable with Android L-Based OneUI 4.1.1 with a Productivity Power-up
Under the hood, the Z Fold4 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This is paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. In addition to the capable processor and ample RAM and storage, the Galaxy Z Fold4 will be the first device to ship with OneUI 4.1.1 based on Android 12L. The new version of Android brings Android optimisations for large displays which include better app scaling, optimised display layouts and also performance optimisations.
Of course, Samsung has also added features to the mix which bring a new level of productivity. The new OneUI interface brings a Taskbar to the interface akin to the one you’re used to on your PCs. This taskbar will house your favourite and recent apps. It will allow you to switch between them with a single interaction. The Fold4 also brings new swipe gestures which allow you to multitask even easier. You’ll be able to resize full-screen apps into the windowed mode or split-screen mode with a single swipe.
In addition, Samsung has partnered with Google and Microsoft for better app compatibility. Google apps will have drag-and-drop functionality on the Fold4. You will be able to quickly drag and drop links, photos and more from one app to the other. Microsoft’s Office suite and Outlook will now also take full advantage of the foldable’s 7.6-inch QXGA and 6.2-inch HD+ displays. The apps have been optimised to take advantage of the foldable display. Increasing the amount of information shows accordingly.
The Fold4 also continues to support the S Pen. However, it doesn’t have a dedicated slot like the S22 Ultra. Samsung has opted to continue supporting S Pen stowage with dedicated accessories and a Fold Edition of the S Pen. The Fold4 will support both the updated S Pen and also previous editions of the S Pen.
Flagship Class Cameras with Nightography
Samsung is also infusing the Galaxy Z Fold4 with its flagship DNA. This includes the camera setup on the foldable. The Z Fold4 will have 30X Space Zoom this year which puts it on par with the Galaxy S22 and S22+.
The Fold4 will adopt a similar camera setup with a 50-megapixel wide-angle sensor as the main sensor. This is complemented by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor and a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom. This is essentially the same camera setup as the S22 and S22+ complete with Dual Pixel autofocus and optical image stabilization. On the front cover, there’s a 10-megapixel selfie camera while the main display continues to have a 4-megapixel under-display camera (UDC). Samsung claims that the UDC has been updated and functions better compared to the Fold3.
Of course, Samsung is also bringing all the bells and whistles which come with the camera setup. This includes Nightography.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Fold4 will be available in Gray Green, Beige and Phantom Black. It will be available off the shelf with 256GB and 512GB of storage for MYR6,799 and MYR7,299 respectively.
There is also an exclusive Burgundy colour which will be available only on Samsung’s official website as well as a 1TB version which will retail at MYR8,299.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Rumour Round-Up
With Samsung’s next Unpacked event around the corner, it’s time we looked at the rumours surrounding one of the devices we’re expecting to see – the Galaxy Z Fold 4. We rounded up the rumours surrounding the Flip 4 earlier this week, you can catch up on that here.
Unlike the Flip 4, there aren’t too many rumours surrounding the Z Fold 4. However, the first thing that has surfaced is a possible renaming of the lineup. It looks like the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is getting a rename. Samsung will be streamlining the names and dropping the “Z”. So, moving forward, the Z Fold 4 will simply be the Galaxy Fold 4. While not official just yet, we hope it’s true. Dropping the “Z” simplifies the lineups and gives them both independent identities.
Update (8/8/2022): A new leak shows that Samsung is likely keeping the Galaxy Z moniker.
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock – A Story of Incremental Improvements
Samsung seems to be opting for a new tick-tock strategy when it comes to its smartphones. This year, we saw the Galaxy S and Galaxy A series retain nearly identical designs to their predecessors. That seems to be the case with the Galaxy Fold 4. Leaked renders from @evleaks and @Onleaks show the familiar design we saw with the Fold 3.
That said, there are minor changes in the sizes of the smartphone that have been rumoured. Of note, it looks like the Galaxy Fold4 will be sporting a different aspect ratio compared to the Fold 3. Up front, on the cover display, the Fold 4 is rumoured to get a slightly wider and shorter panel with a 23:9 aspect ratio. Inside, the main display will be sporting a 6:5 aspect ratio. That said, it looks like the sizes of displays aren’t changing. The Fold 4 will continue to sport a 6.2-inch HD+ AMOLED display on the cover and a 7.6-inch main QXGA+ AMOLED display. Both are rumoured to retain the 120Hz refresh rate. It will come in a tad smaller with its dimensions at 155 x 130 x 7.1mm.
Powerpacked Internals
The Galaxy Fold4 is also tipped to continue being a full-on flagship. It will be coming with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. It looks like this is being complemented with 12GB RAM and up to 512GB of internal. Doesn’t look like the Fold 4 will support memory expansion via a microSD card. There are rumours that the phone may also have an option with 1TB of internal storage. However, there has been no corroboration so far – so we’d take this particular rumour with a grain of salt.
The phone is also tipped to be incorporating a slot for the S-Pen. However, the renders that have surfaced show otherwise. That said, Samsung upped production of S Pens back in April 2022 which could point to it being included in the box with a Fold 4.
It looks like Samsung may be upping the ante when it comes to the fingerprint scanner on the foldable. If the rumours check out, the Fold 4 will be coming with an under-display fingerprint sensor. But this won’t be a normal one, instead, it’s rumoured that the fingerprint sensor will be two-sided. That is to say that one side will be under the cover display and the other under the same place on the main display. However, from the leaked renders, Samsung may have decided against this.
Better Cameras, Same Battery
Together with the updated specifications of the Z Fold 4, it looks like Samsung is finally giving the foldable good cameras. It’s expected that the camera setup for the Z Fold 4 will continue to be a triple camera array. However, it’s getting a bump in the main sensor with a 50-megapixel main sensor. This will continue to be complemented byh a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor. The latter is getting a bump from 2x to 3x this year. The underdisplay shooter is expected to make a return on the inner screen. It’s rumoured that this will be a 16-megapixel sensor. The cover display, on the other hand, is getting a 10-megapixel one.
Together with better cameras, the Z Fold 4 is also getting better protection with the rumoured inclusion of Gorilla Glass Victus+. However, when it comes to battery, it seems like we may bee gettingthe same 4,400mAh battery we saw last year. It also looks like the Fold 4 will be giving Samsung’s 45W charging a pass and sticking to the standard 25W charging.
Pricing & Availability
We’re expecting the prices of foldables to get more affordable this year. This could very well be spearheaded by the price point of the Z Fold 4 if rumours are true. Last year, the Fold 3 came in at USD$1,799 a USD$200 price drop from the previous year. This trend may just continue this year especially with rumours pointing to a price drop on b othe the Fold and the Flip.
Samsung has already been offering a an MYR200 voucher if you tune in to their website if you pre-register for a pre-order. The money can be used to redeem a discount on your purchase of their foldable smartphone. Since, this is the case, we expect that pre-orders will begin in select regions immediately after the Unpacked announcement. Given previous announcements and pre-orders, we’re comfortable assuming that Malaysia will be among the first regions to have pre-orders available. We’re expecting availability on the last week of August 2022.
Samsung is Back in Fast Charging Game
Other than the whole high-resolution camera fad, there is also the fast-charging fad. While smartphone camera technology has started to reach its peak, manufacturers started finding gains elsewhere. They had to. That other thing is even faster chargers than before.
Manufacturers of modern smartphones understand the value of time. That is why fast charging technology is a big thing. They also understood that smartphone battery capacities will just get bigger as battery technology progresses. Fast charging technology ensures that your smartphone does not need to stay plugged in the entire day before you get going again. All of them wanted to ensure their smartphones are charging faster than before. All of them except for Samsung that is.
While every other manufacturer has started pushing their smartphones to charge at more than 40W, Samsung stuck with charging even their flagship at a maximum of 25W. You still get to charge your Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra in about two hours though. Still, even Lenovo allows your devices to charge at 120W speeds. That also means your devices charge to full in less than an hour.
Samsung might be changing their minds for the future of fast charging though. Samsung is planning to bring two new chargers to market. The first is a 65W power adapter they call Samsung Power Adapter Trio (EP-T6530). As per its codename, it charges at up to 65W on a single port, but it also splits its power to three ports if necessary. The second USB Type-C power will charge at 25W, while the third USB Type-A port can charge at up to 15W. Of course, you have to share the 65W if you plan to plug in more than one device.
Then there is the Samsung Type-C Power Adapter (EP-T4510). This one look more like the regular Samsung charger that you get from your Samsung box. It offers only a single USB Type-C port but charges at a maximum of 45W for super quick charges for your smartphone.
Speculations around Samsung’s upcoming release of these chargers’ points to an even faster charging Samsung Galaxy S22 device. The 65W charger also points to a possible Samsung Chromebook or more Windows Laptops coming our way. None of the current Samsung devices charge at 45W, let alone 65W. Currently, everything is just speculations until Samsung reveals them next year though.
Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2021 Event is Happening Tonight! What is Unfolding?
Samsung’s biggest Unpacked event for the year 2021 is happening tonight (11th August 2021). We say tonight because we are in Malaysia at +0800 GMT and the event will go live at 10.00 p.m. local time. It is also one of the most exciting Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event for a few reasons.
1. No Notes
Samsung has made a name for itself in the innovation industry. They introduced their Galaxy line-up 10 years ago with the first Samsung Galaxy S that went on the be one of the best-selling, if not the best-selling smartphone in its day. It showed what and Android smartphone is capable of in the hands of an experienced mobile phone manufacturer. It propelled Samsung into the limelight of modern smartphone world too.
A year later they introduced a smartphone that was heavily criticized by pundits around the world. It was a humungous device that comes with an accessory that was thought to be dead, or rather old fashioned. The first Samsung Galaxy Note was not received very well at all initially (I liked the idea though). But the Galaxy Note line-up was later known as one of the devices that really defined Samsung as a smartphone brand and sealed its hold of the Android smartphone market.
Sadly, we are not going to be getting any new Samsung Galaxy Note devices this year. As per Samsung’s reports from the end of 2020 and early 2021, the Samsung Galaxy Note series will be laid to rest and will be discontinued. There are still rumours surfacing around a final Samsung Galaxy Note device coming in 2022, but we are not entirely hopeful. This is the first time as well in 10 years that Samsung is not launching a Samsung Galaxy Note device for the year.
2. Folding and Flipping into the Future
While we may not be getting Samsung’s behemoth of the Galaxy Note, they are replacing the line-up with two larger than life devices though. They are replacing the Galaxy Note line-up with two foldable devices: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series. As with any one of Samsung’s innovative devices, these two series have had their fair share of hardships and critics.
While most of the flaws of the first product was sort of corrected when Samsung launched their Galaxy Z Flip device in the same year, its price point is still higher than any flagship device that came before. It was not as stacked, in terms of specifications, as the other flagships around it too. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 last year fixed even more of the Galaxy Fold’s flaw, but it was still the most expensive mass-produced smartphone you can get in 2020.
Thing is Samsung is betting its future in foldable devices. Since Samsung launched the Samsung Galaxy Fold in 2019, other smartphone manufacturers have started taking notice. Since then, Motorola made the new Razr with a foldable display, HUAWEI also made their foldable line-up (2020) to mimic the form factor of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, OnePlus teased a foldable device just today, and even OPPO is jumping to the bandwagon of a shapeshifting smartphone with rollable displays.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
There are still plenty of unknowns surrounding the new behemoth flagship that is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. Like we pointed out, Samsung is betting on foldable devices. The S Pen feature remains a Samsung special though, as we saw on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
That same S Pen capability is touted to be coming to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold line-up too. It makes sense, since the device opens to a large form factor device that would mimic a tablet. Although we are not entirely sure if the S Pen storage is integrated within the body of the Z Fold 3.
The Z Fold 3 is expected to pack Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 5G System on a Chip (SoC). Although we would also like to see Samsung’s own Exynos SoC powering the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3; chances are, we are only going to be seeing a new Exynos chip in the coming year 2022 instead on the Samsung Galaxy S22, or whatever they decide to name the next device. The Snapdragon 888 5G SoC is considered the most powerful chip available for Android devices though, so it may not necessarily be a bad thing.
It will also come with up to 12GB of RAM, as we have seen on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. Alongside the ample sized RAM is storage choices from 256GB onward to 512GB. It might make sense for Samsung to up the ante this time with 1TB storage though, since there will be no MicroSD support for the device.
Like the previous Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, there are two displays you can work with on the Z Fold 3, obviously. One is an external display that is supposed to measure at 6.2-inch covered by durable gorilla glass and producing a little more than 720p in terms of resolution. You get a 7.6-inch in display real estate that boasts a little more that QHD+ in resolution inside. Of course, each of the display gets their own punch hole cameras.
Like the older device too, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is supposed to come with a triple camera array that is reportedly packing three 12-megapixel sensors for different functions. This is not a device made for ultimate photography, so that is quite understandable.
In terms of battery, it seems like Samsung might have shrunk it a little bit. The previous Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 had a 4,500mAh battery. While it seems like it makes more sense to fit a similarly sized battery on the upcoming foldable, Samsung is looking to put a 4,400mAh battery to keep its weight down. It could also be an indication to an S Pen cargo hold.
There are also rumours pointing to multiple versions of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, which also means there might be a more affordable option for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. That is good news if Samsung is planning to bet its future on the foldable devices.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
We are also expecting to see a certain clamshell device to make the event tonight. It is the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip we saw in 2019 too. Instead of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2, they jumped straight into naming the upcoming device the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. As we have discussed in our podcast, it could be because Samsung treated the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G as its second-generation model. It could also to simplify Samsung’s product range and their naming scheme.
More recent leaks show that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 device will be more of lifestyle-centric device. It is supposed to come in more colours than before with a more industrial and minimalistic design language. Apparently also, the device is supposed to come with a larger and more functional external display compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip’s.
Of course, the Z Flip 3 will still command a reasonably premium pricing. You are still getting Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 5G platform. You are also supposed to be getting up to 8GB in RAM and 256GB in storage.
You should get a similarly sized internal display at 6.7-inch that boasts Full HD+ resolutions with up to 120Hz in refresh rate. We do not expect the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 to come with S Pen capabilities though. Because the device is supposed to be more pocketable than the Z Fold 3, it will come with a rather small 3,300mAh battery and also two cameras on the outside rather than the three you get on the Z Fold 3.
3. New Wear OS in the form of One UI for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch Active 4
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is supposed to be coming, and for the first time ever, it does not come with Samsung’s own Tizen OS for the Galaxy Watch. It is also the first smartwatch to come with Google’s brand-new Wear OS 3, albeit in a Samsung Galaxy flavour.
Samsung calls the new UI the One UI. They have also confirmed that One UI is based on Google’s latest Wear OS 3. It is also the culmination of Samsung and Google’s partnership to creating a unified Android smartwatch ecosystem. In some sense, it is Google’s attempt to not just improve Wear OS, it is Google finally taking wearable devices seriously.
Wear OS 3 is touted to come with a slew of improvements not just on its own functions. With Samsung’s input from the success of their Tizen OS for wearable series, there are new functions that are integrated into Wear OS as well. At the same time, Samsung and Google Both benefit from an expansion in terms of developer base.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 series is supposed to come with Samsung’s very own Exynos SoC with 5nm process. That also means that it should be Samsung’s most powerful smartwatch so far. At the same time, the new SoC is supposed to allow for a longer lasting battery alongside Wear OS 3.
Reportedly, there are supposed to be more sensors withing the watch for even more accurate health tracking with even more data that can be collected. One such sensor is supposed to be able to detect your blood sugar level.
In term of design though, we are expecting the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series, including its Active counterpart, to come in similar design languages as before. The rotating bezel that acts as a navigation tool should also make a comeback in the Watch 4 series. Of course, the two physical buttons will not be going away anytime soon.
There are supposed to be three sizes that users can choose from in the range. There will be a 42mm, a 44mm, and 46mm watch sizes that should fit a larger variety of users and preferences instead of the two 42mm and 46mm choices from before. All of them comes with 20mm lugs though, for standardisation purposes. They are also supposed to come in either aluminium or stainless-steel build material choices. Either builds will still be 5ATM water resistant and MIL-STC-810G certified though.
4. One UI 4.0 on Android 12
Android 12 has been on beta testing mode for a while now. Google is expecting the first Android 12 devices to be rolling out in September 2021 onward. They are even updating their Google Pixel devices in about the same time frame, which also means we can expect Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 to come with Android 12 with their very own iconic One UI 4.0 flavour.
One UI, if you are not yet familiar with it, is Samsung’s custom skin on top on Android. While One UI started out its early life as TouchWiz UI, the new One UI design language has been dialed back from TouchWiz UX that technically existed since the first Samsung Galaxy S. One UI, while sort of retains some of the old charm from TouchWiz UX, is a completely different beast of an overlay though.
It cleans up the UX to the point that it is near barebones on top of Android. Of course, to ensure that Android on Samsung Galaxy devices takes full advantage of what Samsung’s devices are capable of, One UI still has to add some functionalities to Android as well.
The look and feel of One UI, in the Android world at least, is one that is quite unique to Samsung though, and one of the most intuitive out there. Thanks to Samsung’s own optimisation as well, you cannot possibly think using a Samsung device without the power of One UI. It is especially true when you start working with devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy Note series.
One UI 4.0 though will focus on bringing the best out Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip capabilities. It will optimise Android to the odd display aspect ratio on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 for example. One UI 4.0 will also expand on the multitasking capabilities of Android 12 on the foldable devices, obviously.
Of course, One UI 4.0 does not only highlight the benefits of Samsung’s foldable devices. It will also embrace Android’s Material You design language. In that sense it should be even more customisable for its users. The amount of customisation should reflect very well on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. No two devices you pick up will be the same.
5. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds started out life as the Samsung IconX. The IconX also kickstarted the whole True Wireless earphones (TWS) industry on its own. It also put Samsung on a path to becoming a one stop shop for all things mobile and seamless integration for Android devices. It spawned the Samsung Galaxy Buds in 2019.
Since then, there has been many iterations that comes from the humble Samsung Galaxy Buds. While capturing completely different markets, the Samsung Galaxy Buds was often compared to its Apple competition, the AirPods. Since then, the TWS earphones market has grown tremendously too, in terms of market size, demand, and even technology.
The new Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is supposed to feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology. It is also reportedly an improved ANC technology that came on Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro. In that sense, there are also more ANC controls on Samsung’s Wearable app too. The ANC is supposed to be capable of blocking out 98% of noise.
In its IPX7 rated body (supposedly) is a powerful 11mm driver and 6.5mm tweeter. It also houses a battery that sllows the Galaxy Buds 2 to last up to 5 hours from a single charge. Its case is supposed come with three extra charges to give it 20 hours of total battery life. We are also expecting Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 to connect to smartphones via Bluetooth 5.2.
All Will be Revealed Tonight at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021
Of course, everything we have written here is a collection of speculations and even hopes that Samsung addresses problems with their older devices. We are extremely excited about Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 with Google Wear OS for the first time. It is also the first time we are looking at Google Wear OS 3 with Samsung’s input.
Everything will be revealed and announced tonight at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 though. Of course, due to the current pandemic situation, Samsung will not be holding a LIVE physical event. Instead, they will be holding the global press conference online. You can watch Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event LIVE on YouTube. We are also including the stream link here, so that you can just watch the announcement here.
Tech & Tonic Podcast S02E08 – Do Foldable Smartphones and Tablets Make More Sense in 2021?
Oops, we mentioned Episode 6 in the podcast!
In truth, there has been plenty happening in the past two weeks, and that is why there was an extra week gap between Episode 7 and Episode 8. Still, we open the week with a leak and rumours from Samsung’s camp. There is a certain foldable tablet that is in the works in their labs. At the same time, the prices of their foldable devices have dropped quite significantly. In that case, does it make sense for you to consider getting a foldable smartphone for 2021? Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 make more sense now that it is priced at only MYR 6,999, a whole MYR 1,000 less than before? What about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip that is now MYR 3,999? Should you bet your money on other folding devices even (save for laptops)?
We discuss this and more on this episode of Tech & Tonic Podcast.
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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 In-Depth Review – Unfolding New Possibilities
Welcome to the 2004 Nokia 9110 Communicator. This device harks back to a simpler time where mobile phones did not have coloured displays. The green hued colourless displayed was more related to an 8-bit animation console of the time than the Full HD HDR displays we have today.
Fast forward to 2019, the kind of device that the communicator was never made it. Every smartphone today, while they have roots from the Nokia Communicator device, looks completely different. They all feature QWERTY keyboards but in a regular candy bar form. You do not see a foldable behemoth that is the communicator anymore. Until they introduced the Samsung Galaxy Fold in 2019 of course.
Thing is, the Samsung Galaxy Fold, in our hands at least, did not feel like a product we can consciously recommend our friends to buy. It did not feel like a complete product. It felt too much like a prototype, fragile. We do not deny its innovative approach to a keyboard-less smartphone that folds in. foldable screens, while still in its infancy, is a technology we all have been asking for.
To be fair, we like the idea of a smartphone that folds. We like the idea of a smaller smartphone display that hides a larger display behind it. We like the idea of the Samsung Galaxy Fold in 2019. We just did not feel like the Samsung Galaxy Fold was complete enough as a product that commands MYR 8,000 from your back accounts.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 replaces the Samsung Galaxy Fold as Samsung’s most expensive flagship smartphone yet at MYR 7,999. It is also supposed to be the foldable device that finally works. It was made for everyone, supposedly. Is it though? Can we safely recommend this device to anyone now? We find out.
Design
When you first pick it up from the box, the device comes unfolded. What greets you when you open the box then is an expansive and oddly proportioned 7.6-inch display. What do we think when we first opened the box? Find out on our first 24-hours with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 feature.
We said oddly proportioned because it is not the usual wide body 16:9 display ratio. Rather, it looks more square-ish than anything else we have seen so far. While the display real estate nearly matches an 8-inch tablet in size, its usable display in videos is far less than one. Then you fold it for the first time to see a smaller 6.23-inch Super AMOLED display that looks a little more normal.
It is not that normal though; the display’s ratio is an even weirder 25:9 ratio. That also means that the secondar display, or the outside display is much narrower than a regular smartphone display with a Full HD+ type display. It is not even a Full HD+ display that you get up front, just an HD+ resolution here (816 x 2260 pixels, to be exact).
Flip it to the back and a triple camera array greets you. Plenty somehow things that the camera is the exact same on as you would find on a Samsung Galaxy S20 or Galaxy Note20. We assure you that it is not. All three camera sensors top out at 12-Megapixels. At least you can still get decent stills and 4K videos out of it. We will discuss that later though.
The unit we got is labelled as the Mystic Bronze variant. It only comes in either the colour we got, or Mystic Black. Both colours are finished in Matte instead of the usual glossy type finish. But we somehow prefer the Mystic Bronze colour variant over the Black.
When you open the device up to reveal the full glory of the 7.6-inch display and look at the bottom part of the device, you might notice that the display part of the device does not seem like it is laid flat. That is because the device is not flat when you open it up. Technically, the only almost truly flat and level part of the device when it is opened up is the main display. The secondary display and the device’s back are ever so slightly tapered off from each other when the device is opened.
We mentioned also in our first 24 hours feature on the device that we liked the brushed aluminium textured frames on the Galaxy Z Fold2. It adds a bit more texture to grip on for your device. While adding better grip, it also gives the device a distinctive side profile. we thought that the device had enough thickness for a 3.5mm jack. Of course, they did not include a 3.5mm jack
Still, thanks to the vast amount of space on the sides, top and bottom, one of the dual speakers do not have to share space or module with the earpiece. This also means better clarity and balance to audio when playing videos or music. But this also means a lot of wasted space on one side of the device. There is not much else to put besides the volume rockers and the fingerprint sensor cum power button though.
When you fold the device, you reveal another glossy part of the device that separates the secondary display and the matte metal backing of the Galaxy Z Fold2. This forms the left side frame of the device when its closed and we think that it looks gorgeous, somehow more so than the older Samsung Galaxy Fold. This enclosure frame side though houses the new folding mechanism that you see in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. The look of the casing also mimics that of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
That bulging frame tucks away behind two separate gloss finished bars that frames the glass back and secondary display of the device though. Those two frames continue from the rest of the frame of the devices. It is quite hard to believe that there are two frames on this device when it is in its open position. Folded up though, it is more believable since it is the thickness of two smartphone devices sitting on top of each other.
Still, we think that this is a mighty handsome device. We mentioned in the 24 hours feature that this looks and feels like a proper device that is ready for the market instead of the prototype feel and look of the Samsung Galaxy Fold of 2019. The crease of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is still very much visible and it is something that we expect Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers will continue to work on in future devices. The difference between this new model and the old one is that the crease somehow feels less profound and less disruptive to the display than before.
Hardware
Powering two different displays is usually very taxing, even on a regular PC. Thankfully though the internals that lives inside the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is all but regular. It packs the best of 2020’s Qualcomm SoC, not an Exynos chip, surprisingly. It has a battery larger than most flagships as well, for good measure. Despite not having any of the super high-resolution cameras that the other Samsung Galaxy flagship devices, this still features five on-board cameras (3+1+1).
Specifications
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 865+ Octa-Core 7nm 1x Kryo 585 @3.09GHZ 3x Kryo 585 @2.42GHz 4x Kryo 585 @1.80GHz |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | Adreno 650 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Memory (as tested) | 256GB |
| Display(s) | Main Internal Display: Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X 7.6-inch 1,768 x 2,208 pixels ~373ppi 120Hz (up to) HDR10+ Secondary External Display: Super AMOLED 6.23-inch 816 x 2,260 pixels (25:9) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Operating System | OneUI 3.0 based on Android 10 |
| Battery | Non-Removable Li-Po 4,500mAh Fast Charging 25W Wireless Charging 11W Reverse Wireless Charging 4.5W |
| Connectivity | 5G UWB Dual SIM Wi-Fi WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax GPS/A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS A2DP AptX HD Bluetooth 5.0 LE OTG Support USB Type-C 3.2 Samsung DeX |
| Camera (s) | REAR: 12-Megapixel (f/1.8, 26mm wide angle) 12-Megapixel (f/2.4, 52mm telephoto) 12-Megapixel (f/2.2, 12mm ultra-wide angle) HDR 4K video recording (60fps) LED flash FRONT Internal: 10-Megapixel (f/2.2, 26mm wide angle) 4K video recording (30fps) FRONT External: 10-Megapixel (f/2.2, 26mm wide angle) 4K video recording (30fps) |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Proximity Side Mounted Fingerprint Ambient Light Gyroscope Face Unlock Compass |
User Interface – Still OneUI 3.0
One advantage of mobile optimised operating system is its adaptibility with almost any kind of display at any screen ratio. That is very apparent on the Android 10 based OneUI 3.0 on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2. The oddly shaped WQHD+ display feature a display factor that you have never seen before, other than the older Samsung Galaxy Fold of 2019.
Naturally, we were a little concerned about the app and system scaling on these devices when we first pick up the devices. Of course, our concerns are not entirely baseless after using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 for a while. The fault is not entirely on Android though.
We have to say that Android does a good job in scaling itself into any display factor, resolution, and size. The implementation on OneUI 3.0 on top of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is really just a testament to that. Android even scales properly on the 4K display of the Sony Xperia 1 and its successor if you are wondering.
The same cannot be said to all the available apps though. Of course, not all the apps available will be subject to the same issue. Still, the scaling issue happens on certain apps that you might use daily.
Sure, things like Gmail, or other email apps may not look too funky. That is because these apps scale nicely and quite normally on larger displays. In fact, you get to see more on your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 than on a Samsung Galaxy Note20, for example. Even apps like WhatsApp and Telegram looks like the normal smartphone application that they are albeit on a larger, slightly oddly rationed screen. Telegram even works nicely with horizontal typing mode; you still get to scroll through the chat even with the keyboard occupying the bottom half of the display. The same cannot be said for WhatsApp on the horizontal typing front.
Then you go to Instagram, expecting a better experience with bigger screen. Of course, you see photos bigger and everything seems peachy at first. You actually get a very regular smartphone-ish interface with two wasted space on both sides of the main interface. It still works because you are still scrolling through the feed like a normal smartphone. The wasted space is a little bit annoying since you could get contents to shine with the extra display real estate.
Then you go into Instagram Stories and realise that the app really does not play well with the larger display of the Galaxy Z Fold2. To be fair, we could be the only one facing this issue. When we launch Instagram Stories, the display greets us with options to interact with the post, instead of the usual clean post. We had to back out of Reactions by hitting the comment box and back out of it again to have normal interaction with Instagram Stories. If the account user disables comments, you cannot do anything but view the contents behind the reaction overlay. Strangely, Snapchat works fine.
So far though, this is the only app that seems to have an issue with the oddly shaped display. Other apps seem to work fine and scales nicely with the display, either showing a little bit more information than the regular smartphone app or having larger interfaces. Do not get us wrong though, they are largely still the same interfaces as a regular smartphone.
Of course, the ones that takes the most advantage of the larger display on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 are Samsung’s own developed apps. You can see the simple optimisation of the OneUI 3.0 from Samsung’s native Messaging app or even its settings menu. On the Messaging app at least, you get to view your list of conversations on the left side and get into the conversations on the left side.
Bigger Videos
The biggest benefit of a larger display is always on the gaming and video front. You can either watch YouTube with the regular vertical layout and the video looks big enough already. We initially thought as well that with YouTube, you may not need to go full screen horizontally until we did.
There is about 1-inch of difference in the video size when you stream YouTube vertically and when you go on full screen horizontally. That means you get a much bigger real estate that you are looking at on YouTube. But what is interesting with YouTube on the Galaxy Z Fold2 is that the interface looks more like what you will get on tablets instead of a regular smartphone.
Of course, the bigger screen and resolution benefits Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The bigger display in the format of the Galaxy Z Fold2 can easily be tucked away in your pockets. That also means that you can be on the train on the way to work and whip out the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 and feast on Netflix the whole way there without ever needing to squint your eyes too much to pick out details. When you are done, you simply fold it back up and put it in your pockets. No cable worries here too if you are using a pair of Bluetooth earphone.
Like the smartphone app, Netflix and Prime Video cleverly sizes down their videos a little just to avoid projecting over the camera hole that is on the display. That also means that you are not interrupted by a black hole in your screen when you enjoy your videos, unlike YouTube. While it means smaller display real estate for videos, it is still a large enough footprint for Netflix and Prime Video.
Same-Same but Different
The advantage of having two displays on a device though is having two separate home screens for different functions. The OneUI 3.0 on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 encourages this. Your main home screen, if you use Samsung’s Smart Switch, will be transferred and translated into the main home screen. Keep in mind that there will be a lot of extra space on your home screen inside too, meaning you can add even more apps and shortcuts on your home screen. If you like to keep the minimal amount of home screens on your smartphone, this could be perfect.
Out the front secondary display though is a fresh home screen that you can customise to your liking. You have to keep in mind though that the display up front is plenty smaller than the main display. That also means that your YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Videos get squished quite a lot. We keep all the apps that we need quick access to up front. We have a calendar widget up front too for a quick glance when we need to.
Of course, because this is a Super AMOLED display still, it is a great display to watch videos on still. It is a perfect display to discreetly watch your YouTube, Netflix, or Prime Video shows. You can stand it up to get it to the perfect screen angle on your desk too. Make sure you have a pair of Bluetooth earphones though, just so that you do not disturb your co-workers or alert your boss.
In that mode as well you can use the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 as a video conferencing device with half the main display. There are two front-facing cameras you can rely on as well for that matter. Unfortunately, the selfie camera out the front of the device does not support this function. Not that it will be a deal breaker.
Performance
With two screens, you will want a lot power to get this behemoth of a device going. That is where the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ on the device comes into play. Credits where credits are due, the flagship Qualcomm System on a Chip (SoC) is the most powerful processing chip you can find on an Android device today, before they introduce a new one with 5nm build next year.
These are all just numbers though, what matters is how they perform in your hands, in your pockets, out in the real world. But big numbers do have some merits. In the case of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2, the numbers mean that the device should feel buttery smooth and ultra-snappy, together with the 120Hz display. Thankfully the 120Hz refresh rate is not resolution limited like the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Call Quality and Connectivity.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is a standard 5G device. No, that does not mean you get to experience 5G now. It just means that it will be ready for that experience once it is available in Malaysia. Yes, 5G technology is not commercially viable just yet in Malaysia. We are hoping that would change soon though.
The rest of the antenna array on the device is quite the usual affair from Samsung. That also means that you are going to get about the same call quality and performance from the usual Samsung Galaxy flagship. Calls sounds crisp as long and signal is strong enough (one bar and above). You can expect some choppiness when the signal drops to one bar. Of course, do not expect calls to get through when you get no cellular signal.
Still, when calls get through, the party on the other side of the line reports that calls are as clear as day. This is thanks to the noise cancelling mic combination. We thank whichever engineers that has figured out the art of noise cancelling on calls on this.
Making calls is as simple as clicking through the Phone app too. It is the same exact layout and interface as any Samsung Galaxy device you might be familiar with. Then again, any Phone app these days look the same and function somewhat similarly. Like any other Samsung device too, you can quickly swipe right on your contact name or recent calls page to quickly make a call. Swipe left to message the person.
The only thing you might want to keep in mind when using the device to call is that you can only hold it up to your ear (as in, use the earpiece) with the device folded in and using the front display. You cannot use the earpiece with the device unfolded. You would look ridiculous too, even if you can. Remember the days where you can pick up calls on an 8-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab? Remember how stupid people look picking up calls on those devices? You look even more ridiculous using this, because its is so disproportionate.
You can use loudspeaker mode in both folded and unfolded state though. The experience on that is also quite similar to other Samsung Galaxy flagship devices. The only difference is that one side of the stereo speaker system does not share an outlet with the earpiece. That allows the speakers to fire more evenly for a better all-round experience in your conference calls.
The loudspeaker can be quite loud as well, so if you are sitting in a small discussion table with 6 people, you can use the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 to make conference calls. The only issue is that if the table is not a perfect round (oval and elongated format), some people who are further away from the device might not get picked up on the conversation. We find that anything between 1m to 1.5m from the device is the maximum you should go when using the device as a teleconferencing device.
Gaming
In theory, a bigger screen should also mean a better gaming experience. Samsung did sell this device to gamers as a gaming smartphone. We do not think that was quite wise though.
To be fair, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 does fare well in games, especially when games can take advantage of the 120Hz refresh rate. Games look extra smooth and ultimately looks amazing on the Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. Thanks to a larger display footprint also, it feels that you are looking at a great sweet spot of a display (unfolded) for gaming. The display, in most cases, is the perfect size for plenty of games.
Games like Mobile Legends Bang Bang scales properly to the oddly shaped display. This allows you to see more on the field and gives you a slight advantage in matchups. You tend to be able to see your opponents from further away and react accordingly. This is not the case for every game.
There is a problem, however. Games like Brawl Stars does not scale to fully fill the display. While it does make it a little fairer when it comes to games and matchups, it completely misses the whole point of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2. You get two big black bars on top and bottom of the display area. In some sense, it does mean that the alerts and control panels are not obstructing your game view. In a lot of sense, the black bars are annoying and feels like a little bit of a waste.
Still, all these games look really good on 120Hz. With games like PUBG, you might be able to really enjoy and immerse yourself in the game with such a huge display. Thanks to the extra real estate too, games are appearing bigger than the usual smartphone devices. Therefore, we say that the display size, when unfolded, is quite ideal for gaming.
Multitasking and Productivity
We feel that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 feels a little incomplete without an S Pen. We feel that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 will be a more wholesome and complete device with an S Pen. The follow up to this device is rumoured to receive an S Pen treatment though, so that is something to look forward to.
Still, a big screen means you should be able to fit more windows on a single screen. We found that we can open up to 5 applications on floating windows and two split screen windows at the same time. That also means you can have 7 running apps at any give time with the internal main display. When all the apps are open at the same time, you would expect some lags there and here. Not on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2. The applications still run smoothly with nearly zero hiccups.
Of course, as the device ages, you might expect some slow down and decrease in performance in that region. You are most likely not going to use up to 7 applications at any given time though. At most, you might have three applications open at any given time to work with. In that sense, the display size is quite perfect for a three-application workflow.
Battery Life
We wanted the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 to pack a large battery, because we know packing two screens on a smartphone will drain its battery quickly. Unfortunately, Samsung only manages to shoehorn a 4,500mAh battery into this behemoth of a thing. This is also because of the oddly constructed device that does not allow for a lot of wiggle room in its mostly metal and glass body.
Despite the bigger display, you could sort of get about the same battery life from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 as the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra. When we say about the same, it also depends on what you do with your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2.
On most typical days, we did get more than a whole working day. Our typical day, these days, is mostly using the smartphone to make a few calls throughout the day, messaging via WhatsApp, Telegram, and even Facebook Messenger sometimes, checking emails, one or two YouTube Videos, a 20-minute session of Mobile Legends, and an episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. on Netflix. In that type of use, we get about a full workday of battery life and a little bit more.
There are days that there is some non-typical use though. That non-typical use usually involves binging on Netflix non-stop for a few hours, or gaming for a few hours at a time, some messaging here and there, and mostly nothing else. In that use case, you might want to keep yourself near a charging point.
You can probably drain half your battery before lunch time if you start your Netflix binge at 9 in the morning. If you choose to play Mobile Legends, you probably can half your battery life in about the same time frame too, maybe a little quicker if you push your brightness up. This is on WiFi mind you. Of course, if you drain your battery while gaming, expect some heat from the device.
Display
That brings us to the thing that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is built upon; is display, or rather, displays. Unlike most smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 has two displays, one out the front, and one inside. There have been smartphones that packs two displays before from the likes of Vivo. The difference is that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 has one large foldable display.
No, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is not the first foldable smartphone, nor is it the first foldable smartphone with two displays. That is a title snagged by its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Except, the Samsung Galaxy Fold’s front secondary display was quite unusable thanks to its minute size from the 2000s.
The Main Display – Folded Away and Tucked In
That was the first time we see an adaptation of a foldable display that was showcased by Samsung and LG a few years prior to 2019. That was also the only adaptation that worked with two different displays on the device for different usage cases. Its closest competition at the time featured a single foldable display that wraps around the device when folded.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is targeted toward a completely different market segment. We have to say though, it is a niche segment that they are looking at. At least at this time, we struggle to find someone who needs a much larger display than what they already have on their own smartphone. That was what people say when the Samsung Galaxy Note launched back in the day though.
It has an oddly shaped 7.6-inch main display inside the device that is foldable. That is about the same size as the device that came before. It is a bit more expansive thanks to the modern looking Infinity-O punch hole camera solution though.
The main display is a Dynamic AMOLED 2X, the same one as the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. It is larger in footprint though at 7.6-inch. In that case, the colour reproduction, HDR quality of the display is excellent. We do not expect anything less from Samsung with the display.
It is bright enough under bright sunlight that we can use the device outside. While you might not use the main display that often outside of home, the brightness can be appreciated. The colour contrasts are of course excellent as well for Netlfix movies and such. Again, it is just a very odd display factor, so your Netflix movies or YouTube will have two huge black bars on top and bottom of the device. That is why we say that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 could use a longer body.
It is sort of a WQHD display as well. We say sort of, because it is actually a little higher in resolution than a 1440p display. It packs 2,000 pixels in height, and about 1,700 pixels across. While it is odd, it makes for a great personal movie watching experience on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2.
Protecting the Main Display
We have to talk about the raised bezels though, because they are an important design aspect on the device. There are small plastic bumps on the corners of the bezels too, which acts as shock absorbers and a spacer when the device is folded. These bezels are an essential part in making the foldable display work as intended and as protected as possible from itself, and you.
No matter how Samsung spins it, the display is still a delicate thing. The middle part especially, is not solid. You can sort of press it down with a little give. We have to give it to Samsung though, the center fold creases is not as bad as before. At certain angles, it is barely noticeable, and you can easily forgive the crease. It does not even distort any images or videos on the display, which is a big improvement in the display’s usability.
The raised bezel sort of continues as well through the fold to make it seem as seamless as possible. Here also is where the raised bezel design, though can be quite undesirable in modern smartphones, is a life saver for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2. It covers all sorts of gaps between the display and the frame of the device. That also means unlike the first batch of Samsung Galaxy Fold introduced last year, there are less chances of dust particles to be trapped in the folding mechanisms to destroy your display.
The folding mechanism is also the same improved mechanism that you get on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. That also means there is 180o of articulations, and the device will hold at any folded angle. Of course, we have spoken a little bit about this earlier.
There is another thing on the main display that we suggest you do not remove when you get the device – its screen protector. This is just a PSA, do not remove the screen protector that comes with the device, you might break your expansive and expensive main display if you do.
The 6.2-inch Display Up Front
Fold the main display away and you will see the glass protected 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display come to life. This is an odd display too, at 2,280 by 816 pixels. It is not exactly HD, but it is not exactly Full HD either. Samsung labels it at HD though, since it is close to 720p than 1080p.
The front secondary display gives you a different home screen and lock screen from the main display though. This makes the Galaxy Z Fold2 feels like two different devices mashed into one. One bigger, entertainment and productivity beast inside, and one portable, little secondary device outside. Perhaps that was the point from day one anyway and we all have missed the point.
In our case, we set it up to access the simples of apps we tend to work with when we are out and about. That also means surfacing the messenger type apps, the phone app, and even a calendar for quick schedule check. The front display is our ‘quick access’ screen, sort of.
Thanks to Super AMOLED technology too, the display is brilliant and bright. Colour contrasts and saturation is excellent and very vivid. While we think that the display is a tad small, and quite odd in display factor, it is very useable for a quick video fix. Either that, or white noises. You definitely can use it as your media controller for music playback in public transportation spaces. No, you might not want to game on this display. Why do something you might not enjoy?
Camera
You would think that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 packs the same camera array as the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra. We can forgive you for that, because it features a very similar camera bump module. It does not though.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 packs three 12-Megapixel shooters. One for a regular wide-angle shot, one for ultra-wide photos, and one for longer telephoto shots. While the numbers are quite underwhelming, the results are not.
We have mentioned again and again that you never really need more than 12-Megapixels on your smartphone cameras and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is a great example of that statement. That is because the 12-Megapixel camera on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 produces quite stunning examples in any conditions. The 12-Megapixel shooter can and will produce stunning photos at any time and every time, even when light is a little scarce.
Of course, if you go into the detailing, there is noticeably less from the 12-Megapixel shooter than the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra’s 108-Megapixel. That is only because there are more pixels packed on the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2. That is about the only thing the Galaxy Note20 Ultra has in advantage compared to its foldable cousin. That, and 8K video recording which you may never use.
Colours across all the cameras on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 are excellent. Sure, they could use some saturation before you post, but that is easy to do with the device’s pre-installed photo editor anyway. That adjustment can take anywhere from 2 seconds to 1 minute depending on what you want from the photo. You can just throw a clever ‘auto’ adjust and the device can decide what looks best for you, and that should be enough.
That is probably the only complain we have from the camera though. The photos that come out of the camera can look a little flat before you edit them. Because there are only 12 million pixels on the sensor too, cropping photos can make them look a little less crisp, unless you work with the telephoto lens. Still there are three lenses you can choose from anyway, so not like you would be strapped for choice when it comes to photo taking.
A benefit of a 12-Megapixel sensor compared to a 108-Megapixel one is heat management. While boasting similar camera bump, the cameras on the Galazy Z Fold2 heats up less, if it happens at all. In that case, your device is still comfortable to work with at any given time. You still get to record 4K videos, mind you.
Of course, beauty is in the eyes of its beholder. You should see the unedited results of the photos from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 and be your own judge. Check out the gallery below.
Gallery
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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold – Much Wow, Much Premium
We want to say that we like it. We like the experience of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 not because it is a unique device. We like it because it feels like a proper Samsung device. We like it because it is smooth, it works well, and it is some high-quality stuff. We like it because it feels like a regular well-built, well developed Samsung device.
It is a rather unique device. The folding mechanism adds some layers of functionality over the regular smartphone. We like the direction that Samsung is heading with the folding smartphone form factor too. We think that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is the right step forward from the older Samsung Galaxy Fold. We think that there is more to explore in the world of folding smartphones and Samsung, no doubt, will exploit that in future iterations.
Thing is, using the device does not feel unique in a lot of times. It can feel cumbersome too. From the awkwardly narrow keyboard in the front display, to the oddly factored inner display for videos, there are things that makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 a little less intuitive than a regular smartphone. Its heft is also a constant reminder that you are carrying a sort of thoroughbred. A fragile one at that. You have to remember to not use it in wet conditions too, since it is not IP rated.
So in the end, we think that MYR 7,999, although a reasonable price point for a unique product like the Galaxy Z Fold2, can be better spent elsewhere. Sure, if you have the extra cash and you really want to flash your wealth, this is really the device for you. It turns heads.
Thing is, that kind of money can buy you a Smartphone and a great notebook PC for extra productivity. That kind of money can buy a decent gaming notebook too. That kind of money can buy you a 4K TV and a PlayStation 5 to go along with the TV. You can probably get a few games too, with some extra money you saved.
So, do we think that you should get the device? In short; no. But it is more than that, you really can spend your MYR 7,999 on multiple things that could achieve the same things as the Galaxy Z Fold2, and even more. But again, if you have MYR 7,999 lying around somewhere just waiting to be used, we do think that your money buys more than just the device. Your money buys Samsung’s confidence to go into a territory no one dares to go into. Your money busy their research and development into future products. Your money buys affordability for this kind of technology in the future. So, you decide.
Samsung Unfolds the Next Generation of Foldables with the Galaxy Z Fold2
Samsung’s approach to mobile seems to be changing with the company putting more emphasis on their foldable smartphones. The company zoomed in to their new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 during their Unpacked Part 2 event. The new foldable is possibly a start of a new era of flagships from Samsung.
The new Galaxy Z Fold2 builds on the DNA of the original Galaxy Fold which was released last year. It’s also a clear indication that Samsung has been listening to its users as one of the main gripes of the original Fold has been improved. The new Galaxy Z Fold2 comes with a larger 6.2-inch HD+ Super AMOLED Display with a 25:9 aspect ratio. Of course, this isn’t the main screen of the foldable, the main display is a 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 22.5:18 aspect ratio. The displays have pixel densities of 386ppi and 373ppi respectively.
On the inside, the Galaxy Z Fold2 is running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ octacore processor with 12GB RAM. This is complemented by either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage with no support for micro SD cards. The 512GB version of the Fold2 will only be available in selected markets. Similar to the original, the Fold2 is powered by a 4,500mAh dual battery. The dual battery architecture basically splits the battery pack into two smaller units which work in tandem to provide the overall battery capacity.
When it comes to cameras, the Galaxy Z Fold2 isn’t as over the top as it’s predecessor; instead it comes with a total of five cameras – three on the back, a single selfie camera inside, and a single selfie camera on the front. The main camera on the back is a triple camera array consisting of a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, a 12-megapixel wide sensor and a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor. On the selfie front, both the cover and the front facing cameras are a single 10-megapixel sensor.
The Fold2 will be coming with all the usual bells and whistles you’d expect from a Samsung flagship including Samsung Pay compatibility, Fingerprint authentication, stereo speakers and Samsung’s Knox protection.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Z Fold2 will be available in Mystic Black and Mystic Bronze. It will also have customisations for the hideaway hinge in select markets. Users in these markets will be able to select from Metallic Red, Metallic Blue, Metallic Gold and Metallic Silver hinges.
The Galaxy Z Fold2 will cost USD$1,799 (MYR7,458.87). No release date has been announced just yet.
Together with the Fold2, a special Thom Browne edition of the Galaxy Z Fold2 will be available. This special, limited edition will only have 5,000 units made and will be costing USD$3,299(MYR13,679.72).
Official Specifications
| Display | Main Screen* – 7.6” QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display (22.5:18) Infinity Flex Display (2208 x 1768), 373ppi Cover Screen** – 6.2” HD+ Super AMOLED Display (25:9), 2260 x 816, 386ppi *Main Screen: Screen measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners. **Cover Screen: Screen measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners. |
| Dimension & Weight | Folded: 68.0 x 159.2 x 16.8mm (Hinge) ~ 13.8mm(Sagging), 282g Unfolded: 128.2 x 159.2 x 6.9mm(Frame) ~ 6.0mm(Screen) , 282g |
| Cover Camera | 10MP Selfie Camera : F2.2, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 80˚ |
| Front Camera | 10MP Selfie Camera: F2.2, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 80˚ |
| Rear Triple Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide Camera : F2.2 ,Pixel size: 1.12μm, FOV : 123˚ 12MP Wide-angle Camera : Super Speed Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, Pixel size: 1.8μm, FOV: 83˚ 12MP Telephoto Camera : PDAF, F2.4, OIS, Pixel size: 1.0μm, FOV: 45˚ Dual OIS, 0.5x out and 2x in optical zoom, Up to 10x digital zoom, HDR10+ recording, Tracking AF |
| AP | 7㎚ 64-bit Octa-Core Processor (3.09㎓ + 2.40㎓ + 1.80㎓) |
| Memory | 12GB RAM with 512GB internal storage (UFS3.1)* 12GB RAM with 256GB internal storage (UFS3.1)** *512GB internal storage is only available in select markets including mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Actual storage availability may depend on pre-installed software **Actual storage availability may depend on pre-installed software |
| Battery | 4500mAh (typical) dual battery* *Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4365mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors. |
| Charging | Fast Charging compatible on wired and wireless* Wireless PowerShare** *Wired charging compatible with QC2.0 and AFC, Wireless charging compatible with WPC and PMA **Wireless PowerShare is limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones with WPC Qi wireless charging, such as Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Note20, Galaxy Note20 Ultra Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Note10, Note10+, Galaxy S10e, S10, S10+ S9, S9+, S8, S8+, S8 Active, S7, S7 edge, S7 Active, S6, S6 edge, S6 Active, S6 edge+, Note9, Note8, Note FE, Note5, and wearables such as Galaxy Watch Active, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy Buds. May not work with certain accessories, covers, or other brand devices. May affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment. |
| OS | Android 10 |
| Network | [LTE]*: Enhanced 4X4 MIMO, 7CA, LAA, LTE Cat.20 – Up to 2Gbps Download / Up to 200Mbps Upload [5G]**: Non-Standalone (NSA), Standalone (SA), Sub6 / mmWave *Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment. **Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment. |
| Connectivity | [Wi-Fi] 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax HE80 MIMO, 1024QAM [Bluetooth]* Bluetooth® v 5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps), USB type-C, NFC, Location (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou) [Ultra Wide Band] *Galileo and BeiDou coverage may be limited. BeiDou may not be available for certain countries. |
| SIM Card | One eSIM and one Nano SIM *SIM card sold separately. Availability may vary depending on market and carrier. *eSIM requires a wireless service plan and allows you activate a mobile network plan without the use of a nano SIM. eSIM availability may vary depending on software version, market and carrier. Check with your carrier if your mobile network plan supports eSIM. |
| Payment(Samsung Pay) | Credit & debit cards: supports MST and/or NFC Membership cards, Gift cards, Transit cards, Reward point service *Available in select countries. Payment solutions and available features may vary depending on market, carrier, and service providers. |
| Sensors | Capacitive Fingerprint sensor (side), Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro sensor, Geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, Proximity sensor, Light sensor |
| Authentication | Lock type: pattern, PIN, password Biometric lock type: Fingerprint sensor*, Face recognition *Galaxy Z Fold2 has a Capacitive Fingerprint sensor on the side. |
| Audio | Stereo speakers Surround sound with Dolby Atmos technology (Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus included.) UHQ 32-bit &DSD64/128 support*, PCM: Up to 32 bits, DSD: DSD64/128 Audio playback format : MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, APE, DSF, DFF *DSD64 and DSD128 playback can be limited depending on the file format. |
| Video | Video playback format: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM TV connection: Wireless: Smart View (screen mirroring 1080p at 30fps) / Wired: supports DisplayPort over USB type-C. Supports video out when connecting via HDMI Adapter. (DisplayPort 4K UHD at 60 fps) |
| Security | Knox protection: real-time monitoring and protection. Virus, malware prevention. (Powered by McAfee) Secure Folder: a secure space on the device to keep content such as apps, photos and videos, secured by fingerprint scanning. *Virus and malware prevention solution providers may vary depending on market. Availability may vary by market and carrier. |
| Colors | [Essential Color] Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze [Customization Hinge Color]* Metallic Silver, Metallic Gold, Metallic Red, Metallic Blue * Hideaway Hinge color customization will be available in 21 markets, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, UAE, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. |
| In the Box | Galaxy Z Fold2, Data Cable, Travel Adapter, Ejection Pin, Quick Start Guide, Earphones (USB Type-C) with sound by AKG, Galaxy Z Premier Service Leaflet, Brand Story Leaflet *Actual components, including earphones, may not be available depending on the model you purchase or the market or region you live in. Package and cover color may vary depending on device color. |