
Per week has handed since Samsung introduced its newest foldable smartphone fashions – the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, and the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Whereas sharing the identical foldable DNA, these units have completely different goal audiences. On this article, we deal with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and discover how completely different it truly is from its predecessor – the primary era Galaxy Z Flip – and whether or not it is smart so that you can improve in case you already occur to personal a Galaxy Z Flip from final 12 months.
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The place’s the Galaxy Flip 2, Samsung?

Earlier than we begin, it is very important observe how Samsung has silently skipped the ‘Galaxy Z Flip 2’ moniker for the telephone and jumped straight to the ‘Galaxy Z Flip 3’ branding. This, apparently, was completed in order that each of Samsung’s foldable product traces (Fold sequence and Flip sequence) attain parity when it comes to their numbering.
This alteration ensures that the Galaxy Z Fold 3, and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 can be remembered as units that have been launched in the identical 12 months – and extra importantly – keep away from confusion.
Additionally learn: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip review
Curiously, this isn’t the primary time Samsung has completed one thing of this type. In 2016, Samsung skipped the Word 6 moniker and introduced the Galaxy Word 7 as a substitute to align it higher with the Galaxy S6 lineup. It’s a special factor that this transformation didn’t forestall the Galaxy Note 7’s battery issues and the subsequent product recall.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 vs Galaxy Z Flip: Key variations defined

As a result of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 launched a 12 months after the ‘authentic’ Flip was introduced, it’s, naturally, an improve over its predecessor. Let’s discover out within the sections beneath as to the place the variations between the 2 lie, and the way vital of an improve these adjustments are.
Ingress safety: The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is IPX8 rated
The primary main improve to Samsung’s 2021 foldable smartphone lineup is help for water ingress safety. Each the units – the Galaxy Z Flip 3, and the Galaxy Z Fold 3 – occur to be IPX8 rated. This additionally makes them the primary foldable units from the corporate to help water resistance.
It is a enormous improve over the Galaxy Z Flip from 2020 which didn’t help any form of ingress safety. Do observe, nonetheless, that the Galaxy Z Flip is barely IPX8 rated and never IP68 rated. This implies it is going to nonetheless be vulnerable to mud particles and accumulation. Hold this in thoughts in case you might be uncovered to dusty environments on a frequent foundation.
Additionally learn: IP68 certification? IP67? What does it all mean?
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 vs Galaxy Z Flip: Show
Because of the foldable type issue, you must take care of two shows on the Galaxy Z Flip lineup. There may be nearly no change to the first show on the Flip 3 and it kind of retains the foldable, 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel with FHD+ decision we noticed on the unique 2020 Fold.
The show decision is barely larger now at 2640 x 1080 pixels, versus 2636 x 1080 pixels on the older mannequin. Essentially the most noticeable change,based on us, could be the upper refresh charge. The Galaxy Z Flip 3’s main show helps 120Hz versus the 60Hz panel on the outgoing mannequin.

The first show can also be claimed to be significantly better protected now and will get a protecting movie that forestalls scratches and different injury from occurring. In actual fact, Samsung now claims it’s 80% extra sturdy in comparison with older foldable shows.
The foremost change involves the exterior show which, at 1.9 inches, is now 4 occasions greater than the one we noticed final 12 months. This opens up a number of new use instances that have been merely not doable on the outgoing mannequin. For instance, the brand new Galaxy Z Flip 3 lets you scroll via notifications, use it as a step counter, and even management music playback with out the necessity to open the primary show.
Oh, and in case you have been apprehensive about sturdiness, the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s cowl show and router panels are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 vs Galaxy Z Flip: The digital camera setup
The digital camera setup on the 2021 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is close to similar to those we noticed final 12 months. It retains the twin digital camera setup on the rear that consists of a twin 12MP sensors for vast angle and extremely vast angle pictures. On the entrance – contained in the flip, quite – the telephone retains the 10MP sensor housed inside a middle punch gap.

The one improve to the digital camera appears to be the truth that the Flip 3’s rear digital camera array is now protected by Corning’s new Gorilla Glass DX glass composite cowl. This coating supposedly prevents scratches and the lens flares.
Merely put, should you already personal a Galaxy Z Flip, an improve to the Flip 3 doesn’t make sense should you’re in search of enhancements on this facet.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 vs Galaxy Z Flip: Comparative specs
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
Galaxy Z Flip 3 | Galaxy Z Flip | |
---|---|---|
Important Show | 6.7-inch, Dynamic AMOLED, FHD+, 2640×1080 pixels |
6.7-inch, Dynamic AMOLED, FHD+, 2636×1080 pixels |
Cowl Show | 1.9-inch, AMOLED, 512×206 pixels | 1.1-inch, AMOLED, 300×112 pixels |
Dimensions | Folded: 72.2x86x171.1mm, Unfolded: 72.2x166x6.9mm | Folded: 73.6×87.4×15.4mm, Unfolded: 73.6×167.3×6.9mm |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5nm 64-bit octa-core | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm 64-bit octa-core) |
Important Cameras | 12MP vast + 12MP ultra-wide |
12MP vast + 12MP ultra-wide |
Entrance Digital camera | 10MP | 10MP |
RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
Storage | 128/256GB |
128/256GB |
Software program | Android 11, One UI |
Android 10, One UI |
Video | 4K | 4K |
Battery | 3,300 mAh |
3,300 mAh |
Charging Speeds | 15W | 15W |
Value (USD) | $999 (128GB, $1050 (256GB) | Launch worth: $1380 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 vs Galaxy Z Flip: Availability and pricing
As outlined within the introductory traces of this text, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a greater model of the Galaxy Z Flip with a bunch of recent characteristic additions whereas additionally being cheaper by nearly $400. Within the US, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 begins at $999 for the 128GB variant. The 256GB variant is barely barely dearer at $1050. It is a vital discount in worth in comparison with final 12 months’s Galaxy Flip that began at $1380 within the US.
Conclusion: Is the Galaxy Z Flip 3 well worth the improve?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a particular enchancment over the 2020 Galaxy Z Flip in a number of areas. And we will certainly advocate getting this 12 months’s mannequin in case you have been seeking to improve from a non-foldable smartphone to a foldable machine this 12 months. The cheaper price tag is but one more reason to go for the Flip 3.
However what should you already occur to personal final 12 months’s Flip? Do you have to improve?
The reply to this query is dependent upon how vital the brand new options on the Flip 3 are to you. For instance, we advocate you improve in case you really need the IPX8 ranking, the 120Hz primary show, and the general higher efficiency supplied by the Snapdragon 888 SoC.
Should you can dwell with out these, the older Galaxy Z Flip remains to be a fantastic machine because the digital camera efficiency and battery life/capability are close to similar. Maybe, it’s finest should you wait and watch what Samsung brings for you subsequent 12 months?