In a market that is starting to grow again, such as that of smartphones, there is a niche that is growing more than the others: that of folding devices. According to Counterpoint Research, they will go from about 3 million to 9 million units this year, with Samsung being the absolute protagonist: about 88 percent of the total. That’s why today’s launches are an important bet on the future of the Korean company.
The new leaflets
Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 are evolutionary updates of the models of the past years, with improvements focused on performance and above all on the reliability and longevity of the devices. The external appearance remains almost unchanged, with some changes for both the Z Fold3 model, the largest, and for the Z Flip3, which Samsung’s designers have perfected with new colors and an enlarged external screen. The Korean company has placed particular emphasis on the introduction of structural and constructive innovations, starting with the use of a special type of aluminum (called Armor) for the shells and hinges, which makes the devices more resistant than previous models. The external screens are then protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, there is a new protective film on the flexible displays and IPX68 certification for water resistance.
On both the processor is a 5nm octa-core with support for 5G connectivity. It means that, depending on the market, on the devices we will find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, or a Samsung Exynos 2100. Another feature that unites the two models is the presence of a lateral fingerprint sensor, given the impossibility of hosting the reader under the display. as on other traditional smartphone models.
Galaxy Z Fold3
Z Fold3 is the third incarnation of the Samsung folding par excellence. Compared to the previous model it is thinner (6.4mm versus 6.9mm or 14.4mm to 16mm when closed) and lighter (271g versus 282g for the Fold2). The two screens, both the external one and the internal folding one, also maintain the same dimensions. The external display measures 6.2 ”and is a 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED. The internal Infinity Flex has a 7.6 ”diagonal and maintains the same maximum refresh rate.
The most noticeable novelty compared to the second generation model is the internal camera, which Samsung has managed to hide under the display thus eliminating the corner hole on the flexible screen. An innovation that however requires a lower definition sensor, 4MP. On the outside there is also another 10MP selfie camera, in the center of the external screen (this time with a small hole), and three 12MP rear lenses. The main lens is a wide angle which is flanked by an ultra-wide angle and the 2X telephoto lens with optical image stabilization.
Galaxy Z Fold3 implements a 4400mAh battery, 12GB of memory and 256GB of base storage, which can become 512 on the top model. The operating system is Android 11 with One UI interface and various customizations to optimize the performance of all applications with the flexible screen and multitasking.
Another important novelty is the introduction – for the first time on a folding device – of the support for the S Pen. On the Z Fold3 you can use the new S Pen Pro, also compatible with the tablets of the Korean manufacturer, or the S Pen Fold, a version of the digital stylus made specifically for the Fold3. Unlike the Notes, Samsung’s folding smartphone does not have a slot for storing the stylus, which will have to be transported separately or can be placed in a special case sold separately.
Galaxy Z Flip3
If the Galaxy Z Fold3, in Samsung’s intentions, remains predominantly productivity-oriented, the Z Flip3 instead has the role of foldable devoted to style. This is confirmed in the first place by the numerous color options (no less than 7) conceived by Samsung’s designers and the updating of the design of the device, with a simple and elegant two-tone solution. The element that clearly distinguishes the new Z Flip3 from the first model is the new external mini-display. With a diagonal of 1.9 ”it is four times larger than that of its predecessor. It can thus show more information and enable a number of quick functions (from notifications to Samsung Pay), depending on which side you swipe your finger from. The Cover Screen is housed in the same Gorilla Glass Victus unit in which the two external cameras are also embedded. The two lenses are a wide-angle and an ultra-wide angle, both 12MP. On the main sensor there is also an optical image stabilization system.
The internal screen of the Galaxy Z Flip3 is a Dynamic AMOLED 2X and instead maintains the same dimensions as its predecessor, with a diagonal of 6.7 ”. The refresh rate also reaches 120Hz in this case. The battery remains a bit small (only 3300mAh) and does not change the basic configuration, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage space. Finally, the colors: Z Flip 3 will be available in Cream, Black, Green or Lavender versions, while models in gray, white and pink can also be found exclusively on Samsung.com.
Prices also bend
Despite the general improvements compared to the previous versions of the two Galaxy Zs, Samsung has managed to significantly lower the prices of its two foldables this year. Now the flagship model, namely the Galaxy Z Fold3, in Italy starts at € 1849 for the basic configuration of 12GB of RAM and 256GB of memory. It rises to € 1949 for the 12GB + 256GB version. The Galaxy Z Flip3 instead comes to cost as a traditional Android top of the range, with a list price starting from 1099 € for the model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage space, to go up to 1149 € in the 8GB + 256GB configuration. .
Samsung’s intention to push hard on the adoption of these devices is also proven by the promotions planned at launch. For both Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 the company offers up to € 450 valuation of used smartphones, € 100 of immediate discount for those who pre-order devices before August 26 and one year of Samsung Care + service included. In the case of the Z Fold3, moreover, Samsung also adds a so-called “Note Pack” for free, with Flip Cover, S Pen and 25W adapter.
Galaxy Watch 4 e Watch 4 Classic
The fourth generation of the manufacturer’s smartwatches comes in two versions: Galaxy Watch 4, with a simple and minimal design, and the Watch Classic, the more elaborate version similar to a traditional chronograph. The base model has an aluminum case, while that of the Watch Classic is made of stainless steel and includes the upper control ring, like that of the Watch 3 model. The new 3-in-1 BioActive sensor developed by Samsung debuts on both. It combines three sensors in one and thanks to a new software algorithm it can improve the detection of blood oxygenation, heartbeat and body composition.
And it is precisely on the so-called “body composition” that Samsung has focused a new experience of using the phone software, with a more precise and detailed interface to indicate, for example, the percentages of body fat, the BMI, the amount of water and other indicators that allow you to accurately calculate the wearer’s basal metabolic rate. The vocation of the new Watch 4 is clearly healthy and sporty. The two wearables can recognize more than 100 types of training and introduce new functions to monitor sleep, including a way to understand if and how much we snore during the night.
On both new Galaxy Watch 4 arrives for the first time WearOS, the operating system for wearable devices developed by the company in collaboration with Google. In addition to the aforementioned functions for sport and health, the new partnership has made possible a deeper integration with the functions of the Google ecosystem and with the One UI, i.e. the Android personalization of Samsung. It is an interesting evolution, which tries to match the fundamental advantage of the Apple Watch, namely the deep integration of the device with the iPhone and with the ecosystem of the Apple. Samsung instead beats Apple on time with the introduction of three new gestures that allow you to control the functions of the Watch 4 with a simple flick of the wrist (it is a function that Apple is preparing on the Apple Watch and will arrive in a future update).
Overall performance also improves, with a new processor 50% faster (it’s the first 5nm to arrive on a Galaxy Watch), more RAM and a more powerful GPU. The battery life is approximately 40 hours and can be recharged to 100% in just 2 hours.
Despite the improvements, the prices of the new Galaxy Watch 4 are lower than previous models. :
- Watch 4 40mm: € 269 for the Bluetooth (BT) version, or € 319 with BT + LTE
- Watch 4 Classic, 42mm: € 369 BT only, or € 419 in BT + LTE version
- Watch 4, 44mm: 299€ solo BT, o 349€ per BT+LTE
- Watch 4 Classic, 46mm: 399 € BT only, or 449 € for the BT + LTE version
A 70 € discount must be subtracted from these prices, valid until 5 September.
Galaxy Buds2
During the Unpacked event, Samsung also unveiled the new Galaxy Buds2 wireless headphones. For this new model, the Korean company has abandoned the bean-shaped design of the 2020 model in favor of a simpler teardrop line. The new Buds2 are also smaller and lighter, while according to Samsung the noise cancellation has been greatly improved, with filtering of external noise up to 98%. The headphones also feature Ambient Sound mode that lets ambient noises pass with three user-selectable intensity levels (useful if you wear headphones on the road). A new Machine Learning algorithm and the three integrated microphones on the earphones also improve voice quality during calls, isolating and eliminating wind or traffic noise. The new Buds2 will arrive next August 27 in four colors: white, graphite, olive green and lavender, with a list price of 149 €. Also in this case, those who buy the accessory by September 5th will receive an immediate discount of € 50.
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