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Samsung has unveiled a third iteration of its flagship folding phone at a virtual “Unpacked” event held overnight, featuring water resistance, a tougher screen, compatibility with a new version of the S-Pen stylus and a reduced price tag.
The Galaxy Z Fold3 features near-identical screens to last year’s Fold2, including a slim display on the outside shell and a full tablet-like 7.6-inch screen when unfolded. But the panels now feature 120Hz refresh rates for smoother motion, as opposed to just the big screen last year, and the selfie camera on the main screen is now situated beneath the display requiring no visible notch or hole-punch.
The Galaxy Fold3 works with an S-Pen stylus and has a selfie camera hidden beneath the display.
The main trio of cameras is also similar to last year, but the phone is slightly thinner and lighter overall. It’s also rated IPX8 water resistant and features harder glass, addressing two key concerns about the company’s previous folding devices.
The original Galaxy Fold was delayed a week before release as its complicated hinge design was shown to malfunction and pierce the display of the device. This issue was eventually fixed and did not reappear on last year’s Fold2, but the lack of water resistance remained a concern for some.
Samsung’s August Unpacked is generally when the company unveils a new version of its supersized Note phone, but this year there were none to be found. However, the Fold3’s compatibility with a new version of the S-Pen would seem to position it as a replacement. The Fold3 starts at $2499, which is $500 less than the previous two Fold devices at launch.
The Fold3 and Flip3 are both water resistant and feature tougher glass.
Also shown at the event was the Galaxy Z Flip3, a successor to last year’s Flip (there was no Flip2), which is a more traditionally sized narrow phone that folds into a pocketable clamshell. Like its larger sibling the Flip3 is now water resistant, but does not get an under-display camera for its selfie shooter. It does, however, feature a much larger notification screen when closed. It starts at $1499, which is $700 less than last year and pushes the device closer to a standard smartphone pricetag.
Galaxy Watch4 comes in standard or classic styles.
Finally Samsung showed off the Galaxy Watch4; the first wearable device to feature the new operating system it developed jointly with Google. The device takes clear aim at the market-leading Apple Watch, promising superior integration with Android phones and third-party apps compared to previous smartwatches, plus a comprehensive suite of fitness tracking software.