Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Review

A fashion statement at first glance, a foldable ambassador at heart

Do not let the classy looks and small size fool you: this is a flagship smartphone through and through and maybe, just maybe, the most important one Samsung is releasing this year. (Image: Samsung)

When attempting something that’s not easy, it pays to have a solid strategy — and that’s exactly what Samsung seems to be doing these days with the launch of not one, but two foldable phones at the same time. The Galaxy Z Fold3 is the company’s big, impressive, top-of-the-line model with a price tag to match (but still worth the cost for people intending to really take advantage of that huge main screen). The Galaxy Z Flip3, on the other hand, is different: it’s much smaller, somewhat less capable but way, way more affordable. The first one is a technology and innovation statement, the second one almost looks like a fashion statement at first glance.

Imagine one’s surprise, then, when — after ten days of using both — one realizes that the Flip3 manages to… flip the script: this is the device that will probably do more for foldables, making Samsung’s case, than what any other of its kind did in the past or will do until mid-2022. Here’s why.

It all starts with the Flip3’s size. While the Fold3 looks like a regular smartphone when closed and aspires to offer a small tablet user experience when opened, the Flip3 is a compact great-looking gadget when closed and a regular smartphone when opened. The difference is as great as it sounds in practice: the Flip3’s secondary screen on the front is meant for viewing notifications and firing up the simplest of apps only, not actually using the device like a smartphone. Unexpected bonus: this will make a lot of people realize how embarrassingly often they’re checking their phone during the day. Hey, it’s the first step towards not doing it so much, so no complaints there!

Built quality unparalleled, proper when unfolded

That’s not to say that the Flip3’s cover screen is not useful. It actually is, certainly a lot more useful than its predecessor’s: it now takes up almost half of the device’s outer shell — well, half of its half to be accurate — it’s bright and its resolution is good enough for its intended purpose. It also works great as a camera viewfinder. The widgets that can be controlled on this mini-screen are quite common — music player, weather, schedule, alarm, voice recorder and…