Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs Z fold 3 – What Has Changed?
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs Z fold 3 – What Has Changed? The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 was unveiled to the world today during the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event. While many will compare it to newer phones, it’s also worth examining what it retains and changes from its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 2.
Some major external changes have been made to the Z Fold 3’s design, display, and possibly software. However, some things, like the cameras, don’t. While some details like an under-screen camera and S Pen support are interesting, it doesn’t seem to be as big of a generational leap as the Samsung Galaxy Fold’s Galaxy Z Fold 2.
Read on for a feature rundown of what the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Z Fold 3 have and how they compare.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs Z fold 3 Pricing and Availability
At the moment, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs Z fold 3 are priced the same: a whopping $1,799. However, the Z Fold 2 started at $1,999. It shows that while the price of foldable phones is still much more expensive than Samsung’s standard premium flagship, it is slowly falling.
The Z Fold 2 is on sale now, but the Z Fold 3 is only available for pre-orders for now. It goes on sale on August 27.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 2 specs
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 | Galaxy Z Fold 2 | |
| Screen size | 6.2-inch cover, 7.6-inch interior | 6.2-inch cover, 7.6-inch interior |
| Refresh rate | 120HZ (both displays) | 120HZ (inner display), 60Hz (outer display) |
| CPU | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 865 Plus |
| RAM | 12GB, 16GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB |
| Rear cameras | 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (2x zoom) | 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (2x zoom) |
| Front cameras | 10MP (cover) 4MP (interior, under-display) | 10MP (cover), 10MP interior) |
| Battery size | 4,400 mAh | 4,500 mAh |
| S Pen support | Yes | Yes |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Vs Z Fold 3 Design And Display
Both Z Folds look similar, but Samsung has done a lot of unseen to make the Z Fold 3 a lot tougher. It has IPX8 water resistance, which the Z Fold 2 doesn’t, and the combination of an “Armor Aluminum” case, Gorilla Glass Victus outer screen, and a new PET layer on the inner screen means the Z Fold 2 has a lot to do. more resistant to scratches and drops. The Z Fold 3 is even slimmer and lighter than the Z Fold 2.
Both phones use the same screens – 6.2 inches on the outside and 7.6 inches on the inside. The Z Fold 3’s outer screen has a slightly higher pixel count of 2268 x 832 on the front (down from 2260 x 816 pixels) and has also been updated to a 120Hz refresh rate instead of the base 60Hz on the Z Fold 2.
Inside, the hole for the selfie camera at the top right of the Z Fold 3’s inner display has been replaced by a camera below the display, which is only visible during use. The two screens are otherwise pretty much the same in terms of specifications, but Samsung says the Z Fold 3 is also brighter than the Z Fold 2 thanks to the use of the new Eco-Display technology.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Vs Z Fold 3 Cameras
The phones’ rear cameras are perhaps the only area with no apparent changes. Both phones use 12 MP main sensors, 12 MP ultra-wide sensors, and 12 MP 2x telephoto sensors. The front cameras also have the same 10MP resolution.
It is the indoor camera that has changed noticeably. Not only was it moved below the screen through a perforated notch, but it was also lowered from a 10MP resolution to a 4MP resolution. We’ve yet to test the Z Fold 3’s cameras, but it’ll be especially interesting to see if switching to an under-display camera has weakened its photography capabilities compared to the older phone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Vs Z Fold 3 Performance
Unsurprisingly, Samsung has installed a Snapdragon 888 in the Z Fold 3, the successor to the Snapdragon 865 Plus used in the Z Fold 2. The newer Z Fold still offers 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage as standard, but unlike the Z Fold 2, it also has an option for 512 GB of storage.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Vs Z Fold 3 Battery and Charging
According to the specs, Samsung is taking a small step back. The Z Fold 2 offered 4,500 mAh of battery capacity across its two cells, but the Z Fold 3 offers 4,400 mAh instead. Let’s hope Samsung makes some other tweaks to reduce battery usage, otherwise, the battery life of the new phone could be worse than the old one.
Both phones support Samsung’s 25W wired fast charging standard. They also offer up to 10W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging if you need it too.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Vs Z Fold 3 Software and S Pen
You get Samsung’s One UI on both phones, except the Z Fold 2 comes with Android 10, the Z Fold 3 comes with Android 11. This version is optimized for the foldable form factor and offers special versions of apps that fill the interior display and provide additional features. Both phones offer Flex Mode, which allows you to pivot the phone 90 degrees for video calls or watching videos, and Multi-Active Window, a feature that lets you open three apps at once and switch between them quickly.
However, there is one hidden change to the Z Fold 3’s capabilities: the option of a static system tray. This is hidden in the Settings app, but it gives you permanent access to your most-used apps, just like a PC or Mac desktop.
The biggest change to the Z Fold 3’s user experience actually comes in the form of S Pen support, with two versions (S Pen Fold Edition and S Pen Pro) available as optional extras. These offer retractable tips to prevent damage to the fragile flexible screen, with the S Pen Pro offering additional Bluetooth-powered remote control features like the standard S Pen in the Galaxy Note series.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Vs Z Fold 3 Outlook
The jump between the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs Z fold 3 isn’t quite as big as the one between the Z Fold 2 and the Galaxy Fold, but Samsung has made a lot of useful changes to the newer foldable ones. The highlights are the S Pen, the increased durability, and the improvements to both screens. Aside from the inevitable drop in price for the Z Fold 2 now that it’s being replaced, there are a few reasons why it might be better for some users compared to the Z Fold 3. The main cameras haven’t changed at all and switching to an indoor camera under it. The screen on the Z Fold 3 can affect overall photo quality. The battery life could also be slightly better, as the Z Fold 3 has a lower capacity and at the same time offers a higher refresh rate on the front display. We can also assume that once the Z Fold 2 gets its Android 12 upgrade, the software experience, except pen support, will be the same on both phones.
