Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 long-term review

Conclusion

There are very few downsides to the Galaxy Z Fold3, and depending on your stance on each particular matter, it could reasonably be argued that all of these are actually more like tradeoffs that still inevitably come with the form factor.

The size and weight of the device are things you can never really get over, but think of what these tradeoffs make possible - you can unfold a small tablet in your hand whenever you feel like it. The same goes for the cameras - while good, they're not the best out there, but them being the best out there would require them to use more space, which is at a premium anyway, because - did we mention that you can unfold a small tablet in your hand whenever you feel like it?

Battery life is good but not outstanding, which makes sense when you consider that this is a folding phone and one of its screens is huge, compared to any other smartphone. Actually, given what it was working with here in terms of screen sizes and cell capacity, it's quite impressive what Samsung managed to achieve. After all, there are definitely much worse foldable offenders in the longevity arena - hi, Flip3!

The Fold3 was cheaper than its predecessor when it launched, and that's progress, but even today, when it's cheaper, no sane person would dare call it affordable in any way. Price continues to be one of the big tradeoffs when you go foldable, and of course, we're hoping this will change in the future, but for now, you need to keep that in mind.

Then again, maybe some things are just worth paying more for? Like, for example, a device that transforms from a phone to a tablet in the palm of your hand? Sure, the novelty factor's wearing off after a few years of this form factor existing in the market, but that doesn't make the technological achievements here any less outstanding. Samsung shouldn't rest on its laurels, though, as competitors are aggressively entering the foldable market, and some are actually out-innovating the Korean company at the moment. But those devices we're talking about, with their zero-gap hinges and almost unnoticeable creases - they're still confined to China, at least for now.

So, if you're anywhere else and want to get a taste of (what might possibly be) the future, the Samsung way is the only way. And of the Flip3 and Fold3, it's pretty clear which product is the fashion statement and which one is the serious workhorse. Small phones have always been around, in one shape or another. Tablets you can actually pocket, though? Come on, it's not even a fair competition.

So the Galaxy Z Fold3 is thus, and is going to remain, the foldable phone for a lot of people. With the price drops over the past few months, we'd wager it's probably the best time to grab one and enter that constantly-promised-but-never-quite-delivered-until-now future. It's a wonderful place, full of possibilities full of flexibility, and we're excited to see what comes next.