Samsung Galaxy Fold Latest Model: Stylus, Waterproofing & Under-Display Camera

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3: A Refined Foldable Experience

Samsung has unveiled its newest flagship foldable device. Following the Galaxy Note’s temporary pause, the company leveraged today’s Unpacked event to solidify its commitment to the foldable smartphone category.

From Experiment to Evolution

The initial Galaxy Fold, launched in 2019, served as a pioneering experiment for the company – complete with the challenges that accompany first-generation technology. Last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 2 addressed many of the predecessor’s shortcomings and demonstrated Samsung’s dedication to improvement.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is presented as more than just an experiment or a novelty. Achieving widespread acceptance will likely require several more iterations. However, a notable price reduction – $200 less than the previous model, now starting at $1,800 – represents a step towards greater accessibility.

Enhanced Durability and Design

The most significant improvements in the upgraded Fold center around build materials, making the foldable screen more practical for everyday use. The original model faced durability concerns after real-world testing revealed vulnerabilities.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 incorporates a robust frame constructed from “Armor Aluminum,” a new protective film for the foldable display, and Gorilla Glass Victus on the exterior screen. It also boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating – a first for Samsung’s foldable line.

The IPX8 rating signifies protection against submersion in water, but does not cover dust and debris. The hinge design, while preventing particles from reaching the screen, incorporates a brush mechanism to clear any that may enter.

Stylus Support and the S-Pen

A key addition is support for the S-Pen, mirroring functionality found in Samsung’s S series. To avoid screen damage, Samsung created a special Fold Edition of the S-Pen with a spring-loaded tip.

This specialized stylus retracts to prevent excessive pressure that could harm the foldable display. The larger 7.6-inch internal screen makes the Fold an ideal candidate for stylus input, surpassing even the Note Ultra’s 6.9-inch display.

Display Specifications

The primary foldable screen remains at 7.6 inches (2208 x 1768, 374 ppi). The cover screen is also similar in size, measuring 6.2 inches, and now features a 120 Hz refresh rate, matching the main display. 

Under-Display Camera Technology

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is Samsung’s first device to feature an under-display camera, a long-sought-after innovation in the smartphone industry. Several Chinese manufacturers have already explored this technology.

Samsung chose the Fold as a testing ground for this feature, allowing them to evaluate its performance and gather user feedback. Early under-screen cameras often suffer from reduced image quality, a challenge Samsung is aware of.

The company states that the new technology minimizes pixels over the camera, maximizing the viewable area. The internal camera is expected to be used less frequently, primarily for video conferencing. The current implementation represents a compromise, with some impact on picture quality and slight visibility of the camera area.

Camera System and Battery

The under-display camera has a resolution of four megapixels, while the front/cover camera is 10 megapixels. The rear camera setup remains largely unchanged from the previous generation:

• 12MP Ultra Wide. F2.2, Pixel size: 1.12μm, FOV: 123-degree
• 12MP Wide-angle. Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, Pixel size: 1.8μm, FOV: 83-degree
• 12MP Telephoto. PDAF, F2.4, OIS, Pixel size: 1.0μm, FOV: 45-degree

The battery capacity has been slightly reduced to 4,400mAh (distributed across two modules). The Fold supports fast charging, fast wireless charging, and Wireless Powershare for powering other devices.

Performance and Availability

The device is powered by a Snapdragon 888 chip (depending on the market), paired with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is available for preorder now and will begin shipping on August 26th. The $1,800 price point remains a significant barrier to entry, but the company has already seen strong interest from early adopters. Preorders include a $200 Samsung Credit.