Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs Galaxy Z Fold 2: What's the difference?

(Pocket-lint) - Samsung revealed the Galaxy Z Fold 3 alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and a fewer different devices during Unpacked connected 11 August 2021.

The 3rd procreation - oregon 4th if you number the fixed mentation of the archetypal Fold - offers a akin plan to the Galaxy Z Fold 2 but with a mates of cardinal differences.

Here is however the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 compares to the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

Design

• Galaxy Z Fold 2: 159.2 x 128.2 x 6.9 (unfolded), 159.2 x 68.0 x 13.8-16.8mm (folded), 282g
• Galaxy Z Fold 3: 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4mm (unfolded), 158.2 x 67.1 x 14.4-16mm (folded), 271g

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 stock akin plan traits, but the Z Fold 3 makes a mates of refinements, including a much streamlined rear camera housing.

The vertically-folding, bookstyle plan continues for the Z Fold 3 with a ample show connected the front, unfolding to a larger interior display, but the Z Fold 3 adds IPX8 waterproofing, arsenic good arsenic a tougher frame.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 besides features an under-display beforehand camera connected the main display, which results successful a much seamless plan than the Galaxy Z Fold 2's centralised punch spread camera. 

In presumption of colour options, the Z Fold 2 comes successful Mystic Black and Mystic Bronze. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 meanwhile, is offered successful Phantom Black, Phantom Silver and Phantom Green.

Display

• Galaxy Z Fold 2: 6.23-inch screen display, 7.6-inch main display, 120Hz, HDR10+
• Galaxy Z Fold 3: 6.23-inch screen display, 7.6-inch main display, 120Hz, HDR10+, S Pen

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 comes with a 6.23-inch outer show connected the front, that offers a solution of 2260 x 816, and a 7.6-inch show erstwhile unfolded that has a solution of 2208 x 1768 pixels. 

The foldable dynamic AMOLED show has HDR10+ certification and it offers a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen show connected the extracurricular of the instrumentality is AMOLED, but it has a modular 60Hz refresh rate.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 has a 6.23-inch surface connected the outside, offering a 2268 x 832 pixel resolution, portion the wrong show is 7.6-inches with a solution of 2208 x 1768 pixels, making it the aforesaid arsenic its predecessor. A 120Hz refresh complaint is offered connected some displays this clip circular though, and HDR10+ enactment is featured connected the main display.

Where the 2 devices disagree - speech from refresh complaint - is the apical of the main display. The main folding show of the Z Fold 3 has an under-display camera compared to the punch spread camera connected the Z Fold 2. There is inactive a punch spread camera connected the beforehand show of the Z Fold 3, similar the Z Fold 2.

The Z Fold 3 besides offers enactment for the S Pen. Like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the S Pen isn't built into the instrumentality similar the Note range, and Samsung has designed an S Pen specifically for foldables without Bluetooth connectivity.

Hardware and specs

• Galaxy Z Fold 2: Snapdragon 865, 12GB RAM, 256/512GB storage, 4500mAh
• Galaxy Z Fold 3: Snapdragon 888, 12GB RAM, 256/512GB storage, 4400mAh

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 runs connected the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 platform, with 12GB of RAM and a prime of 256GB oregon 512GB of storage. 

The instrumentality is 5G capable and there's a 4500mAh artillery nether the hood, which supports 25W accelerated charging, 11W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, supported again by 12GB of RAM and 256GB oregon 512GB storage.

It is 5G susceptible again, though the artillery capableness is simply a spot smaller than its predecessor astatine 4400mAh. Support for accelerated charging, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are each expected, though specifics person not been elaborate arsenic yet. 

Cameras

• Galaxy Z Fold 2: Triple rear (12MP+12MP+12MP), 2 10MP front
• Galaxy Z Fold 3: Triple rear (12MP+12MP+12MP), 10MP front, 4MP UPC

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a triple camera connected the rear, made up of a 12-megapixel (f/1.8) main camera, 12-megapixel telephoto sensor (f/2.4), and 12-megapixel (f/2.2) ultra-wide camera. 

On the front, determination is simply a 10-megapixel punch spread beforehand camera, and a 10-megapixel punch spread camera sits astatine the apical of the main show too.

The Z Fold 3 comes with a triple rear camera made up of 12-megapixel main camera (f/1.8), 12-megapixel telephoto sensor (f/2.4), and 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera (f/2.2) too. 

On the front, determination is simply a azygous 10-megapixel punch spread beforehand camera connected the screen display, on with a 4-megapixel under-display camera connected the main display, the second of which makes up the main quality betwixt the Z Fold 2 and Z Fold 3.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 offers immoderate plan refinements compared to its predecessor, mostly successful presumption of the camera lodging connected the rear but besides successful presumption of waterproofing and a stronger frame.

It besides offers a hardware upgrade successful presumption of processor, immoderate camera improvements to the rear cameras, arsenic good arsenic the summation of an under-display camera connected the main display. 

Battery capableness reduces compared to the Z Fold 2 and the show specifications stay the same, but the Z Fold 3 supports the S Pen and offers a faster refresh complaint connected the screen display.

Writing by Britta O'Boyle. Originally published connected 15 July 2021.