Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Review - Not just a weird flex

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a bit of a contradiction. It's big, but it's also small. It's both nostalgic and new. It's bleeding edge in some ways, while falling behind in others. There's a whole lot to unpack. But most importantly, the Z Flip 3 is comparatively affordable (which I guess is an oxymoron in itself). Instead of selling for almost $2,200 like its predecessor, the Z Flip 3 starts at $1,499. That's expensive, but by contrast, a lot more reasonable. It puts it in the ballpark of a typical top-end phone, rather than being stratospheric.

A cheaper sticker price is a good start, but there's still the question of whether the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is worth the money. Is the foldable form factor more than a status symbol, or is it just a gimmick? Does it succeed in spite of its inherent juxtapositions? The answer to these questions will almost certainly be different for everyone.

Watch me flip

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 isn't dissimilar to the original Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 5G that came before it. (There was never a Galaxy Z Flip 2, those wondering.) It's still a 6.7-inch phone that folds in half when you're not using it. It's a generous phone that can genuinely fit in your pocket, evoking the clamshells of old.

What's different is the external display. On the original Z Flip, the screen measured in at just 1.1-inch. On the Z Flip 3, it's been expanded to a 1.9-inch panel. It might not seem like a huge difference, but it does wonders for usability.

When I tested the original Z Flip, I found myself getting frustrated. The external display was far too small to be useful. Firing it up to check notifications was a painful experience, where you had to patiently wait for a message to scroll across the tiny screen. Dealing with multiple notifications was a horror story. You were better just off unfolding the phone, which entirely defeated the point of the external display.

While 1.9-inch might not seem like a massive step up, it dramatically changes how you interact with the Z Flip 3. Tapping the power button while the phone is closed (or double-tapping the external display) wakes it up and reveals the time, date, and battery. 

Swiping to the left shows you your notifications, which you can then tap on for additional detail. You can read every message you've been sent in a group chat without having to open up the Z Flip 3, for example. You'll have to unfold the phone to reply, but notifications have an "open app" or "reply" option that you can tap. Doing so will make sure the app in question is the first thing you see as soon as you unfold the Z Flip 3.

Not only does this make the Z Flip 3 so much less frustrating than its predecessor (read: not frustrating at all), it gives the phone a sense of a purpose. It makes it easy to dismiss less important messages or emails to come back to later, without having to unfold the phone. As a result, I've found I've been using my phone less. Since I've been interacting with a stripped-down interface for handling miscellaneous notifications, there's far less temptation to start aimlessly scrolling through social media, fall into a TikTok hole, or give Jeff Bezos more money after.

In addition to notifications, the external display can also display widgets such as music playback, your daily calendar, a timer, and a voice recorder. They're all rather simple in execution, but still do the trick when it comes to providing glanceable information and easy access to features without needing to unfold the Z Flip 3.

Just be aware that unfolding the Z Flip 3 is very much a two-handed task. You can try and jam a finger in to prop it open while holding it with one hand, but it's far from a natural experience. It is a touch easier to slam the Z Flip 3 shut with just one hand, however.

Rebuilt to last?

Durability is naturally a concern when it comes to foldable devices, especially given the drama around the original Galaxy Fold. While I have my doubts the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is as resilient as a regular phone, Samsung says it toughened up this year's batch of foldables. To start, Samsung says the aluminium 10% stronger, the internal display is 80% more durable, and the latest generation of Gorilla Glass is being used externally. I haven't subjected my review unit to any torture tests, lest I get sent to Samsung jail, but in over a week of use, the internal display is still free from any scratches or micro-abrasions.

In some ways, the foldable design could help keep the Z Flip 3 pristine for longer. After almost a year of use, my iPhone 12 has picked up a couple of micro-abrasions from general use (and most likely, my jean pockets). Since the primary display isn't as exposed, there's every chance your Z Flip 3 will stay scratch free if you treat it well.

The biggest durability enhancement is water resistance, marking the first time we've seen any kind of water-proofing on a foldable phone. The Z Flip 3 is rated IPX8 for water resistance, which means it can survive depths of 1.5m for up to 30 minutes. This puts it in line with the vast majority of flagship smartphones, and is at least one less factor to worry about.

At the same time, I've found it hard not to worry just a little bit when using the Z Flip 3. I'm more mindful of where I keep it around the house, just in case a frolicking puppy somehow manages to knock it over. I know my iPhone can survive a small drop from a coffee table, but I don't have quite the same confidence in the Z Flip 3. Having tried almost every foldable on the market, I'm not quite sure if this is hangover anxiety from earlier models or whether I should still be genuinely concerned. Either way, I don't really want to find out.

Despite the almost surreal modernness of a display that folds in half (and associated paranoia) there's a charming nostalgia to the Z Flip 3 too. Remember when phones didn't take up your entire pocket? Pocketing the Z Flip 3 when I'm out for a run feels much better than most other devices, and the fashion industry tends to actually bequeath my gender with adequate storage solutions. I'm also a big fan of the two-tone aesthetic, and the cream colour my review unit came in just exudes further retro vibes. It's hard not to be smitten by the Z Flip 3.

Walking contradiction

The Galaxy Z Flip 3's hardware itself is an interesting juxtaposition. Samsung hasn't made any compromises with the screen or performance - it's hard to fault either - but has seemingly sacrificed camera quality and battery life in achieving its folding dreams.

Inside you'll find a Snapdragon 888 processor, which is one of the fastest chips on the market. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is just as fast and responsive as any high-end Android phone on the market. And folding tricks aside, the internal display lives up to Samsung's usual standards. It's a lovely screen, and even features a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother motion like the manufacturer's other flagships. As with its predecessor, there's a slight crease, but it's only really noticeable off-axis.

The camera situation isn't quite as clear cut. On the back, you'll find just a 12MP primary lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, which is a surprisingly conservative amount of cameras for a $1,499 phone. The main omission is a zoom lens, which personally I would have preferred to an ultra-wide, but hey, can't win 'em all.

When it comes to photo quality, the Z Flip 3 represents a step down from the likes of the Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12. It still holds its own, and takes great photos in a lot of conditions for the most part. There are a few weaknesses that let it down when compared to the aforementioned, however.

Low light photography needs longer exposure times - especially when using night mode - which can add blur to your photos. I've had the phone take up to five seconds when taking a photo in night mode, so steady hands really help in low light. The Z Flip 3 camera can also struggle to get a sharp shot of moving subjects, like energetic puppies. You'll likely need a few shots to get one you're happy with. Lastly, I've found a few instances where the camera didn't handle high-contrast environments well, instead blowing out the sky or leaving part of the image too dark.

While the Z Flip 3 camera setup isn't on par with what Samsung's doing in its flagship smartphones, it isn't bad by any means. It just won't satisfy those looking for a "best of the best" photography experience.

What's harder to reconcile is the Z Flip 3's battery life; it's one of the shortest lasting batteries I've seen on a modern phone. I've consistently gotten less than three hours of screen time per charge, which means anyone but light users will struggle to get a full day without a top up. In my testing, there was one day where I hit the dreaded 15% warning around 6pm with just over two hours of screen time, 11 hours after I took the phone off the charger. I tried disabling 5G out of curiosity, but that didn't really make a difference.

If you opt for the Z Flip 3, expect some battery anxiety. The one saving grace is that if the external display genuinely helps you use your phone less, you might not end up burning through as much battery in a day.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 - Final Thoughts

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 isn't a pragmatic purchase. You can definitely get a better phone for your money when it comes to pure specs. Samsung's Galaxy S21+ starts at the same price, and is arguably a much better buy. At least on paper. At the same time, the Galaxy S21+ isn't that interesting. It's just more of the same. It's not going to wow you, it's not going to change your relationship with your phone, and it's not gonna free up any pocket space.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 may be imperfect, but it stands out in an industry that has felt rather monotonous lately. It shows that a modern clamshell can be more than just a gimmick. It proves a foldable phone can feel normal, rather than a weird experiment. And while you're certainly paying a premium for the privilege of foldable tech, it doesn't feel excessive. $1,500 is still a lot of money to spend on a phone, but the Z Flip 3 is a somewhat compelling alternative if you were thinking about spending that much money anyway.

It comes down to what you value, and as an early adopter you'll need to make some trade-offs. A camera that isn't quite top-tier might be easy to forgive, the battery is somewhat harder. But if you're okay with these sacrifices, you'll be left with a charming little device that certainly makes a statement.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 camera samples

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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