Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 review: why the third folding phone could be the one you’ve waited for

Samsung’s third flagship folding phone, due in stores next month, is improved in a long list of ways that matter.

Buying breakthrough gadgets can be a gamble.

Yes, the rewards are great. You will probably be the only person in the coffee queue to transform your smartphone into a tablet, for example, casually opening it like a book.

But your achievements could quickly be overshadowed by someone who waited for a better, slicker, slimmer version of the technology to emerge.

And that better version is almost here. Samsung’s third flagship folding phone, due in stores on September 10, is improved in a long list of ways that matter.

Samsung's third flagship folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, features a slimmer body, stronger screens, and water resistance.

The body of the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, for example, is noticeably slimmer, lighter, and more compact. Spec comparisons don’t do it justice — this phone is easier to use one-handed and to slip into a pocket.

Its hinge is stronger and opens with a smoother motion and, in this model, Samsung seems to have resolved its issues with the protective layer over the phone’s big, 7.6-inch screen. It no longer bubbles at the edges, providing more protection and more confidence in this phone’s longevity.

Both of these additions deliver another big benefit: water resistance. The Fold3 catches up to other phones when it comes to surprise spring showers and can even be dunked in water (not that you should put it anywhere near a toilet, mind you).

The third Fold smartphone works with an S Pen for the first time.

And it’s not just the outer shell of the Z Fold that offers improvements this year.

The already impressive multi-tasking features, developed with Google, are now more customisable.

The “punch-hole” in the main screen for the selfie camera has disappeared, covered by pixels (though you can still see where it hides).

And Samsung has added S Pen compatibility to the Fold so users can write on it, sign documents, and make better use of that big screen if you buy its stylus.

There are still some drawbacks to using the Fold3, though.

A crease still runs down the middle of its big screen. The cameras on the back of this phone still protrude, though not as much, and they haven’t been upgraded since the last model. In fact, the under-screen camera now captures four-megapixel photos rather than 10.

And those who want a truly compact phone may still not be ready for this technological handful, but Samsung did create the Flip3 for that purpose.

Ultimately, the company’s third Fold shows how far folding phones have come, makes important improvements to their longevity, and adds features early adopters have craved.

The fact it will arrive in Australia with a $500 price cut could make it a compelling purchase for those who waited just a little longer to impress bystanders.

Originally published as Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 review: why the third folding phone could be the one you’ve waited for