#Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G vs. the Galaxy Z Flip 3, What’s New? – Review Geek

Samsung’s designers clearly spent a lot of time on the new Galaxy Z Flip 3. Aside from its general shape and size, it looks completely different than the original Z Flip and Z Flip 5G. And these design changes aren’t just for looks; they genuinely make the Z Flip 3 a more useful phone. Here’s everything that Samsung changed with its new design.

Note: There is no “Galaxy Z Flip 2,” though Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5G was the second model released in this product family. As such, we’re comparing the Galaxy Z Flip 3 with the 2020 Galaxy Z Flip 5G.

The new Galaxy Z Flip 3 does have a lot in common with the Flip 5G, so let’s get the similarities out of the way now. They’re the same general shape and size and weight 183 grams, though the Z Flip 3 is slightly more compact than its predecessor. Both have a 6.7-inch FHD display, plus a dual-camera array with a 12MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide lens (though the Z Flip 3 probably takes better pictures thanks to computational photography). So what’s different?

The Z Flip 3 Is All About Fashion … Or Is It?

The tone of Samsung’s Unpacked event took a 180-degree turn when it transitioned from the Galaxy Z Fold 3 to the Galaxy Z Flip 3. One minute they were talking about productivity stuff, and as soon as the Galaxy Z Flip 3 came onscreen, it was all about style and youthfulness.

Evidently, Samusng thinks that the Z Flip 3’s $1000 price tag will appeal to fashionable people and influencers. Its revamped two-tone design reflects that fact, along with the larger outer display, which you can customize with wallpapers and GIFs. In fact, Samsung spent more time talking about the Z Flip 3’s new Cover Screen than the fact that this phone can … you know, fold.

But the Z Flip 3’s redesign isn’t just for style’s sake. Its new 1.9-inch Cover Screen is way more usable than the fingernail-sized screen that Samsung used in the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, with custom apps to check the weather or activate Samsung Pay.

There’s another interesting benefit to this fashion-first approach—Samsung is selling Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases that don’t suck. Official cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 5G hid the phone’s style, which is a shame, because 3rd party manufacturers haven’t paid much attention to foldables.

More Durable Than Ever Before

Like the new Galaxy Z Fold 3, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is much more durable than its predecessor. Samsung claims that the foldable display is 80% tougher than previous models, the phone’s outer display uses protective Gorilla Glass DX+, and the new Aluminum Armor hinge can endure 200,000 foldings. What more could you ask for?

Oh, water resistance? You got it. Unlike the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, which had no IP certification, the Z Flip 3 has an IPX8 rating. That means it can handle a dunk under three meters of water. While this sounds a little too good to be true (we’ll have to wait for a YouTuber to test it), Samsung claims that it achieved water resistance using special gaskets and water-repelling grease.

Just don’t fool yourself into believing that the Flip 3 is invincible. It doesn’t have a dust-resistance rating, so it will still die at the hands of small particles like sand. And while Samsung says that its foldable display tech is 80% tougher than before, it’s not like it was very strong to begin with. Heck, Samsung had to make an extra-soft stylus for the new Galaxy Fold 3 because a regular stylus will damage it.

You Have to Love Those Specs

Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip 3 will see a small performance boost thanks to its new Snapdragon 888 processor. Yeah, the Flip 5G’s Snapdragon 865+ is pretty good, so both phones will perform equally well at day-to-day tasks, but the Z Flip 3 will perform better with demanding apps and multitasking. It should also help take better photos and videos, and of course, save on some battery life.

Actually, the more efficient processor may be offset by the Z Flip 3’s upgraded display, which now runs at 120Hz. The larger Cover Screen could also take a chunk out of the Z Flip 3’s battery life, but hey, that’s a trade-off most people are willing to take.

It’s the cheapest foldable phone yet, but the Galaxy Z Flip 3 still looks like a winner. Its updated design and functionality make it a much better option than the Z Flip 5G, and the increased durability and performance are hard to overlook.