Samsung's latest attempt at a clamshell foldable, Galaxy Z Flip 3 is now available, debuting alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Here's everything you need to know.
In this guide:
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 Price
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 Design
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 Camera
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 Colours
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 Battery Life
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 Processor
Galaxy Z Flip 3 Price
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the cheapest foldable phone to date, starting at just $1,499. For comparison, the original Galaxy Z Flip would have set you back $2,199 at launch last year. Here's the pricing for Samsung's 2021 foldables:
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 (128GB): $1,499
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 (256GB): $1,599
- Galaxy Z Fold 3 (256GB): $2,499
- Galaxy Z Fold 3 (512GB): $2,649
Galaxy Z Flip 3 Design
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 looks pretty similar to the Galaxy Z Flip; once again, you're going to be getting a conventional sized smartphone that folds down to a smaller package when you're not using it. The internal display is still 6.7-inch, but has a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother motion.
The external display is now a bit larger, at 1.9-inch. While that's still pretty small, it will should make it large enough to properly look at notifications without having to unfold the Z Flip 3. The tiny size of the original Z Flip's external display was one of our biggest issues with the device; it was too small to be useful.
Samsung is also focusing on durability in attempt to make its foldable phones tougher. The manufacturer says the internal displays are 80% more durable when compared to last year's models, the aluminium frame is 10% more durable, and Gorilla Glass Victus is now being used for all external glass. In addition, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 are both rated IPX8 for water resistance, which means they can be submerged as deep as 1.5m for up to 30 minutes. The pair are the first water-resistant foldables.
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Galaxy Z Flip 3 Camera
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 features two 12MP cameras lenses: you get a primary lens and an ultra-wide lens, just like with last year's models. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 represents a step down from Samsung's best phones in terms of camera quality, but still manages to hold its own. It takes great photos in a lot of conditions for the most part. There are a few weaknesses that let it down.
Low light photography needs longer exposure times - especially when using night mode - which can add blur to your photos. It can take up to five seconds when taking a photo in night mode, so steady hands really help in low light. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 camera can also struggle to get a sharp shot of moving subjects, like energetic puppies.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Camera Gallery
Check out these camera samples taken on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
Galaxy Z Flip 3 Colours
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is available in a choice of Phantom Black, Green, Cream, and Lavender. Grey, White, and Pink options are also available exclusively through the Samsung website.
Galaxy Z Flip 3 Battery Life
The Galaxy Z Flip features a 3,300mAh battery which is the same as the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 5G. That's definitely on the smaller side, and in our testing, we found it lacking. We typically got between two and three hours of screen time per charge, which is less than a full day of usage.
Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G
The original Galaxy Z Flip was initially only launched in a 4G model, but was followed up with a 5G successor a few months after. Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has 5G as a standard feature.
That being said, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 model sold in Australia doesn't support mmWave 5G. mmWave is a faster form of 5G capable of hitting speeds as fast as 4Gbps, but is almost non-existent in Australia to date. Based on comments from telcos, we're not expecting to see a significant amount of mmWave coverage until the second half of last year, with Telstra suggesting it will initially be used to grow "capacity and depth of coverage in larger cities and towns".
mmWave is far more common in the US, and many Galaxy S21 models sold in the US support mmWave in addition to standard 5G. At the same time, no 5G smartphone sold in Australia has supported mmWave to date.
Galaxy Z Flip 3 Processor
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is powered by a Snapdragon 888 processor, as with the majority of flagship Android smartphones.
Expected Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 specifications
| Galaxy Z Flip 3 | Galaxy Z Flip 5G | |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Display | 1.9-inch | 1.1-inch |
| Inside Display | 6.7-inch 120Hz | 6.7-inch 60Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP + 12MP | 12MP + 12MP |
| Front Camera | 10MP | 10MP |
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 865+ |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB - 256GB | 256GB |
| Battery | 3,300mAh | 3,300mAh |
| Water-Resistance | IPX8 | N/A |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
Choosing a Galaxy Z Flip 3 Plan
With the WhistleOut search tool, you can compare Galaxy Z Flip 3 plan pricing and inclusions across every provider. But there's a lot more to Samsung plans than just cost and data. Here's a breakdown of the major benefits you can expect each provider to offer.
Telstra Samsung Galaxy plans are often the priciest on the Australian market, but they do come with a few perks. These include:
- Access to Telstra's super-fast 4GX network
- Data-free access to Apple Music
- Access to the Telstra Plus perks and rewards program
While Telstra Galaxy plans aren't cheap, they're all rather flexible. They're no-contract on the basis that you can leave at any time, you'll just need to pay out the remaining value of your phone. You also have the option to step up or down in plan inclusions up to one time per month, which is great if you have variable usage.
Telstra also offers the option to pay off your Galaxy over 12 or 24 months. And all plans come with zero excess data charges. If you go over your cap, your data will simply be slowed to speeds of 1.5Mbps, which is still fast enough to stream video in SD. But speeds may be slower during peak times.
Compare Telstra Samsung Galaxy plans
Optus Samsung Galaxy plans come with big data inclusions and entertainment extras. Optus iPhone plans come with:
- Free access to Optus Sport
- Discounted movie tickets for Hoyts cinemas through the Optus Perks program
All Optus plans are contract-free, devices can be paid off across 12, 24, or 36 months, and you can customise inclusions like roaming and international calls on a month-to-month basis. In addition, all Optus postpaid plans are now free from excess data charges. If you go over your allowance, you'll be slowed to 1.5Mbps rather than being billed $10 per gigabyte.
Compare Optus Samsung Galaxy plans
Vodafone Samsung Galaxy plans may not come with the kinds of freebies and perks you can get from Optus or Telstra, but they do offer a lot of flexibility. Like Telstra and Optus plans, Vodafone plans are contract-free on the basis that you can leave at any time without penalty. You'll just need to pay out the remaining value of your handset.
You can also step up or down in plan inclusions up to once per month, and ease the burden of an iPhone price tag with the option to pay it off over 12, 24 or 36 months. You'll pay the same overall for your Galaxy no matter which option you pick.
Vodafone postpaid plans are all free from excess data charges. When you go over your plan allowance, you'll be capped to 2Mbps, 10Mbps, or 25Mbps, depending on how much you're spending per month. The higher your bill, the higher your capped data speeds.
You'll also get access to Vodafone's famous $5 roaming, which is still easily the best way to travel with your Australian phone number.
Compare Vodafone Samsung Galaxy plans
Woolworths Galaxy plans may not come from a big name telco, but there are other perks.
Customers have the flexibility to switch between plans, you'll just need to pay out the remainder of your phone if you would like to leave.
Woolworths also offers up to 300GB Data Banking for your excess data. Anything of your data allowance that you don't use will roll over to the next month.
Woolworths Mobile customers can also get 10% off their Woolworths grocery shop once per month.
Woolworths Mobile is powered by the Telstra network, but at present, does not have access to 5G.
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