[Video] Galaxy Z Flip3 Hands-on. How easy is it to use a vertically open foldable smartphone? (US version)

Perhaps the most interesting new product Samsung unveiled at the August 11th event was the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. While the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G announced on the same day can be used like a tablet by opening a normal smartphone sideways, the Flip 3 is a two-fold compact type foldable smartphone like the old-fashioned feature phone.

In this article, the head family Engadget will introduce a video of "touching Flip 3" in the field and an overview.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 SoC (US specification) and supports 5G communication.

With a configuration of 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, the price is $ 999 (about 110,000 yen), which is kind to those who want to have a folding smartphone but hesitate from that price. It was the first Samsung folding smartphone to fall below $ 1000. A model with 256GB storage is also available.

The Flip 3 is half the size when folded, so it's convenient to carry, and the back, that is, the part that becomes the top of the main unit when folded, is equipped with a "Cover Display" that displays a little information. In addition to being able to quickly check notifications even when folded, you can also operate electronic payments and music players by simply holding them over. This seems to be a function that plays an active role when commuting.

The Cover Display has been expanded from 1.1 inches of the conventional model to 1.9 inches, which is about four times the area. This display is also touch-operable, and you can switch between up to 6 widgets such as clock, alarm, weather, media player, volume control, step counter, Samsung Pay, etc. by swiping. Of course, it also displays app notifications.

The Cover Display can also be used as a selfie display for the rear camera, and you can also use the volume control button on the side of the main unit as a shutter. However, this is just to check the composition, and if you want to perform detailed operations, it is better to shoot in normal mode.

Now, if you open the folded body, you will see a 6.7-inch display with a slightly vertical 22: 9 ratio. The refresh rate of this display has been raised from the previous work's 60Hz to 120Hz, so scrolling on Twitter and Instagram and animation movements are smooth.

Furthermore, if the folded part is opened halfway, it becomes a mode called "flex mode" that can be placed on a table and used like a notebook PC. Apps that support flex mode will automatically switch to a display optimized for Flip 3, with the upper half of the screen being the display and the lower half being the operation.

The camera app and gallery app support flex mode. For example, when shooting, you can use the viewfinder in the upper half of the screen and operate the camera function in the lower half. Flex mode allows you to place it on a table for shooting, so you don't need a smartphone stand or tripod. If you open Flip 3 completely from this mode, it will automatically switch to the normal full screen display.

Samsung is working with developers to make many apps compatible with flex mode, and says that about half of the major apps are already supported. Also, even if it is not supported, the display will be broken a little, and it does not mean that it cannot be used at all.

There are two types of rear cameras that can be conveniently used in flex mode: wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle. Both have a pixel count of 12MP, the aperture value of the ultra-wide-angle camera that is mainly used is f / 1.8, and it is also equipped with optical image stabilization. It also supports HDR10 + for video recording. In addition, the main unit has a waterproof function of IPX8 that can withstand a certain amount of submersion, so even if it gets wet with rain during shooting or is submerged for a while, it should not easily break down.

Related: Galaxy Z Flip3 5G announced, 999 dollars (about 110,000 yen) exceptional for folding smartphones