Galaxy Z Fold 3 FAQ: Everything You Need to Know!

Samsung launched its latest foldable lineup, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, this week. Both boast top-tier hardware, premium software, and additional functionality not found in mainstream devices. Today, we answer your frequently asked questions about the Galaxy Z Fold 3. This article aims to provide comprehensive information before your purchase.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 FAQ: All Your Questions Answered!

Given the extensive number of questions we’re addressing, we’ve categorized the article into various sub-headings. If you have a specific query, you can use the table of contents below to navigate directly to the relevant section. However, we strongly advise reading the entire article for a comprehensive understanding of the Galaxy Z Fold 3, particularly if you’re contemplating a purchase.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 FAQ: General

• Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 support 5G networks?

Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 5G supports Non-Standalone (NSA), Standalone (SA), and sub-6/mmWave 5G connectivity, covering multiple 5G bands such as n1, n3, n7, n8, n28b, n28a, n41, n77, and n78, depending on the market.

• How much does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 cost?

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G starts at $1,799 for the 256GB model in the US, while the 512GB variant is priced at $1,899.

• Will Samsung release unlocked versions of Galaxy Z Fold 3?
• How much does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 cost on contract?

Verizon offers the Z Fold 3 starting at $59.99/month for 30 months or $74.99/month for 24 months. Deals include trade-ins, 25% off all Z Fold 3 cases, and a free Galaxy Z Flip 3 with unlimited plans.

• Is the Galaxy Z Fold 3 cheaper or more expensive than its predecessor?

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 costs $1,799, a bit more affordable than its $1,999 predecessor in the US. Expect similar pricing adjustments for India.

• When is the Galaxy Z Fold 3 release date and will it be available worldwide?

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is already available for pre-order in the US via Samsung’s website and major carriers. Official sales start on August 27 in select markets, including the US, UK, South Korea, and some EU countries.

• What color options are available?
• Are there any launch offers for the Z Fold 3 from Samsung?

Multiple launch offers are available on the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Firstly, all orders before August 26 are eligible for up to $200 in Samsung Credit. Secondly, Samsung offers free one-year accidental damage insurance, including a one-time screen replacement guarantee with the optional 3-year Samsung Care+ plan.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 FAQ: Design and Build

• How many displays does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 have?
• Is there any form of screen protection on either of the displays?
• Are the Galaxy Z Fold 3 displays bezel-less?
• What is Samsung’s foldable phone made of?
• Is the Galaxy Z Fold 3 waterproof and dust-proof?

Waterproof, yes. Dust-proof, no. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 boasts an IPX8 rating for water resistance, allowing submersion for 30 minutes in up to 1.5 meters of water without damage. However, the ‘X’ indicates the absence of dust protection, potentially leading to dust particles infiltrating the hinge.

• What are the dimensions and weight of the Galaxy Z Fold 3?
• Is the folding technology durable?

As mentioned, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on both the cover display and rear glass panel. Samsung claims its protective film is 80% stronger than that of the Z Fold 2. Additionally, the Z Fold 3’s hinge is 10% stronger than its predecessor, which is good news for durability.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 FAQ: Hardware

• Is the Galaxy Z Fold 3 Powered by an Exynos or Snapdragon Processor?

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is powered by the Snapdragon 888 SoC from Qualcomm, featuring 1x Kryo 680 (Cortex-X1) Prime core @ 2.84GHz, 3x Kryo 680 (Cortex-A78) Performance cores @ 2.4GHz, and 4x Kryo 680 (Cortex-A55) Efficiency cores @1.8GHz, along with an integrated Adreno 660 GPU.

Unlike Samsung’s S-series and Note lineups, the original Z Fold and Z Fold 2 only shipped with Snapdragon processors, even in India and Europe. We expect the same to continue with the Galaxy Z Fold 3, meaning there is unlikely to be an Exynos variant for non-US markets.

• RAM and storage options?
• Headphone jack?
• MicroSD expansion slot?
• Dual-SIM version?
• Stereo speakers?

The Z Fold 3 boasts stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support for immersive audio, tuned by AKG, and offering 32-bit/384kHz output.

• Is there an in-display fingerprint scanner?
• Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 Have Facial Recognition?
• Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 support NFC payments?

Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 ships with integrated NFC support. Like all premium Samsung devices, it also supports Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard-certified) and should work seamlessly with Google Pay and other online payment apps.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 FAQ: Cameras

• What is the main camera setup on the Galaxy Z Fold 3?
• Does the Z Fold 3 have an under-display camera?

Yes. The main foldable display includes a camera embedded beneath it for selfies and video chats. On the front (exterior), the primary selfie shooter is a 10MP punch-hole unit with an f/2.2 aperture, while the under-display camera is a 4MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture.

• How’s the image quality of the Z Fold 3’s under-display camera?
• Is the Z Fold 3’s under-display camera superior to the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4’s selfie camera?

Both Mi Mix 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 feature an under-display selfie camera. Xiaomi appears to have concealed the under-display camera more effectively than the Galaxy Z Fold 3. The display portion of Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 boasts a 400ppi pixel density, while Samsung only offers 172ppi, according to reports. Consequently, Z Fold 3’s selfie camera is not well-hidden off-axis and appears distracting.

• Can the Z Flip 3 camera shoot 4K videos?

Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s primary camera can shoot 4K videos at 60fps and 1080p videos at 240fps.

• Is there optical image stabilization (OIS) for the main sensor?
• How many shooting modes does the main camera have?
• Is there a selfie flash on the Z Fold 3?

No selfie flash on the Galaxy Z Fold 3, but there’s an LED flash at the back to assist the main triple-camera setup.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 FAQ: Battery and Charging

• Has the battery size increased over the Z Fold 2?

Disappointingly, it’s quite the opposite. The battery has decreased in capacity to 4,400mAh from the 4,500mAh unit in the Z Fold 2. It’s a dual-cell Lithium Polymer unit that Samsung claims will “adjust its power for all-day battery life”.

Note that Samsung is not supplying a charger with the retail pack, so you will have to use one of your existing chargers or buy one separately.

• Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 support fast charging?
• Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 support wireless charging?

Yes, the Z Fold 3 supports up to 10W wireless charging. You’ll need to purchase a wireless charging pad separately. Consider the best wireless charging mats available for your Galaxy Z Fold 3. Additionally, you can use the Z Fold 3 to reverse wireless charge other devices at up to 4.5W.

Now, here’s a summary of the complete Galaxy Z Fold 3 specs:

Displays	Exterior: – 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED – 120Hz refresh rate – 2,268 x 832 resolution – Gorilla Glass Victus Interior (folding display): – 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED – 120Hz refresh rate – 2,208 x 1,768 resolution
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
RAM	12GB
Storage	256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1
Battery	4,400mAh dual-cell battery 25W wired charging 10W wireless charging 4.5W reverse wireless charging
Rear Cameras	Primary: 12MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel AF, OIS Ultra-wide: 12MP, f/2.2, 123° FoV Telephoto: 12MP, f/2.4, PDAF, Dual OIS, 2x optical zoom, 10x digital zoom
Front Cameras	Outer camera: 10MP, f/2.2 Inner camera: 4MP, f/1.8, under-display sensor
SIM	Dual nano-SIM tray, eSIM support
Biometrics	Side-mounted fingerprint sensor AI face recognition
Connectivity	SA/NSA 5G (Sub6/mmWave) / Bands: 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 4X4 MIMO, 7CA, LAA, LTE Cat.20 Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 NFC
Audio	Stereo speakers Dolby Atmos No 3.5mm headphone socket
Software	Android 11 overlaid with One UI 3.5
Measurements	Folded dimensions: – 67.1 x 158.2 x 16mm Unfolded dimensions: – 128.1 x 158.2 x 6.4mm Weight: – 271g
Colors	Phantom Green Phantom Black Phantom Silver
Other Features	Waterproof (IPX8), Support for S Pen Fold Edition and S Pen Pro, Samsung DeX, Samsung Pay
Price	$1,799 for 256GB $1,899 for 512GB

Galaxy Z Fold 3 FAQ: S Pen Support

• Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 Offer S Pen Support?

Yes, Samsung has partnered with Wacom to make the Galaxy Fold lineup compatible with the S Pen. Now, you can use a stylus on a foldable device. Note that only the inner display supports S Pen input.

• Is there a built-in slot to store the S Pen on the Z Fold 3?
• Can I use any S Pen on the Galaxy Z Fold 3?

The Z Fold 3 supports only two S Pen models due to its unique digitizer, preventing damage. The compatible S Pens are the S Pen Pro and the S Pen Fold Edition.

• Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 have S Pen-specific features?

Yes, it offers many. Samsung collaborates with Wacom to provide unique experiences for Fold users. The Z Fold 3’s S Pen features low latency, high precision, and a refined pen-tip structure for better drawing and writing experiences on the foldable screen. Additionally, it allows for document markup and signing.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 FAQ: Software Features and One UI

• Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 run Android 11?

Yes, it does. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 runs Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI 3.5 skin.

• Will the Z Fold 3 receive timely updates?
• Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 support Samsung DeX?

Yes, it does. Thanks to the Snapdragon 888, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 can transform into a desktop using Samsung DeX. By connecting it to an external monitor via USB-C, you can use it in a PC-like environment while your phone remains free for other uses.

• Does it feature Google Assistant and Bixby?
• Is the software optimized for multitasking on the bigger screen?

Samsung ensures maximum utility from the extra screen space. One UI is tailored for larger screens, with partnerships with major developers like Google, Microsoft, Spotify, and Netflix to optimize their apps for this unique form factor.

News apps display more information, and YouTube shows additional thumbnails without scrolling. Additionally, you can open two instances of the same app simultaneously on the Z Fold 3.

Additionally, Samsung has unveiled the Thom Browne edition of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 smartphone. This variant boasts a unique matte white finish with a shiny silver border. Two parallel lines, representing Thom Browne’s signature colors, accentuate the perimeter.

When purchasing the Thom Browne edition Galaxy Z Fold 3, you’ll receive a bundle comprising the S Pen Pro, Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Watch 4 with three interchangeable straps, a wireless charger, and matching leather cases for the phone and Buds 2. Pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 Thom Browne edition will commence on August 11 in select markets.

• Do the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Buds 2 work with the Z Fold 3?
• Does Samsung offer original accessories for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 at launch?

Yes, Samsung has announced a range of first-party cases for the Galaxy Z Fold 3, including Silicone, Leather Flip Stand, Leather, Aramid, and Flip Cover with S Pen options. Prices start at $39.99, available on the official Samsung website.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 FAQs

This article covers frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Galaxy Z Fold 3, from display and durability to water resistance, S Pen support, and the under-display selfie camera. If you have unanswered questions, drop them in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to respond.