Home IFTTT Pocket-lint Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 release date, rumours, features and news

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 release date, rumours, features and news

July 24, 2021

Samsung revealed the Galaxy Z Fold 2 alongside the Note 20 during an event in August 2020, followed by full details at the beginning of September 2020, so we're coming up to a year since the last Fold device, which should mean a refresh is due.

There have been plenty of rumours surrounding the Galaxy Z Fold 3. This feature rounds up everything we have heard so far about the foldable, including what features we might see, when it is expected to be released, and what it might look like.

Release date and price

  • 11 August event
  • On sale 27 August 2021?
  • Likely around £1800/$2000

Samsung has scheduled its next Galaxy Unpacked event for 11 August, which is where the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is highly expected to be announced. Rumours have claimed we could see an on-sale date of 27 August.

In terms of price, we'd expect it to sit within the same region as the Galaxy Z Fold 2, which costs £1799 in the UK and $1999 in the US. So if you're after Samsung's next folding flagship, it might be time to start saving.

Design

  • Vertical fold
  • Armor Frame?
  • IP rating
  • S Pen compatibility

We are expecting the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 to adopt the same book-style vertical fold as the original Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 2, reserving the horizontal fold for the Galaxy Z Flip series. We also expect to see the hinge offering multiple angles again. This has all but been confirmed in a pictures leak on Twitter, courtesy of Evan Blass (AKA @evleaks). Extra renders from 91Mobiles also corroborate the design, and reveal three colour options.

As per previous rumours suggesting the Z Fold 3 will be compatible with the S Pen - just like the Galaxy S21 Ultra - the above image helps cement that reality.

This could see a slot built into the device like the Note, or it could just mean the S Pen will work if bought separately, again just like the S21 Ultra. S Pen compatibility rumours surfaced before the Galaxy Z Fold 2 was revealed too, but it was thought the folding display couldn't accommodate the pressures the stylus would exert, which Samsung has apparently now overcome. There's also talk of a new, larger S Pen with Bluetooth connectivity called the S Pen Pro.

A patent had surfaced, showing S Pen use on a folding phone - looking a lot like the original Galaxy Fold. There's also leaked images showing a slightly smaller gap between the two halves of the folding screen - and those images also show an under-display front camera too.

Another patent suggests the Z Fold 3 - or a future Z Fold device - could opt for gesture controls instead of buttons, and users will be able to customise the gestures and actions.

There was some discussion regarding waterproofing before the Z Fold 2 arrived, but sources suggest that the Z Fold 3 could get an IP rating - but the level remains unknown.

Samsung has also filed a trademark for the expression Armor Frame. It's being speculated that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 might be the first beneficiary of a new design or material to strengthen the frame of the phone. This could also be part of the reason the phone is rumoured to be thicker, but with a smaller battery capacity than its predecessor.

Display

  • 7.56-inch, 2208 x 1768 pixels (internal); 6.23-inch, 2268 x 832 pixels (internal)
  • 120Hz refresh rate

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 to have a large flexible display inside, as well as an external display when folded.

According to a reputable leaker, the internal display will measure 7.56-inches with a resolution of 2208 x 1768 pixels. The external display will have a 6.23-inch size, with a resolution of 2268 x 832 pixels. It's also been claimed the internal display will be an LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxid) backplane and sport a 120Hz refresh rate.

It's expected that there will be a punch hole camera on the front display, while various rumours have suggested an under-display camera on the main display.

Hardware and specs

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 likely
  • Exynos with AMD GPU?
  • 12GB RAM/256GB storage
  • 5G connectivity

Expect flagship hardware under the hood of the Galaxy Z Fold 3. No rumours have suggested what exact specs we might see on the Z Fold 3 but it could be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or 888 Plus under the hood along with a good amount of RAM - probably at least 12GB - and at least 256GB of storage. Alternatively, Samsung could use Exynos with an AMD GPU - which the company is said to be working on.

As mentioned: battery capacity is claimed to be slightly smaller than the Galaxy Z Fold 2, but the same as the original Fold, at 4380mAh. This may seem peculair, given the phone is thought to be thicker, but that thickness must to be accommodate additional tech - be that pressure sensitivity layers, better screen management, or the Armor Frame, as discussed.

In terms of connectivity, both the original Fold and the Z Fold 2 were 5G enabled, so we would expect the same for the Z Fold 3.

Camera(s)

  • 10MP punch-hole front
  • 16MP under-display camera
  • Triple 12MP main camera system

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a triple rear camera and a dual 10-megapixel punch-hole front camera. The rear camera is made up of a 12-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel telephoto sensor, and 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera.

A leak in July revealed that this basic setup is going to stay largely the same. That means three 12-megapixel sensors in the main system on the back. This may be due to space constraints and therefore limitations on whether larger sensors and lenses can sensibly be used in the phone's design.

This leaked list suggests Samsung will use PDAF (phase detection autofocus) on all three of the cameras, meaning we should get fast, accurate focusing on the main, ultrawide and telephoto 2x zoom camera. 

The leaked image above shows a similar rear camera arrangement - albeit more 'disguised' within the body, protruding less from the body than in the earlier devices.

However, the big news is the Z Fold 3 is all but confirmed to host an under-display camera - or 'UPC' (Under Panel Camera), as Samsung has trademarked this technology. According to the spec leak, this UPC will feature a 16-megapixel sensor. Leaked images on Twitter also show the apparent Z Fold 3 with this UPC.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 rumours: What's happened so far?

Here are the rumours surrounding the Galaxy Z Fold 3 so far.

21 July 2021: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked confirmed

Following weeks of rumours, Samsung officially sent out invites to its Unpacked event, taking place on 11 August.

19 July 2021: Major leak claims Samsung 120Hz LTPO display will drive most 2021 foldable phones

Ross Young, AKA @DSCCRoss, claimed that Samsung's Z Fold 3 would sport a 7.55-inch 120Hz LTPO display.

12 July 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 will support the S Pen Pro, FCC filings reveal

An S Pen Pro has appeared on the US Federal Communication Commission filings. In the details, it is said to support the Z Fold 3.

collection: S Pen Pro

12 July 2021: 11 August Samsung Galaxy Unpacked to be packed with launches, see them here

Evan Blass posted a number of short videos to his Twitter account revealing all the devices he is expecting to be revealed during Unpacked. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 was one of the videos.

5 July 2021: Samsung officially confirms date of Galaxy Unpacked 2021

Korean site Digital Daily reported that a Samsung official has confirmed the date of Galaxy Unpacked for 11 August 2021.

2 July 2021: Z Fold 3 camera specs leaked 

Frequent spec-leaker @FrontTron on Twitter has leaked a full spec sheet for all the cameras on the next Z Fold 3. 

30 June 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 to come in three colour options - take a look

91Mobiles published some renders of the Galaxy Z Fold 3, supporting previous leaks. The renders show three colour options, including black, green and pink.

27 June 2021: Galaxy Z Fold 3 screen specs confirmed

25 June 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3 pictures leak

Here's a first look at the next-gen foldables in pictures.

22 June 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 tipped for 3 August reveal

New report says Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 will be revealed at an Unpacked event on 3 August. Mass production said to have started.

15 June 2021: Leak points to new release date for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3

Report claims the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 will ship from 27 August.

9 June 2021: 'Confirmed': Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 to feature under-display camera

"Can confirm: Fold 3 has an under display camera," reads the Tweet by Max Winebach, a freelance writer for Android Police with a strong track record.

25 May 2021: Will Galaxy Z Fold 3 ditch buttons for gestures? Maybe, patents hints

The World Intellectual Property Organisation granted Samsung a patent (via LetsGo Digital) for "Galaxy Z Fold Squeeze Gesture." It suggests Samsung could swap buttons for gestures in the Z Fold 3 and choose which gestures perform certain tasks.

11 May 2021: Samsung eyeing an August Unpacked event to launch Fold 3, Flip 3 and Galaxy S21 FE

Sources claim Samsung is considering an August Unpacked event to reveal three devices, including the Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.

3 May 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 fully revealed in leaked images

Twitter user @TheGalox_ tweeted some images of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 showing an under-display camera, smaller gap between the two folds and a triple camera. The phone will reportedly be available in black, silver, and green colours, and a beige colour was also noted.

collection: @TheGalox_ images

19 April 2021: Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 will have an IP rating

Sources talking to SamMobile have revealed that the Galaxy Fold 3 will have an IP rating.

18 April 2021: Samsung trademarks Armor Frame 

Samsung has applied for a trademark of the term Armor Frame, declaring that it applies to smartphones. It might be applied to a new design or material on the Galaxy Fold 3.

13 April 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 could have a smaller battery and 'zero bezels'

Korean news site The Elec claims the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 will have a smaller battery capacity than the Z Fold 2, as well as a smaller main screen with zero bezels.

8 April 2021: Patent shows S Pen use on a Folding phone

An uncovered patent shows off stylus use on an folding phone, suggesting this remains a long-term ambition for Samsung.

24 February 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 will support S Pen, report says

A report from Korean news outlet ET News, claimed Samsung has "succeeded in implementing the pen function for foldable phones with high technical difficulty" and it will be coming to the Galaxy Z Fold 3.

23 February 2021: Samsung's June reveal of its GPU developed with AMD might be just in time for the Galaxy Z Fold 3

A reliable leaker of Samsung information suggested that there will be a showcase of the Samsung-AMD GPU in June, which might be just in time to see it launch in the Galaxy Z Fold 3.

17 February 2021: Galaxy Z Fold 3 leak suggests under-display camera is coming

Ice Universe claimed the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is "very likely" to implement an under-display front camera.

8 February 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 could launch in July

Leaker Ice Universe claimed the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 2/3 could launch in July - which would put the launch of the next foldable devices in the middle of the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note launches.

1 February 2021: Samsung Display developing rollable and slidable displays

Samsung Display is said to be looking at developing slidable and rollable displays in a bid to cement its leadership in the foldable displaymarket.

15 January 2021: Samsung is bringing S Pen support to other product categories

Samsung confirmed the expansion of the S Pen support to the Galaxy S21 Ultra wasn't a one off: "We've made the bold decision to expand the S Pen experience to Galaxy S21 Ultra, and plan to expand the S Pen experience across additional device categories in the future." That sounds unequivocally like we can expect to see S Pen support more widely. 

In the short term, that means that the next iteration of the Galaxy Fold could well work with it.

24 December 2020: Displays to reduce for Galaxy Z Fold 3

According to leaker Ross Young, who has a good track record, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will see slightly reduced displays in order ro accommodate the S Pen rumoured to be coming to the device.

23 November 2020: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 could be scheduled for June 2021, with S Pen support

Ajou News reported that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 would arrive in June 2021, coupled with S Pen support. An under-display camera was also mentioned in the report.

7 October 2020: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 could have light up hinge

LetsGoDigital reported that Samsung had filed a patent titled "Galaxy Z Fold with Light Indicator" in March 2019, granted in Ocotber 2020. The site made a number of mock up renders suggesting what the Galaxy Z Fold 3 could look like if it adopted the technology in the patent.



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