Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Z Flip 3? Which one should you buy and why?

There’s never been a better time to join the emerging foldable market. Samsung unveiled its latest creations at Galaxy Unpacked earlier this month and gave foldable enthusiasts two choices: the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3. They have the same foldable DNA but are very different, which means they target different audiences.

Let’s say you’ve already weighed the pros and cons of foldable display technology and made up your mind in regards to joining this emerging premium segment. You’re ready to leave the ‘candy bar’ form factor behind and enter the new era of foldable phones, but you aren’t sure which device is better suited for you — the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

It’s a tough choice, at least at first glance, but it’s an easy puzzle to solve once you examine the strengths and weaknesses of these phones individually.

Who’s the Galaxy Z Fold 3 for?

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is meant for Samsung customers who want to expand upon their mobile user experiences and overcome the limitations of regular smartphones. More specifically, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is aimed at customers who want a powerful mobile productivity device that supports the S Pen and has a screen that’s large enough to pass as a tablet, all the while remaining relatively compact.

Furthermore, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 should be purchased by customers who want to take full advantage of apps like Samsung Notes and the Microsoft Office suite. Likewise, it’s the only device for early adopters of UDC (under-display camera) technology. It’s the first and only Samsung smartphone to have an under-display camera as of this writing, though the technology is bound to crop up with future flagship models.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 hands-on | 24 hours with the Galaxy Z Fold 3
Galaxy Z Fold 3 best features

All in all, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the most complete foldable smartphone to date, but it comes at a price. Literally and figuratively. Not only does it cost $1,799 and up, but it’s rather thick and heavy for a smartphone. You won’t be able to go for a jog with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in your pockets — at least not comfortably — and barring the foldable display and S Pen, the cover screen doesn’t make for a great smartphone experience.

Who’s the Galaxy Z Flip 3 for?

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is aimed at customers who want to experience foldable display technology and would like a compact flagship but prefer the true and tested candy bar form factor. The Z Flip 3 ticks all these boxes.

It has a clamshell design with a hinge in the middle, and once unfolded, it can pass as a standard smartphone. Granted, the bezels around the foldable display are a bit unusual, but they’re not an issue, and smartphone users who want a compact device without having to sacrifice screen real-estate will love the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Galaxy Z Flip 3 hands-on | 24 hours with the Galaxy Z Flip 3
Galaxy Z Flip 3 best features

Aside from the practical side of things, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is also a great device for expressing oneself. It has a 1.9-inch cover display that can be customized with various watch faces from the Galaxy Watch 4 series, photo galleries, and animations. It’s available in more color options than the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and can be paired with a variety of protective covers and cases.

When can I buy the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Galaxy Z Flip 3?

Both the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are available for pre-order in key markets. They’re expected to hit the shelves and ship to customers on August 27.

Samsung is selling the Galaxy Z Fold 3 for a starting price of $1,799, while the Galaxy Z Flip 3 costs a much lower $999. These prices correspond to the 128GB variants. Neither phone ships with a wall charger or a pair of earbuds, but that might be a good compromise given the lower launch prices this year.

Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 come bundled with the S Pen?

More on S Pen compatibility with the Z Fold 3