Background
Until 21st of August, I was a satisfied Apple iPhone user. Having used 4 generations of Apple iPhones starting from iPhone X to iPhone 12 Pro, I finally wanted to switch to something more exciting, something more versatile and more futuristic. To be honest, I have had enough of Apple’s same design since ages. When I got the glimpse of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 in Samsung Store, I went into sleepless nights, dreaming about the phone and finally ending up pre-ordering Z Fold 3 from Samsung Online Shop.
Pre-Ordering Experience
Unlike Apple iPhone launches where nothing is offered to the loyal users of Apple iPhone in terms of pre-ordering offers, Samsung had offered several stuff for me to fit myself completely into the world of Galaxy, which included:
1. Z Fold 3 itself.
2. Flip Cover with S Pen.
3. Discount Voucher which I redeemed against Galaxy Watch 4.
4. Samsung SmartTag.
5. Samsung Wireless Charger Single.
6. Exciting Trade-in schemes, which I used to sell of my old Apple Stuff at satisfactory price.
7. 2 Year Samsung Care for the phone.
8. 1 Year Samsung Care for the watch.
9. 4 month YouTube Premium Subscription.
Like what more can you expect, especially when you are coming from the world of Apple.
Unboxing Experience
Samsung committed to deliver my order by 17th September, 2021. But, one fine morning of 4th September, 2021, someone knocked my door. To my surprise, it was my complete order package arriving in a big box. The box itself was well packaged. As soon as I opened the box, there was a “Thank You” note from Samsung. Below the note was the real treasure. All my order items packaged into this beautiful box.
To be honest, this was one of the best unboxing experience, I have ever had in my life. They say “Customer is the king” and Samsung really made me feel like one. This was extremely satisfying. Some pics for you to feel the unboxing experience.
Z Fold 3 Review
I won’t lie, the time in between placing the order until the final delivery, I researched a lot and watched lots of reviews of Z Fold 3 from famous reviewers. Each one had there own pros and cons for the device. But few things were common. Let me share my experience for all of those common ones, one by one.
1) Water Resistance & Durability: I think its too early for me to say anything around this topic. Leaving YouTubers aside, this is a non-concern for a real consumers like me with Samsung bundling the Samsung Care package with the device itself. This gives me high confidence on the purchase that I made.
Having said that, Samsung has made this device water resistant which in itself is a huge engineering challenge for a device with is foldable. Full marks to Samsung for the same. The device in hand feels really durable, sturdy and premium. The inner screen is just as good as a glass screen and I hardly notice that its flexible when using.
2) Under Display Camera: YouTubers have been complaining that Under Display camera is an unnecessary compromise and is easily noticeable. I completely disagree. First of all, Under Display Camera is useful mainly for video calls and gives a good quality during the same. Secondly, I hardly notice the Under Display Camera while using my device and it almost blends into the screen which give me much more immersive experience as compared to big notch of iPhones.
For real consumers this is a non-issue because if I had to take a selfie, its always easier for me to take selfies with one hand rather than taking selfies in tablet mode using two hands. And that hidden Under Display Camera, is simply a technology marvel and makes media consumption and gaming a breeze on this device.
3) Main Camera Quality: I really don’t find any substance in claims from YouTubers that main camera in Z Fold 3 is inferior. I mean, I have been using iPhone 12 pro camera since launch and there is no reason here that camera from Samsung phone in any way is inferior to iPhone 12 camera. Yes, the video camera could have been better but apart from that nothing is wrong w.r.t. photo quality.
As a consumer of Galaxy Z Fold 3, I have no issue with the camera quality of the device. Its very usable in low light, in broad day light and for selfies as well.
4) Battery Backup: So, as I told you already I was an Apple iPhone 12 Pro user and never used Z Fold 2. Hence, I can share my experience as compared to Apple device only. I have seen load of YouTubers complaining that Z Fold 3 has smaller battery as compared to Z Fold 2. Honestly, for me, the device works for a whole long day and that is more than enough for me. Because, while going to bed at the end of the day I just use the wireless charger provided by Samsung as part of the pre-order package, to charge Z Fold 3 for my next day sprint. I used to do the same even for iPhone 12 pro and therefore for me, nothing has changed.
Therefore, for real consumers, this device satisfies the battery backup requirements and is very practical in all aspects.
5) Software Experience: Most YouTubers have complained that Software Experience in Z Fold 3 is not good because apps don’t support this kind of device. I have been using Samsung Z Fold 3 since almost a week now and in all honesty, there is nothing wrong with Samsung Software. Even the keyboard claims around its usage on the front screen, found unusable, is rubbish. Either such people have a Giant hands and fingers or they don’t know how to use the smartphone on-screen keyboard. W.r.t Apps, I have not seen a single app not working as its supposed to work on this phone. Especially, with Samsung providing “Labs” features like Aspect ratio enhancements etc. there is no reason for an app to not work properly on this device. As the devices, like these will become more mainstream, even these kinds of labs features won’t be required.
Again, for me, this claim seems to be wrong.
Conclusion: Stop following YouTubers to make your purchase decision. You are the best judge of your needs. Follow the "See it to believe it" approach. Samsung has done excellent job right from the pre-order process to unfolding this futuristic experience for the customers. If Apple, does not come with some drastic design changes in their phones quicly, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 has potential to make Apple iPhone look like device of the past.
Good Work Samsung! You have won me.
