Phones Samsung Z Fold 3

[G14Eva]

MKBHD review is out:

Only surprise info I hadn’t yet heard elsewhere (and admittedly haven’t been watching a lot about the Fold 3) was regarding battery life.

I love his stuff but I turned the video off when he checked off all the advantages of using an spen…on a folding screen that is now water resistant, and then he complained “but there’s nowhere to put the s-pen”.

It’s like taking a trip on a space shuttle and whining that there wasn’t a cup holder.

 

[Awesomesince86]

I love his stuff but I turned the video off when he checked off all the advantages of using an spen…on a folding screen that is now water resistant, and then he complained “but there’s nowhere to put the s-pen”.

It’s like taking a trip on a space shuttle and whining that there wasn’t a cup holder.

You know what to expect from certain reviewers. I like MKBHD as well, but hes not a fan of Samsung and its clear to see. He praises their hardware but hes always quick to nitpick with Samsung in places where he would give Google or Apple a pass. Also, he's just not a big believer in foldables yet. Which is fine.

Side note, battery life in reviewers has been up and down. Some say its pretty good (not amazing) and some say its pretty bad. I think with the Fold is depends even more on the user.

 

[tbayrgs]

I love his stuff but I turned the video off when he checked off all the advantages of using an spen…on a folding screen that is now water resistant, and then he complained “but there’s nowhere to put the s-pen”.

It’s like taking a trip on a space shuttle and whining that there wasn’t a cup holder.

I somewhat disagree. The beauty of the Note was the fact that it actually housed the S-Pen. Not having a reasonable storage or carry solution for such a small accessory for a pretty small device is problematic, especially in the context of previous versions of ‘Note’ devices.

The first version of the Apple Pencil worked incredibly well…but was roundly criticized (and deservedly so) for it’s charging method and lack of a way to store and carry it. And that was in conjunction with a much larger device that you almost certainly will be carrying in a case or bag/backpack that offers at least a better option of stowing away the Pencil. The second version improved both of those problems. Conversely, Samsung has gone the other direction.

If you were a previous Note user, your only options are for an add-on accessory for 2 compatible devices and a huge step backwards functionally. I don’t think that’s a trivial problem for many, especially Note users, when it’s been previously solved for the last 10 years.

 

[rhinosrcool]

Anyone else who preordered in the US still have the cancel button and showing backordered? My delivery date still shows as being release day, but I know a lot of other people have tracking info already.

Something funny seems to be going on with my order. And if it goes through it could be really good or it could be broken and never go through. My invoice doesn't show my trade in items like it did on my last canceled orders, but I was still given the discount and actually some extra discount.

My invoice says In Process (underneath, it says expedited). Almost all of my order states that I have an expected delivery of Aug 27th. I have no option to cancel. The only exception is that I have an S Pen Pro that says order placed and expedited. It states that it has an expected delivery date of Sept 10th. This has the cancel option. As yet, no tracking info.

 

[Cycom]

All Tv show/movies purchased from
iTunes are available on the Apple TV+ app on TVs and streaming devices. The problem is is that the Apple Tv+ app isn’t available on android phones or tablets.

Appreciate the info ??

Heck, I might replace my ATV4K when that fails with an nvidia shield.

 

[SteveJUAE]

You are asking people why they wouldn’t want a smaller android tablet (smaller than the iPad mini even), currently priced higher than even the most expensive iphone (I think I can get an iPhone, iPad mini and AirPods for that), and which suffers from a dearth of quality tablet apps and support?

There are likely people who value the larger display enough but for me, the fold just looks like it makes the wrong tradeoffs in all the wrong places.

You cannot get a Iphone Pro Max with 256k, an Ipad mini and airpods plus pencil plus usual accessories less than a Fold 3 with case, charger Spen and 1 year accidental warranty

IRL cost out of pocket it is not even a close call, Now if you want to compromise and get the cheapest Iphone with no cover and go naked, no screen protectors etc etc your in with a chance if you shop around and this is before we factor in some of the great trade-ins some are getting

An Iphone 12 Pro Max 256 is $1199 an Ipad mini 64k is $399 Total = $1598 plus $105.87 Tax = $1703.87

Price of Fold 3 in Malaysia including 7% tax is MYR6699 or $1580. Already $123 cheaper and includes $200 of extra goodies etc etc on top, so for some $323 cheaper, even the Fold 3 in US is $1918.18 with its $200 evoucher matches the Apple combo IRL costs of ownership

Without going in to usual IOS vs Android standoffs there are plenty of trade-offs in the wrong places with IOS and physically carrying 2 devices of which one is not likely to fit in your pocket etc or apps optimized for true multitasking

The Fold 3 is not for every one and people like their Iphone combos but there is no clear winner just personal preferences.

As for costs its a wash on a true like for like basis and real cost of ownership with OEM accessories etc, even if you want to start adding daft lower depreciation factors for one over the other

 

[G14Eva]

I somewhat disagree. The beauty of the Note was the fact that it actually housed the S-Pen. Not having a reasonable storage or carry solution for such a small accessory for a pretty small device is problematic, especially in the context of previous versions of ‘Note’ devices.

The first version of the Apple Pencil worked incredibly well…but was roundly criticized (and deservedly so) for it’s charging method and lack of a way to store and carry it. And that was in conjunction with a much larger device that you almost certainly will be carrying in a case or bag/backpack that offers at least a better option of stowing away the Pencil. The second version improved both of those problems. Conversely, Samsung has gone the other direction.

If you were a previous Note user, your only options are for an add-on accessory for 2 compatible devices and a huge step backwards functionally. I don’t think that’s a trivial problem for many, especially Note users, when it’s been previously solved for the last 10 years.

I don’t agree that the Fold is an automatic Note replacement. A Note would be a Note replacement if s-pen storage is paramount.

I hear you that housing the s-pen is important to someone who needs to use the s-pen daily with their folding glass screen phone that opens into a small tablet. I just think the description of the device should serve as a reminder of what it is you bought. Honestly, if you are a die hard note person, I don’t even see the appeal of the Fold other than a potentially larger writing canvas. It seems though that the trade offs wouldn’t be worth it to that person.

I cannot argue with anyone telling me the Fold screen is more fragile than other screens.
I cannot argue with anyone telling me the Fold isn’t as robust and developed a platform as the Note series at this point (I *love* the Note series too!)
I cannot argue with anyone telling me that battery life on device that has two screens running at 120hz refresh isn’t optimal.

I just don’t know why that person would be interested in the Fold, as it currently is. It’s 3rd gen but clearly due to the nature of the glass, it’s just not where a Note would be right now. And I’m okay with that. *My* point is IT’S A FRIGGIN FOLDING GLASS PHONE THAT IS WATER RESISTANT.

I mean…that’s why I bought a ticket to the show, y’know?

 

[Awesomesince86]

My invoice says In Process (underneath, it says expedited). Almost all of my order states that I have an expected delivery of Aug 27th. I have no option to cancel. The only exception is that I have an S Pen Pro that says order placed and expedited. It states that it has an expected delivery date of Sept 10th. This has the cancel option. As yet, no tracking info.

My says in process as well and all the items have an expected delivery of Aug 27th. But still have a cancel button. Hopefully I see some movement this weekend.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I cannot argue with anyone telling me that battery life on device that has two screens running at 120hz refresh isn’t optimal.

That's one thing I can argue from my experience with the Fold 2. The battery life is excellent on the 120hz folding display. With the Fold 3 having 120hz on the cover display as well. I'm pretty sure it'll be just as good. Both displays are not in use at the same time. I think the Fold 3 has 200mAh less battery capacity, but the fact that it has a 5nm chip, battery life will probably be better or even, compared to the Fold 2.

 

[aggie99]

Anyone else who preordered in the US still have the cancel button and showing backordered? My delivery date still shows as being release day, but I know a lot of other people have tracking info already.

Something funny seems to be going on with my order. And if it goes through it could be really good or it could be broken and never go through. My invoice doesn't show my trade in items like it did on my last canceled orders, but I was still given the discount and actually some extra discount.

My cancel button disappeared today. Also it had previously said backordered and now it says "created".

 

[tbayrgs]

I don’t agree that the Fold is an automatic Note replacement. A Note would be a Note replacement if s-pen storage is paramount.

I hear you that housing the s-pen is important to someone who needs to use the s-pen daily with their folding glass screen phone that opens into a small tablet. I just think the description of the device should serve as a reminder of what it is you bought. Honestly, if you are a die hard note person, I don’t even see the appeal of the Fold other than a potentially larger writing canvas. It seems though that the trade offs wouldn’t be worth it to that person.

I cannot argue with anyone telling me the Fold screen is more fragile than other screens.
I cannot argue with anyone telling me the Fold isn’t as robust and developed a platform as the Note series at this point (I *love* the Note series too!)
I cannot argue with anyone telling me that battery life on device that has two screens running at 120hz refresh isn’t optimal.

I just don’t know why that person would be interested in the Fold, as it currently is. It’s 3rd gen but clearly due to the nature of the glass, it’s just not where a Note would be right now. And I’m okay with that. *My* point is IT’S A FRIGGIN FOLDING GLASS PHONE THAT IS WATER RESISTANT.

I mean…that’s why I bought a ticket to the show, y’know?

Problem is, there is no longer a Note line. If someone has been using Note series phones, loves the functionality and features it provides and wants to upgrade, there is no longer that type of device. They are limited to either a Galaxy S21 or a Fold 3, both of which lose what is ostensibly the key feature that attracts so many Note buyers—the onboard S-Pen. Yeah, it’s not the end of the world to have to carry the pen separately but while that doesn’t matter to many or even most Fold owners, it is a significant feature for those former Note users. And I think that’s the context MKBHD was speaking from when it came to the S-Pen.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Problem is, there is no longer a Note line. If someone has been using Note series phones, loves the functionality and features it provides and wants to upgrade, there is no longer that type of device. They are limited to either a Galaxy S21 or a Fold 3, both of which lose what is ostensibly the key feature that attracts so many Note buyers—the onboard S-Pen. Yeah, it’s not the end of the world to have to carry the pen separately but while that doesn’t matter to many or even most Fold owners, it is a significant feature for those former Note users. And I think that’s the context MKBHD was speaking from when it came to the S-Pen.

Are Note owners spending though? Not speaking for myself, cause I'm an upgrade junkie. But it seems most Note owners don't upgrade as much as users of the S line. And besides the integrated S-Pen, the S and Note line have become too similar. Then you have to think about where smartphone tech is headed to .... which is portless.

Also Samsung probably doesn't want to hinder sales of foldable having the consumer play it safe with the Note.

 

[hovscorpion12]

The Galaxy Note of 2021 was cancelled due to parts shortage. Same with the Tab S series. Samsung prioritized the Fold and Flip as they don't sell in high numbers.

The Note will return in 2022.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

The Galaxy Note of 2021 was cancelled due to parts shortage. Same with the Tab S series. Samsung prioritized the Fold and Flip as they don't sell in high numbers.

The Note will return in 2022.

I seriously doubt this. Samsung has been looking to kill the Note for several years. That is why the S21 and now the Fold 3 can use a s pen. They are planning to get rid of it and have one of those devices take over

 

[spinedoc77]

You are asking people why they wouldn’t want a smaller android tablet (smaller than the iPad mini even), currently priced higher than even the most expensive iphone (I think I can get an iPhone, iPad mini and AirPods for that), and which suffers from a dearth of quality tablet apps and support?

There are likely people who value the larger display enough but for me, the fold just looks like it makes the wrong tradeoffs in all the wrong places.

.3 inches smaller than the iPad mini, but infinitely more portable and actually pocketable. Put them next to each other and the screens are virtually the same size, but with a huge difference in footprint, even with the Fold open. What tablet apps are you missing? Just curious? I don't disagree that Android tablet apps suck, but Samsung has gone a long way in actually forcing those apps to behave, as well as their partnerships with the likes of Microsoft and also in house apps which replace many other apps users would have wanted. Also what lack of support? For the device? For 3rd party apps?

I get the argument about the trade offs, I don't disagree. But there are significant trade offs the other way as well. Besides the obvious trade offs in having to actually carry an iPad mini, you can't use it as a phone, so that means having to carry a phone with you as well, keeping them both synced, charged, checked in at the TSA, paying a mobile plan, etc. But again I get that the trade offs for this particular device are too much for you, I can't argue that, and I don't think I'm arguing against you per se. It's all the others who proclaim the entire paradigm is useless and a solution in search of a problem that completely baffles me. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the paradigm of shrinking phones will supplant today's smartphones.

 

[spinedoc77]

I’d love to have an Apple “phablet” (The real phablet: phone and tablet at the same time!)

If they kept the iPad mini 6's screen size the same but shrunk the entire package down and added cellular then I'd be all over that. The problem is that would go against Apple's plan to have you buy multiple devices.

 

[spinedoc77]

MKBHD review is out:

Only surprise info I hadn’t yet heard elsewhere (and admittedly haven’t been watching a lot about the Fold 3) was regarding battery life.

I'm curious about my real world use as I'm a bit suspect on that review. My Fold 2 gets used with the screen open a ton, I mean all day long, and it still has 30-40% left when I get home. Unless the Fold 3 has substantially lowered battery life, but from what I understand just the inner display has tech that reduced power use by 25%. I'll be surprised if it does have worse battery life than the Fold 2.

 

[spinedoc77]

I love his stuff but I turned the video off when he checked off all the advantages of using an spen…on a folding screen that is now water resistant, and then he complained “but there’s nowhere to put the s-pen”.

It’s like taking a trip on a space shuttle and whining that there wasn’t a cup holder.

I completely agree with him, there needs to be a pen silo. His comments were in relation to this supplanting the Note series, which I agree that it can't fully do until you can silo the pen. If I have to carry around a pen separately, worry about it getting lost, or not having it available just when I need it, that devalues it as a note taking device IMO.

 

[spinedoc77]

I don’t agree that the Fold is an automatic Note replacement. A Note would be a Note replacement if s-pen storage is paramount.

I hear you that housing the s-pen is important to someone who needs to use the s-pen daily with their folding glass screen phone that opens into a small tablet. I just think the description of the device should serve as a reminder of what it is you bought. Honestly, if you are a die hard note person, I don’t even see the appeal of the Fold other than a potentially larger writing canvas. It seems though that the trade offs wouldn’t be worth it to that person.

I cannot argue with anyone telling me the Fold screen is more fragile than other screens.
I cannot argue with anyone telling me the Fold isn’t as robust and developed a platform as the Note series at this point (I *love* the Note series too!)
I cannot argue with anyone telling me that battery life on device that has two screens running at 120hz refresh isn’t optimal.

I just don’t know why that person would be interested in the Fold, as it currently is. It’s 3rd gen but clearly due to the nature of the glass, it’s just not where a Note would be right now. And I’m okay with that. *My* point is IT’S A FRIGGIN FOLDING GLASS PHONE THAT IS WATER RESISTANT.

I mean…that’s why I bought a ticket to the show, y’know?

Well firstly because there is no more Note series, at least for this year. Users who want the largest screen are going to go for the Note series, they would be a natural fit to upgrade to an even larger screen in the Fold. I get that the S21 is creeping up there (6.8 vs 6.9), and has s pen support, but as long as a larger screen exists it will still be where IMO Note users will gravitate. The entire Note series was built as being a phablet, something between a phone and a tablet, and the Fold series is IMO more of a spiritual successor to the Note series. Instead of the Note upping the ante and releasing say a 7.1" screen which would be too large they released the Fold phones. Adding s-pen support was just natural, and I'll bet Samsung had plans on including s-pen support right out of the gate, but the technology was not ready yet. I also suspect that might be the same with the pen silo, maybe they just couldn't water proof it properly, or maybe it was too much of a battery hit if the Fold 3 has less battery life than the 2.

 

[Abazigal]

What tablet apps are you missing? Just curious? Also what lack of support? For the device? For 3rd party apps?

I am probably an idiot, but I can't seem to figure out how to mirror an android phone to my classroom projector. We have these wireless dongles installed, and every time I try to project it to the screen (I was carrying a Note phone as a school phone for a while as part of my relief planning duties, and also trying to help a colleague set up her galaxy tab), it triggers Dex which is a pain to use without a keyboard and mouse). I imagine it would be cool to walk into class, take out the Fold, unfold it into tablet mode, mirror the device to the projector, open my lesson files, and start annotating and teaching from there. Doable, but maybe a little too small for me as well, but I imagine the portability aspect might be a draw.

Also, between my iPhone and my iPad, I am using the following:

1) Apollo (reddit app)
2) Notability (to store and access pdf documents, which I use for teaching)
3) Lumafusion for video editing (but I concede that I am likely not going to be doing much of this on an iPad mini either way; use it a fair amount on my 11" iPad Pro)
4) Fantastical (subscription model aside, I am loving it as my calendar app of choice)
5) Tweetbot (twitter client)
6) Mindnode (for mindmapping)
7) Things (task management)

Other apps like liquid text (which is just better with a larger screen), Pins etc.

As I type this, I guess part of it comes from being deeply entrenched in the apple ecosystem (and the correlated pain in switching).

There's also the whole aspect of meetings where you look more "serious" with an iPad in front of you compared to a smartphone, even when I am browsing reddit and twitter while the presenter is droning on, but I guess that's another discussion for another day. ?

 

[The_Interloper]

I am probably an idiot, but I can't seem to figure out how to mirror an android phone to my classroom projector. We have these wireless dongles installed, and every time I try to project it to the screen (I was carrying a Note phone as a school phone for a while as part of my relief planning duties, and also trying to help a colleague set up her galaxy tab), it triggers Dex which is a pain to use without a keyboard and mouse).

When you pull down the notification menu, select Smart View instead of Dex and it should simply mirror the screen of your phone to the projector.

 

[tbayrgs]

Are Note owners spending though? Not speaking for myself, cause I'm an upgrade junkie. But it seems most Note owners don't upgrade as much as users of the S line. And besides the integrated S-Pen, the S and Note line have become too similar. Then you have to think about where smartphone tech is headed to .... which is portless.

Also Samsung probably doesn't want to hinder sales of foldable having the consumer play it safe with the Note.

I never said recent Note owners. What about Note owners from 2, 3, or 4 years ago that are ready to upgrade?

I realize this is a small group of smartphone users. I was just trying to put MKBHD’s comment regarding the SPen not having dedicated onboard storage in a bit of context. The key differentiator for the Note was the SPen and having to switch to a device where using it is less convenient will likely put some people off, so to them, not having the storage slot may be a bigger deal. That’s all I was saying.

 

[tbayrgs]

I seriously doubt this. Samsung has been looking to kill the Note for several years. That is why the S21 and now the Fold 3 can use a s pen. They are planning to get rid of it and have one of those devices take over

Agreed. As @LIVEFRMNYC mentioned, the Galaxy S and Note series had become essentially the same device. The Fold is the new top dog in the Samsung lineup meant to appeal to power users and tech junkies who love bleeding edge and are willing to pay for it.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

I don't see the Note coming back at all, it is the Ultra version basically.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I never said recent Note owners. What about Note owners from 2, 3, or 4 years ago that are ready to upgrade?

I realize this is a small group of smartphone users. I was just trying to put MKBHD’s comment regarding the SPen not having dedicated onboard storage in a bit of context. The key differentiator for the Note was the SPen and having to switch to a device where using it is less convenient will likely put some people off, so to them, not having the storage slot may be a bigger deal. That’s all I was saying.

I wasn't putting words in your mouth nor arguing against your comment. I was just stating the most likely reasons why Samsung has ended the Note line.

I also think most diehard Note users are the ones that least accept change. From losing the SD slot, to the headphone port, and now no Note at all. Yea, that's gotta hurt for the diehard fans.

Even I'm turned off slightly by the S-Pen not being integrated. If it wasn't for the S-Pen case that comes with the S-Pen (which looks like an awesome and convenient design), I wouldn't have cared to purchase the S-Pen for the Fold 3. So hopefully that case is at least almost as convenient as being integrated. Cause I'm definitely not the type to carry the S-Pen separate from the phone itself. ?