Thanks to a ton of improvements, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the best foldable phone yet và a productivity powerhouse
(Image credit: Future)Bigger front display makes a huge difference: The cover display has grown to lớn 6.2 inches, which means you don’t have to lớn use the internal display lớn get stuff done. The exterior screen is narrower than typical phones, though.
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Apps finally make the most of tablet-size screen: For example, in email you’ll see your các mục of emails on the left & the body of messages on the right, & Slack will display contacts on the left và messages on the right. The iPhone can"t vì chưng this.The multitasking is better: It’s pretty easy to create tiện ích pairs to launch three apps at once. I also lượt thích that you can drag and drop content from one window to lớn another in certain apps.Flex mode adds versatility: Thanks khổng lồ the cam mechanism in the hinge, you can xuất hiện the display at various angles. Flex Mode is there to lớn take advantage of that. For example, in the camera app, you’ll see the live previous up top & controls down below.Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: What I don"t like
The main display is smudge prone: Although the Ultra Thin Glass on the 7.6-inch screen is more durable and has a better feel, it picks up smudges quickly. And, yes, the crease is still noticeable.Limited zoom: I can live without the Galaxy S21 Ultra"s 108MP sensor, but having just 2x optical zoom on a $2,000 phone when you can get 10x on the chú ý is a bummer.No water resistance: When it started khổng lồ drizzle outside I took the Z Fold 2 indoors because there is no water resistance promised for this device.This is a hefty device: At 9.9 ounces, the Z Fold 2 is heavier than the original Galaxy Fold (9.5 ounces) & I felt a bit of strain after several minutes of typing. Then again, you are getting a phone & tablet in one.Price: $1,799OS: app android 10Main display: 7.6 inch inches 120Hz (2208 x 1768 pixels)Cover display: 6.2 inches 60Hz (2260 x 816 pixels)CPU: Snapdragon 865 PlusRAM: 12GBStorage: 256GBRear cameras: 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (2x optical/10x digital zoom)Selfie cameras: 10MP (cover), 10MP (main display)Battery: 4,500 mAhBattery life: 10 hours 10 minutesSize: 6.2 x 2.6 x 0.66 inches (closed); 6.2 x 5 x 0.27 inches (open)Weight: 9.9 ounces
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 release date was September 18, 2020. It"s available for sale through multiple carriers as well as unlocked.
When it debuted the Galaxy Z Fold 2 cost $1,999 for 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. Lưu ý that a microSD card slot is not included and there are no other capacities available. These days, after a permanent $200 price cut, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 sells for $1,799 (or less with a Samsung promo code...). That could be a sign that Samsung is looking to clear out stock in advance of the anticipated launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 later this year.
To put the Z Fold 2"s price in context, Microsoft charges $1,400 for its Surface Duo phone. To lớn see how similar these two foldable devices are, kiểm tra out our Microsoft Surface Duo vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 face-off.
If you"re looking for Galaxy Z Fold 2 deals, the phone has been discounted as low as $999. So it can pay khổng lồ look for sales on this foldable phone. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is available through all of the major carriers, including AT&T, Verizon và T-Mobile (Sprint), as well as unlocked.
Samsung offers the Galaxy Z Premier Service for the Z Fold 2, which includes on-demand concierge support from dedicated experts. In addition, Z Fold 2 owners can get a membership lớn FoundersCard, access khổng lồ a prepared meal from a Michelin star restaurant and access to lớn a various golf clubs.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: Design and durability
(Image credit: Future)
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 immediately makes a better impression than the Galaxy Fold because of its larger exterior display. You no longer feel like you"re operating apk through a peep hole, & that"s because the cover screen has grown from 4.6 inches to 6.2 inches.
The interior display is also bigger at 7.6 inches for the Galaxy Z Fold 2, compared lớn 7.3 inches for the previous model. Even better, the ugly notch on the main screen is gone, replaced by a small cutout for a selfie camera.
Samsung also made several enhancements fo the Galaxy Z Fold 2 to improve durability & usability. This includes a sturdier new Ultra Thin Glass display, which is designed to lớn provide a better touchscreen feel than the plastic screen Fold, và a Hideaway hinge that uses sweeper giải pháp công nghệ to prevent dust and dirt from entering the phone.
In a third-party demo by YouTuber JerryRigEverything, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 survived having dirt thrown on it, which suggests that the new hinge works better than on the original model.
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Similar khổng lồ the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, the Galaxy Z Fold 2"s hinge uses a CAM mechanism that allows you to lớn position the screen in multiple positions. Và while there"s still a gap between the two sides of the phone when closed, it"s narrower than before.
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The Galaxy Z Fold 2 comes in two colors: Mystic Bronze và Mystic Black. But you"ll be able to địa chỉ some flair in the khung of four hinge màu sắc options if you order through Samsung.com. Options include Metallic Silver, Metallic Gold, Metallic Red and Metallic Blue.
Measuring 6.2 x 2.6 x 0.66 inches when closed & 6.2 x 5 x 0.27 inches when open, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is slightly shorter but wider than its predecessor. It"s also heavier, as the Z Fold 2 weights 9.9 ounces, compared lớn 9.48 ounces for the original model. I definitely felt a bit of strain after using the phone several minutes and typing out messages.
Another bummer: The Galaxy Z Fold 2 doesn"t offer water resistance, so you can"t get it wet as you can with other flagship phones.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: Display
(Image credit: Future)
In addition to a larger size, the 7.6-inch main display on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, so you should enjoy smooth scrolling & overall performance compared lớn the 60Hz rate on the Galaxy Fold. Plus, because the panel is adaptive, it"s smart enough lớn dial the rate down or up based on the content on screen.
The cover display on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 does not offer a 120Hz refresh rate, but it"s still a heck of a lot better than what the first Fold featured. Measuring 6.2 inches, this OLED screen is big enough lớn perform pretty much any task, and you can still instantly resume what you were doing on the main display when you unfold the device.
Just keep in mind that the aspect ratio on the Z Fold 2"s cover display is narrower than most phones, so typing can feel a bit cramped.
Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: Software và Flex Mode
(Image credit: Future)
One of the complaints we had about the Galaxy Fold is that many of the apps just felt lượt thích blow-up phone apps in tablet mode. But Samsung is addressing this drawback with the Galaxy Z Fold 2.
For example, in tin nhắn I could see my messages on the left and the toàn thân of emails on the right. Và in Slack my contacts were on the left and messages on the right. You need to flip the Galaxy Z Fold 2 display"s orientation lớn landscape mode khổng lồ see these changes, but it makes a huge difference in productivity. & it makes the Galaxy Z Fold 2 feel more laptop-like. Samsung also promises an optimized viewing experience in Microsoft Office and YouTube.
(Image credit: Future)
The Galaxy Z Fold 2"s Flex Mode gives this foldable phone a lot of versatility. The idea is that you can have controls or settings on one side of the display and nội dung on the other for maximum productivity.
(Image credit: Future)
I really enjoyed using Google Duo in Flex Mode, as it lets you set the phone down in a laptop-like position & have a video call with the other person without having lớn hold the device. It"s something I immediately wished my iPhone could do.
Samsung says that Flex Mode is supported by several Samsung apps, including Camera, đoạn clip call, Gallery, đoạn phim player, Clock and Calendar. & Google is supporting Flex Mode with YouTube as well as Google Duo. Samsung is working with third-party developers as well to create Flex Mode optimized apps.
(Image credit: Future)
Another key Galaxy Z Fold 2 tăng cấp is multi-tasking. With the improved Multi-Active Window feature, you can mở cửa up khổng lồ three apps at the same time & can quickly create presets called tiện ích Pairs that you launch with just a tap.
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I tried this with Slack, Twitter, and Spotify as well as YouTube, Photos & Messages, & it was very cool to lớn launch three apps at once.You can also quickly re-arrange the layout with a tap or drag an tiện ích from one window lớn another.
Even cooler, you can also drag & drop nội dung from one window to lớn another. I had no problem dropping a photo from the Gallery app into an outgoing message. However, it didn"t work with the Google Photos app. Multiple Samsung apps tư vấn Drag and Drop, as does Microsoft 365, Gmail, Chrome và Google Maps.
Samsung"s app continuity feature is also on board from the original Galaxy Fold. The idea is that you can start an phầm mềm on the cover display, mở cửa the main display and pick up right where you left off. This worked in most apps, but the Sky Force 2 trò chơi forced khổng lồ me restart the phầm mềm when moving khổng lồ the bigger canvas.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 cameras
(Image credit: Future)
It"s a bit strange lớn say this, but the $2,000 Galaxy Z Fold 2 represents a step down from the $1,300 Galaxy cảnh báo 20 when it comes to lớn the cameras. You don"t get a 108MP main sensor, a 5x optical zoom or a 50x Space Zoom, but you do get three capable shooters you can use in a variety of ways.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 features a 12MP main wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide angle camera with a 123-degree field of view và a 12MP telephoto lens with a 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom.
(Image credit: Future)
The fun really starts with the camera features that are quality to the Galaxy Z Fold 2. For example, Dual Preview lets subjects see how they"re going to look using the front display while you"re taking the shot. You can also take higher quality selfies with the rear cameras.
All you need to vì is fire up the camera on the cover display và then press a button in the đứng top right corner, then the Z Fold 2 will invite you khổng lồ unfold the device & you"ll see a live preview.
(Image credit: Future)
Another perk: you can prop up the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in what looks like laptop mode & it will keep your subject in focus when shooting clip using a feature called tự động framing. Thanks lớn Flex Mode, you can also review recent pictures on the bottom half of the screen while maintaining the live preview in the đứng top half.
(Image credit: Future)
The Z Fold 2"s camera did a fantastic job capturing a close-up of these yellow and violet flowers. You can make out fine details in the petals và even fine droplets of water when you zoom in.
(Image credit: Future)
I also took this selfie using the rear 12MP camera and the Z Fold 2"s cover screen as the viewfinder. The xanh in my shirt pops, and the surrounding trees và grass look vibrant. You simply can"t bởi vì this on an iPhone.
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
As expected, the 10x digital zoom proved disappointing compared to lớn the more powerful Space Zoom on the Galaxy chú ý 20 Ultra. As we zero in on the tree và hanging flower baskets, there"s a fair amount of grain. It"s certainly passable, though.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 did a fairly good job in this portrait shot, artfully blurring the photos in the background. The bokeh effect is better on the Z Fold 2 than the iPhone 12. However, my face is a bit more blown out in Samsung"s shot.
In this shot of fall decorations, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 delivers a brighter overall image, & you can make out lots of detail in the turkeys. The iPhone 11 Pro Max does a better job rendering the xuất xắc but overall I give the edge khổng lồ Samsung here.
The Galaxy Z Fold"s 2 Night mode worked well in this shot taken in near darkness of a wall hanging. However, the iPhone 11 Pro Max"s Night mode captured a considerably brighter image of the scene.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 sports a Snapdragon 865 Plus processor along with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage (UFS3.1). So we would expect similar performance lớn the Galaxy chú ý 20 Ultra.
On Geekbench 5, which measures overall performance, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 scored 3,193 on the mult-core portion. The lưu ý 20 Ultra with the same cpu scored a slightly higher 3,294 và the asus ROG Phone 3 hit 3,393. The iPhone 11 Pro was fastest with 3,500.
On the GFXBench graphics test, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 scored 1,461 frames on the Aztec Ruins (High Tier) off-screen benchmark, compared lớn 1,455 for the Galaxy lưu ý 20 Ultra and 1,657 frames for the iPhone 11 Pro.
Overall, the Z Fold 2 offers smooth performance, but I noticed minor software glitches at times. The YouTube phầm mềm view didn"t change I switched screen modes at one point, but restarting the phầm mềm resolved the problem.
In terms of 5G, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 supports both mmWave and sub-6GHz flavors, so you should have no problems tapping into 5G networks where there is coverage. I didn"t see the best results in central New Jersey. On AT&T"s network the Galaxy Z Fold 2"s tải về speed hit only 22 Mbps, but on T-Mobile it was a much higher 122 Mbps in the same location.
Because the Z Fold 2 also supports Ultra Wide Band technology, you can leverage Samsung"s Nearby tóm tắt features to quickly share files with other compatible devices, which thus far only includes the cảnh báo 20 Ultra.
Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: battery life & charging
(Image credit: Future)
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 packs a 4,500 mAh battery, which should be able lớn get you through most of the day. The Galaxy Fold had a slightly smaller 4,380 mAh, so this is a step up.
On our battery test, which involves continuous website surfing at 150 nits of screen brightness, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 lasted 10 hours và 10 minutes on the 60Hz display setting. That"s not enough to make our list of best phone battery life, where are the handsets last longer than 11 hours. But given the form size of the Z Fold 2"s display that"s pretty good endurance.
As expected, the battery life dropped on the Z Fold 2 with the display set to lớn 120Hz (adaptive), with the phone lasting 9 hours và 5 minutes.
Anecdotally, the battery life on the Z Fold 2 is pretty solid. I started using the phone at 10 am and after a day of heavy usage it had about 18% juice left at 10 pm.
The Z Fold 2 supports 25W fast charging, as well as fast wireless charging and PowerShare reverse charging. But we didn"t see the best results in our testing. After 30 minutes the Z Fold 2 was at 46% and we would expect 50%. By comparison, the chú ý 20 Ultra hit 56% in the same amount of time.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: Verdict
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Note that a Galaxy Z Fold 3 is rumored khổng lồ launch this summer. It"s expected to lớn include a faster processor, S Pen support and perhaps an under-display camera, among other upgrades.So you"ll probably want to lớn hold off until mid-August until you make a move.
Overall, though, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the quintessential example of a company listening khổng lồ its customers & delivering a wide range of improvements they asked for. Even at its reduced $1,799 price, this is a phone that"s still very much for early adopters. At least the Z Fold 2 seems a lot less lượt thích a prototype & more lượt thích a viable product.
The front display on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 alone is a huge upgrade. I also really lượt thích Flex Mode and the versatility that gives this phone. Being able khổng lồ prop up the device at various angles really makes the Z Fold 2 feel lượt thích a brand new type of device. & while the Mult-Active window multitasking requires a bit of a learning curve, it maximizes productivity.
If you want a more powerful phone and better cameras, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the better option, but táo doesn"t have anything nearly as innovative in its lineup to lớn take on the Z Fold 2. An iPhone Flip could be on the way at some point, but we doubt it will be anytime soon.
Overall, I am really impressed with what Samsung has accomplished with the Galaxy Z Fold 2. This is clearly the best foldable phone yet và a sign of great things khổng lồ come in the category.
