Its been almost a year since Samsung released its foldable mobile series. So if you are planning to buy one, it is better to know everything about it. Here is everything about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2.
What will you see?
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
Even though Samsung has been trying to release its foldable mobile series for a long and has tried to launch one, but it was pulled out of the market soon enough. The design was lacking, and people found the screen getting cracked soon enough. But through persistent efforts, Samsung released the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. This mobile is a quantum leap from the original Fold. You get a more prominent front display, 5G connection, and durability than the first Fold. The Flex Mode has enhanced the phone-tablet hybrid and made it more versatile. Moreover, multitasking is better and more accessible as it allows you to run up to three apps simultaneously.
Price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 was launched on September 18, 2020, and sold through multiple carriers. Although the mobile was previously priced at $1,999 for 256GB, it is now sold at $1,799. Moreover, before buying the phone, remember that there is no microSD card slot available. These days, after a price drop of $200, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 sells for $1,799. You can get the Galaxy Z Fold 2 through all major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile (Sprint).
| Price | $1,799 |
| OS | Android 10 |
| Main display | 7.6-inch inches 120Hz (2208 x 1768 pixels) |
| Cover display | 6.2 inches 60Hz (2260 x 816 pixels) |
| CPU | Snapdragon 865 Plus |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Rear cameras | 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (2x optical/10x digital zoom) |
| Selfie cameras | 10MP (cover), 10MP (main display) |
| Battery | 4,500 mAh |
| Battery life | 10 hours 10 minutes |
| Size | 6.2 x 2.6 x 0.66 inches (closed); 6.2 x 5 x 0.27 inches (open) |
| Weight | 9.9 ounces |
Design and durability
Because of the larger exterior display, the Z Fold 2 is a step ahead of the Galaxy Fold. The cover screen that was earlier only 4.6 inches is now 6.2 inches. The internal display size has also increased to 7.6 inches. With an improved design, the selfie camera is a small cutout. The Z Fold 2 has a sturdier new Ultra-Thin Glass display for enhanced durability and usability. It is designed to provide a better touchscreen feel than the previous plastic screen Fold. Also, the Hideaway hinge uses sweeper technology that prevents dust and dirt from entering the phone.
The hinge uses a CAM mechanism so that you can position the screen in multiple positions. Even though you will still find a gap between the two sides of the phone when closed, it is narrower than before. You can choose from two color options, Mystic Bronze and Mystic Black. But you can choose from four hinge color options if you place your order through Samsung.com. These colors are Metallic Silver, Metallic Gold, Metallic Red, and Metallic Blue.
When closed, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 measures 6.2 x 2.6 x 0.66 inches. While it is opened, it measures 6.2 x 5 x 0.27 inches. The most significant setback is the mobile is not water-resistant like the other mobiles from Samsung. Also, it is heavier than the original model weighing 9.9 ounces.
Hardware
The hardware is not much different from the prototype. You will still find a small gap between the two sides when it’s closed. This gap adds to the device’s thickness, which might not feel the same to hold like other mobiles. When you close the mobile, it becomes a tall, narrow, and slightly thicker device than two regular smartphones stacked together. So when you carry the Z Fold 2 in your pocket, you will feel some weight. Most of the interaction can be done with the Z Fold 2 open. It has minimum bezels with a 7.6-inch display and no notches.
While using this mobile, you will have a similar experience to a tablet, but you can even bend the screen to hold it like a book. The mobile hinge has gone through a significant upgrade from the original version. It now uses 8 CAMS. This adds more friction and provides stability when you open the mobile. Moreover, this even lets the device hold itself up at different angles. The company has also added tiny little elastic brushes on the inside. This keeps the internal mechanism of the mobile clear. A slightly different bit of plastic around the screen minimizes the gap as compared to the prototype. Also, the little nubbins keep the two sides from clacking together too hard.
Display
The screen size is more significant (7.6-inch main display) than the prototype, but you even get a refresh rate of 120Hz refresh rate. So you can enjoy smooth scrolling through the web. Moreover, the adaptive panel dials the rate up or down based on the content on the screen. Even though you don’t get the same refresh rate for the cover screen, it is better than the Original. The 6.2 inches OLED screen gives you enough space for all your tasks, and you can instantly return to your work from the main display as soon as you open the device. Also, remember that the aspect ratio on the cover display is lesser than most phones. So you might face discomfort while typing.
Screens
With the new ultra-thin glass for the screen instead of plastic, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has leveled up its game. Even though the top layer is glass, there are plastic layers beneath it and above (protective layer). After that, you get a factory-installed screen protector on the very top, which makes tapping, typing, and swiping smooth and soft. Moreover, if you somehow damage the screen, Samsung offers a one-time $149 screen replacement. Another thing you might want to know about is the crease between the two sides. It is visible when the lights hit at certain angles but will fade from your conscious view for most of the time.
The cover screen has improved a lot from the Fold and now stretches the entire length of one side of the phone. But the 25:9 aspect ratio makes it relatively narrow for typing. The remarkable thing about the inner display is that it can smartly lower the refresh rate to 11Hz to save battery life. Also, you don’t have to worry about the “jelly scroll effect” with the Z Fold 2. The Fold series can suffer from the jelly scroll, but it is barely noticeable due to its verticality. This can happen because the screen controllers are on the side instead of the bottom. Thus, one side of the screen can change its pixels just barely faster than the other side. This happens in all phones but is usually not noticed. The Z Fold 2’s high refresh rate reduces this effect, making it challenging to come across it.
Software and Flex Mode
When the Galaxy Fold was launched, users complained that many apps felt like blow-up phone apps in tablet mode. But Samsung has addressed this problem with the Galaxy Z Fold 2. If you flip the Z Fold 2, the display orientation will change to landscape mode and help you to enhance productivity. For instance, when you open a mail in Gmail, you will see the messages on the left side and the body of emails on the right. This even gives you a laptop-like experience.
Flex Mode
The Flex Mode on this mobile gives you a lot of versatility. When you are on Flex Mode, the controls or settings will remain on one side and content on the other. This maximizes productivity for the users. Video calls in this mode let you set the phone down in a laptop-like position. So you can rest your arms and don’t have to worry about having to hold the device. The Flex Mode is available for apps like Camera, Video call, Gallery, Video player, Clock, and Calendar. The Samsung app, but Google would also support it with YouTube and Google Duo. Moreover, the company is working with third-party developers to make apps accessible with Flex mode.
Multi Tasking
Multitasking is made more accessible with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2. The Multi-Active Window feature allows you to open up to three apps simultaneously. You can even create presets called App Pairs, and with just a tap, you launch them. This makes it more extraordinary to launch three apps at once. Moreover, you can even rearrange the layout by tapping or dragging an app from one window to another.
App Continuity Feature
But the fun doesn’t end here, and you can even drag and drop content from one window to another. The App Continuity feature is has made it to Fold 2 from the original Galaxy Fold. With this feature, you can start an app on the cover display, and when you open the main show, you can pick up from where you left. This feature is supported by most Samsung apps and Microsoft 365, Gmail, Chrome, and Google Maps.
Camera
Even with so many great features, the cameras are a bit disappointing compared to the Galaxy Note 20. There is no 108MP primary sensor, 5x optical zoom, or 50x Space Zoom, but you have three great cameras you can use in various ways. You get a 12MP primary wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera with a 123-degree field of view. Moreover, there is a 12MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom.
Even though the cameras have different Galaxy Note 20, they are unique to the Galaxy Z Fold 2. The Dual Preview allows you to see how you are going to look. This uses the front display to show you the preview while taking the picture. Also, you can use the rear cameras to bring higher-quality selfies. To see the preview, you will need to start the camera on the cover display. After that press, the button present at the top right corner. Then Fold two will invite you to unfold the device, and you can see a live preview. With the Auto Framing feature, when you shoot videos, you can prop up the mobile. This will keep your subject in focus when shooting video, and with the Flex Mode, you can also review recent pictures on the bottom half of the screen.
Performance
The Snapdragon 865 Plus processor gives you a fast processing speed. The phone’s ability to work on two screens is quite impressive. Compared to the prototype, everything feels smoother and quicker. You can adjust the size of your panels while multitasking and even drag apps between them. The 12GB of RAM gives the mobile the power for smooth running multiple apps. Even though the performance is excellent, the storage is limited. You get only 256GB which is quite a lot, but considering the phone-tablet hybrid, it is common to expect more storage.
The Z Fold 2 has stereo speakers, so you can enjoy your music loud and clear. According to Samsung, with the speakers, you can completely give up on your Bluetooth speaker. This gives you a fantastic experience for small gets together, movie nights as well as gaming.
Battery life
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 offers a 4,500 mAh battery, which will last through most of the day. The prototype only showed 4,380 mAh, so this time the mobile will last longer. On testing, the mobile lasted for 10 hours and 10 minutes on the 60Hz display setting. Even though it is somewhat less than what other mobiles offer, considering the size of the Z Fold 2’s display, it is pretty amazing. Although, when the refresh rate was set to 120Hz, the phone only lasted 9 hours and 5 minutes. The mobile supports 25W fast charging, as well as fast wireless charging. It even allows PowerShare reverse charging.
What you will like?
- Bigger front display: With the increase in size for the cover display to 6.2-inches, you don’t have to time and again go for the internal display to do your tasks.
- Apps make use of the most of tablet-size screen: Many apps are using the dual screen to the fullest by separating contents on to both the screens seamlessly.
- Multitasking: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has taken the multitasking game to another level. You can create app pairs to launch three apps at once. Moreover, you can drag and drop content from one window to another in certain apps.
- Flex Mode: The improved hinge opens a myriad of possibilities allowing you to open the display at various angles. Even in the camera app, you can see the live previous on the top display and controls down below.
What you might not like?
- Smudge prone main display: Even with the durable Ultra-Thin Glass on the 7.6-inch screen it picks up smudges quickly.
- Limited zoom: The camera on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has just 2x optical zoom which is a bit disappointing.
- No water resistance: The biggest setback is that the mobile is not water resistant like the the other mobiles from Samsung.
- Not lightweight: The mobile weighs 9.9 ounces so you can feel a bit of strain after some time of typing. But cosidering the phone-tablet hybrid the weight is somewhat justified.
Conclusion
With the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Samsung has started its series of Folded phones. Currently, you can buy the mobile at $1,799 price. The Z Fold 2 has walked a long way from the prototype. Upgrades like a more prominent front display and battery life add charm. The Flex Mode gives versatility allowing you to prop up at various angles. This gives you a laptop-like experience when watching videos or video calling. Multitasking is made more accessible with the Z Fold 2 and maximizes productivity. With all the great features, even though in some areas the phone is lacking, it is still the best foldable phone.
If you have any questions, ask us in the comments section below.
