Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 2 looks like the future of mobile phones. If you felt awestruck with its predecessor, you will be amazed at the improvements Samsung has made. While it is still quite expensive, owning this phone is like having a smartphone from the future, especially when you fold the mini tablet-like screen.
View Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 on BestBuy.com
Key Specifications
| Dimension | Unfolded: 159.2 x 129.2 x 6.9 mm Folded: 159.2 x 68 x 16.8 mm |
| Weight | 282 g (9.95 oz) |
| Display | 7.6 inches, Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz, HDR10+ 1768 x 2208 pixels (~373 ppi density) Cover display: 6.23” Super AMOLED, 816 x 2260 pixels, (25:9), Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Storage Options | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM internal storage, no memory card slot |
| Software | Android 10, One UI 2.5 |
| Rear Camera | Triple: 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76”, 1.8um, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; 12MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6”, 1.0um, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom; 12MP f/2.2, 123˚, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12um. LED flash, HDR, panorama. |
| Front Camera | Single: 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1.22um Cover camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1.22um. HDR |
| Battery | Non Removable Li-Po 4500 mAh, Fast Charging 25W, Fast Wireless Charging 11W, Reverse Wireless Charging 4.5W |
| Other features | Side mounted fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, ANT+, Bixby natural language commands and dictation, Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) |
Pros
- Cover Display is bigger than the original Fold.
- Improved split screen software.
- Improved durability.
- Solid performance.
Cons
- Hefty price tag.
- It’s quite a heavy phone.
- Limited internal storage & no micro SD card slot.
- Not water resistant.
Design and Layout
Weighing 282g, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is not as heavy as it appears to be. Its long narrow shape when folded ensures an easy grip. It is, however, rather thick when folded. When unfolded, the phone has a thickness of 6.9mm, a measurement that is similar to many other slim phones in the market.
Samsung has taken the effort to make great improvements to its screen folding tech. The smooth backbone allows you to prop up the phone when it is between 75 to 115 degrees. This means you can stop mid fold, akin to how you would use a laptop. This also means that you can take a mean selfie with the main camera without needing a tripod.
The gap between the two screens at which the phone folds are lined with tiny bristles that work to repel dust particles. While the hinge is not dust proof, it collects much less dust as compared to the original Fold.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 comes in Mystic Bronze and Mystic Black. You can match the matte colours with Mystic Black, Metallic Red, Metallic Blue, Metalling Silver or Metallic Gold for the hinge colour but only if you purchase the phone unlocked from Samsung.
Display
Compared to the Original Fold, the improvements in this phone are nothing short of amazing. The Cover Display is now 6.2 inch, way larger than the 4.6 in the original fold. As the phone’s size is almost the same, you will still be able to hold it easily in one hand.
When unfolded, the 7.6 inch screen is also larger than the 7.3 inch of the original Fold. The mini tablet screen is fantastic for games. You can even edit your spreadsheets, although it’s still easier to do so on a laptop.
The 120Hz adaptive screen refresh rate for the inside display means images are really sharp. You will definitely notice the fluidity of the display when you are watching movies or playing games. Additionally, as the refresh rate dials down for lesser tasks, you do not have to worry about it draining your battery.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 packs quite a big 4,500mAh battery, which is an upgrade from the original Fold’s 4,380 mAh capacity.
Here’s what you need about the battery: How long it lasts will depend on whether you use the 7.6 inch screen or the 6.2 inch cover display more often. The battery will also drain when the 120Hz screen refresh rate is activated. However, the device dials down the refresh rate for simple tasks automatically, which helps to conserve battery life.
The phone comes with a 25W charger in the box and its Super Fast Charging Tech will charge up your device very quickly. 11W fast wireless charging is also supported. Additionally, you can also use Power Share to charge another device that is Qi-compatible wirelessly.
Software and Performance
The Galaxy Z fold 2 is fitted with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 Plus, making it one of the fastest phones in 2020. You will be able to multitask without a hitch when using this phone. The 12GB of RAM enables numerous apps to be opened at the same time and the Samsung Dex mode enhances this interface. This Android Smartphone is cutting edge and you will be hard-pressed to find a phone with better performance.
The only disappointment here is the limited 256Gb internal storage. This can be quite a problem especially when there is no microSD card slot. This is quite a drawback with the high asking price of the device.
Samsung executes the split screen software with Flex Mode which helps to declutter the interface when multiple apps are being used simultaneously. The only problem with it is that Flex Mode is only compatible with a handful of apps. Nonetheless, Samsung seems to be paving the way for the split screen concept.
Besides this, there is also the Samsung App Continuity feature which allows you to customize which apps you want to stay open on the small screen when you fold the phone. This comes in handy when you want to hang up a call but need to continue using other apps. For example, you can continue using Google Maps on the small screen after you fold the phone to end a call.
Camera Performance
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a total of five cameras, all of which are able to capture excellent pictures. It does feel, however, that the Samsung Note 20 Ultra has way better cameras, especially when it has the 50x digital zoom.
Nonetheless, the cameras on this phone are easy to use and packed with friendly features that will help you to capture the best shots in almost all conditions.
Additionally, you can also take a picture without unfolding the phone. You will be able to see a live preview of the shot on the Cover Display when the picture is being captured on the 7.6 inch screen. If you like posing for photos, you will absolutely love the live preview on the Cover Display. This feature can also be found on the Huawei Mate Xs. Unfortunately, the Mate Xs is only available in certain countries.
The cameras on this phone are fun to use and do produce great pictures. However, do remember that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is way more costly when compared to Samsung’s less expensive phones, such as the Note 20 Ultra as mentioned above.
Competition
Microsoft, LG and Motorola have all come up with their own versions of foldable phones. The Microsoft Surface Duo is powered by a Snapdragon 855 and packs a 3600mAh battery. While it has an 8.1 inch screen, there is only one camera, and no wireless charging.
The LG V60 has a Snapdragon 865 octa-core chipset, 4 cameras and a massive 5000mAh battery. However, internal storage is only 128GB.
As for the Motorola, this phone manufacturer has morphed its iconic Razr flip phone into a foldable phone. Powered by a Snapdragon 765 chipset, this phone has 8GB of RAM and 256GB internal storage. However, battery capacity is only 2800mAh.
Bottom Line
This is the phone to buy if you want to own the most cutting-edge foldable phone. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is way ahead of other foldable phones on the market and is a smartphone that will give you a solid performance. It is also the phone for you if you love having a big screen to play games on.
However, if taking photos is your thing, then you might be better off with the Note 20 Ultra which not only has better cameras, but also way cheaper. And speaking of price, if you love this phone but its way out of your price range, then just hold on until the inevitable Fold 3 is released, hopefully with a lower price.
