Samsung foldable phones might shed their fragility against dust and water in 2021

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Samsung is rumored to launch a bunch of new foldable smartphones later this year including the highly anticipated Galaxy Z Fold3, Galaxy Z Flip 5G successor, and an affordable ‘Galaxy Z Fold Lite’ as well. It goes without saying that Samsung has done an impressive job when it comes to the engineering behind its latest foldable phones, but there is still one area where they prove to be an expensive yet delicate investment – protection against dust and water.  Or in the lingo of smartphone spec nerds, the absence of an Ingress Protection (IPXX) rating. However, that might change with the next generation of Samsung’s foldable phones, as per a report from SamMobile.

“We hear whispers from people in the know that both new foldables – the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 2 will feature an IP rating. The exact rating is unknown at this point in time. It may not be similar to the IP68 rating of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, for example, but at least it represents a major improvement in the durability department.”

To recall, the pricey Galaxy Z Fold2 doesn’t come with an IP certification for protection against dust and water exposure. Instead, Samsung claims to use what it calls an ‘Anti-Erosion Waterproof Coating” on the device. The company hasn’t gone into details regarding how effective it is, but it is quite likely no match for the protection offered by an IP67-rated or IP68-rated device like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip2 might be IPXX-certified for dust and water resistance

Samsung’s foldables are powerful machines, and the form factor adds to their versatility. But one has to be extra careful while using them, especially when it comes to dust and water exposure. The hinge, in particular, is the region that allows dust particles to make their way inside the device and beneath the display. Remember the display fiasco that surrounded the first-gen Galaxy Fold, thanks in no part to an exposed hinge mechanism that caused particles to reach beneath the flexible panel and caused pixel damage?

If Samsung indeed managed to offer proper IP-certified dust and water resistance on its upcoming foldable phones, they might find more buyers who are otherwise dissuaded by the delicate nature of these expensive phones. Samsung has also reportedly been working to improve the Ultrathin Glass (UTG) technology to further enhance the durability of the screen on its next wave of foldable phones.

View Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 at Amazon

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 and Galaxy Z Flip successors will debut in Q3 2021: Report

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Earlier today, we came across a major report citing how badly the global semiconductor shortage and related component supply issues are hitting Samsung. The crunch ahead is so severe that Samsung is skipping the launch of a Galaxy Note series phone this year, and will only return to the series next year, or even later. However, plans for two new foldable devices are still intact.

As per a report by SamMobile, Samsung is planning to launch successors to the Galaxy Z Fold2 and Galaxy Z Flip at some point in Q3 2021. Tentatively called the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Flip2, the new Samsung foldable devices will bring upgraded internals to the table, however, exact details about the changes that are in the pipeline are not known yet.

Interestingly, the Galaxy Z Fold3 will somewhat try to fill the void left by a new Galaxy Note series phone this year by offering support for an S Pen. As per rumors, Samsung is at work modifying the inherent technology that will allow users to take full advantage of the Galaxy Z Fold3’s larger inner display by using an S Pen. And more importantly, the phone will have a dedicated slot to house the stylus, as per rumors. 

Notably, we got signs of the aforementioned happening earlier this year, when Samsung added stylus support to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, the camera-centric flagship doesn’t have an S Pen slot, and is currently using a stylus that misses out on the advanced S Pen features that we had access to with the Galaxy Note 20 duo. 

SamMobile further claims that a successor to the popular Galaxy S20 FE aka Fan Edition is coming in Q4 2021. Now, this one is hardly surprising. Samsung confirmed a while ago that it will launch Fan Edition versions of its Galaxy S flagships each year moving forward. Tentatively called the Galaxy S21 FE, we can expect it to feature a flagship SoC, offer 5G support, and pack powerful camera hardware as well as tricks inherited from the Galaxy S21 series. 

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 again rumored to arrive with an under-display camera

Samsung has big plans for foldable phones this year. Aside from launching successors to the existing Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series phones in 2021, the company is also expected to launch more affordable folding devices later this year. Galaxy Fold3 will be Samsung’s cream of the crop foldable, and it increasingly appears that it will indeed come with a relatively fresh technology – an under-screen camera. 

We first heard rumors about the Galaxy Z Fold3 rocking an under-display selfie camera last year. Now, a fairly reliable easter has added more fuel to the fire, claiming that the Galaxy Z Fold3 is still very likely to adopt UPC (Under Panel Camera). Needless to say,  it would allow Samsung to get rid of the distracting notch or punch-hole cutout on the upcoming phone’s inner foldable display. 

Now, if the rumor actually turns out to be true, the Galaxy Z Fold3 would truly stand tall in the smartphone world. Samsung won’t be the first to adopt this technology – that honor goes to ZTE for its Axon 20 flagship – but it would definitely give the company some serious bragging rights. However, there is still a fair bit of skepticism and uncertainty about an under-display selfie camera on Samsung’s upcoming foldable phone. 

That is primarily because the technology is not fully mature, at least from what we’ve seen on the ZTE device. It would be impressive if Samsung manages to polish and perfect it in time for the Galaxy Z Fold3, but the company will likely wait for a rewarding experience rather than offering a half-baked technology on a phone that costs a fortune.  

Rumors suggest that the Galaxy Z Fold3 will cost the same as its predecessor, which means we can assume an asking price of around $2000. Samsung is also reportedly tinkering with the base S Pen technology so that it the upcoming foldable phone offers stylus support as well. Interestingly, leaks also suggest that the device will feature a 120Hz display and that it will take some design cues from the Galaxy S21 series.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 foldable phones might arrive in July

In its earnings call for Q4 2020, Samsung mentioned that it will launch more foldable phones and will also strive to make them more accessible. Two of the most highly anticipated phones from Samsung this year are the successors to Galaxy Z Fold2 and Galaxy Z Flip 5G – tentatively being called Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip2. Rumors have already started to pile up regarding the two upcoming phones, and the latest one – which comes from a fairly reliable source – mentions that the two foldables might just be five months away from an official launch

Galaxy Z Fold3 might take some design inspirations from the Galaxy S21 series

As per a tweet by leakster Ice Universe, the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 might launch at some point in July. Samsung has so far launched its foldable phones at separate events, but it appears that the company now plans to introduce its foldable portfolio almost as a mid-year launch fest that sits squarely between the debut of Galaxy S and Galaxy Note flagships at their own Unpacked events. 

Starting with the Galaxy Z Fold3, a concept-based render suggests that the Galaxy Z Fold3 will blend the rear panel aesthetics of the Galaxy S21 series – especially the redesigned camera lens island – with a foldable twist to it. Other leaks suggest that the Galaxy Z Fold3 might cost the same as its predecessor, while another rumor points to a June debut. The phone is also said to come equipped with an under-display selfie camera as well. 

Galaxy Z Fold3 might come equipped with a mid-range SoC, instead of a flagship one

Coming to the Galaxy Z Flip3, it might not feature a flagship processor – unlike its predecessors – and might be sold as the more affordable foldable phone in Samsung’s portfolio. It is tipped to come equipped with a 120Hz display surrounded by slimmer bezels.

Multiple rumors and leaksters have also pointed towards an H1 2021 debut of the Galaxy Z Flip3, which falls in line with the latest leak. Concept-based renders suggest that Samsung’s next clamshell foldable phone might feature a design inspired by the Galaxy S21 lineup and will rock a larger – and hopefully more functional as well – cover display at the back.

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