Why the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 Is the Best Folding Phone We've Tested
When the first-generation Galaxy Fold was announced in February 2019, it stood out because there was no other device like it. A smartphone with a flexible, folding OLED display was unheard of. Seeing the device instantly transform into a tablet when it’s opened up feels just as exciting as when Steve Jobs announced the iPhone back in 2007.
As cool and exciting as the Galaxy Fold seemed, its launch was a colossal disaster. After only 2 days of testing review units, several tech reviewers reported that their Galaxy Fold’s screens became damaged from normal, everyday use. Ultimately, Samsung delayed the Fold launch. But even after the fixes, the device still seemed unfinished, so we didn’t review or recommend it at BestProducts.
A year has passed and the device’s successor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, is here. The most noticeable upgrade is actually on the outside. The front display you interact with when the device is closed is now bigger and takes up the entirety of the phone.
Unsurprisingly, Samsung also says it has improved the device’s durability. The Fold2’s hinge is stronger, its screen is more reinforced, and it has safeguards put in place to better protect against dust and debris.
I’m here to help you decide if these changes are enough and to help determine whether or not the new and improved Galaxy Fold is worthy of your hard-earned dollars. After all, its asking price is $1,999.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G
samsung.com
$1999.99
Pre-Order Now
Key Specs
• 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Cover Screen display with a resolution of 2,208 by 1,768 pixels; 373 ppi and a 6.2-inch HD+ Super AMOLED folding display with a resolution of 2,260 by 816 pixels; 386 ppi, 120 Hz refresh rate.
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset
• 12 GB of RAM; 256 GB of storage
• Rear triple camera: 12 MP main camera, 12 MP wide angle, 12 MP telephoto camera
• Front and Cover Cameras: 10 MP selfie camera
• 4,500 mAh battery with fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Android 10, Bluetooth 5.0, 5G connectivity, Ultra-Wideband
• No headphone jack and no bundled earbuds
• Side fingerprint sensor, face recognition
I’ve been using the Galaxy Z Fold2 as my primary device for a little under a week and definitely see the appeal of owning a smartphone that doubles as a tablet, especially one small enough to fit in a pocket. Without an ounce of doubt, the Galaxy Z Fold2 is one of the most exciting devices I’ve tested this year. Here’s why it’s the best folding smartphone released yet, along with the reservations I have about the Z Fold2 and folding devices in general.
Its Outer and Inner Screens Are Immersive and Serve Distinct Purposes
The Z Fold2’s exterior display has grown to 6.2 inches, making it a lot more useful than its predecessor’s tiny 4.6-inch touchscreen. The interior display (the one you unfold) is also a tad bigger at 7.6 inches. Both have impressively thin bezels. The front screen is quite tall and narrow, which takes some getting used to. However, I actually had less trouble replying to a text one-handed with the Z Fold2 than I normally do with my iPhone. When the device is unfolded, you’ll have to use two hands, and will want to be stationary.
What’s special about the Galaxy Z Fold2 is how engaging the device can be without being too distracting. We’re all guilty of grabbing our smartphone with the intention to look something up, and next thing you know you get sucked in and start scrolling through an endless social media feed. Since the Z Fold2 has two different displays, you’ll interact with your phone in a whole new way.
The outer screen comes in handy for quick tasks like sending a text, looking up movie showtimes, or ordering dinner. When the device is unfolded, though, it lets you hone in on whatever you need to get done — whether it be cranking out a lengthy email, modifying an Excel spreadsheet, or editing photos. Samsung found that sweet spot of making something that’s engaging, but not addicting.
Its Flexible Hinge Is an Absolute Game-changer
The hinge looks similar to the first-generation Fold, but this time around it feels much more solid, plus Samsung lets you customize it with four unique colors, including metallic silver, red, blue, and gold. Not only that, its free-standing hinge means you can open the device between a 75- and 115-degree angle for hands-free use when watching videos or video chatting.
I loved being able to set my phone down and have a video call with my nieces without needing to hold the phone in my hand. Samsung calls this feature “Flex mode.” For now, Google Duo, YouTube, the Camera/Gallery app, Calendar, and Clock apps are supported.
The Device Is Perfect for Work and Play
If you’re a multitasker, you’ll definitely appreciate the Z Fold2. The device’s 7.6-inch display can be split into multiple panes for a stellar multitasking experience. You can arrange and resize up to three apps on the screen, or place two apps side by side.
I was able to have my email or Slack app visible alongside Google Chrome, and a text document while they all ran simultaneously. I appreciated that most apps didn’t just seem like supersized versions of smartphone apps. For instance, in the Gmail app, my unread messages were on the left side of the screen and the full body of the emails was on the right after I tapped to open them.
Typing on the large split-screen keyboard was tricky at first, but I adapted quickly. It also was very convenient that I could drag and drop charts, texts, and images from one Microsoft Office app to another.
Besides getting some work done, I absolutely loved using the Z Fold2 for entertainment. Its stereo speakers support surround sound with Dolby Atmos technology, which definitely came in handy for tuning in to Phoebe Bridgers’ livestreamed performance at Red Rocks.
I also enjoyed watching Netflix and playing PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile on the large display. The motion for gaming was fluid, plus graphics and video quality looked stunning on the high-resolution display. Even though there’s a slight crease in the middle of the screen where the screen folds, it didn't bother me. I learned to ignore it and it just kind of disappeared like the notch on my iPhone X did.
It’s Packed With Cutting-Edge Hardware and Cameras
The Galaxy Z Fold2 makes the first-generation Fold look extremely dated. The new and improved Fold has a much more immersive inner screen that boasts a speedier refresh rate (up to 120 Hz). Plus, its cover screen has significantly smaller bezels and a less obtrusive hole-punch-style camera in place of a notch.
The device, which runs Android 10, has a Snapdragon 865+ chip (the same as the new Note20 Ultra), up to 12 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage. It offers silky-smooth performance, supports 5G networks, and packs a 4,500 mAh battery. I was able to get two days of use without needing a recharge. When the battery runs dry, you can recharge it wirelessly or with the included 25-watt fast-charger. It also supports reverse wireless charging, meaning you can use its battery to recharge other smartphones or earbuds that recharge wirelessly.
Its rear triple-camera system packs three 12 MP shooters. There’s the main sensor, an ultra wide sensor, and a telephoto sensor. The hole-punch cameras found on the front cover and the right side of the foldable display have 10 MP. While the cameras are not as advanced and don’t zoom as much as the Galaxy Note20, you can take higher quality selfies with the rear cameras.
I think you’ll be more than impressed with the quality of its cameras; I know I was. As convenient as it is to use the large screens as viewfinders, it's still slightly strange taking pictures while the phone is unfolded. I felt like the obnoxious proud parent at a school play who takes photos with an iPad.
It Looks and Feels Luxurious
For the last decade, smartphones have mostly been rectangular glass slabs. Their overall design has been consistent, to say the least. The Galaxy Z Fold2 has a glass screen and it folds and unfolds to switch between a smartphone and a tablet. It’s an impressive feat in tech — not to mention it looks really cool and incredibly futuristic.
Not only does the Galaxy Z Fold2 stand out, it is likely a lot heavier and thicker than the phone you’re currently using. The phone is made of mostly metal and weighs about 10 ounces (the iPhone 8 weighs 5 ounces, and a can of soda is 12 ounces) and it’s a half-inch thick when it’s folded. When it’s unfolded, it’s about the same size as a Kindle. It does feel bulky and unwieldy in a pocket — a bit like carrying around a gold bar.
Cons to Consider
Unfortunately, the device does not have a proper IP rating for dust or water resistance. Meaning, if you get caught in a downpour like I did when I was out walking my dog the other day, you better make sure you can keep it dry. This phone definitely is not beach-friendly, either. If sand gets stuck behind the flexible display, it could break. This is a problem with all foldable phones. For now, they simply can’t withstand the elements as well as traditional smartphones can.
Fortunately, Samsung pre-installed two screen protectors to protect against scratches, and believe it or not, its hinge even has a built-in sweeper for repelling dust, dirt, and small particles.
I would have liked to have seen Samsung include a headphone jack and a microSD card slot for expanding storage, especially since Samsung doesn’t include any earbuds in the box or sell a variant with larger than 256 GB of storage space. In case you were wondering if the Z Fold2 supports or includes the S-Pen Stylus, commonly found in the Galaxy Note smartphones, it does not.
On the plus side, buying a Galaxy Z Fold2 includes premium perks like a membership to Founders Card and access to a prepared meal from a Michelin-starred restaurant, golf programs, and more, which you can learn about on Samsung's website. If you preorder, you can get the Galaxy Buds Live and Watch3 for an additional $250.
Wrap-Up
The Z Fold2 is a luxury good in the same vein as an expensive designer handbag, pair of shoes, a watch, or a luxury vehicle. It’s a status symbol that’ll set you apart from others. The device is made of premium materials and it offers users new, more advanced features that other products don’t have yet.
There’s a heck of a lot to love about the Galaxy Z Fold2. It’s a very functional phone with a small screen for quick and easy actions, and a large immersive screen that’s perfect for entertainment or cranking out some serious work. It delivers impressive battery life, top-tier cameras, and a unique design unlike any other phone I’ve tested.
As much as I would love to buy one of my own, $2,000 is an incredibly steep price for a smartphone even if you enlist in a payment plan or pay each month through your carrier. But, if you have money to burn or live a life of luxury, I think you’ll really enjoy the Galaxy Z Fold2. It’s a vast improvement over its predecessor, and feels like a phone from the future.
Read More:
See How the Galaxy Z Fold2 Compares Against the Galaxy Note20 Ultra
Android Smartphones We've Tested and Recommend
More Samsung Smartphones to Consider
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