The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip will be succeeded by a next-generation clamshell foldable, and there’s hope this Z Flip 3 will be a major upgrade.
When we reviewed Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip, we did so with plenty of excitement. That model has been subsequently updated with 5G and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus, though retains the same physical design – it’s just now faster. There are however, still shortcomings, like the small external display.
Will the Galaxy Z Flip 3 step things up? Here’s everything we know about it so far.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: Release date
- Galaxy Z Flip released in February 2020; Z Flip 5G in August 2020
- Z Flip 3 expected for 3 August event and 27 August release?
- Possible 11 August event
If Samsung maintained its regular release schedule, then a Galaxy Z Flip 3 would have arrived a year after the original, which would have been around February 2021. That of course didn’t happen.
Instead rumours suggest a folding device version of Galaxy Unpacked will reveal new Z Flip and Z Fold models on 3 August, replacing the company’s traditional Note event – a device that we don’t expect to see in 2021 at all, if ever again. There has also been talk of 11 August though.
It’s said the Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 will then be made available on 27 August. Nothing has been confirmed as yet however.
Design and cameras
- Dual cameras in a newly integrated design
- Expanded cover display
- Armor Frame?
Two EUIPO patents revealed two versions of an upcoming Samsung foldable phone with triple cameras, though it’s not explicitly stated that the patents are for the Galaxy Z Flip 3, but could suggest Samsung’s approach to the next-gen design. There is a third camera shown on the, which is likely a telephoto lens.
More recent leaked pictures of the purported Z Flip 3 – see image above, as pictured next to the Z Fold 3 – suggests the device will have dual cameras on its front. That’s much the same as the double 12-megapixel (main and ultra-wide lenses) on the existing model – except in the Flip 3 the design is much better integrated.
The other big reveal about this image is how the external display neighbouring those cameras is larger than in the previous models, perhaps allowing the next-generation Z Flip foldable phone to show users more useful information at a glance when closed.
This design was reiterated by further image renders and a video of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 from GizNext. The images show the device in various colour options, but the design is the same as what Blass presented previously.
Elsewhere, Samsung applied for a trademark on the term Armor Frame – and this is specific to its smartphones. It’s speculated that this might be to give additional strength to folding phones. It’s also been said that the Galaxy Z Flip 3 will have an IP rating for water- and dust-resistance – although it’s not known the level of protection it might get.
Hardware and specs
- 120Hz display
- 4G and 5G versions?
- 15W charging speeds
For many, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip will meet requirements in terms of battery, camera and power, providing something unique that looks great; but for the gamers, enthusiasts and power users, the Galaxy Z Flip is probably a compromise they might not want to make.
The 4G LTE-only original Galaxy Z Flip features a Snapdragon 855+ processor, a 6.7-inch primary display (with a resolution of 2636 x 1080 pixels), a 1.1-inch cover screen (with a resolution of 300 x 112 pixels), a 3300mAh battery capacity, dual 12MP rear-facing cameras, a single 10MP front camera, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage space with no microSD expansion.
The second-gen 5G version moves to Snapdragon 865 Plus, but retains the other specs. Any future model would therefore likely move to next-gen hardware, likely Snapdragon 888 for any premium model – although this may not be necessary for the clamshell model, so SD870 shouldn’t yet be ruled out.
With the Z Flip 3, we haven’t heard much in terms of core specs, however, a CCC listing revealed that we should expect 15W charging speeds similar to the current generation Z Flip 5G. A more recent FCC certification, however, reveals that it’ll be 9W wireless charging.
Currently, details are limited about how the foldable might be improved, though a 120Hz refresh rate has been mentioned.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: All the leaks and rumours
Here’s everything so far about the next-gen Galaxy Z Flip 3.
30 June 2021: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 could take place on 11 August
Renders published by GizNext feature the date – 11 August – on the display, suggesting this could be the date it is revealed and therefore the date of Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021.
30 June 2021: Renders of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 support previous leaks
GizNext published some renders and a video of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 in a number of colour options. The renders match the design previously leaked.
25 June 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3 pictures leak
Here’s a first look at the next-gen foldables.
24 June 2021: FCC certification reveals 5G and 9W wireless charging
Some limited details revealed in an FCC filing.
22 June 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 tipped for 3 August reveal
A report said Samsung is tipped to hold an Unpacked event on 3 August to reveal the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Fold 3.
15 June 2021: Leak points to new release date for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3
A report claimed the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 will be made available from 27 August 2021.
11 May 2021: Samsung eyeing an August Unpacked event to launch Fold 3, Flip 3 and Galaxy S21 FE
Industry sources claim Samsung is considering an August Unpacked event to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the Galaxy S21 FE.
7 May 2021: 15W charging speeds revealed by certification listing
China’s CCC (or 3C) has a certification listing that reveals the Z Flip 3 will have a 15W power adapter, just like its predecessor.
3 May 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 fully revealed in leaked images
Twitter user @TheGalox_ shared some promotional images on Twitter showing the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3. The Flip 3 appears to feature a two-tone design and come in dark green, light violet, beige, grey, black, pink, dark blue, and white. All are shown with a black section housing the secondary screen with two cameras on the side.
It appears the Z Flip 3 will have a larger cover display than the 1.1-inch secondary screen found on the original Z Flip.
19 April 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 to have an IP rating
Sources talking to SamMobile have revealed that the Z Flip 3 will have an IP rating.
18 April 2021: Samsung trademarks Armor Frame
Samsung has filed a trademark for Armor Frame, specifically for smartphones, and it’s speculated that this might be used for the Z Flip 3.
8 February 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 could launch in July
Leaker Ice Universe claimed the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 2/3 could launch in July – which would put the launch of the next foldable devices in the middle of the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note launches.
1 February 2021: Samsung Display developing rollable and slidable displays
Samsung Display is said to be looking at developing slidable and rollable displays in a bid to cement its leadership in the foldable displaymarket.
15 January 2021: Samsung is bringing S Pen support to other product categories
Samsung confirmed that extending the S Pen support to the Galaxy S21 Ultra isn’t a one-off: “We’ve made the bold decision to expand the S Pen experience to Galaxy S21 Ultra, and plan to expand the S Pen experience across additional device categories in the future.”
That sounds unequivocally like we can expect to see S Pen support more widely – perhaps in the Z devices?
29 December 2020: SM-F720F could be cheaper Z Flip 3 model
Details on a cheaper Z Flip 3 model continue to flow with a model number and some speculation on the naming.
16 December 2020: Z Flip 3 expected in two versions in 2021
Rumours suggest that there will be two versions of the Z Flip in 2021 – a premium device and a more affordable version. It’s expected to be called the Z Flip 3, skipping the Flip 2 name, which is informally applied to the 5G version of the original phone.
10 December 2020: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 might cost less
Rumours suggest that Samsung will be bringing the price of the next-gen folding phone down to move it into the mainstream.
26 November 2020: Next-gen Samsung Galaxy Z Flip could have 120Hz display, launch mid-2021
A report from The Elec claimed the next Galaxy Z Flip will arrive after Q1 2021, while leaker Ice Universe claims it will feature a 120Hz refresh rate display.
22 July 2020: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip updated with 5G and Snapdragon 865 Plus for blistering speed
Samsung announced a 5G version of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, but the overall design is the same as the original Z Flip. Some of the hardware might flow into the next-gen device, however.
20 July 2020: Apparently there will be a new Galaxy Z Flip at Samsung’s next launch after all
New information suggests that the new version of the Z Flip is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus.
5 May 2020: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2 pictured in renders with vertical cameras, external display
Two patents spotted on EUIPO by LetsGoDigital and then re-imagined in renders, reveal two possible versions of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2.
21 April 2020: Samsung might launch a 5G version of the Galaxy Z Flip foldable
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip foldable alongside the Galaxy S20 series earlier this year. It’s available in an LTE model – although a new report indicates Samsung might announce a 5G model of the Galaxy Flip in 2020.
