So far, a lot of smartphone brands are following suit, and it will only be a matter of time before they actually launch their new versions. Brands like Huawei and OPPO have already started in their foldable forays, and Apple is heavily rumored to launch their own foldable iPhone. Samsung, indeed, innovated and paved the way to bring this new technology trend to reality and be more accessible to more people.
From fancy to fun-cy!
As a consumer, I am still fascinated with the benefits I can get from a foldable smartphone. I have detailed most of it in my previous articles, but if there’s one thing that really sums it up, the word that comes to mind is “FUN”. It’s so fun to have one, this feeling of fun-ness is not just because foldable smartphones look fancy (get it?), but they offer a tremendous amount of benefits to consumers.
A foldable smartphone is meant to complement your everyday carry. Whenever I go out for meetings, I would just normally bring my tech pouch where I put all my essentials. I usually carry a charger, cable, dongle and a smartphone. With the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, I do not actually need to bring an extra tablet for me to have a device that has a bigger display. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G is more than enough for this as I can conveniently switch the phone to tablet mode by flipping its outer display. This is fun.
I love having portable workstations. While ultrabooks and 11-inch tablets appeal to, it is cumbersome to carry this around especially when I’m out for either a formal meeting or a dinner date with my wife. As a digital creator (with work that follows me around during weekdays), having a mobile workstation is very important for me. The Galaxy Z Fold3 5G fills this need with its versatility. Its smaller counterpart, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G can also do this, albeit having a smaller display. This is also fun (also I would have preferred to not have work chasing me around even during holidays).
One of the things that I really want to try further is to express my creativity using the S Pen on the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. I tried it once when Samsung was kind enough to send a sample review unit, and my experience with it is amazing! I am currently dabbling into drawing figure heads, and I really wish to be able to do this more with the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and the new S Pen. I own an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and while it’s an amazing smartphone, there are just some things it cannot do just like what the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G can do.
Multitasking is definitely easier with a foldable smartphone because you’re using a device with bigger screen real estate. Trust me when I say that when you start using a Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, it will take a little effort to appreciate the multitasking features of other mobile operating systems. Switching from one app to another is seamless, and having up to 3 separate windows and two pop ups open on one big screen is a sight and experience to behold. If you are thinking of switching from an iPhone to Android, Samsung has this nifty feature called Smart Switch. This app will make it easier for you to transfer all your files, accounts, settings, contacts, photos and messages (including WhatsApp messages) to the brand new Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
High Maintenance?
Some people, however, have this notion that foldable smartphones require very high consumer maintenance. Some consumers are a little wary of moving parts and folding mechanisms of these types of phones. I was honestly worried about it too at first, but I have grown to appreciate the huge efforts of Samsung to improve the hinges of their foldable line. My Galaxy Z Fold2 5G was not perfect, but Samsung’s customer service was 100% reliable; and the new Galaxy Z Fold3 5G’s new hinges give me more peace of mind while using it.
Another thing that some people are averse to getting a foldable smartphone is price. When you buy an iPhone 13 Pro Max, its most affordable variant would cost you PhP70,990. Samsung’s most affordable smartphone that can match the specs and performance of Apple’s latest Pro Max smartphone is the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, which only costs PhP52,990. If you own an Android smartphone now, and you have been thinking about switching to an iPhone, it may be better and more economical to buy the Z Flip3 5G. You can also consider the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G as it offers benefits that you can get from an iPhone 13 Pro Max and an iPad Mini (or another Android smartphone + tablet) but at a more considerable price for as low as PHP 87,990.
You can also choose to pay it easily via credit card. You can buy the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G for as low as PhP2,207.92/mo and the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G for PhP3,666.25/mo – both at 0% interest for up to 24 months.
Time to Switch?
Having been an owner of foldable and non-foldable smartphones, I can definitely say that there’s so much fun to be had on the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G (and even the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G). Samsung’s total commitment to innovation and excellent service blossoms on these devices. If you happen to be a fan of innovations without compromising device reliability, you now know what to get this Christmas for you or for your significant other.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
