When we think of the best smartphone, and best large screen phone, it’s hard to ignore the gargantuan size of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2. It has a main screen and a larger screen folded away, which sets it up as the best phone for business. With power backing it, it aims to be one of the best 5G phones.
Why We Like It – Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
Like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is one of the first folding smartphones—and doesn’t just look pretty, its Snapdragon 865+ chipset shows it means business.
- Snapdragon 865+ chipset & 12GB of RAM
- 2-in-1 design
- 5G connectivity
- Z Premier is one funky service
- Expensive
Overall Performance
If you had to pick the Apple iPhone 11 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 for gaming, we’d lean towards the Fold 2. The Snapdragon 865+ chipset is one of the best for gaming these days. Fortnite, Call of Duty Mobile, even PUBG Mobile run beautifully and smoothly on higher settings. Weirdly enough, the cameras are a downgrade from “inferior” models, like the Note 20. None of its three rear cameras are 108-megapixels, no Space Zoom, or even 5x optical zoom.
Battery Life
It’s no surprise the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 wouldn’t have a bombastic battery life, but it does pretty well despite its hardware. On a single charge, you can expect up to 10 hours; about 9 or so hours if you increase refresh rate to 120Hz. It also has fast and wireless charging. With all the extra features that it packs, you cannot expect it to last like the Nokia 3310 TA-1036 whose standby mode lasts up to 31 days.
Display
Like the Flip, the Fold 2 Galaxy folds to hide a second larger screen. The cover display measures 6.2-inches; unfold it to reveal a 7.6-inch screen. Either can act as your main display, considering Flex Mode can send anything you were doing on the cover display, straight to the inner display. There’s also split screen options for doing multiple tasks at once.
Durability
An aluminum frame to start, and Gorilla Glass around the panels, then a .0012-inch thick ultra-thin glass with a plastic inner screen protector, as opposed to a simple plastic screen. What’s strange is its lack of water resistance, unlike the IP68 rating for the Apple iPhone 11 Pro.
Value
Want one? It’ll set you back $2000. Samsung inflates its value via Z Premier, a one-way ticket to support for your Fold 2, including business opportunities, a meal from a Michelin restaurant, and ClubCorp. Unless you’re flushed with cash, it’s likely lost on you. If you already have a tablet and want the Fold 2’s performance, get a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Wrap Up
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is an impressive device, with top shelf performance and a head-turning design. It paves the way to the future with 5G connectivity, and a fantastic chipset to back its power up. It isn’t for everyone though, witnessed by its price and strange Z Premier service.
