Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: which is the ultimate Samsung phone?

Samsung Milky way Z Fold 3 vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: which is the ultimate Samsung phone?

(Paradigm credit: Tom'southward Guide)

EDIT: Today's the day of Samsung's Milky way Unpacked result, where nosotros look the Milky way Z Fold 3 to exist announced. Take a wait at our Milky way Unpacked liveblog , or check the guide on to how to sentry the event .

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra took its place as Samsung's ultimate phone this spring, delivering the best features that the electronics giant includes in its handsets. But the S21 Ultra now has a new rival in the form of the Galaxy Z Fold three.

Normally the primary rival within Samsung to the latest Galaxy Due south telephone would be the latest Galaxy Note. Even so with the Galaxy Annotation 21 non coming this year, and Samsung's latest foldable taking some of its defining features, the S21 Ultra's got a new source of competition.

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Besides cribbing from the Note series, many of the high-profile features constitute in the Galaxy S21 Ultra — a powerful processor, a screen with a refresh rate that adjusts dynamically, fifty-fifty S Pen back up — have institute their way to the Milky way Z Fold 3.

This Samsung Milky way Z Fold 3 vs. Milky way S21 Ultra round-up looks at the similarities between the two flagship devices likewise as how Samsung has differentiated two of its more feature-packed offerings.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Specs

	Galaxy Z Fold 3	Galaxy S21 Ultra
Screen size	6.23-inch cover, 7.6-inch interior	6.8 inches
Refresh charge per unit	120HZ (both displays)	10-120Hz
CPU	Snapdragon 888	Snapdragon 888
RAM	12GB, 16GB	12GB, 16GB
Storage	256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Rear cameras	12MP master, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (2x zoom)	108MP master, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (3x zoom), 10MP telephoto (10x zoom)
Front end cameras	10MP (cover) 4MP (interior, under-display)	40MP
Battery size	4,400 mAh	v,000 mAh
S Pen support	Yes	Yes

Samsung Milky way Z Fold iii vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Price and availability

You pay $1,200 for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which is considerably expensive for a phone. However at $1,800, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is an even larger investment, even if information technology does price slightly less than the Milky way Z Fold 2 did at launch.

The S21 Ultra has been available to buy since January. The Z Fold 3 is available for pre-orders currently, but doesn't go on open auction until August 27.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold iii vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Blueprint and brandish

Information technology's clear the two phones are related, but the S21 Ultra and Z Fold 3 take on very different shapes. The S21 Ultra is a big half dozen.viii-inch phablet phone, much like any other modern smartphone. The Z Fold three is a book-style foldable, and features a "Flex Mode" hinge allowing you to open it at whatsoever angle, including to stand the phone upwards to watch movies or brand video calls.

In terms of displays, the S21 Ultra offers ane, 6.8-inch panel. The Z Fold 3 features a regular-sized 6.2 inch display on the forepart, and a larger 7.six-inch interior display when open up. All these are OLED screens with variable refresh rates up to a maximum of 120Hz.

The S21 Ultra is the tougher phone though. Information technology features Gorilla Glass Victus to protect the display and an IP68 dust/water resistance rating to forbid harm to the interior components. The Z Fold 3 uses the same Victus glass on its outside display, but the within is a much more delicate plastic/glass laminate that will scratch easily if non taken care of. The foldable is rated IPX8 for water resistance, but Samsung isn't making promises most the intrusion of grit into the phone's mechanisms.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Cameras

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the all-time photographic camera phones and should remain Samsung'south camera king fifty-fifty after the Galaxy Z Fold 3'south release.

These two phones take an identical quantity of cameras, but for quite dissimilar purposes. On its back, the Galaxy S21 Ultra uses a 108MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera and two 10MP telephoto cameras, one tuned for 3x optical zoom and the other for 10x optical zoom. The Z Fold three'southward rear cameras stake in comparison, which consist of three 12MP principal, ultrawide and 2x optical telephoto cameras.

For front-facing cameras, there's just one on the S21 Ultra, a 40MP selfie camera located in a central dial-hole on the display. At that place are 2 selfie cameras on the Z Fold 3 all the same. The get-go, on the forepart display in a punch-pigsty notch, is 10MP in resolution. The second is hidden beneath the interior display, and is simply 4MP. It means there'south nothing to spoil your view when watching content on the larger screen, merely could mean y'all become notably worse quality photos equally a result.

Samsung Milky way Z Fold three vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Operation

The two phones are neck and neck for default specs. The S21 Ultra and Z Fold iii both use Snapdragon 888 chipsets, combined with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.

If you desire to spec something unlike, the only alternating option for the Z Fold 3 is to increase the storage to 512GB. The S21 Ultra however has a cheaper 12GB/128GB option, and a more than expensive 512GB storage version that likewise ups the RAM to 16GB.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Battery life and charging

The S21 Ultra wins for battery capacity. It can store upward to 5,000 mAh in its cell, whereas the Z Fold 3 simply manages 4,400 mAh total beyond its dual bombardment organization. Both phones offer identical charging specs however. That includes 25W wired charging, 10W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.

Samsung galaxy z fold 3 vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra review — Galaxy S21 Ultra (Image credit: Future)

Samsung Milky way Z Fold three vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Software and S Pen

Both phones come with Android 11 running via Samsung'south One UI, although the Z Fold three'southward version is notably different to accommodate its extra displays. This includes the ability to open up multiple apps at in one case, to use a static taskbar like a Windows or Mac computer, or to open up certain apps over the total interior display to access extra functionality.

Both phones support their own S Pen stylus, although yous take to buy them separately and they'll merely attach to the telephone if you buy compatible cases. The Z Fold 3 really has two S Pens to pick from - the basic S Pen Fold Edition or the Bluetooth-enhanced Southward Pen Pro.

Samsung Milky way Z Fold iii vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Outlook

These two Samsung flagships are two quite unlike means of spending your money. The S21 Ultra gives you lot the well-nigh refined experience, and the well-nigh performance and photography power, but is still a normal phone for most of the fourth dimension you're using information technology. The Z Fold iii is far more versatile with its dual displays and swivel system, although yous're paying another $600 to go it.

Most users will be quite happy with the S21 Ultra. Notwithstanding it seems like, pending a full review, the Z Fold three will be a truly special feel for any user who decides to splash out on it.

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Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom's Guide. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics and old movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.