Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 Both Support 'Waterproof' Feature... Camera Performance Below Expectations?

[Asia Economy Reporter Joeslgina] Samsung Electronics has once again confirmed that the 'Galaxy Z Fold3' and 'Galaxy Z Flip3,' which will be unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on the 11th of next month, will support waterproof functionality as initially reported. The Galaxy Z Fold3 will also feature the first-ever under-display camera (UDC) hidden beneath the display. However, there are evaluations that the camera specifications may fall short of expectations, as the selfie camera is limited to 4 million pixels.

IT specialized media outlets PhoneArena and SamMobile reported this on the 26th (local time), citing IT tipster Evan Blass. On that day, Evan Blass mentioned additional specifications such as the camera and display of the new foldable phones on his Twitter, stating that both the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 have an IPX8 rating. The IP rating indicates the level of waterproof and dustproof protection. Among these, the waterproof rating consists of a total of 9 levels, from 0 to 8. This information is consistent with what another IT tipster, Max Weinbach, recently revealed.

This is the first time waterproof functionality has been applied to foldable smartphones. However, major foreign media have expressed some disappointment regarding the dustproof function, which shows how well the device can be protected from various foreign substances, considering the characteristics of foldable phones with hinges. SamMobile stated, "The Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 support waterproof functionality. It is very impressive to support waterproofing on foldable products in such a short time," but also added, "The dustproof function is still lacking. It will take Samsung another 1 to 2 years before they can do something about it."

On the same day, Evan Blass also revealed some additional specifications of the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. Most of these simply reconfirm previously known information. According to the disclosed details, the display size of the Galaxy Z Fold3 is 7.6 inches internally and 6.2 inches externally, the same as its predecessor. The S Pen options include two types: the Fold Edition and the existing S Pen Pro. The Galaxy Z Fold3 is expected to be the first foldable smartphone to support the S Pen.

Additionally, the cameras have been confirmed as a 12-megapixel main, ultra-wide, and telephoto setup; a 10-megapixel selfie camera on the cover display; and a 4-megapixel selfie camera on the main display. The 4-megapixel selfie camera on the main screen is the UDC hidden beneath the internal display, which is far below the specifications initially anticipated by the market. PhoneArena described it as an "astonishingly low resolution" and evaluated that "Samsung seems to have prioritized other features over camera upgrades."

Meanwhile, the clamshell-shaped Galaxy Z Flip3 features a 6.7-inch main display and a 1.9-inch cover display. It is expected to be equipped with a 12-megapixel dual camera and a 10-megapixel selfie camera.

The Galaxy Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 will officially debut at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event on the 11th of next month. In addition to the new foldable phones, the smartwatch ‘Galaxy Watch4’ series and wireless earphones ‘Galaxy Buds2’ are also expected to be unveiled.