Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold3 5G stands alone. The only big-screen folding phone in the US, it does things no other phone can do, letting you play games, read PDFs, and create content in unique ways. More than any other phone, it can be your only device for most of your day. As with the Galaxy Z Fold2, the only reason we're not giving the Galaxy Z Fold3 our Editors' Choice award is that it costs $1,799. Samsung has a great array of trade-ins and discounts for this phone, but a phone priced like a laptop just isn't going to be the mainstream choice.From Note to Fold The concept of big-screen folding phones was all the rage in 2019, but Samsung is the only maker in the US that continues to pull the trick off. Huawei is out of the picture here, ZTE tried once and shrugged, LG gave up on phones entirely, and Google and Apple's folding phones remain rumors. Motorola has the RAZR, but that fills a different niche (and one that Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip3 does better): a regular-sized phone that...

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G's giant screen gives it productivity powers no other phone can match.

Unique folding form factor; Enhanced durability and waterproofing; S Pen support

Very heavy; Very expensive; Cameras could be better

A folding phone should give you an immersive experience across all of your apps and videos, as well as help boost your productivity - the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G is designed to tick those boxes. While it's still not perfect, it finally feels like a phone that you could actually use day-to-day.

Tough, waterproof design, Fantastic battery life, S Pen support

Still expensive, Too big for your pocket, No power adaptor in the box

Although it's not massively different to its predecessor, Samsung continues to deliver the most complete foldable experience on the market. Any such device inevitably comes with its share of issues - here there's screen reflections, a central crease, and the under panel camera (UPC) isn't entirely...

Big screen makes for most impressive looking foldable on the market, Plenty of power and sturdy software experience, Battery life isn't too sad, S Pen stylus compatible

Largely similar to predecessor, Screen coating unavoidably reflective and ongoing 'crease' issue, Under panel camera (UPC) can be very noticeable, S Pen not included, Pricey

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the first foldable phone that we recommend to people who normally call themselves early adopters but held out on last year's Fold 2. These fence-sitters will be swayed by its S Pen support, greater durability and water-resistance in an otherwise familiar-looking...

S Pen support – finally, More durable design, Slightly cheaper than Fold 2

Still very expensive, Cameras could be better, No front screen S pen support

Too expensive to recommend to almost everyone we know, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is still good enough to convert many foldable sceptics

Surprisingly easy to handle, Tough hinge, Ultra-bright inner screen

Cameras are mid-tier Samsung performers, Still costs an absolute fortune

The Galaxy Note might be a no-show, but the revamped Z Fold 3 5G is more than worthy of taking its place

New durable design, Substantial UI improvements, Likeable (and unique) form factor

Still expensive, Inner screen feels quite delicate, Cameras aren’t anything special

Samsung launched two new phones, one foldable and one flip-phone, but delayed the launch of the Note 21 ‘phablet’ at its Unpacked event.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 looks like the best foldable phone yet, with a more durable design and S Pen support, and the multitasking features are even better. You need a case to store the stylus and the cameras are not upgraded, but overall the Galaxy Z Fold 3 looks very promising for power users.

More durable, water resistant design, Dual 120Hz displays, S Pen support, Improved multitasking features, More optimized foldable apps

Still pricey, Camera hardware not upgraded, No S Pen or charger included, Bulky when closed, Battery life could be better

Regular readers know I'm a fan of Samsung's foldable phones and have spent a few thousand dollars the past couple of years picking up the Galaxy Fold and then the Z Fold 2 , but in both cases, I went back to a standard smartphone after a couple of months.

An innovative engineering marvel, Armor Aluminum material for a lighter and sleeker phone, High IPX8 water resistant design, Extensive S Pen support, Software optimized for foldables

Still expensive, but $200 less than last year, S Pen is separate purchase, no silo, Battery life is just OK, Cameras not as good as other Samsung phones

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the best possible case Samsung can make for a phone that unfolds into a small tablet. It’s the fourth iteration of the same basic idea, refined and repaired over the course of years following an embarrassing false-start failure on the first attempt.

Water resistant, Vastly improved screen feel, Multitasking on Android much better

Terrible under-screen selfie camera, Heavy and awkward as a phone, Expensive