latest
Samsung resumes One UI 4 rollout for Galaxy S21, Flip3, and Fold3 after initial holdup
Android 12 is back on the menu
Unless you're rocking a Pixel phone or Samsung's latest flagships, major software updates don't come as quickly in the world of Android as many would like. Unfortunately, those early rollouts can sometimes include bugs. One UI 4 updates had to be halted recently after several issues arose, some of which even bricked some phones. It seems like Samsung has fixed the issues as the Android 12 rollout has now resumed for the S21 series, the Fold3, and the Flip3.
Read update
When I started reviewing smartphones, there was always something new happening. There were physical keyboards, tablet docks, sliders, flippers, and every hinge conformation you could imagine. Then, everyone settled on the flat glass slab, because let's face it, most of those ideas were terrible. You know what's not terrible? Foldables. I know, I was surprised, too.
Samsung's latest foldables are getting the September 2021 security patch internationally
The September patch is also available for a plethora of phones and tablets including the S21 series
Read update
Samsung is staying true to tradition this week as it releases the September 2021 security patch before any other company, in some cases before August had even finished. This update includes a new version of One UI for the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Flip 5G, bringing features from the new Z Flip3 to the older devices internationally.
As the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE nears, so do the leaks surrounding it. Google has now further hinted at the impending release of the Galaxy S21 Fan Edition by adding it to the list of devices that support Play Services for AR.
Samsung Music adds proper support for big, foldable screens
All ready for that totally affordable Fold3 you were planning to buy
Samsung Music is your default music app on Samsung phones, and as such software goes, it's pretty good — it comes with Spotify integration, plays various music files, sorts them by categories, and integrates with many Samsung smart devices. If all you want is play your offline music library, then it does the job, and does it well. The latest update to Samsung Music improves support for a specific form factor — one that should have been supported for a long time.
Energy Ring now supports the Galaxy Z Flip3, Z Fold3, and Google Pixel 5a
Cool battery indicators for everyone
With lots of smartphones in 2021 now shipping with hole-punch front cameras, the Energy Ring app has become one of the coolest tweaks you can add to your handset. In case you're not familiar with it, it's made by developer IJP, and it allows you to display your phone's current battery level as a ring around your camera, instead of putting that space to waste. Earlier this year, it was made into a universal app (previously, every supported phone got its own individual app) with support for multiple devices like the Galaxy S21 and the Google Pixel 5. Now the app is getting support for a handful of new devices.
Trading in for a Z Fold3 or Z Flip3? What you need to know — and how to get the most for your phones
Samsung's trades system is weird. Knowing how to use it could save you hundreds.
Samsung's newest folding phones may not be quite as expensive as prior generations, but they're still very spendy, with the Z Flip3 starting at ,000 and the Z Fold3 at ,800. The company's been known to offer remarkably fair trade values in recent years, though, and for these phones in particular, you can send Samsung a staggering four trade-in devices, potentially driving the cost way down. But things can get a little complicated. Here, we get into the nitty-gritty of what every phone is worth to Samsung, and how to get the best value for your trades.
Samsung is slowing down updates for the Galaxy Note9
Plus its latest foldables join the monthly patch list
Despite its wide array of devices, Samsung has some of the best software support you'll find on Android phones today. That's not to say phone development doesn't eventually slow down, of course. Three years after its initial launch, the Galaxy Note9 will no longer get monthly security patches, though it hasn't lost support just yet.
Watch JerryRigEverything beat up $1800 of folding phone in the Z Fold3 torture test
Surprise: it can take a punch!
While it's cheaper than previous generations, the dramatic Galaxy Z Fold3 is still the most expensive phone in Samsung's lineup, and among the most expensive phones on the market. That being the case, there's something extremely satisfying about watching someone destroy it with methodical precision. You know what this is leading up to: it's JerryRigEverything's YouTube breakdown of the Z Fold3.
Surprise: Samsung's first-party Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 cases are worth the extra dough
They're pretty nice, and they've got some extra features you might like — though they aren't super protective
Samsung's folding phones are proving to be more popular than you might expect. With sales growing and plenty of our readers seemingly snapping up the phones, some of you might be pondering what sort of case to get for your new $1,000-1,700 smartphone, and I'd recommend you give one of Samsung's first-party cases a try, for a few key reasons.
Some Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Watch4 pre-orders face delays due to high demand
Certain models won't ship until mid-September
Some will be lucky enough to have already received their pre-orders of Samsung's shiny new toys, including the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Watch4, but some will have to wait a little longer than expected. Reports suggest that Samsung isn't able to keep up with demand and is having to delay certain shipments of its latest products.
Samsung cripples the Galaxy Z Fold3 if you unlock the bootloader
Don't do it if you like having a phone that takes photos
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is an amazing smartphone that marks a lot of firsts for the company. You get an under-screen front-facing camera in the device's foldable 7.6-inch display, and a rear triple camera setup as well. And if you like having those cameras, you know, actually functioning, then you probably don't want to unlock your bootloader. Samsung is taking an odd measure to prevent people from modding its phones: if you unlock the Z Fold3's bootloader, the camera functionality will be completely crippled.
Foldable phones have arrived, and Samsung has the pre-order figures to prove it
Acknowledge the folding smartphone before it takes over the world
Samsung's big pitch for the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 appears to have landed a hit. The company has confirmed that it has logged the most global pre-orders for the new foldable phones ever, eclipsing sales of existing Galaxy Z models year-to-date. Unofficial numbers from South Korea may give us an idea of how big this stack actually is.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 vs. Z Flip3: Which is right for you?
Differences in cameras, storage, accessory support, and more. Here, we ask: hot dog or hamburger?
Samsung's newest folding devices, the Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip3, have been fully revealed (and we've even played with them). They're both intensely cool, but one costs way more than the other. So, aside from the basic shape, what's different between the two, and which is right for you? Let's discuss.
Fixing the screen on your Galaxy Z Fold3 or Z Flip3 will be incredibly expensive (unsurprisingly)
You better handle that thing with kid gloves, or maybe actual gloves
Folding smartphone displays are very difficult to produce — take a look at this teardown to see how complex these devices are — so it's understandable that the technology adds a premium to the price of Samsung's latest Galaxy phones. With that in mind, it's genuinely remarkable that the Z Flip3 costs less than $1,000. You will not want to break your screen, though, as that will be much more costly to repair than on a regular old slab phone.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold3 is exactly as impossible to repair as you'd expect
Teardown reveals a whole lot of stuff going on inside
The Galaxy Z Fold3 is Samsung's latest shot at making a foldable smartphone and depending on who you ask, it's the best one to date. Not only is it equipped with the speedy Snapdragon 888 CPU, but you also get tangible improvements over its predecessor, like S Pen support and an under-screen front camera in the folding 7.6-inch display. We're really liking it so far. But of course, all of this comes at a cost: Galaxy foldables consistently come off as really hard to repair, and the Z Fold3 will be no exception, if this teardown is anything to go by.
The new S Pen Fold Edition sort of works with older Samsung devices
S Pen Fold Edition? More like S Pen eraser
The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 was just announced, debuting as the first folding phone with stylus support for the brand-new S Pen Fold Edition. With this re-imagined S Pen, one of the questions I've been asked a lot is whether the Fold Edition will work on non-foldable devices. Well, it sort of does.
Weekend poll: Did you pre-order any of Samsung's newest gadgets?
Flips and Folds and Watches, oh my!
This week, Samsung finally held its long-awaited Galaxy Unpacked event, showing off its latest folding phones alongside new smartwatches and some fancy ANC-equipped earbuds. Despite plenty of leaks ruining the surprise, this fall's lineup looks to be one of its best yet, making it harder than ever to pick which device you're going to pre-order.
Phantom Green Galaxy Z Fold3 is back with more pre-order delays
Gotta act fast if you want that snazzy green folder
Read update
Demand for Samsung's new folding phones is understandably quite high, and it looks like in some cases that demand may be exceeding availability. Before Samsung's event had even ended, some versions of the Z Fold3 were already selling out at Samsung's site for pre-order. And while we've seen more stock appear to open up, rapidly changing availability suggests that you'd better act fast if you want to secure your order.
Samsung wants all your old hardware, raises trade-in limit to 4 devices for latest pre-orders
Considering what it's offering for some hardware, though, maybe think twice
Read update
Trading in your old phone can be a great way to cut down the cost of a new handset, and that's all the more important when we're shopping for expensive phones like the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series. With Samsung's latest models, it looks easier than ever to save a lot through trade-ins, thanks to the company letting you trade in up to four devices at once.