ReviewThe original Galaxy Fold was, let’s be honest, almost a prototype with a slick marketing campaign. Although technically interesting and well developed, the device still had too many disadvantages to be able to recommend it as a daily smartphone. Less than a year after the release of version 1, Samsung has ironed out a few folds for an improved version, which also features a renewed design, improved hardware and faster connectivity.
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Tech editors / Tweakers
30 sep. 2020
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 the first foldable that you do want to have? Yes and no. The design of the new Fold looks much more ‘finished’ than the original, in our opinion as luxurious and refined as a top model for this amount should be. Even more important are the technical improvements that come back all around.
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For example, the front screen is now a lot more usable and the inner screen no longer has an annoying ‘bite’. The hinge feels better, should be more resistant to dust and can be used in more ways. The Galaxy Z Fold2 may not focus so much on the camera and internal components as the ‘classic’ Galaxy S and Galaxy Note ranges, but despite the thickness limitations, Samsung still has all the functionality of the average high-end device, including fast connections, multiple camera lenses and wireless charging.
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Technical limitations
However, the Galaxy Z Fold2’s unique ‘form factor’ has fundamental technical limitations. According to Samsung, the folding screen may contain ‘Ultra Thin Glass’, the surface is still made of plastic and therefore stiff, less resistant to scratches and more sensitive to stains than a standard smartphone screen. You will therefore have to take good care of your Fold, because the device cannot withstand water either.
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The shape that Samsung has chosen for the device means that the smartphone remains quite thick when folded. In any case, you will not tell anyone that you bought a ‘normal’ phone. Besides these hardware limitations, the software of the Galaxy Z Fold2 is not always optimized for the screen.
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A telephone maker can devise all kinds of innovative features, ultimately the device runs the same apps as millions of other smartphones. This means that app makers will not always take foldable screens or tablet-sized devices into account, although we appreciate that Samsung has devised a number of fine software optimisations to make the use more pleasant.
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There are extensive options for dividing the screen and the transition between the different screens is seamless. In our opinion, the screen of the Galaxy Z Fold2 is still just too small for use with multiple apps at the same time.
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The Galaxy Z Fold2 therefore definitely remains a phone for the early adopter, if only because of the suggested retail price that goes beyond all limits. The concept still has potential, and despite its significant drawbacks, the Galaxy Z Fold2 is one of the more polished foldable phones you can buy right now. An Innovation Award is therefore in order.
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Conclusion
Less than a year after the release of the first Galaxy Fold, Samsung has ironed out some folds for an improved version, which also features a revamped design, improved hardware and accelerated connectivity. This Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G is therefore perhaps the first foldable that you do want to have, although the concept still has enough disadvantages. For example, the folding screen is provided with a plastic top layer that feels less fine and scratches faster. Due to the form factor that Samsung has chosen, the device remains quite thick when folded. Also, apps are often not yet ready for phones that transform into tablets, where the Galaxy Z Fold2 as a tablet is just a bit small for use with multiple apps. We do appreciate the fine software optimizations that Samsung has devised.
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+ Improved hinge with more functionality
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+ Design looks more ‘finished’ than original
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+ Good hardware and camera system
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– Plastic top layer folding screen feels stiffer, is less resistant to scratches and finger grease than glass
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– Software not optimally tailored to the capabilities of the device
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– Thick when folded, but also quite heavy
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