When Samsung Electronics revealed its first prototype of a flexible display back in 2011, few people realized they were witnessing a glimpse into the mobile industry’s future. Now, a decade later, Samsung has shipped 4 times more foldable devices in 2021 than in 2020, exceeding the three-fold market growth that analysts expected.¹

Consumer enthusiasm for Samsung foldables is exemplified by the success of the Galaxy Z series. In the first month since launch, the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 exceeded total accumulative sales of Samsung foldable devices in 2020.

With foldable smartphone shipments predicted to grow tenfold by 2023,² let’s take a look at the key moments, top innovations and important partnerships that have helped make foldable devices the next big thing.

Bringing Foldables to Consumers Around the World

Samsung may have first introduced the concept of foldable displays in 2011, but it would take over a decade to bring foldable devices to consumers around the world.

The next major milestone came in 2019, when Samsung finally brought its foldable vision to reality with the Galaxy Fold, its first foldable device. Soon after that came the Galaxy Z Flip. A sleek clamshell design – a throwback to flip phones of yore – made the Galaxy Z Flip an instant icon.

After a decade of progress and three generations of innovation, the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 brought enhanced durability and an improved user experience to foldables. Not only have they set a new standard in the industry, but they rekindled consumer interest in smartphones in general.

Innovations Behind the Technology

From creating new materials and methods to overcoming mechanical challenges, creating the foldable category required Samsung to reimagine the smartphone from the inside out.

From the onset, Samsung engineers understood that the key to creating a new category would be inventing a range of new technologies to ensure the devices would meet the expectations of global consumers.

The Infinity Flex Display and Samsung UTG, for example, enabled the world’s first folding glass display. While its screen may be a continuous piece of glass, a foldable’s body features two distinct components. This unique structure meant that in order to maintain a design slim enough for daily use, engineers would have to completely rethink the placement of internal components. That challenge included designing a new internal cooling system as well as a dual-battery system with technology that optimizes multiple power sources as one.

To ensure that the devices would be capable of withstanding hundreds of thousands of folds, a Hideaway Hinge mechanism was designed with Sweeper technology to help keep out dust and dirt particles. The hinge also added a new layer of functionality to Samsung foldables, allowing them to stand on their own, which makes them perfect for watching content, making video calls, or taking hands-free selfies.

Samsung’s dedication to creating new foldable innovations enabled it to achieve yet another major milestone in 2021 with the release of the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 – the first foldables to receive an IPX8 water resistance rating.

But the features that set Samsung foldables apart aren’t all hidden beneath the surface. With App Continuity – a responsive UI that delivers seamless transitions between folded and unfolded modes – and features like Multi-Active Window and Flex mode, Samsung foldables have unlocked new ways for us to work, play and express ourselves.

Driving Consumer Demand for Foldable Devices

This unprecedented push in innovation has sparked a surging demand for foldable devices, bringing more users to the Galaxy family than ever before. Compared to the Galaxy Note20, Samsung has seen a 150 percent³ increase in consumers who switched smartphone brands for the Galaxy Z Flip3, and a 140 percent increase compared to the Galaxy S21.

A simple explanation for this massive increase is that both Galaxy Z series devices offer distinct features that appeal to specific customer groups in ways that no other smartphones have before.

A buyer survey conducted by Samsung revealed that a stylish design, portability and an innovative folding form factor were the top drivers behind purchases of the Galaxy Z Flip3. The ability to use the cover screen without opening the device was another important factor for those who value privacy, as well as those who want to regulate their screen time to manage their mental health. Buyers of the Galaxy Z Fold3, meanwhile, reported being drawn to its large screen for viewing content, multitasking capabilities and productivity features, including the S Pen.⁴ At the end of the day, it’s clear that both devices are giving consumers more incentive than ever to switch to a foldable, even if it means changing brands or operating systems.

Pioneering the Foldable Future

As more consumers become aware of foldables’ incredible potential, interest in the category will continue to grow. With a variety of innovations set to make their way to consumers in the coming years, Samsung will continue to lead the foldable category with even more pioneering technology.

To achieve this goal, Samsung is heavily investing in R&D while openly collaborating with app developers and industry partners such as Google.

For years, Samsung and Google have been collaborating to make the foldable experience scalable by providing Android developers with the necessary framework and resources. In 2021, the companies announced guidelines for creating apps for large-screen and foldable devices, building on Google’s work to optimize its most popular apps – such as Gmail, YouTube, Duo and Maps – for foldable form factors. Going forward, Samsung will continue to work with partners and developers to develop technologies that will steer the future of the mobile industry.

In establishing an entirely new mobile category a decade ago, Samsung raised the bar for mobile innovation. As it looks toward the next decade and beyond, the company will continue to reinvent the mobile experience to change what’s possible as they unfold.

¹ According to figures from Counterpoint Research

² According to figures from Counterpoint Research

³ Samsung Big Data Center

⁴ Only Galaxy Z Fold3 main display has S Pen capability. Compatible only with the S Pen Fold Edition or S Pen Pro, sold separately.

▲ This beautiful Korean landscape known as the Awesome Savanna, one of the locations featured in the BTS music video ‘Spring Day’, was scouted by location manager Taeyoung Kim

An essential element to bringing a movie or TV show’s characters and narrative to life is the background that is shown behind them. When the location of the characters’ life and events are vivid, an audience is automatically more naturally drawn into the story. In essence, the perfect space can serve as a canvas on which a narrative is painted.

Taeyoung Kim is the first Korean location manager, who over the past 20 years has scouted many beautiful spaces for all kinds of classic productions. In his journeys to find the perfect spots, Kim’s Galaxy Z Fold3 has become his trusted partner, so Samsung Newsroom tagged along on Kim’s latest road trip to discover some new shoot locations with the help of Galaxy Z Fold3.

The Secret Formula to Scouting the Perfect Scene for a Shot

“All spaces have stories:” this is Taeyoung Kim’s philosophy. Kim understands that, wherever a place may be, it is drenched with the traces of the people who have been there over the ages. Kim’s job as a location manager is to discover the story that a space holds and then bring new value to that space. In order to find those special spaces capable of bringing a scene to life, he has traveled more than 800,000km – the equivalent of 20 journeys around the Earth – and accumulated more than 3 million photos for location scouting purposes.

As soon as Kim receives a scenario, he pictures the scenery he wishes to find in his head. After running through tens of thousands of different combinations in his mind, he begins to search for the right places. In the past, he would carry 7 to 8 atlases around with him at all times – to the point where they became torn and worn out. Then, he would have to take photos of each space using a heavy camera and subsequently have to get those photos printed for meetings. Luckily, with his introduction to Galaxy smartphones and Galaxy Z Fold3, these inconveniences are now a thing of the past.

Not only has Kim been able to switch out his heavy-duty camera for a high-resolution camera, but he has also been able to conveniently note, record and share potential locations using navigation, GPS and real-time location sharing on his Galaxy Z Fold3. Kim has been using Galaxy smartphones since the release of the Galaxy Note3, and these days harnesses the Galaxy Z Fold3 for his work. “With my Galaxy smartphones, I have been able to significantly cut down the time and cost it takes to discover a location,” said Kim. “I am now able to solely focus on the space and the scenario I am looking for by simply holding up my smartphone in one hand instead of having to carry around heavy equipment such as a camera and a tripod.”

Galaxy Z Fold3, the Perfect Partner for Taeyoung Kim’s Scouting Journeys

A location scouting trip is all about discovering the optimal place to match the scenario formed already in Kim’s head. To ensure a successful trip, Kim has a selection of essential items that he always keeps with him in his bag. The latest addition to this list of items is his Galaxy Z Fold3, which has replaced his previous duo of a Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S7. In addition to his smartphone, Kim carries with him his Galaxy Book Flex Alpha, an external hard drive, a scenario book, a drone device, snacks for the trip and a distance measuring device.

Packing and transporting his equipment when heading out on scouting missions has become much simpler for Kim since he acquired his Galaxy Z Fold3. Thanks to the Galaxy Z Fold3, Kim is able to take photos of a location and examine them at a wide angle in a single frame using the device’s large screen, a functionality he previously enjoyed when using the ultra-wide lens of his Galaxy S21 Ultra. In addition, when it comes to exploring more precarious places, such as valleys or cliffs, with Galaxy Z Fold3, all Kim needs to do is hold up his smartphone. “Thanks to the small and lightweight nature of the device, as well as its high-performing camera, I can record the places I have visited without ever having to worry about missing a spot,” noted Kim. “The whole process has been made so much more convenient with the Galaxy Z Fold3.”

Furthermore, as Kim is reviewing an image on the expansive screen of his Galaxy Z Fold3, he is also able to make notes of any relevant information – such as location details, hazardous factors, usable space, dimensions and more – with his S Pen on the spot. This ability to take notes immediately on his smartphone has enabled Kim to capture any inspiration that comes to him when viewing a location as it happens. “Applying cinematic elements to a photo I have taken of a potential location requires some explanation,” explained Kim. “Being able to include figures or other images in these pictures makes it much easier for people to understand my train of thought; my Galaxy Z Fold3 and S Pen have come in extremely useful when it comes to sharing my location scouting images with cinematographers, art directors and producers.”

Once Kim has finished his ideation process and is ready to scout out a location, all that’s left is to embark on is the journey itself. With the Galaxy Z Fold3, all this means doing is entering the location into the navigation system – and off he goes.

In order to learn more about Kim’s location scouting process, optimized by the Galaxy Z Fold3, take a look at the ‘Voices of Galaxy’ video below.

Samsung’s high-tech, innovative tests include environmental chamber, water resistance, S Pen usability and folding test. Environmental chamber tests ensure that features, such as video playback, and components, like cameras work properly in a variety of climates — from dry to humid, and hot to cold. Water resistance tests establish the high quality of the very first water-resistant foldable smartphone by even testing in different folding positions, including Flex mode. With S Pen drawing tests, Samsung ensures the performance of the digitizer underneath the foldable display including where it folds. And to ensure that the new foldables live up to their namesake, the Galaxy Z series devices undergo rigorous folding tests to outlast 200,000¹ folds — or around five years of use if folded and unfolded 100 times a day. The enhanced folding tests reflect actual user patterns in real-world scenarios such as folding and unfolding using both hands.

Take a look at the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the testing procedures Samsung uses to ensure that the latest Galaxy Z series devices meet the highest standards possible.

Check out the slides below to learn more.

Featuring a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display, Galaxy Z Fold3 5G offers rich and immersive viewing and gaming experiences you can enjoy no matter where you are. Equipped with versatile multitasking features, the device empowers you to get more done on the go. And with improved durability, Galaxy Z Fold3 5G gives you peace of mind throughout the day.

Check out the card news below to learn more.

With its immersive screen, S Pen, reassuring durability and productivity-enhancing features, who wouldn’t be eager to give the Galaxy Z Fold3 a try? Hesitation on the part of users who haven’t used foldables before is understandable though, given the device’s range of cutting-edge features.

For those users who are unsure of how to get the best out of foldable devices, Samsung Newsroom has taken an up-close look at the device and how best to use it. Check out the user guide below to learn more about what it is like to use the Galaxy Z Fold3, including the device’s comfortable grip, innovative features and newly added S Pen, which is being included with a foldable phone for the first time ever.

Question 1] Will users with smaller hands be able to use the Galaxy Z Fold3 comfortably?

The Galaxy Z Fold3 is lighter, thinner and narrower than its predecessor, giving it a more comfortable grip and better portability. The phone’s horizontal width when folded is 67.1mm, which is a 0.9mm reduction on its predecessor. This means the phone provides a comfortable, snug grip even for those with smaller hands.

The fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy Z Fold3 is also mounted at the point where the thumb touches the device, which allows for more convenient use of the device’s large cover screen. This means users no longer have to place their fingers on the screen to unlock the phone. The top, bottom and sides of the phone were also designed with bold, clean lines to provide smoother usability.

Question 2] How durable is the Galaxy Z Fold3 in practice?

With its significantly enhanced water resistance, users can use the Galaxy Z Fold3 with confidence regardless of where they are or what the weather is like. The phone has a water resistance rating of IPX8,¹ which means it can withstand submergence in fresh water that is up to 1.5m deep for up to 30 minutes. This means you can relax when using the Galaxy Z Fold3 to check your map app for directions while you’re out a drizzly day, or when you’re looking up recipes with wet hands.

And the Galaxy Z Fold3’s unwavering durability gives you further peace of mind. The new protective films on the phone’s main displays, for instance, increase screen durability by 80 percent compared to its predecessor. The device also includes ‘Armor Aluminum’ and enhanced ‘Corning^® Gorilla^® Glass Victus’, which are some of the strongest materials ever used in smartphones.

With this new resilience, you no longer need to worry much about your phone getting scratched when you put it into a small bag with other items. Likewise, you can feel confident keeping your phone in your pocket with other items so that you have it on hand right away when you want to make calls or take photos.

Question 3] Is the large Main Screen really useful for viewing things?

The Galaxy Z Fold3’s large, 7.6-inch Main Screen really shines when it comes to watching videos, with the phone utilizing an Under Display Camera (UDC) to deliver a notch-less, immersive viewing experience. UDC is achieved by including light absorbing pixels in the camera area to increase light transmittance and manage the distance between pixels. What’s more, thanks to the phone’s screen being about 29 percent brighter than that of its predecessor, it can be seen clearly outdoors and in bright sunlight without the need to shade or cover the screen.

In addition, the Galaxy Z Fold3 has a refresh rate of 120㎐ for both its Main and Cover screens, leading to a smooth experience when scrolling or playing media. When in places where it is more convenient to use the phone’s Cover Screen, like on congested public transport, this allows users to comfortably view news articles and other media while enjoying smooth, uninterrupted transitions.

Question 4] How does one best use the Galaxy Z Fold3’s various productivity-enhancing features?

With ‘Multi-Active Window’ splitscreen capabilities, Galaxy Foldables have long been helping users enhance their productivity. This feature allows users to do things like check their schedules while reading e-mails and navigate to the location of a meetup while talking to friends on messenger, among other things.

Now, the Galaxy Z Fold3 has added the ‘Task Bar’ feature to help users move quickly and conveniently between apps. Not only does this allow users to launch the app that they use most often without navigating to the home screen, but it also enables them to open their most-used combination of apps all at once.

‘Flex mode Panel’, which users can use after partially folding the Galaxy Z Fold3, is another new feature. Navigate to the Labs menu (Settings → Advanced Features), and then select the ‘Flex mode Panel’ option to turn this mode on. From there, when users launch an app that is compatible with the Flex mode Panel feature, a panel will automatically appear through which they can capture, and adjust brightness and volume. This feature removes the need to open the phone fully to adjust these settings, and is especially useful for when the volume suddenly increases, when users want to capture their screens, or when their screen brightness suddenly dims.

Question 5] Which camera features are exclusive to the Galaxy Z Fold3?

Now it’s time to use the Galaxy Z Fold3’s camera to take epic pictures. ‘Capture View’ on the Galaxy Z Fold3 allows users to view, delete, and share the pictures they have just taken without going into the Gallery app.

After launching the camera, click the capture view icon in the upper-left of the screen. If users take pictures while the icon is illuminated, they will be able to check the pictures they just took on the left half of the screen. Pressing and holding on a picture allows them to conveniently delete or share images, which comes in handy for both getting rid of the poor shots and sharing the good ones with friends. In addition, this is of great help when trying to capture the perfect picture of fast-moving subjects, such as children, pets or people playing sports.

Question 6] What are some benefits of combining the S Pen with the larger screen?

The Galaxy Z Fold3 is the first foldable phone to support the S Pen. Users can use the S Pen to draw or take notes by hand, thus further enhancing their productivity.

To take notes while watching online lectures or videos in Flex mode, simply launch Samsung Notes by double tapping the lower half of the screen while holding down the button on the side of the S Pen.

Characters that are difficult to type on a keyboard, such as Chinese and Japanese characters, are also easy to enter with the S Pen. What’s more, if users press the text conversion button before they start writing, their handwritten notes will automatically be converted into typed text. Two types of S Pen are set to be released: the ‘S Pen Fold Edition’, which can be used exclusively on the Galaxy Z Fold3, and the ‘S Pen Pro’, which has built-in Bluetooth and can be used with certain tablets.²

And the cutting-edge features and usability don’t stop there. In order to provide the best possible folding smartphone experience, Samsung Electronics is constantly working with a range of partners to develop apps that are optimized for the large screen of the Galaxy Z Fold3, such as ‘Microsoft Teams’, ‘Microsoft Office’ and ‘Google Duo’.

Do you want to improve your efficiency while adding unique and enjoyable experiences to your day-to-day life? If so, the Galaxy Z Fold3 could be an answer.

¹ The IPX8 rating is based on test conditions of submersion in up to 1.5m of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Devices that carry this rating are not advised for beach or pool use and are not dust-resistant.

² S Pen sold separately. Only the Galaxy Z Fold3 Main Screen has S Pen capability, and it is only compatible with the S Pen Fold Edition and S Pen Pro. All other S Pens and stylus pens not designed for the Z Fold3 (including those made by other manufacturers), and may damage the screen.
The S Pen Pro is compatible with S Pen-supporting devices (Z Fold3, S21 Ultra, Galaxy Note series, Tab S7 FE, Tab S7/7+, Tab S6 Lite, Tab S6, Tab S4, Tab S3, Tab Active Pro, Tab Active3, Tab Active2, Tab Active, Tab A 8.0 2019 with S Pen, Tab A 10.1 2016 with S Pen, Tab A 9.7 with S Pen, Tab A 8.0 2015 with S Pen, Note Pro – 12.2, Note 8.0, Note 10.1 2012/2014, Galaxy Book Pro 360, Galaxy Book Flex2, Galaxy Book Flex S Pen, Galaxy Book Flex 5G, Galaxy Book Flex α S Pen, Galaxy Book 10.6, Galaxy Book 12.0, Chromebook Plus V2, Chromebook Pro, Notebook 7 spin, Notebook S51 Pen, Notebook 9 Pen, Notebook 9 Pro)

Style meets function in Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, with a larger, more customizable Cover Screen so that you can match your phone to your personal style. For productivity, Galaxy Z Fold3 5G gets a big boost with optimizations for its Main Screen, including an improved Multi-Active Window and new Taskbar that makes managing your day a breeze.

Check out the video below to learn more about how Samsung is evolving the foldable experience with Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and Galaxy Z Flip3 5G.

Whether you’re filming a dance for social media or catching up on the latest news during your commute, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy Z Fold3 5G are built to withstand the sudden surprises. Lighter and stronger, they are built with Samsung Electronics’ Armor aluminum, the strongest aluminum used in modern smartphones.

In addition to being more durable, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy Z Fold3 5G are the world’s first water-resistant foldables. Samsung’s engineers put painstaking effort into bringing IPX8 water resistance to the Galaxy Z Series for the first time ever, marking the beginning of a new era for foldable devices.

Check out the video below to learn more about how Samsung engineers added durability to the Galaxy Z Series and established the first water-resistant foldables.