Review: Samsung nails the foldable segment with Galaxy Z Fold 2

Ashwin Rajagopalan

Lighthouse customer: an early adopter or early customer of a new technology or product.

If this describes you, then the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 might be up your alley. 2019 was probably the year that the foldable smartphone went from a concept device to a saleable, premium smartphone experience. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is Samsung’s third significant foldable device, and this time the brand has nailed it. The Fold 2 takes a big leap over the first gen Galaxy Fold at a price that’s comparable to the top of the line iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The first thing that will blow you away is the form factor. The Z Fold 2 device features a 6.2-inch cover (front) Super AMOLED display (2260 x 816 pixels / 386 PPI / 25:9 aspect ratio) reinforced with Gorilla Glass Victus that’s significantly larger and more functional than the 4.6-inch display on the Fold. I clocked more time on this display than the larger display, especially while interacting with my device during short bursts. I leaned on the larger, primary display while catching videos or gaming. The main screen on the Z Fold 2 is a stunning 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display (2208 x 1768 pixels / 373 PPI / 22.5:18 aspect ratio). This is essentially tablet territory, Samsung has knocked off the bezels from the original Fold for a more immersive experience.

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The Z Fold 2 is thinner than the original Fold (just 6 mm thick); the thinner gap between the displays, also makes it easier to slip it into your pocket. Samsung has reworked the hinge; it’s not just more durable but also features what Samsung calls a ‘sweeper’ that employs elastic fibres to flush out dust or debris from the hinge.

The phone is not just for hardware number crunchers but more about its experiential appeal, yet Samsung has packed it with heavy duty hardware. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage (there’s no extendable memory) are some of the highlights. It’s blazing fast and aced our benchmark tests. The 4500 mAh battery should cover you for a  whole day of usage; although this would also hinge on which display you use more. The unique design of the Z Fold 2 gives you a choice of three options for selfies. There are two 10MP lenses on the cover display and the primary display; you can also flip the triple rear cam for selfies. This rear cam combines three 12MP lenses and delivers great results across lighting scenarios.

At a time when smartphones began to border on predictable, foldables have created a whole new user experience. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is not just the best foldable smartphone out there but also demonstrates the speed at which this segment has evolved.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 , available in Mystic Bronze and Mystic Black, costs  Rs. 1,49,999.

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