Forget Samsung Galaxy S21 — Galaxy Z Fold3 Could Be the Killer flagship of 2021

Forget Samsung Galaxy S21 — Galaxy Z Fold3 Could Be the Killer flagship of 2021

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3 is almost a year away from its scheduled release date. However, a short but exciting list of features has been revealed.

Ice Universe, a regular source of leaks, tweeted that Samsung is looking to build on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and solidify its position as the best folderble maker. And that includes adapting some of Samsung's best phone features, as well as making clever use of the camera.

First, the camera-under-panel (abbreviated as CUP in the IU tweet). This sounds very similar to the under-display selfie camera we've been looking forward to seeing in big phone launches for years. We had hoped this would be on the Samsung Galaxy S21 as well, but from the latest rumors and rendered images, it looks unlikely.

Rather than having a notch or punch hole to house the front-facing camera, this technology would allow part of the display to become transparent when needed, allowing the front-facing camera to be seen. While questions remain as to how this will affect photo and display quality, it still seems to be the next big frontier for Android phones to conquer.

S Pen compatibility has also been rumored for some time, and it seems like it's about time. The Z Fold line, with its huge built-in display (7.6 inches in the Z Fold 2), is in dire need of stylus support. Furthermore, if rumors about the discontinuation of the Galaxy Note line are accurate, it makes sense for Samsung to position the stylus-enabled fold as a new product for smartphone users who value productivity.

The new Z Fold model will also feature a new version of Samsung's ultra-thin glass (UTG). This plastic and glass laminate material is part of the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold 2's reliable and resilient devices, allowing them to fold without breaking. While one should not expect a toughness comparable to that of regular smartphone display glass, one should expect this new generation to be noticeably stronger.

If Samsung sticks to the schedule it has set this year, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be available in the fall of 2021. If it's too long to wait for a new Samsung phone, fortunately the Galaxy S21 (and perhaps the Z Flip 2) will be available in January.

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