Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Full Review and Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a game-changer in the world of smartphones. It's a device that truly redefines what a phone can do.

With its massive 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, you'll feel like you're using a mini tablet in your pocket. The screen is also incredibly responsive and fast, making it a joy to use.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2's design is a masterclass in engineering, with a hinge that allows the phone to fold and unfold with ease. It's a bit on the heavy side, but that's a small price to pay for the sheer functionality it offers.

In terms of performance, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a beast, powered by a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor and up to 12GB of RAM. You can expect seamless multitasking and lightning-fast app loading times.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a 6.2-inch Infinity-O Cover Screen, which provides maximum usability for everyday tasks. This screen is perfect for checking email, looking up directions, or even watching your favorite content without needing to unfold the device every time.

The phone's design is sleek and unified, delivering a smooth, high-end feel. Samsung's Ultra Thin Glass is used on the Main Screen, offering a more premium and refined feel for the display.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 features a Hideaway Hinge, which fits seamlessly into the device body and enables free-standing capabilities. This hinge also employs sweeper technology to repel dust and undesirable particles.

You can customize your Galaxy Z Fold 2 with four distinct Hideaway Hinge colors: Metallic Silver, Metallic Gold, Metallic Red, and Metallic Blue. This adds a personalized touch to the premium design.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a 7.6-inch Main Screen with a 120Hz adaptable refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gameplay. This immersive experience is enhanced by the best dynamic sound available on a Galaxy device.

Here are the key features of the Galaxy Z Fold 2's design and display:

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has two screens, with the front cover featuring a 6.2-inch display and the internal screen measuring 7.6 inches.

Both displays support HDR10+ and the internal display benefits from an adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate.

The device's 7.6-inch main display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and overall performance.

The cover display on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is 6.2 inches, making it big enough to perform most tasks.

The aspect ratio on the Z Fold 2's cover display is narrower than most phones, so typing can feel a bit cramped.

The internal screen is a fingerprint magnet and requires frequent cleaning, but a quick buff-up with a lens cloth can restore its pristine look.

The device has 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and either 256 or 512 GB of non-expandable UFS 3.1 storage, with the 512 GB version being the most scarce.

The Z Fold 2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+, which provides fast performance and efficient battery life.

The device contains two batteries split between the two halves, totaling a slightly larger 4500 mAh capacity.

Fast charging is supported over USB-C at up to 25 W or wirelessly via Qi at up to 11 W.

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2's software is designed to take advantage of its unique foldable design. It ships with Android 10 and Samsung's One UI software, which allows for up to three supported apps to be placed on-screen at once.

The device's Multi-Active Window feature enables you to open up to three apps simultaneously, and you can quickly create presets called App Pairs that launch with just a tap. This feature is particularly useful for multitasking, allowing you to have multiple apps open at the same time.

Samsung's Flex Mode is a key upgrade in the Galaxy Z Fold 2, giving the device a lot of versatility. It allows you to have controls or settings on one side of the display and content on the other for maximum productivity. The idea is that you can have a video call with the other person without having to hold the device, which is a game-changer for productivity.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2's performance is smooth, thanks to its Snapdragon 865 Plus processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. It scored 3,193 on the mult-core portion of Geekbench 5, which is comparable to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

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The Galaxy Z Fold 2 comes with Android 10 and Samsung's One UI software, which offers a range of features to enhance your mobile experience.

One of the standout features is the improved Multi Window mode, which allows you to place up to three supported apps on-screen at once. This is a game-changer for productivity, and it's great to see how Samsung has optimized the software to make the most of the foldable design.

Split-screen functionality, called "Flex Mode", is also new to the Z Fold 2. This feature is compatible with certain apps like YouTube and Google Duo, as well as native Samsung apps. It's a great way to multitask and get more out of your device.

Samsung has promised 3 Android OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates to the Z series of 2020, ending in 2024. This is reassuring for users who want to ensure their device stays up-to-date and secure.

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As of May 2024, the device is currently running on Android 13 and One UI 5.1.1. This is a testament to Samsung's commitment to providing timely software updates to its users.

Here are some key features of the Galaxy Z Fold 2's software:

These features, combined with the improved Multi-Active Window feature, make the Galaxy Z Fold 2 a powerhouse when it comes to multitasking and productivity.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2's performance is a mixed bag, offering smooth performance but with some minor software glitches at times.

The phone's Snapdragon 865 Plus processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage (UFS3.1) should deliver similar performance to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

On Geekbench 5, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 scored 3,193 on the mult-core portion, slightly lower than the Note 20 Ultra's 3,294.

The iPhone 11 Pro, however, was the fastest with a score of 3,500.

In terms of graphics performance, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 scored 1,461 frames on the Aztec Ruins (High Tier) off-screen benchmark, compared to 1,455 for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

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The iPhone 11 Pro, once again, took the lead with 1,657 frames.

The phone also supports both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G flavors, ensuring seamless connectivity to 5G networks where available.

However, in my testing, the Galaxy Z Fold 2's download speed on AT&T's network was only 22 Mbps, but on T-Mobile it was a much higher 122 Mbps.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2's cameras are quite capable, especially when it comes to unique features like Dual Preview, which lets subjects see themselves on the front display while you're taking the shot.

You can also take higher quality selfies with the rear cameras, which is a game-changer.

The Z Fold 2's camera did a fantastic job capturing a close-up of flowers, with fine details in the petals and even fine droplets of water when you zoom in.

The camera also performed well in portrait shots, artfully blurring the background, and the bokeh effect is better on the Z Fold 2 than the iPhone 12.

For another approach, see: Samsung Galaxy Camera

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2's cameras may not be as advanced as some of its competitors, but they're still capable and offer some unique features.

You'll find a 12MP main wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide angle camera with a 123-degree field of view, and a 12MP telephoto lens with a 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom.

The camera features are where the Z Fold 2 really shines, especially with its Dual Preview mode that lets subjects see how they'll look in the photo.

This feature is perfect for taking selfies with the rear cameras, and it's a great way to get higher quality photos.

You can also prop up the device in laptop mode and use Auto framing to keep your subject in focus while shooting video.

Flex Mode is another useful feature that lets you review recent pictures on the bottom half of the screen while maintaining the live preview in the top half.

Take a look at this: Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

The Z Fold 2's camera did a fantastic job capturing a close-up of flowers, with fine details in the petals and even fine droplets of water when zoomed in.

In portrait shots, the Z Fold 2 delivers a great bokeh effect, but sometimes blows out the subject's face.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2's Night mode worked well in low-light conditions, but the iPhone 11 Pro Max's Night mode captured a brighter image in the same scene.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a 4,500 mAh battery, a significant improvement over the Galaxy Fold's 4,380 mAh battery.

This larger battery should be able to get you through most of the day, especially considering the size of the Z Fold 2's display.

On our battery test, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 lasted 10 hours and 10 minutes on the 60Hz display setting, which is pretty good endurance.

However, the battery life dropped to 9 hours and 5 minutes when the display was set to 120Hz (adaptive).

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I can attest to the phone's battery life being pretty solid in real-world usage - I started using the phone at 10 am and after a day of heavy usage it had about 18% juice left at 10 pm.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 supports 25W fast charging, fast wireless charging, and PowerShare reverse charging.

In our testing, the phone charged to 46% after 30 minutes, which is a bit slower than expected - we would have expected 50% in the same amount of time.

One of the unique features of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the green vertical line, but some users have expressed frustration with it. The line can be distracting, especially if you're not used to seeing it.

The good news is that some users have reported using their Galaxy Z Fold 2 for over four years without any issues with the screen, even after frequent unfolding. This suggests that the device can be durable with proper care.

If you're experiencing issues with the phone's body, such as a broken pad that causes the frame to touch each other when folded, you may want to consider getting it repaired.

The Galaxy Fold devices are truly a marvel of design. Samsung has put out yet another Galaxy Fold device, and it's a testament to their dedication to innovation.

The hinge on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is incredibly smooth, making it a joy to use. It's as smooth as butter, to quote the review.

The design of the Galaxy Fold devices is indeed elaborate, but it's not just about looks - it's also about functionality.

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User Reviews can be a great way to get a feel for how a device will work in real life. Some users have reported issues with the phone's design, such as a broken internal pad that causes the frame to touch when folded.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G has a unique design that can take some getting used to. It took one user over a year to get comfortable with the narrow cover screen.

Broaden your view: Responsive Design Samsung Galaxy Fold

Despite the potential design issues, some users have had great experiences with the phone's durability. One user has been using their Galaxy Z Fold2 5G for over 4 years without any screen problems, even after unfolding it daily.

The phone's design can be a bit finicky, as one user discovered when they noticed a small "crack" starting to form on the top of their phone.

Galaxy Z Fold2 users can take advantage of the Galaxy Z Premier Service, which provides on-demand concierge support from a dedicated team of product experts.

With this service, you can make appointments, connect one-on-one with experts, and discover how to unlock the unique experience the Galaxy Z Fold2 enables.

Galaxy Z Fold2 owners can also sign up for Samsung Care+, which provides one-time device protection against accidental damage within one year of purchasing date.

The Galaxy Z Premier Service will support three generations of Android operating system (OS) upgrades, ensuring you have the best mobile experiences possible.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the best foldable phone yet and a productivity powerhouse. It's a huge upgrade over its predecessor, especially with its bigger cover display.

The hinge on this device is incredibly smooth, making it a joy to use. It's a major improvement over previous models.

Flex Mode is a game-changer, allowing you to prop up the device at various angles and giving it a whole new level of versatility. This feature truly makes the Z Fold 2 feel like a brand new type of device.

Mult-Active window multitasking requires some getting used to, but it maximizes productivity and makes the most of the device's unique design. It's a great way to stay organized and focused.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is still a phone for early adopters, with a price tag of $1,799. However, it's a sign of great things to come in the world of foldable devices.

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has its downsides, and it's essential to consider them before making a purchase.

The main display is smudge prone, picking up smudges quickly despite the Ultra Thin Glass being more durable and having a better feel.

You might notice a crease on the screen, which is still present in the Z Fold 2.

Limited zoom is another con, with only 2x optical zoom available on a $2,000 phone.

This is a bummer, especially when you can get 10x zoom on the Note.

The device is not water resistant, so you'll need to be cautious when using it in wet conditions.

I can attest to this, as I took the Z Fold 2 indoors when it started to drizzle outside.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a hefty device, weighing in at 9.9 ounces.

This is slightly heavier than the original Galaxy Fold, which weighed 9.5 ounces.

However, you are getting a phone and tablet in one, so the extra weight might be worth it for some users.

Here are the key cons of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2: