Samsung has now fully unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 2 as of Tuesday, announcing price and release date information for the third-generation foldable. The manufacturer shared details in a followup Unpacked live stream event, again in lieu of an in-person launch event.
Samsung discussed many interesting feature upgrades, many that show off how the brand is making optimal use of all the displays on the Galaxy Z Fold 2. This iteration features a 6.2-inch front screen, which spans the entirety of the panel, allowing for an experience more like a standard smartphone. The inner display is a 7.6-inch foldable screen, which also had thin bezels and features an Infinity-O front camera set up instead of a long notch.
Here’s a rundown of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 features that best take advantage of all of the device’s displays simultaneously for an experience that is truly unique to foldables.
App Continuity
Having realized that users favor being able to have continuous use of their apps regardless of their screen orientation, Samsung developed a feature called App Continuity. The manufacturer describes this as a smooth transition from screen to screen without interrupting the app.
Users can launch an app on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 front display in its closed state and then open the device to automatically view the app on the large inner screen, and vice versa. The feature works on apps including, YouTube and Spotify, with further compatibility with other third-party apps expected. The feature is also naturally embedded into many native Samsung apps.
Flex Mode
Having first introduced this feature on the Galaxy Z Flip, Samsung has brought Flex Mode to the Galaxy Z Fold 2, which allows for easy hands-free use of the foldable. The foldable’s updated hinge features a cam mechanism that lets the device to fold at different angles. Users can open the device up slightly, for a propped-up view of the front display. Or users can open the device up to 90 degrees or wider to engage the inner display.
With an app like YouYube, the video will transition to the top of the screen while the bottom of the screen will show comments and related videos. Flex Mode also works well with the rear cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 2, with the top of the screen working as a viewfinder and the bottom of the screen hosting camera controls. Another highlight app for this feature is Google Duo. A 90-degree configuration allows users to see a video on the top half of the display and app controls on the bottom half.
Camera features
As mentioned, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 features Flex Mode for the camera app, making for easy hands-free photography. Samsung has introduced several features to make taking photos on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 a more seamless experience.
The foldable features a triple-lens rear camera set up with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, 12-megapixel wide lens, and 12-megapixel telephoto lens. Its Dual Preview feature allows the Galaxy Z Fold 2 main display and cover display to act as a viewfinder so both subjects and the photographer can see an image before it is taken. Users can also shoot high-resolution selfies with the rear cameras, using the cover display as a viewfinder.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has two more selfie camera options with a 10-megapixel lens on the cover display and a second 10-megapixel lens on the main display.
Another standout camera feature on the device is Auto Framing, which works particularly for video. It tracks a subject, optimizing shooting frames for ideal video, and also zooms in and out to capture multiple subjects in a video.
Other interesting Galaxy Z Fold 2 features
While there are many features that take advantage of the display configurations on the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Samsung has also optimized the device for ideal use of its main display.
Tweaks to the Multi-Active Window feature, which allows users to launch up to three apps at once now allows custom resizing and reconfiguration of those app windows on the large display. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 also now features App Pair, which allows users to access their most frequently used apps together with a single short cut.
Specs and hardware for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ chip, 12GB of RAM, 256GB, and 512GB internal storage (UFS 3.1) options, and a 4,500mAh battery with 25W fast charging, 11W fast wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
Color options for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 include Mystic Bronze and Mystic Black with custom hinge colors including Metallic Silver, Metallic Gold, Metallic Blue, Metallic Red.
Samsung has also brought back the Thom Browne Edition of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in the statement grey with blue, white, and red accent stripes design. The collection includes Thom Browne editions of the Galaxy Watch3 and Buds Live as well as several additional accessories.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 price and release date
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 will be available starting September 18, selling for $1,999. Preorders are already available.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Thom Browne Edition will be available on September 25 selling for $3,299. Preorders are also already open, with only 5,000 units available for public consumers.
Owners will also get Samsung Galaxy Z premiere service, which includes on-demand concierge support, one-time device protection against accidental display damage within one year of purchase, and OS updates for up to three generations.
