Okay, let's dive deep into the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and the Motorola Edge 40 Neo. I'm excited to break down these two very different phones and explore what they offer to different types of users. Here we go:
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison of the key specs for both phones, focusing on how they translate into real-world experiences:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Foldable | Standard | Z Fold3 offers a large screen that folds down for portability; Edge 40 Neo is a standard, more pocketable phone. |
| Dimensions | 158.2 × 128.1 × 6.4 mm | 159.6 × 72 × 7.9 mm | Fold3 is significantly wider when unfolded, bulkier when folded; Edge 40 Neo is a more compact and pocket-friendly option. |
| Weight | 271g | 170g | Edge 40 Neo is considerably lighter, making it much more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 7.6" | 6.55" | Z Fold3 has a much larger main display, great for multitasking, watching videos, and immersive gaming; Edge 40 Neo is more suitable for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1768x2208 | 1080x2400 | Z Fold3 offers higher clarity and sharpness; Edge 40 Neo provides a crisp display for everyday tasks. |
| PPI | 374 | 402 | Edge 40 Neo has a slightly sharper display with marginally higher pixel density. |
| Technology | - | P-OLED | Edge 40 Neo’s P-OLED display offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better energy efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 40 Neo provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Edge 40 Neo is significantly brighter, ensuring better visibility in bright sunlight. The Fold3’s lack of a nits rating is a serious missing specification |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Dimensity 7030 | Z Fold3 has a more powerful flagship chipset for intensive tasks and high-end gaming. Edge 40 Neo is good for daily use but won't compete with flagship performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 898,700 | 527,666 | Z Fold3 offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking and more enjoyable mobile gaming experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G610 MC3 | Z Fold3 has a better GPU, ideal for gaming and graphic intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | Edge 40 Neo captures more detailed photos, though the Fold 3 has better low-light performance with a larger pixel size; Fold 3 has a better main sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.4 | Edge 40 Neo takes higher-resolution selfies; Fold 3 has a wider aperture, but this is minimal |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | None | Z Fold3 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zooming without losing image quality; Edge 40 Neo does not have an optical telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP f/2.2 | None | Z Fold3 has a dedicated wide-angle lens; Edge 40 Neo only has the Wide Angle + Macro lens; which in turn Fold 3 doesn't have. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 13MP f/2.2 | Edge 40 Neo has a dedicated wide-angle lens; Fold 3 does not have a macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@60fps HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps EIS | Z Fold3 can shoot 4k at 60 fps, better for high frame rate recording; Edge 40 Neo is sufficient for 4k but better for 1080p recording |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 120 (Photo 129, Video 105) | 103 (Photo 102, Video 116) | Z Fold3 has an overall better photo performance; Edge 40 Neo excels at video recording |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 83 (Photo 79, Video 89) | Not tested | Z Fold3’s selfie cam has solid performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4400mAh | 5000mAh | Edge 40 Neo has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Edge 40 Neo charges much faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | None | Z Fold3 supports wireless charging with reverse wireless charging; Edge 40 Neo does not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 13 (up to 15) | Edge 40 Neo has the latest Android version, with security updates and improvements. Both devices will max at Android 15 so the update window is the same. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | Edge 40 Neo uses the latest Bluetooth standard. |
| Wi-Fi Features | Wi-Fi MiMO | - | Z Fold3 supports Wi-Fi MiMO; boosting wireless connectivity in some environments. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256GB/512GB | 256GB | Z Fold3 offers up to 512GB of storage; Edge 40 Neo has only 256GB. |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both offer 12GB of RAM in the highest variant; Z Fold3 is therefore capable of heavy multitasking, and more demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Strengths:
- Revolutionary Foldable Design: The standout feature is the large, foldable display, which offers a tablet-like experience when open, and a more compact form when closed.
- Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset makes it a flagship-grade device for demanding apps and games.
- Versatile Camera System: The triple-camera setup, along with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, makes it great for various photography needs.
- Advanced Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and a more comprehensive sensor suite.
- Better Overall Camera Performance: The DxOMark shows this devices cameras are quite a bit better at taking photos.
Trade-offs:
- Bulk and Weight: It is heavy and bulky, making it less portable and comfortable for one-handed use.
- Older OS Version: Launched with Android 11, although it has since been updated.
- Battery Life: The smaller battery and power-hungry processor can result in shorter battery life compared to the Edge 40 Neo.
- Price: These devices are very expensive.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo
Strengths:
- Lightweight and Compact: Significantly lighter and more pocketable than the Z Fold3.
- Bright and Smooth Display: The P-OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate is vibrant, smooth, and great for everyday use, particularly in bright sunlight.
- Excellent Battery Life & Charging: A larger battery and faster charging make it a dependable phone for daily use.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
- Superior video recording: Although not as good at taking photos, the video camera on this device performs quite a bit better than the Z Fold3
Trade-offs:
- Mid-Range Performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 7030 is capable but not as powerful as the Snapdragon 888.
- Less Versatile Camera System: Lacks a dedicated telephoto lens and wider angle lens, relying on digital zoom and its Wide Angle + Macro lens.
- Missing Features: Does not include wireless charging or reverse wireless charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is best for:
- Power Users and Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want the latest and most advanced technology, along with the versatility of a foldable screen.
- Multitaskers: Users who need to run multiple apps simultaneously, enjoy tablet-like productivity, and benefit from the large screen.
- Content Consumers: People who enjoy watching videos, playing games, or reading on a large, immersive display.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: The device is an excellent overall camera, and suitable for shooting video, particularly if you need 4k at 60fps
- Users That Want a More Premium Device: The Z Fold3 is very premium, and comes with a hefty price tag.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo is best for:
- Everyday Users: Those looking for a reliable, lightweight, and dependable smartphone for daily tasks.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who value long battery life and fast charging, without frequent charging.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who want good value for their money with a focus on essential features over premium performance.
- Multimedia Users: Those who like recording videos and enjoying great display quality with good color reproduction.
- Users who like to capture the world through their phone: Those who want a phone that takes decent pictures and videos, at a great price.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help decide between these phones:
- Do you need the large screen and multi-tasking capabilities of a foldable phone, or would you prefer something more portable and pocketable?
- Is top-tier performance and a more versatile camera system worth the extra price, bulk, and possible battery compromises?
- Do you prioritize long battery life, fast charging, and a smoother display, or are advanced features like wireless charging and reverse wireless charging more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Business Professional: If you're constantly on the go, need to juggle many apps, and benefit from the larger display for presentations and emails, the Z Fold3 is the better choice, despite its weight.
- For the Casual User: If you value everyday usability, a comfortable grip, and long battery life, while still being able to take great photos and videos, the Edge 40 Neo fits the bill.
- For the Multimedia Lover: If you love watching movies and gaming on your phone but you are on a budget, the Edge 40 Neo provides excellent display quality, while still performing well at a very reasonable price.
- For the Photography Enthusiast: If you're really interested in smartphone photography, the Z Fold3 has great overall capabilities.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I'd pick the Motorola Edge 40 Neo. Here's why:
While the Z Fold3 is an incredible piece of technology with its folding screen and high-end specs, it comes with some practical trade-offs that don't suit my daily needs. The Z Fold3 is heavy and expensive, and it's older so it may not be supported for as long. For me, a phone needs to be portable, have good battery life, and a great display. The Edge 40 Neo checks all these boxes and is more affordable, making it a practical choice for my day-to-day life. I like to capture the world with my phone, so a decent camera is a must. In addition, I love watching movies on my phone, so the screen quality and brightness of the Edge 40 Neo seals the deal for me.
The Edge 40 Neo is the better all-round package for my needs, and I don’t think the benefits of the Z Fold3 outweigh the costs.
