Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and the Galaxy S24 Ultra. I'll break down the specs, provide real-world context, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the key specifications of both phones, along with the real-world implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Foldable | Standard | Z Fold3: Larger screen unfolds like a book, great for multitasking; S24 Ultra: Traditional phone design, more pocketable when closed. |
| Dimensions | 158.2 × 128.1 × 6.4 mm | 162.3 × 79 × 8.6 mm | Z Fold3: Significantly wider when unfolded, bulkier, may require two hands; S24 Ultra: Taller, slightly thicker, but feels more manageable overall. |
| Weight | 271g | 232g | Z Fold3: Heavier, can be tiring during prolonged use; S24 Ultra: Lighter, easier to handle for long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Main Screen Size | 7.6" | 6.8" | Z Fold3: Larger screen for immersive content consumption and multitasking; S24 Ultra: Excellent for everyday use with a vibrant display. |
| Resolution | 1768x2208 | 1440x3120 | Z Fold3: Good for a tablet-like experience, but slightly less pixel density; S24 Ultra: Sharper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 374 | 505 | Z Fold3: Good, but not the sharpest. S24 Ultra: Exceptionally crisp, noticeable for text and fine details. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | Z Fold3: Unknown brightness, likely not ideal for direct sunlight. S24 Ultra: Exceptional outdoor visibility, easy to view under bright sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Z Fold3: Fast for its time, but not as current; S24 Ultra: Cutting-edge processor, much faster and more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 898,700 | 1,814,869 | Z Fold3: Good for everyday use; S24 Ultra: Significantly more powerful, smoother operation in demanding tasks (like gaming). |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Z Fold3: Competent graphics performance; S24 Ultra: Superior graphics performance, handles intensive games with ease. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP | 200MP | Z Fold3: Capable photos in good lighting; S24 Ultra: Incredible detail and dynamic range, great for demanding photography enthusiasts. |
| Telephoto + portrait Camera | None | 50MP | Z Fold3: Lacks this sensor; S24 Ultra: Excellent for portraits with a shallow depth of field. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP | 10MP | Z Fold3: Offers good zoom capabilities. S24 Ultra: A wider aperture with a smaller sensor with high quality for zooming. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP | 12.2MP | Z Fold3: Competent wide shots. S24 Ultra: Better wide angle shots with more pixel details. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP | 12MP | Z Fold3: Good selfie camera; S24 Ultra: Better detail and improved low-light selfies. |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 60fps | 8K @ 30fps, 4K @ 120fps | Z Fold3: Capable video recording. S24 Ultra: Significantly better video quality, includes 8K recording options and higher frame rates at 4k. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 120 | 144 | Z Fold3: Good camera quality. S24 Ultra: Superior overall photo and video quality. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Battery Capacity | 4400mAh | 5000mAh | Z Fold3: Decent battery life; S24 Ultra: Better endurance thanks to a bigger battery. |
| Charging Speed | 25W | 45W | Z Fold3: Slower charging; S24 Ultra: Faster charging, quicker top-ups. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 15W | Both offer good wireless charging capabilities. |
| Reverse Wireless charging | 9W | 4.5W | Both can charge other devices like earbuds wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 14 (up to 21) | Z Fold3: Older software, but can be upgraded; S24 Ultra: The latest software, longer software support life cycle. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Z Fold3: Fast Wi-Fi speeds. S24 Ultra: Faster and more efficient Wi-Fi speeds with added 6GHz frequency support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 LE | Z Fold3: Standard Bluetooth performance; S24 Ultra: Better range, more efficient power consumption and more features, better audio support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Z Fold3: Accurate GPS. S24 Ultra: More accurate and reliable GPS positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256/512GB | 256/512/1024GB | Z Fold3: Plenty of storage; S24 Ultra: Offers more storage options for media and files. |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | Both phones are excellent for heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Z Fold3: Immersive audio experience; S24 Ultra: Enhanced voice clarity; both have stereo sound for better multimedia experiences. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Z Fold3: Faster and more reliable fingerprint sensor; S24 Ultra: Provides basic biometric security for device unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | Z Fold3: Good scratch and impact resistance; S24 Ultra: Enhanced protection with the latest generation of Gorilla Glass. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Z Fold3: Comprehensive sensor suite for all features; S24 Ultra: Comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G:
- Strengths: Unique foldable design, larger screen for multitasking and media consumption, and good multitasking capabilities.
- Competitive Advantages: Offers a tablet-like experience in a smartphone form factor.
- Trade-offs: Heavier, bulkier, and generally has lower performance for the price than the S24 Ultra.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Strengths: Top-tier performance, significantly better camera system, brighter display, and better battery life.
- Competitive Advantages: The best of Samsung's current mobile tech, superior performance, excellent camera, more software support, and enhanced build quality.
- Trade-offs: Standard phone design without a foldable screen, slightly taller, but has a manageable size and is lighter than Z Fold3 5G.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize a large screen for multitasking and media consumption, people who prefer a tablet-like experience in a smartphone format, and those who value the uniqueness of foldable technology.
- Use Cases: Reading and annotating documents, watching videos, running multiple apps side-by-side, and enjoying immersive gaming.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Best Suited For: Power users who need top-tier performance, photographers and videographers who value the best mobile camera experience, people who want the best battery life, and those who want the most updated technology.
- Use Cases: Professional photography and video, resource-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing, heavy multitasking, and productivity tasks.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- Do you need a large, immersive display for heavy multitasking and media consumption?
- If yes, the Z Fold3 might be worth considering for its unique form factor.
- If not, the S24 Ultra offers a great screen in a more standard design.
- Do you prioritize cutting-edge camera technology and performance?
- If yes, the S24 Ultra is the clear winner with its superior cameras and significantly higher performance.
- If not, the Z Fold3 offers a decent camera experience for everyday use.
- Are you willing to compromise on portability and ergonomics for a tablet-like experience?
- If yes, the Z Fold3's larger, foldable screen is unique, but it is also heavier and bulkier.
- If not, the S24 Ultra's more manageable design is a better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Productivity Power User: The S24 Ultra is the better choice with its incredible performance, long battery life, and exceptional camera.
- For the Tech Enthusiast Who Wants a Unique Device: The Z Fold3 might appeal to the novelty of foldable technology but keep in mind it comes at a performance and features trade off.
- For the Casual User: The S24 Ultra is still the better choice with superior performance and a better screen, but it would be an overkill.
- For the Multimedia Junkie: The Z Fold3 has an amazing display for media consumption, but the S24 Ultra is very capable in this use case as well, and it has an overall better quality screen for both indoor and outdoor use.
My Choice and Why!
If I were choosing between these two, I'd go with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, hands down. Here's why:
- Performance: As a tech journalist, I need a phone that can keep up with demanding tasks and the S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor is a significant leap forward and provides a noticeably smoother experience. The huge improvement on its AnTuTu benchmark score is an obvious testament to this claim.
- Camera: I take a lot of photos and videos and the S24 Ultra's 200MP camera and significantly better video recording features are hard to pass up. The additional telephoto lens makes the S24 Ultra even more of a powerhouse.
- Everyday Usability: While the Z Fold3's foldable screen is impressive, I value a more traditional form factor that's easier to carry in my pocket and use one-handed. The S24 Ultra also feels lighter and better built, which is a big plus.
- Future-Proofing: The S24 Ultra has a much newer operating system and will receive longer software support compared to the Z Fold3.
- Display: I am not sold on the tablet experience of the Z Fold3, and the S24 Ultra's display is better with a higher brightness and pixel density.
Ultimately, while the Z Fold3 is a unique and interesting device, the S24 Ultra is a better all-around package for most people and particularly for me given my workflow needs. The performance, camera quality, battery life, and usability make it the clear winner in my book.
