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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is here. It’s cheaper, more durable, and now supports the S Pen.

If there’s one big takeaway from the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 3, it’s that its price has gone down. From last year’s Galaxy Z Fold2 launch price of US$ 2000, the new Galaxy Z Fold3 starts at $1800.

I know, it’s still a lot of money to pay for a smartphone. But it’s a good indication that this bleeding edge tech will one day find its way to more affordable price points.

Where’s the camera?

Of course there’s more to the story. From a tech innovation standpoint you’ll most enjoy two things: One, when opened up, at first glance the Z Fold3 doesn’t seem to have a punch hole for its selfie camera. But if you look closely there’s one hidden underneath the display. This is the first time we’re seeing an under display camera on a Samsung device ever.

How this works is basically there are a few missing pixels that are covered by the display’s pixels and AI fills in those missing pixels for you to create a complete image.

On paper, the specs of this camera are inferior to last year’s model. But given that there’s still a selfie camera up front. It shouldn’t be much of an issue. Unless you video call a lot.

I don’t know for sure how much better or worse this camera is. But I’m glad it’s there. And can’t think of a better device to implement this technology on.

That way when you use a Fold 3 in tablet mode. you get a fully uninterrupted experience which really is the dream regardless of what device you’re using.

S Pen

More on what you can do with the Fold 3’s big display later. But first the other big feature is one that we all knew was inevitable. This device now supports the S-Pen.

Samsung is announcing two new pen models alongside the Z Fold3. Both are designed with a self retracting nib so that no matter how hard you press — a sharp tip is not gonna drill into the flexible display.

The first one called the S Pen Fold Edition is made specifically for and will only work with the Z Fold 3. Just like the S Pen that debuted with the Galaxy 21 Series, it doesn’t have a battery and Bluetooth. But does all the basic stuff like taking notes, which to be honest, is all you really need. You can buy the S Pen Fold Edition separately for US$ 49.99 or with a case that has a little slot to store the S-Pen Fold Edition. That’s US$ 79.99.

Then there’s the S-Pen Pro which retails for US$ 99.99. It’s backwards compatible with all Samsung devices that support the S Pen. But also with Bluetooth, so all those wand-like air gestures are supported too. And it’s got on board memory, so you can copy from one Samsung device. And paste it to another.

Both S Pens will deliver 9ms of latency which is the fastest in the industry. At par with the Note 20 Ultra and the iPad Pro. This just means that there’s going to be hardly any visible delay from drawing a stroke and that stroke appearing on screen.

Z Fold2 vs Z Fold3

At first glance, there’s nothing intrinsically different between the Z Fold2 and Z Fold3. Of course, the Z Fold3 comes in three new colors: Phantom Green, Phantom Silver, and Phantom Black. Definitely eyeing the green one.

The black one is cool too! An improvement over last year offering a matter back vs the black Z Fold2’s glossy finish which I immediately covered up with a leather case. Its’ Gorilla Glass Victus on both sides by the way.

The Z Fold3 is also roughly the same size as the Z Fold2, but in the hands it feels thinner and lighter. When folded shut, you’ll notice the gap between both displays isn’t as big as last year. But it’s still not as small as the Mate X2.

Samsung says the hinge mechanism is the same, but they’ve reduced its size so it doesn’t protrude from the phone so much. Hence the smaller gap and its slimmer appearance.

It’s also made from a new material. Samsung is calling Armor Aluminum that is 10 percent more durable than on the Z Fold2. Durable in terms of picking up bumps and scratches.

By the way, if you’re wondering if Samsung is also going to offer a special built-to-order custom colored hinge — like my blue hinged fold 2 — the answer is no.

And while we’re on the topic of durability, for the first time ever on a foldable device–  the Galaxy Z Fold3 is IPX8 Water and Dust Resistant. Samsung says water can still get into the device, but they’ve made sure to give its insides a water resistant layer.

That said — I still wouldn’t recommend submerging the phone in water or taking it swimming. Or doing underwater photography.

Both the cover display and the inner display on the Z Fold 3 are still the same size as on the Fold 2. So, outside you get a 6.2-inch Cover Display. And when unfolded to tablet mode, a 7.6” Main Display

Two important changes though: Both screens now have a 120Hz panel. So you get buttery smooth scrolling no matter how you choose to use your phone.

More importantly, and this will address a pain point of early adopters, the plastic top layer of the display that sits above the UTG display panel is made of a completely different kind of plastic that is more stretchable. Samsung says it’s 80 percent more durable.

They’re promising 200,000 folds or about over 100 folds a day for five years. This, of course, is not something that one can verify over a short review but make sure you follow me on Instagram and Twitter so you get update as I periodically will update my reviews with real world notes there.

Improved UI

One of my problems with folding devices is that Android isn’t optimized for these unconventional form factors. Thankfully Samsung has taken things into their own hands.

They amde tweaks to the user experience and working with third party app developers so that more apps take advantage of the extra screen real estate. Apps like Netflix and Spotify, Google’s roster of apps like YouTube, Gmail and Chrome, and work apps like Slack, Zoom and Microsoft Word just to name a few.

For example if you’re on YouTube. You can prop your phone and have a video play on one half of the display and have the flex mode panel appear on the bottom that gives you easy access to brightness and volume controls. As well as an easy screenshot button.

When you’re using the camera — which we’ll talk about in a bit. Dual Preview lets the person you’re taking photos off see a preview of the shot while you’re taking it. And now this applies to all the other camera modes too.  So, for example, its easier for them to interact with an AR Doodle.

Capture View mode lets you compose and take shots. While also previewing shots you’ve already taken at the same time — over here on the left side. Just better use of the screen real estate.

Remember Edge Panel — that contains shortcuts to frequently used apps and app pairs? You can now pin it to the side of your screen and have it work like a Windows Dock.

There’s also a more intuitive way to drag and drop between open apps in split screen view. And if all else fails you can turn on the Labs Feature that lets you Optimize almost any app. Settings > Advanced Features > Labs.

Galaxy Z Fold3 Cameras

On the camera front nothing has changed from last year. On paper, the Z Fold3 has the same camera system. But thanks to software improvements, photos theoretically should be better. Basically all the camera improvements that came to the S21 Series make it here.

On its back side there’s a 12MP Ultra Wide Camera (12MP / 1.12um / F2.2), a 12 MP Wide Camera (12MP / 1.8um / F1.8 OIS, Dual Pixel),  and a 12MP Telephoto Camera with 2x Zoom. (12MP / 1.0um / F.2.4 / OIS 2x Zoom)

Aesthetically the camera bump isn’t as big either.

I know you’ll want to see samples so make sure you’re subscribed to this YouTube Channel and have Notifications turned on so you get to see our upcoming review video first.

Inside there’s a 4MP Under Display Camera (4MP 2.0um F/1.8), and up front a 10MP Cover Camera.

Z Fold3 Specs

As to be expected the, Galaxy Z Fold3 is powered by Qualcomm’s top of the line Snapdragon Processor SD888 here in the US. And Exynos elsewhere in the world. It comes with only one RAM offering — 12GB. Here in the US you can get it with either 256GB or 512GB storage options.

One area where you’ll notice a discrepancy of last year looking better than this year is in terms of battery capacity. This year’s model has a 4400mAh battery which is 100 less than last year. Samsung says this was to accommodate the slightly smaller profile And that with the 5nm chip, they expect battery life to be the same.

Speaking of, like all of Samsung’s top of the line phones this year, there will be no charge in the box. The phone supports Samsung’s 25W USB-C Charger. There’s also one eSIM and one Nano SIM and a fingerprint sensor still on side of device.

Price and availability

Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G — BUY here
Galaxy Fold 3 5G — BUY here
Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic — BUY here
Tab S7 FE — BUY here
Galaxy Buds 2– BUY here

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Hands-On

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Hands-on

Play It Safe or Push Forward?

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February 26, 2026

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Did Samsung push forward or play it safe with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series? Well, it’s a little bit of both.

Here’s our Hands-on with the new Samsung Galaxy S26 series to find out.

PRE-ORDER and SAVE up to $900 with enhanced trade-in credit:

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Hands-On

Samsung Galaxy S26 series: Chasing usability, not specs

Thoughtful software additions

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February 26, 2026

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“Our philosophy has never been about chasing specs.”

That line from Samsung’s presentation captures the Galaxy S26 Series better than any spec table.

This isn’t a year of radical hardware shifts. Battery capacities remain unchanged. Megapixel counts are familiar. The design language evolves rather than transforms.

But incremental doesn’t automatically mean irrelevant.

The S26 Ultra feels like Samsung refining its priorities — usability, privacy, and AI integration — instead of pursuing headline-grabbing numbers.

Hardware refinement, not reinvention

The Galaxy S26 series looks more unified. All three models now share the same corner radius, creating a consistent visual identity. The Ultra no longer stands apart with sharper edges. It’s a small change, but it makes the lineup feel cohesive.

The camera module sits on a more defined island rather than blending into the rear panel. It’s subtle, but noticeable in person.

Samsung also trimmed weight and thickness on the Ultra. At 7.9mm and 214 grams, it handles slightly better than last year’s model. The company switched to Light Armor Aluminum, which it claims improves heat dissipation and weight. The difference in hand isn’t dramatic, but it’s appreciated during extended use.

Charging finally moves forward. The Ultra supports 60W wired charging, up from 45W. Samsung says you can reach 75 percent in around 30 minutes. That’s a meaningful improvement for quick top-ups.

However, 60W isn’t industry-leading in 2026. Competing brands have offered similar or faster speeds for years. This feels less like Samsung setting a new benchmark and more like closing a gap.

Battery capacity remains 5,000mAh. That’s consistent with previous models. While fast charging helps daily convenience, endurance gains will depend on software optimization and real-world usage.

AI and software remain the headline

Like recent Galaxy generations, the S26 Series leans heavily on software features.

Privacy Display is one of the more practical additions. It restricts viewing angles at the pixel level, functioning like a built-in privacy filter. If you’re using your phone in public spaces, people nearby will struggle to see what’s on screen.

You can toggle the feature or enable it only for specific apps. That flexibility matters. It allows privacy protection for sensitive apps while keeping general use unaffected.

This addresses a real-world problem. Public screens are inherently visible. Privacy Display doesn’t eliminate that risk, but it reduces casual glances and unwanted observation.

Audio Eraser also gets an upgrade. It now works across third-party apps. We tested it on a noisy K-pop fancam from YouTube, and the background noise reduction was noticeable without destroying audio quality.

It’s not perfect. Overprocessing can occur in extreme cases. But for cleaning up shared videos or reducing ambient noise, it proves useful.

AI Photo Assist introduces text-prompt editing directly inside the Gallery app. Users can describe edits in natural language — remove objects, expand backgrounds, or modify elements — without exporting images to external tools.

This isn’t groundbreaking technology. Similar generative edits exist in other AI platforms. The difference is integration.

By embedding generative tools inside the Gallery, Samsung turns them into part of the default workflow. Photo editing becomes more accessible rather than requiring specialized knowledge or separate apps.

That shift is meaningful. It signals that generative AI editing is becoming a standard smartphone feature rather than an experimental add-on.

Cameras: computational evolution

The camera hardware remains familiar. The Ultra continues with a 200MP main sensor and telephoto configurations similar to last year.

Improvements focus on computational photography.

Samsung widened apertures to allow more light. Stabilization has been refined. AI sharpening and Nightography processing aim to produce cleaner images with reduced noise.

From samples shown during the presentation, low-light shots appear brighter and cleaner. However, the processing can feel aggressive. Details sometimes look overly smoothed, and textures can appear artificial.

This reflects Samsung’s long-standing approach — prioritize computational enhancements over megapixel increases. The S26 continues that philosophy.

For video creators, APV (Advanced Professional Video) enables 8K recording with minimal quality degradation during edits. Super Steady Video also improves handheld stabilization.

These features cater to content creation workflows rather than casual snapshots.

Incremental but intentional

The Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t try to shock. It doesn’t reinvent Samsung’s design language or introduce dramatic hardware leaps.

Instead, it refines existing ideas.

Privacy Display addresses public visibility concerns. Audio Eraser improves real-world video cleanup. AI Photo Assist integrates generative editing into everyday photo workflows. Charging speeds improve without industry-leading ambitions.

Even the design changes — unified corner radii, a defined camera island, lighter materials — emphasize cohesion.

This strategy resembles the broader shift in the smartphone industry. Hardware innovation has slowed. Software and usability improvements drive differentiation.

Samsung appears comfortable with that reality.

Of course, first impressions only tell part of the story. We still need extended testing for battery life, thermal performance, camera consistency, and AI reliability.

The S26 Ultra may not represent a revolution. But refinement can matter — especially when it targets usability and practical features. 

Samsung will have to make significant hardware upgrades eventually. But for now, it feels like the company is doubling down on incremental progress. Not flashy. Not radical. But purposeful.

Whether that strategy resonates will depend on real-world performance.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series – Specs 

Feature Galaxy S26 Ultra Galaxy S26+ Galaxy S26
Display 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • QHD+ (3120 x 1440)
  • 500 ppi, 1-120Hz
  • S Pen support
 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • QHD+ (3120 x 1440)
  • 516 ppi, 1-120Hz
 6.3″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • FHD+ (2340 x 1080)
  • 411 ppi, 1-120Hz
Rear Camera: Ultra Wide 50MP, F1.9, 0.7 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.4 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.4 µm
Rear Camera: Wide 200MP, F1.4, 0.6 µm 50MP, F1.8, 1.0 µm 50MP, F1.8, 1.0 µm
Optical Quality 2x
Rear Camera: Telephoto 1 10MP, F2.4, 1.12 µm 10MP, F2.4, 1.0 µm 10MP, F2.4, 1.0 µm
3x optical zoom
Rear Camera: Telephoto 2 50MP, F2.9, 0.7 µm

  • 5x optical zoom
  • Optical Quality 10x
 — —
Front Camera 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm
Processor Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (3 nm) Exynos 2600 (2 nm)* Exynos 2600 (2 nm)*
Memory (RAM) 12GB / 16GB 12GB 12GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 256GB / 512GB 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
(Micro SD: N/A)
Battery 5,000 mAh 4,900 mAh 4,300 mAh
  • Super Fast Charging 3.0
  • Super Fast Wireless Charging
  • Wireless PowerShare
Dimensions 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9 mm

214 g (Sub6/mmWave)

 75.8 x 158.4 x 7.3 mm

190 g (Sub6/mmWave)

 71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2 mm

167 g (Sub6)
Colors Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

 Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

 Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

 

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First Look

Match Pulse: OPPO Reno15 Pro

My first time with a Reno phone is more than just a charm

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February 11, 2026

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Believe me or not, I only had one encounter with an OPPO Reno phone, and it was the Reno10 Pro from 2021. However, my time with it was very short.

Almost five years in, I was finally given the chance to hold the Chinese brand’s latest and greatest Reno.

Without beating around the bush, here’s my first time with the OPPO Reno15 Pro.

First Look

The moment I unsealed its sturdy packaging, the OPPO Reno15 Pro greeted me in this shining, shimmering blue backing.

Dubbed as the “Aurora Blue” colorway, it instantly reminded me that I’m still not over that Aurora Borealis scene in the latest hit K-Drama “Can This Love Be Translated?” starred by Kim Seonho and Go Younjung.

I said it before and I’ll say it again, flashy finishes are the least of my options when choosing for a new phone. Still, this finish wins over the less impressive Dusk Brown shade.

Just like that dazzling northern lights, the Reno15 Pro shows off its aurora accents depending on how the sun hits it.

In the faintest of light, that aurora simply vanishes. Even so, the OPPO Reno15 Pro still shines through with its specks of glitter.

That’s more evident when you bring the OPPO Reno15 Pro indoors — be that your cool room (literally) or a warmly-lit café.

 

Its camera cutout may not be the most unique out there, but it’s uniformed enough to look clean. After all, a phone’s camera arrangement isn’t what defines the overall performance of its cameras.

First Date

Although 8.13mm isn’t “thin” in today’s standards, holding and keeping the OPPO Reno15 Pro for prolonged periods never felt a sore. Its aerospace-grade aluminum frame may just be one among many factors.

One after another, that 6.32-inch AMOLED 120Hz display is a huge complement to the hands. It fits my huge palms, more so, pockets of all sorts. This sweet screen size is also a breath of fresh air in a vast world of large slabs.

When hit by that harsh sunlight, it’s more than bright– up to 3600 nits of peak HDR brightness if I must insist. And, no matter what kind of content I consume, it’s truly crisp, clear, and even color-accurate.

Being powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 8450 SoC alongside OPPO’s ColorOS 16 is what made me stuck longer. It honestly felt like I’m in a smooth ride without any road traffic.

The OPPO Reno15 Pro has a great harmony between its software snappiness and fluidity. Animations flow without feeling rushed — much like enjoying date nights without being pressured to catch the last bus trip back home.

Speaking of staying out late for a date, the Reno15 Pro lasted me more than enough. And, despite its petite form, it managed to fit in a 6200mAh battery inside.

The screen size to battery ratio is just a perfect match. Not only it fits in most (if not all) hands and pockets, it also meant being able to squeeze in more battery to make the most out of your day, night, and even midnight.

If juice gets squeezed out, its 80W SuperVOOC charging will truly save the day!

That doesn’t even end there. With triple IP ratings (IP66, IP68, IP69), you’re more than assured that it’s durable enough in occasional (and accidental) phone drops.

First Impressions

The OPPO Reno15 Pro, despite being categorized as a midrange device, already feels like a solid vanilla flagship.

Much like any other first dates, its overall appearance is just on the surface level. What made me invested more to know the Reno15 Pro further are none other than its intrinsic qualities.

That includes that screen size (or form factor) on the sweet spot plus oh-so-fluid ColorOS. Moreover, its powerful core paired with a humongous battery that will truly last you long.

While I may not have included any photo sample in this early look, I can already assure you that it has one of the greatest camera performers for its class. And actually, it is for another story 😉.

My first time with an OPPO Reno smartphone not only made me impressed. This phone also enticed me to consider switching to the OPPO system when another review opportunity arises.

SEE ALSO: OPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review

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