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Galaxy Z Fold 2: Impressive, but not perfect. Everything good and bad today

by Jodie Tubb (2020-09-10)


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Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a self-supporting hinge that lets you go hands-free.
Jessica Dolcourt/CNET


I can't stop looking at the Galaxy Z Fold 2. I keep catching myself glancing admiringly at its cool metal frame, 6.2-inch outer screen and thin bezels. The Z Fold 2 is such a complete, well-considered foldable phone, it's now hard to think of the original Galaxy Fold as anything other than a working mockup with a ridiculous $1,980 price tag. For $2,000 (£1,799 in the UK, which is about AU$3,270), link that's still big bucks, especially in our current world of coronavirus pandemic and global recession. But the more time I spend with the Z Fold 2, the more I'm convinced that this full-size foldable phone isn't just a tech toy for wealthy early adopters. Even if most people would never dream of buying it, it's exciting to follow along.That in no way means this is a device for the regular person. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a niche, aspirational foldable phone that opens into a 7.6-inch tablet. it isn't water-resistant. It comes with a long list of care instructions, and when I gripped its ultrathin screen to take a selfie using a special feature (more below), I worried my nails were clawing into the fragile glass. (It seems fine.)


























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But for a unique device that's firmly on the cutting edge of technology, it has addressed every major flaw from the original Fold and refined it in the process, turning out a phone that -- while I'm still getting to know -- I could actually see using. It isn't perfect, and there are still weak points I would like revised.Galaxy Z Fold 2 preorders are open now and the phone goes on sale Sept. 18. Read on for everything I love so far and all the specs, hands-on photos and more. Since this is a developing review, keep in mind that opinions are subject to change as the review period progresses.



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Best and worst Galaxy Z Fold 2 features so farAn external screen you can actually use. A larger, 6.2-inch display that takes up the entire outer screen looks great in closed position and makes the phone easier to use when you want to type quick replies one-handed or snap and immediately share a photo. I've already used it a lot this way in one day. Since the dimensions are tall and narrow, typing on the keyboard is still a pain, but it works.Switching screens is fast and seamless. Maybe it's the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset or some tighter software controls, but switching from apps on the outer screen to the inner screen happens in a snap. I've tried it fast and opened the phone slowly to see at which angle whatever I'm viewing leaps off the outer screen and appears on the inner screen. When watching Netflix video, audio and visuals didn't skip a beat. It's great that Samsung lets you choose which apps you want to carry over on the outer screen when you snap the phone closed (e.g. to move to another room), but you have to dig into the settings to select them. Works like a charm.Â