PhoneLifespan

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G

Avoid buyingValue Score 40/100
$220
used/refurbished market price
$999 at launch

How long will it last?

Official promise

Supported until August 2026 · Buy-by August 2024

74
days
00
hrs
00
min
00
sec
2021◆ Buy-by Aug 20242026

Samsung promises 5 years of updates for this phone, so it's supported until August 2026 — buying it today still gets you about 0.2 years of safe use.

Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this

TrueCost

Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.

$89.54/month

1228% above the under-$300 median ($6.74/mo, dying phones excluded)

Our verdict

The clamshell that made foldables affordable and mainstream, now in the final months of its support life.

Pros

  • Received 4 OS upgrades to Android 15 (One UI 7) plus 5 years of security patches
  • First clamshell foldable with IPX8 water resistance
  • Still attractive and pocketable with a 120Hz inner screen

Cons

  • Security support winds down around August 2026, so little runway remains
  • Small 3300mAh battery and slow 15W charging
Best for: Buyers wanting a cheap entry into foldablesBest for: Style-focused users who don't mind a short remaining support windowAvoid if: You need years of future updatesAvoid if: You want strong battery life or fast charging

Full specifications

Display

💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).

Screen6.7-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080x2640, 120Hz + 1.9-inch cover Super AMOLED, 260x512, 60Hz
Performance

💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.

ChipsetSnapdragon 888
RAM8GB
Storage128GB / 256GB
Cameras

💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.

main12MP
ultra-wide12MP
front10MP
Battery & charging

💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.

Battery3,300 mAh
Charging15W wired, 10W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Build

💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.

Dimensions86.4 × 72.2 × 17.1 mm folded / 166.0 × 72.2 × 6.9 mm unfolded
Weight183 g
MaterialsArmor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus cover and back
Water resistanceIPX8
Software & connectivity

💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.

SoftwareAndroid 11 with One UI 3.1.1 at launch
Connectivity5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, USB-C 2.0
Update policy4 OS upgrades · 5 years of security updates (official promise)

Better-value alternatives

Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.

Frequently asked questions

How long will the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G get updates?

It launched in August 2021 and, after Samsung extended support, received 4 major OS upgrades to Android 15 (One UI 7) plus 5 years of security patches, which wind down around August 2026.

What was the last Android version for the Z Flip3?

It shipped with Android 11 and was upgraded through Android 15 (One UI 7), its fourth and final major update.

Is the Galaxy Z Flip3 water resistant?

Yes, it was the first clamshell foldable to earn an IPX8 rating for fresh-water submersion, though it has no dust resistance.

Compare it

Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.