Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
How long will it last?
Official promiseSupported until August 2026 · Buy-by August 2024
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.
1361% above the $300–600 median ($12.54/mo, dying phones excluded)
Our verdict
The first foldable with an under-display camera, S Pen support and IPX8 water resistance, now near the end of its long support life.
Pros
- Was promised 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of security, and reached Android 15 / One UI 7
- First foldable with IPX8 water resistance and S Pen support
- Still flagship-feeling with a 120Hz inner screen and Snapdragon 888
Cons
- Security support winds down around August 2026, so the runway is short
- Snapdragon 888 runs hot and the 4400mAh battery is only average
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 7.6-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1768x2208, 120Hz + 6.2-inch cover Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 832x2268, 120Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 12MP |
| ultra-wide | 12MP |
| telephoto 2x | 12MP |
| under-display front (inner) | 4MP |
| front (cover) | 10MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 4,400 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired, 11W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 158.2 × 67.1 × 16.0 mm folded / 158.2 × 128.1 × 6.4 mm unfolded |
| Weight | 271 g |
| Materials | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus cover and back |
| Water resistance | IPX8 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 11 with One UI 3.1.1 at launch |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB-C 3.2 |
| Update policy | 4 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 Fold3 5G get updates?
It launched in August 2021 and, after Samsung extended its commitment, received 4 major OS upgrades up to Android 15 (One UI 7) plus 5 years of security patches, which wind down around August 2026.
Did the Z Fold3 originally promise four OS upgrades?
At launch Samsung's foldable policy was effectively 3 OS upgrades plus extended security, but the Fold3 ultimately received a fourth OS upgrade to Android 15, matching the 4-upgrade era.
Is the Galaxy Z Fold3 water resistant?
Yes, it was the first foldable to earn an IPX8 rating for fresh-water submersion, though like all foldables it has no dust rating.
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.