Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 first look: a bigger, better screen and a sturdier hinge for a mini laptop feel and hi-res selfies

Samsung had already fixed the teething problems of its first Galaxy Fold, and the second version is even better

With a larger, faster and stronger folding screen and a more sturdy adjustable hinge, it could be the best mobile gadget of the year

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2’s design allows users to take higher resolution selfies using the main camera system. Photo: Ben Sin

Published: 9:00pm, 2 Sep 2020Updated: 1:14pm, 10 Nov 2021

Samsung’s push into the foldable phone space got off to a rocky start last year when early loan units of its debut Galaxy Fold broke in the hands of reviewers in the first week. But after a problem-free relaunch of a fixed Fold, followed by a successful release of a second Flip folding phone, it appears the ship has been righted.

And the South Korean tech giant’s new release, the Galaxy Z Fold 2, is further proof that the foldable look is here to stay.

It’s a major improvement over the first Fold in both obvious and subtle ways, and barring an unlikely surprise from Apple or Huawei in the next few months, the Fold 2 is almost certainly the most impressive mobile gadget of 2020.

The most noticeable improvement Samsung made with the Fold 2 over the original is its outside screen (the one we see when the device is folded) is much larger. Stretching almost the entire face of the device, it measures 6.2 inches diagonally, a huge jump from the measly 4.5in of the original device.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 (left) next to the original Galaxy Fold. The Z Fold 2 increases the outside screen significantly, from 4.5 inches to 6.2in. Photo: Ben Sin

This upgrade significantly improves the purpose of this dual shape. The Fold 1 felt like it is mainly a tablet that can pass for a phone for short periods of time; the Fold 2 feels like it is equally a smartphone and a tablet.

The inside large screen got a big bump too: bezels have been slimmed, the notch has been removed in favour of a less intrusive hole punch cut-out; and the refresh rate jumps to a blistering 120Hz.