Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G

Phone Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. Compare sizes, cameras, batteries, memory, and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right phone for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the phone that will best fit your needs.

Phone Specifications Comparison

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Product Type Smartphone Smartphone
Manufacturer Model Number SM-G991U1 SM-F926B/DS
Form Factor Touch Folder - touch screen, dual screen
Height 151.7 mm 158.2 mm Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has greater height than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Width 71.2 mm 67.1 mm Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has greater width than Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
Depth 7.9 mm 16 mm Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is narrower than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Weight 171 g 271 g Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is lighter than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Dimensions Details - Folded - 67.1 mm x 16 mm x 158.2 mm
Unfolded - 128.1 mm x 6.4 mm x 158.2 mm
Body Colour Phantom grey | Phantom white Phantom black | Phantom silver | Phantom Green
Body Material - Aluminium, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Protection Dustproof, splashproof, water-resistant Water-resistant
Waterproof (Water-resistant) Yes Yes Both phones are waterproof.
IP rating IP68 IPX8
Repairability Index - 7.8 (out of 10)
SAR Value 1.58 W/kg (simultaneous), 1.11 W/kg (wireless router), 1.08 W/kg (body), 0.74 W/kg (head) 1.036 W/kg (head), 1.443 W/kg (body)
Connector Type USB Type-C - 24 pin USB-C USB Type-C - 24 pin USB-C
SIM Card Type (Size) Nano SIM, Electronic SIM card (e-SIM) Nano SIM, Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
SIM Card Qty Dual-SIM Dual-SIM
DISPLAY Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Display Type OLED display OLED display
Display Technology Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Foldable Display - Yes
Display Design - Inward folding
Screen Size (Display Size) 6.2" 7.6" Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has larger screen size than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Screen Resolution (Display Resolution) 2400 x 1080 pixels 2208 x 1768 pixels Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has better screen resolution than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Display Format Full HD+ QXGA+
Pixel Density 421 ppi 374 ppi Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has better pixel density than Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
Aspect Ratio - 22.5:18
Colour Depth 16.7 million colours 16.7 million colours Both phones have the same color depth.
HDR Yes Yes Both phones have HDR.
HDR Technology HDR10+ HDR10+
Display Enhancement Technology Eye Comfort Shield -
Display Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz Both phones have the same refresh rate.
Display Features AOD(Always On Display), Video Wallpaper AOD(Always On Display), flex screen, Edge Lighting
Display Protection (Screen Protector) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (scratch resistant glass) Samsung Ultra Thin Glass
SECOND DISPLAY
Second Display Type - OLED display - colour
Second Display Screen Size - 6.2"
Second Display Resolution - 2268 x 832 pixels
Second Display Colour Depth - 16.7 million colours
UNFOLDED DISPLAY
Unfolded Display Screen Size - 7.6 in
Unfolded Display Resolution - 2208 x 1768 pixels
PROCESSOR Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Processor Type (CPU) Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G
Clock Speed 2.84 GHz 2.84 GHz Both phones have the same clock speed.
Processor Core Qty 8-core 8-core Both phones have the same number of phone cores.
MEMORY Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
RAM LPDDR5 SDRAM - 8 GB 12 GB Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has more RAM than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Internal Memory Size (Storage Capacity) 128 GB 256 GB Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has more internal memory than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
User Memory 101.2 GB 215.7 GB
Memory Interface - UFS 3.1
CAMERA Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
MAIN CAMERA
Number of Main Cameras 3 3
Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixel 12 Megapixel Both phones have the same camera resolution.
Sensor Size 1/1.76" -
Lens Type Wide-angle lens Ultra wide-angle lens
Lens Aperture F/1.8 F/2.2 Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has better lens aperture than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Field of View (FoV) 79 degree(s) 123 degree(s) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has larger lens field of view than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Pixel Size 1.8 μm 1.12 μm Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has larger camera pixel size than Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Dual OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) Both phones have optical image stabilization.
Focus Adjustment Automatic Automatic
Laser Auto Focus Yes -
Optical Zoom 3x 2x Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has better optical zoom than Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
Digital Zoom 30x 10x Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has better digital zoom than Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
Self-Timer Delay Yes Yes
Special Effects Face retouch, Grid Line Auto HDR, Grid Line, Motion photos
HDR Mode Auto HDR mode -
Camera Modes Panorama, Slow motion mode, Pro mode, HYPERLAPSE, Super Slow-mo, Flowers, Greenery, Trees, Sky, Beaches, Watersides, Snow, Backlit, Text, Food, Face, Baby, Person, Dog, Cat, People, Sunset, Sunrise, City, Waterfall, Scenery, Stage, Vehicles, Drinks, Animal, Shoes, Indoor, Clothes, Night view, Portrait, Night, Motion Photo, Mountain, Single Take, Pro Video, Portrait video, Director's View Panorama, Slow motion mode, Pro mode, selfie mode, HYPERLAPSE, Super Slow-mo, Flowers, Greenery, Trees, Sky, Beaches, Watersides, Snow, Backlit, Text, Food, Face, Baby, Person, Dog, Cat, People, Sunset, Sunrise, City, Waterfall, Scenery, Stage, Vehicles, Drinks, Animal, Shoes, Indoor, Clothes, Night view, Portrait, Night, Mountain, Single Take, Pro Video, NIGHT HYPERLAPSE, Portrait video, Director's View
Face Recognition (Face ID) - Face detection Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has face detection.
Light Source High CRI LED flash High CRI LED flash
Video Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 60 fps, 1280 x 720 (720p) at 30 fps, 3840 x 2160 (4K) at 60 fps, Super slow motion video 1280 x 720 (720p) at 960 fps, Slo-mo video 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 240 fps, 7680 x 4320 (8K) at 24 fps, Hyperlapse 4K video support at 30 fps, Super Steady 1080p video support at 60 fps 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 30 fps, 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 60 fps, 1280 x 720 (720p) at 30 fps, 3840 x 2160 (4K) at 30 fps, 3840 x 2160 (4K) at 60 fps, Super slow motion video 1280 x 720 (720p) at 960 fps, Slo-mo video 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 240 fps, Hyperlapse 4K video support at 30 fps, Super Steady 1080p video support at 30 fps
Camera Features (Functions) Playback zoom, Motion photo, blink detection, QR-code scanner, VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilisation), Tracking AF, Video location tags, Scene Optimiser, Lens smudge, Flaw detection, Shot suggestions, blur detection, HDR10+ recording, Super steady, Super Speed Dual Pixel AF, Quick Measure, Zoom-In Mic, HEIF image capture, Space Zoom, Take 33MP still photos while playing 8K video, Hybrid Optic Zoom 3x, Super Resolution Zoom up to 30x, Digital zoom up to 12x for video, AR Doodle, HEVC (High Efficiency Video coding) support, Microphone Control (Pro Video only) Playback zoom, blink detection, QR-code scanner, VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilisation), Tracking AF, Video location tags, AR sticker, Scene Optimiser, Lens smudge, Flaw detection, Shot suggestions, AR Emoji, blur detection, HDR10+ recording, Super steady, Zoom-In Mic, HEIF image capture, AR Doodle, Microphone Control, HEVC (High Efficiency Video coding), Dual preview, Auto framing, Capture View mode, Corning Gorilla Glass DX (protective lens glass)
SECOND CAMERA
Sensor Resolution (2nd Camera) 12 Megapixel 12 Megapixel Both phones have the same second camera resolution.
Lens Type (2nd Camera) Ultra wide-angle lens Wide-angle lens
Lens Aperture (2nd Camera) F/2.2 F/1.8 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has better second camera lens aperture than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Field of View (2nd Camera) 120 degree(s) 83 degree(s) Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has larger second camera lens field of view than Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
Pixel Size (2nd Camera) 1.4 μm 1.8 μm Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has larger second camera pixel size than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) - Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has optical stabilisation of the second camera.
Camera Features (2nd Camera) - Dual Pixel AF
THIRD CAMERA
Sensor Resolution (3rd Camera) 64 Megapixel 12 Megapixel Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has higher resolution third camera than Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
Sensor Size (3rd Camera) 1/1.72" -
Lens Type (3rd Camera) Telephoto lens Telephoto lens
Lens Aperture (3rd Camera) F/2.0 F/2.4 Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has better third camera lens aperture than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Field of View (3rd Camera) 76 degree(s) 45 degree(s) Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has larger third camera lens field of view than Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
Pixel Size (3rd Camera) 0.8 μm 1 μm Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has larger third camera pixel size than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Both phones have optical stabilization of the third camera.
Camera Features (3rd Camera) - Phase Detect Auto-Focus (PDAF)
FRONT CAMERA
Number of Front Cameras 1 2
Sensor Resolution (Front) 10 Megapixel 10 Megapixel Both phones have the same front camera resolution.
Lens Aperture (Front) F/2.2 F/2.2 Both phones have the same front camera lens aperture.
Field of View (Front) 80 degree(s) 80 degree(s) Both phones have the same front lens field of view.
Pixel Size (Front) 1.22 μm 1.22 μm Both phones have the same front camera pixel size.
Focus Adjustment Automatic -
Special Effects (Front) - Auto HDR, Grid Line
Camera Features (Front) Dual Pixel AF -
SECOND FRONT CAMERA
Sensor Resolution (2nd Front) - 4 Megapixel
Lens Aperture (2nd Front) - F/1.8
Field of View (2nd Front) - 80 degree(s)
Pixel Size (2nd Front) - 2 μm
BATTERY AND CHARGING Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Battery Capacity (Battery Size) 4000 mAh 4400 mAh Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has larger battery capacity than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Fast Charging Technology Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, Adaptive Fast Charging, Power Delivery 3.0 Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, Adaptive Fast Charging Both phones have fast charging technology.
Wireless Charging Yes Yes Both phones can be charged wirelessly.
Wireless Charging Standards WPC, Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare WPC, PMA, Qi, Fast Wireless Charging, Wireless PowerShare
Talk Time 1800 minutes 2040 minutes Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has longer battery life when making calls than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Run Time Details Talk (LTE): up to 1800 min
Active online usage (LTE): up to 14 hrs
Active online usage (Wi-Fi): up to 15 hrs
Playback (wireless video): up to 19 hrs
Playback (wireless audio): up to 72 hrs
Active online usage (LTE): up to 12 hrs
Active online usage (Wi-Fi): up to 12 hrs
Playback (wireless video): up to 18 hrs
Playback (wireless audio): up to 63 hrs
Talk (4G): up to 2040 min
CELLULAR Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Technology CDMA2000 1X / GSM / WCDMA (UMTS) WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM
Mobile Broadband Generation 5G 5G Both phones have the same mobile network generation.
Operating System Android 11 Android 10
Intelligent Assistant Bixby Bixby
Payment Technology Samsung Pay Samsung Pay
Navigation GPS, GLONASS, Galileo GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS
COMMUNICATIONS Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Data Transmission FDD-LTE, TDD-LTE, 5G NR FR1, 5G NR FR2 FDD-LTE, TDD-LTE, LAA, 5G NR FR1
2G Band 850 GSM, 900 GSM, 1800 GSM, 1900 GSM, 800 CDMA2000 1X, 1900 CDMA2000 1X 850 GSM, 900 GSM, 1800 GSM, 1900 GSM
3G UMTS Band Band 1, Band 2, Band 4, Band 5, Band 8 Band 1, Band 2, Band 4, Band 5, Band 8
3G UMTS Frequency 2100, 1900, 1700, 850, 900 2100, 1900, 1700, 850, 900
4G LTE Band Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 12, Band 13, Band 14, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 30, Band 38, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 46, Band 48, Band 66, Band 71 Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 12, Band 13, Band 17, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 32, Band 38, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66
4G LTE Frequency FDD 2100, FDD 1900 PCS, FDD 1800+, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS, FDD 850, FDD 2600, FDD 900, FDD 700a, FDD 700c, FDD 700 PS, FDD 800 lower, FDD 800 upper, FDD 800 DD, FDD 1900+, FDD 850+, FDD 700 APT, FDD 2300 WCS, TDD 2600, TDD 1900, TDD 2300, TDD 2500, TDD 5150, TDD 3600, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS-3, FDD 600 FDD 2100, FDD 1900 PCS, FDD 1800+, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS, FDD 850, FDD 2600, FDD 900, FDD 700a, FDD 700c, FDD 700b, FDD 800 lower, FDD 800 upper, FDD 800 DD, FDD 1900+, FDD 850+, FDD 700 APT, FDD 1500 L, TDD 2600, TDD 1900, TDD 2300, TDD 2500, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS-3
5G NR Band N41, n71, n260, n261 N1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n41, n66, n77, n78, n40
5G NR Frequency TDD TD 2500, FDD 600, TDD 39GHz, TDD 28GHz FDD 2100, FDD 1800, FDD 850, FDD 2600, FDD 900, FDD 800, FDD 700APT, TDD TD 2600, TDD TD 2500, FDD AWS-3, TDD TD 3700, TDD TD 3500, TDD 2300
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.2
NFC Yes Yes Both phones have an NFC reader for mobile payments.
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) - Yes Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G has UWB wireless technology.
MEDIA Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Supported Digital Audio Standards WAV, AAC, PCM, AMR, MP3, FLAC, XMF, OGG, MIDI, APE (Monkey's Audio), M4A, DSF, MXMF, OGA, 3GA, AWB, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DFF, MID, DSD64, DSD128 WAV, WMA, AAC, PCM, AMR, MP3, FLAC, XMF, OGG, MIDI, APE (Monkey's Audio), M4A, DSF, MXMF, OGA, 3GA, AWB, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DFF, MID, DSD64, DSD128
Supported Digital Video Standards MKV, FLV, AVI, 3GP, M4V, WebM, 3G2, MP4 MKV, FLV, AVI, WMV, ASF, 3GP, M4V, WebM, 3G2, MP4
Sound Enhancements Dolby Digital Plus sound, Dolby Atmos sound technology, Surround sound, stereo speakers tuned by AKG, Dolby Digital sound Dolby Digital Plus sound, Dolby Atmos sound technology, Surround sound, Dolby Digital sound
FEATURES Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Phone Functions Speakerphone, voice control, call timer, conference call, flight mode, voice dialing, vibrating alert Speakerphone, voice control, call timer, conference call, flight mode, voice dialing, vibrating alert
Sensors Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, barometer, gyro sensor, hall sensor, geomagnetic sensor Accelerometer, proximity sensor, barometer, gyro sensor, hall sensor, geomagnetic sensor, light sensor
Security Devices Fingerprint reader (under display), face recognition Face recognition, fingerprint reader (side)
Additional Phone Features MIMO technology, Screen Write, notification flashlight, Smart Select, Fast Charging, Samsung KNOX, Smart View, Live message, Screen off memo, Samsung DeX support, Bixby Vision, TalkBack, Dual Audio, Bixby Routines, Intelligent Performance Enhancer, Bixby key, Bluetooth Scalable Codec, Samsung Knox Vault, Private Share function, Enhanced Game Booster, Air Command Multitasking, MIMO technology, notification flashlight, Samsung KNOX, Split Screen, High AOP Mic, Smart View, Samsung DeX support, Bixby Vision, Secure Folder function, TalkBack, Dual Audio, Bixby Routines, Intelligent Performance Enhancer, Samsung Smart Switch, dual battery, Flex mode, Multi Active Window, Bluetooth Scalable Codec, S Pen support
OTHERS Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Included Accessories SIM card removal tool, USB-C to USB-C cable SIM card removal tool, USB-C cable
Compliant Standards VDE, IP68, HAC (Hearing Aid Compatible), SGS Eye Care Display Certification VDE, IPX8
Max Depth of Water Resistance 1.5 m 1.5 m
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