Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Vs iPhone 11

Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:317.00

Versus €999.00 new

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iPhone 11
iPhone 11
Starting at

Refurbished price:153.79

Versus €639.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, released in August 2021, and the Apple iPhone 11, launched in September 2019, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and user experience. The most significant differentiators lie in their form factor, with the Z Flip3 offering a unique foldable design compared to the iPhone 11's traditional slab. They also operate on different ecosystems, Android for the Z Flip3 and iOS for the iPhone 11, influencing software experience and app availability.

Scores

Durability

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release date, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline and Age: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G was released in August 2021, making it two years newer than the iPhone 11, which debuted in September 2019. This difference in release date directly impacts their remaining software support cycles.
  • OS Support Duration: Samsung typically provides four years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates for its flagship devices from this era, meaning the Z Flip3 5G is likely to receive major OS updates until Android 15 and security updates until 2026. The iPhone 11, launched with iOS 13, has received updates up to iOS 17 and is nearing the end of its major iOS update cycle, though security updates may continue for a period.
  • Physical Durability: The iPhone 11 features an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing submersion in up to 2 meters of water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G offers IPX8 water resistance, protecting against submersion in water but lacks official dust resistance, which is a consideration for its folding mechanism. The foldable screen of the Z Flip3, while innovative, has different durability characteristics compared to a traditional glass slab.

Year of Release

2021

2019

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

Yes

No

Performance

Both devices were equipped with high-end processors for their respective release times, offering smooth performance for everyday tasks, though their capabilities differ due to their age and architecture.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is powered by a more recent generation processor, which provides a noticeable advantage in handling demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphically intensive games. The iPhone 11, with its older processor, still delivers a responsive user experience for general use, app launching, and moderate gaming, but may show limitations with the most intensive tasks or future software updates.
  • RAM and Storage: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G comes with 8GB of RAM, contributing to smoother multitasking and app retention in memory. The iPhone 11 features 4GB of RAM, which is sufficient for typical iOS usage but offers less headroom for numerous background applications. Storage options for the Z Flip3 5G include 128GB and 256GB. The iPhone 11 was available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB configurations.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G has a 3300 mAh battery. User reports suggest that its battery life can be a consideration for heavy users, sometimes requiring more frequent charging throughout a full day. The iPhone 11 is equipped with a 3110 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for many users under typical conditions.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The display experience on these two devices is a significant point of divergence, primarily due to their underlying technologies and form factors.

  • Display Technology and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G features a 6.7-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering fluid scrolling and vibrant colors with deep blacks. It also includes a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen for quick notifications and interactions when folded. The iPhone 11 utilizes a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD IPS LCD display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. While still offering good color accuracy and brightness, it does not achieve the same contrast levels or motion smoothness as an AMOLED panel with a higher refresh rate.
  • Resolution and Brightness: The Z Flip3's main display has a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels, resulting in a sharp viewing experience. The iPhone 11 has a resolution of 1792 x 828 pixels at 326 pixels per inch. Both displays offer sufficient brightness for indoor use, with the Z Flip3's AMOLED panel generally providing higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility.
  • Viewing Experience: The Z Flip3's foldable nature allows for a compact device that unfolds into a large screen, offering versatility in how content is consumed. The crease in the foldable display is present but often less noticeable during use. The iPhone 11 provides a consistent, flat-screen experience, which some users prefer for its traditional feel and lack of a visible crease.

Resolution

1080 x 2640

828 x 1792

Screen type

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Liquid Retina IPS LCD

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems for capturing everyday moments, though they approach photography with different strengths and features.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G features a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The iPhone 11 also has a dual-camera system with a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. Both devices are capable of capturing detailed photos in good lighting conditions.
  • Low-Light and Video Performance: The iPhone 11 introduced a dedicated Night mode, which significantly enhances photo quality in low-light environments, producing brighter images with reduced noise. It also supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second with optical image stabilization on the wide lens. The Z Flip3 5G also includes a Night mode, with performance comparable to other flagship devices of its time, and records 4K video at 30 or 60 frames per second.
  • Front Camera and Audio: The Z Flip3 5G has a 10MP front-facing camera, which performs well, especially in good lighting. The iPhone 11 features a 12MP TrueDepth front camera, known for its detailed selfies and advanced portrait features. Both phones offer stereo speakers for media consumption, and their microphones are suitable for calls and basic recording.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.1, offering faster mobile data speeds and modern wireless standards. It features a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 11 supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0. It uses Apple's proprietary Lightning port.
  • Biometric Security: The Z Flip3 5G incorporates a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 11 relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for biometric authentication.
  • Design and Handling: The Z Flip3 5G's defining characteristic is its foldable design, allowing it to be compact when closed (86.4 x 72.2 x 15.9-17.1 mm) and expand to a full-sized smartphone when open (166 x 72.2 x 6.9 mm). It weighs 183 grams. The iPhone 11 has a traditional slab design, measuring 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm and weighing 194 grams. The Z Flip3 uses an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus on its cover screen and back, while the iPhone 11 features an aluminum frame with glass on the front and back.

Weight

183 g

194 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.1

Network

5G

4G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the iPhone 11 cater to different user preferences, largely due to their distinct form factors and operating systems. Users often praise the Z Flip3 for its innovative foldable design, which offers a compact footprint without sacrificing screen size when unfolded. Its vibrant AMOLED display with a high refresh rate and 5G connectivity are also frequently highlighted as strong points. Some common criticisms, however, include concerns about the long-term durability of the folding screen and hinge, as well as its battery life for heavy usage.

The iPhone 11 is generally lauded for its consistent performance, reliable camera system, particularly its Night mode, and the intuitive iOS ecosystem. Users appreciate its robust build quality and extended software support from Apple. Criticisms sometimes point to its LCD display technology, which, while good, does not offer the same contrast or refresh rate as more modern OLED panels, and its lack of 5G connectivity.

Users prioritizing a cutting-edge design, a highly portable device, and a modern, high-refresh-rate display may find the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G well-suited to their needs. Its Android operating system also offers greater customization. Conversely, users who value a traditional, highly polished user experience, strong camera performance in various conditions, and a longer track record of software stability may lean toward the iPhone 11. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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