Galaxy S22 vs. Z Flip 3: Which One Wins?

As the biggest phone manufacturer in the world, Samsung is a very popular choice when it comes to buying a smartphone. While the Galaxy S22 and Z Flip 3 aren’t the newest releases, their specs are still impressive and they have a lot to offer.

The hardware present is relatively powerful and capable of handling everyday tasks, the displays are bright, and the cameras are of good quality. Aside from performance, one of the major differences is in the design.

The S22 has a fairly typical aesthetic of the time, whereas the Z Flip 3 boasts a revolutionary (or arguably, retro) foldable design that’s increasingly on-trend. If you’ve got your eyes set on one of these smartphones, you’re in luck. Take a look at our Galaxy S22 vs Z Flip 3 full comparison below.

Galaxy S22 vs Z Flip 3: Side-by-Side Comparison

Galaxy S22 vs Z Flip 3: What’s the Difference?

While the table above gives a quick idea of the specs of the two devices, there’s a fuller breakdown below.

Performance

The Galaxy S22 and Z Flip 3 are similar in some respects, particularly in regard to RAM and storage. They both make use of processors and GPUs from the same developers, but there is a difference in the versions used. While the Galaxy S22 in Europe comes with the Exynos 2200 chipset, the U.S. version is equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

The Z Flip 3, however, makes use of the Snapdragon 888 chipset. While both sets of hardware are powerful in their own right, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 edges out the competition and was initially reported to be 20% faster.

Testing has since shown a more modest improvement, with a higher clock speed of around 6%. In day-to-day use, there might not be much of a noticeable difference, but the 8+ Gen 1 is technically superior to its 888 counterpart. 

Great Features

SAMSUNG Galaxy S22

$699.99

• 8K steady video
• 48-120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate
• 50MP wide rear camera
• Screen optimizes color and brightness, outdoors and indoors
• 3,700mAh (25W Charging)

Buy Now on Amazon

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

04/28/2023 07:55 am GMT

In regards to the GPU, the Adreno 730 integrated into the S22 is an improvement over its predecessor, the Adreno 660 which is found in the Z Flip 3. As it makes use of newer 4nm process technology as opposed to 5nm, increases in performance and a reduction in power consumption are expected with the S22. Real-world gains won’t be huge, but the S22 is still superior in terms of performance.

When it comes to RAM and storage, unfortunately, both models feature 8 GB of RAM, but unfortunately lack the capacity for expanded storage. This means you’ll be stuck with either 128 or 256 GB of storage depending on which model you go for. Therefore, you’ll want to be sure of how much storage you’re going to want before buying.

Design 

It’s fairly obvious that the Z Flip 3 is larger than the S22, with a greater height and width and essentially the same depth. Of course, the thickness doubles when the Z Flip 3 is folded, and the height almost halves.

The weight difference isn’t that great, however, with the Z Flip 3 being only around 15 grams heavier than the S22. The biggest contrast is in the thickness when the Z Flip 3 is folded, but this is offset by the reduction in height, meaning it’s still the easier phone to pack into a small pocket.

There is a difference in available color options between the S22 and the Z Flip 3. Both have a set of standard colors and exclusive options available through the Samsung store. The standard color options do share the Phantom Black and Green colors.

Most of the color options are quite muted, with neutral colors such as blacks and whites, understated greens, blues, and pastel shades of yellow, pink, and cream. All in all, including the exclusives, there are 8 colors available for both models and, on the whole, there isn’t a lot of difference between the two.

Aesthetically speaking, you may notice a crease down the middle of the Z Flip 3 screen, but it’s usually not too obvious. All in all, both phones have a pleasant and sleek design, but the foldable nature of the Z Flip 3 is definitely eye-catching and more of a statement. As well as this, the fold comes in handy when you want to prop the phone up during calls or take photos.

Durability

Regarding materials, the S22 has a frame made of what’s called Armor Aluminum, which is just as tough as the name suggests. Coupled with Gorilla Glass Victus+, you’ve got a durable phone with both water and dust resistance. The flat design of the back of the S22 is made out of glass, which is a popular modern choice.

The Z Flip 3 still shapes up to be a rugged device, also making use of Armor Aluminum, but with the slightly inferior Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. There’s water resistance included but, unfortunately, no dust resistance with the Z Flip 3.

Budget Pick

SAMSUNG Galaxy Z Flip 3

$744.97

• A compact design that folds open
• Fast charging
• You can view notifications and check the weather on the external screen
• Allows you to launch two apps simultaneously

Buy Now on Amazon

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

03/03/2023 12:55 pm GMT

Either way, both phones are likely to survive the occasional drop, since tests have shown the glass to be intact after a drop of 2 meters onto a hard surface. The protection offered by the S22 is going to be better, though. Still, you’re going to want to use a high-quality case for your phone as soon as possible, as this is highly recommended for whichever smartphone you use.

Display

Let’s move on to the display. Both models come with an AMOLED display, although the Z Flip 3 has a significantly larger display (by 0.6 of an inch), and this is, of course, bendable. The S22 and the Z Flip 3 both have a Dynamic display, meaning that the refresh rate can be adapted based on the task being carried out and the content being displayed.

Both also have up to a 120Hz refresh rate, meaning you’re going to get a similarly sharp and bright display with either model. You’re getting a slightly sharper resolution with the Z Flip 3, but a higher peak brightness with the S22, so the competition is close.

The Z Flip 3 also tends to have a more reflective surface, meaning you might experience more glare in strong light conditions. As previously mentioned, the visible crease of the Z Flip 3 might also put you off, but having a small AMOLED panel displayed on the cover of the phone is useful for displaying easy-access information such as music controls and updates.

Camera

There are clearly a lot of differences when it comes to camera capability between these two models. While you get a set of three rear cameras with the S22, with a main camera of 50 MP, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens, the Z Flip 3 only has a 12 MP main camera and a 12 MP ultrawide lens.

Essentially, this means you can expect to take crisper photos of a higher resolution with the S22, and also take sharp closeup shots with the zoomable telephoto camera. The S22 also wins the contest when it comes to video recording, with the capability to record footage at 8K, as opposed to the 4K limit of the Z Flip 3.

The situation where the cameras perform pretty much the same presents itself when you’re taking a video call or a selfie. This is because the front camera for both models is 10 MP. For its superior rear camera and optical zoom functionality, the S22 is the better of the two regarding the cameras.

Battery Life

Concerning battery capacity, the difference isn’t massive between the Galaxy S22 and Z Flip 3. The S22 has a 3,700 mAh battery, whereas the Z Flip 3’s comes in slightly lower at 3,300 mAh. Both models support fast charging, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, the latter of which can be useful for charging other devices on the go.

Although both can make use of Samsung’s 25W adapter, rapid charging is capped at 15W for both devices. When using such an adapter, you can expect to reach a full charge from a dead battery in around 1 hour for the S22, and an hour and a half for the Z Flip 3.

While this is relatively quick, both models leave a lot to be desired regarding battery life. The S22 pulls ahead slightly in this race, giving around 7 to 8 hours of battery life on average, whereas the Z Flip 3 only manages around 5 or 6 hours. You can expect to stretch this time out a bit with power-saving mode, as well as by not using the Always-On display feature, but neither is particularly impressive for a modern smartphone.

Price

Initially, the Z Flip 3 was appreciably more expensive than the S22. Launch prices were $749 and $999 for the S22 and Z Flip 3, respectively. Things have changed since their release, however, so the prices aren’t all too different.

In fact, as of writing, the Z Flip 3 is available for around $30 less, coming in at $300.00. This is if you go for the green version, however. Since the production of both models has been discontinued, current prices do pertain to renewed and refurbished models. Even still, it’s nice to be able to pick up the Z Flip 3 for a similar price.

Galaxy S22 vs Z Flip 3: 9 Must-Know Facts

1. The Z Flip 3 has a larger display than the S22.
2. The S22 takes sharper photos and videos than the Z Flip 3.
3. The S22 has a better processor than the Z Flip 3.
4. The Z Flip 3 can fold in half, whereas the S22 cannot.
5. Both models have the same storage options of 128 or 256 GB.
6. RAM capacity is the same for both models, at 8 GB.
7. Battery life for the S22 is around 2 to 3 hours longer.
8. The Z Flip 3 is more convenient for video calls and photoshoots.
9. Prices are very similar these days, but the Z Flip 3 can come in cheaper.

Galaxy S22 vs Z Flip 3: Which One Is Better?

For everyday use, either the S22 or the Z Flip 3 is going to be perfectly capable of handling whatever task you throw at it. The display of both is clear and crisp. Although photos and videos are better with the S22, they’re nothing to sniff at with the Z Flip 3.

For intensive usage, the S22 is the better option since it boasts a more powerful processor and GPU. The battery life is also vastly superior. If a larger screen is your priority, the Z Flip 3 wins. Being able to fold your phone away as well as stand it up is another bonus.

In terms of price, there isn’t much difference nowadays, but it’s possible to purchase the Z Flip 3 for less. If aesthetics and functionality are the most important to you, you should go with the Z Flip 3. If performance and camera quality are what you’re looking for, the S22 is the smarter choice.

Up Next

• Galaxy Fold vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: Which One Wins?
• iPhone 12 vs. Samsung Galaxy S21: 6 Key Differences and Full Comparison
• Samsung Galaxy Flip 4: Full Review of the Latest Foldable Smartphone