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Apple and Samsung are arguably the two brands that come to mind when considering quality smartphones. Every year, these companies go out of their way to release exquisite phones, each better than the last. True to their norm, both companies hit the phone market by storm as Apple unveiled its new iPhone 14 and Samsung the Z Flip3.
While both phones have incredible features, they have key differences that set them apart in design and performance across various specs. The iPhone 14 represents the newest standard iPhone with the latest franchise features, such as a powerful A15 Bionic processor, an impressive OLED display, and great camera features.
On the other hand, Samsung’s Z Flip3 boasts style and affordability with its foldable screen, strong battery, good camera features, and Snapdragon 8 processor. If you want to upgrade to a different phone, you may be torn between the two; worry not. This article reviews the iPhone 14 vs. Zflip3 to help you decide which best suits you. Let’s get to it!
iPhone 14 vs. Z Flip3: Side-by-Side Comparison
| iPhone 14 | Z Flip3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | September 2022 | August 2021 |
| Price | $799 | $999 |
| Company | Apple | Samsung |
| Operating System | iOS (16. x) | Android 11 |
| Battery Capacity | 3279 mAh | 3300 mAh |
| Screen Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB with no micro SD card slot | 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB with flash storage options |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB |
| Network Support | 3G, 4G, and 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G |
| Front Camera | 12 MP | 10MP |
| Rear Camera | Primary: 12MP Wide f/1.5 Secondary: 12 MP ultra-wide, f/2.4 | Primary: 12 MP f/1.8 Secondary: 12 MP ultra-wide, f/2.2 |
| Security | Face ID | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner |
iPhone 14 vs Z Flip3: What’s the Difference?
Before deciding on your pick, it is essential to check out the iPhone 14 and Z Flip3’s distinct features and air their differences. One of the devices may have the specs you need, while the other lacks them, which could be vital in determining the best-fit smartphone. From the display to performance features and other nitty-gritty, here is a technical review of the iPhone 14 vs. Z Flip3 smartphones.
Design
Although the design is not the most vital aspect to look at when purchasing a phone, it plays an essential role in picking one. After all, a phone’s design is the first thing you see, and we all have our preferences. In this regard, the iPhone 14 and Z Flip3 have significantly different designs.
On the one hand, Apple opted to stick to the classic Apple design to which their customers are accustomed. It is a mirror of its predecessor, the iPhone 13, with a dual rear camera decently seated at the top back left in a diagonal layout.
The elegant design is furthered by the flat edges, and cemented by features tailored to ensure durability. For example, it has an aluminum mid-frame and a screen reinforced with a ceramic shield. Therefore, you are unlikely to deal with the inconvenience of a cracked screen or damaged parts after a minor fall; it is designed to last.
- Apple A15 Bionic
- 26 hours of battery life including video playback
- Super Retina XDR display
- Ceramic Shield front cover
- 12MP camera
- Crash Detection
Besides the aesthetics, Apple accounts for how the device feels in its users’ hands. For example, the iPhone 14 measures 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches, making it comfortable to hold with minimal fall risk. Additionally, it only weighs 6.07 ounces, making it portable even when users lack pockets or purses to carry their phones.
On the other hand, the Z Flip3 is the epitome of creative modern smartphone designs. Inspired by the old clamshell phone, Samsung created a foldable phone that is an exciting move away from the conventional glass slab phones we know.
The phone’s foldability, which is its key unique design feature, allows you to fold it into a miniature size that easily fits in the palm of your hand. This feature is handy should you want to use the phone privately in a public space or fit it in your pocket.
While most companies sacrifice durability features when improving their products’ designs, Samsung did quite the opposite with the Z Flip3. The foldable phone is one of the most durable Samsung smartphones, with Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back of the device. This is supported by an armor aluminum frame, making the phone almost perennial. To top it off, the Z Flip3 is water- and dust-resistant.
However, despite its impressive design, the Z Flip3 is bigger and heavier than the iPhone 14. The Samsung smartphone measures 6.5 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches when unfolded, making it larger than most standard smartphones. Although this can be fixed by using the phone in its folded state, it is still quite heavy, weighing about 6.59 ounces.
Ultimately, the Z Flip3 should be your go-to phone should you want a device with an exciting, fun design. Alternatively, opt for the iPhone 14 should you want a well-designed, modest smartphone.
Display
Smartphones are steadily taking their place as people’s primary source of entertainment. Whether you prefer playing phone games, watching movies and short internet videos, or scrolling through social media, you likely spend more hours on your phone than on any other device. As such, it is essential to have a phone with top-notch display features to accommodate your screen time.
With this in mind, the iPhone 14 and Z Flip3 have sizeable screens at 6.7 inches, culminating in ample display. However, the iPhone has a better screen-to-body ratio at 87.24%, while its Samsung counterpart has an 84.7% ratio. Although minute, it could make a difference in certain circumstances.
The differences are much broader when we delve into the gist of the gadgets’ display systems. As is the norm with iPhones, the iPhone 14 has an impressive OLED display with an 1170 X 2532 resolution.
With an HDR feature and a 1,200-nit peak brightness, you can access life-like motion pictures when viewing images or videos on your phone. This is a ground-breaking feature if you enjoy playing Battle Royale games or watching movies on your device.
- 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
Although the iPhone 14 display features are pretty impressive, the Z Flip3 is just as good in terms of quality. The device has a flexible AMOLED display, arguably better than OLED, as it has extra layers of thin-film transistors that protect the eyes from harmful blue light. The display quality is equally good, with HDR support, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 1,200-nit brightness.
With the display features almost on par with each other, the Z Flip3’s foldable quality offers a slight edge over the iPhone. The phone has a 1.9-inch cover display accessible in its folded mode, allowing you to make calls, view notifications, and access various other features without unfolding your phone.
Camera
We cannot have a complete review of iPhone 14 vs. Z Flip3 phones without comparing their camera features; this is one of the most important aspects people consider when buying smartphones today.
You’d want a phone that takes almost perfect, clear pictures when you go out with friends, visit a scenic place, or when you want to bless your social media followers with a selfie. You can achieve this with the iPhone 14 and Z Flip3, as both have similar camera features.
The devices have dual cameras at the back, though with slightly distinct specs. As a common Apple trademark, the iPhone 14 has a great camera characterized by a 12MP primary camera with f/1.5 aperture, a 1.9μm pixel size, and a sensor-shift that reduces the possibility of taking blurry photos.
The primary camera is backed by a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a 5x digital zooming feature to increase the scope of your photos. This feature also allows users to take clear, quality pictures of objects from a distance.
The Z Flip3, on the other hand, has the same main camera features with slight improvements. The primary camera is 12MP with f/1.8 aperture and a 1.4μm pixel size, guaranteeing professional-level clarity in your photos.
This is supported by a secondary 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 123-degree field of view to maximize the photography scope. Although it’s not as good as the one on the iPhone 14, it is excellent for taking pictures in low light.
Regarding the front camera, the iPhone 14 outshines the Z Flip3 with its 12MP TrueDepth camera with autofocus features. On the other hand, the latter has a 10MP front camera lens with a fixed focus. However, you can always use the Z Flip3 main camera to take selfies by folding it and using the cover screen; this ensures better-quality selfies.
Performance
Performance is everything when it comes to picking a smartphone to buy. Who doesn’t want a phone with great software that can perform tasks efficiently and run several apps simultaneously without lagging? No one.
Although the iPhone and Z Flip3 aren’t the most powerful phones on the market, they are not far behind. The two devices operate on different software, with the iPhone 14 set up with iOS, while the Z Flip3 runs on Android 11. Some people believe that iOS software is better than Android; it couldn’t be further from the truth.
With both companies promising major operating system updates over the next five years, the improvements are not expected to significantly affect the phones’ performance. Nonetheless, other aspects set the phones’ performance apart, such as their featured processors.
For example, the iPhone 14 runs on an A15 Bionic SoC, similar to its predecessor. However, it is powered by a 5-core GPU system, an upgrade from the 4-core GPU. Consequently, it has a higher and faster graphic performance.
On the other hand, the Z Flip3 runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 chipset. Although this is not the latest chipset from the company, it is still ahead of the A15 in artificial intelligence and machine learning operations. Thus, it has a slight edge over the iPhone 14 regarding daily tasks and applications.
The advantage extends to memory capacity where the Z Flip3 has three variants, i.e., 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, each with a RAM of 8GB. With such a powerful RAM and storage range, you are unlikely to experience lagging. While the iPhone comes in similar storage variants, they only have a RAM of 6GB.
Pricing and Availability
We wrap up our review of the iPhone 14 vs. Z Flip3 phones by comparing their prices and availability. The iPhone 14 and Z Flip3 are available in their company stores, i.e., Apple and Samsung stores. However, you can also purchase them in major online and retail stores. While the iPhone 14 goes for around $799, the Z Flip3 is pricier, retailing at around $999.
iPhone 14 vs Z Flip3: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The Z Flip3 was announced and released before the iPhone in 2021.
- The Z Flip3 is the first foldable phone priced under $1000.
- You can take a selfie using the Z Flip3’s rear camera.
- The iPhone 14 is the first iPhone upgrade without a different processor from its predecessor.
- The iPhone 14’s key security feature is its fool-proof face ID system.
iPhone 14 vs. Z Flip3: Which One Should You Choose?
With the analyzed specs and features, you may still be wondering which of the two phones you should purchase; both seem like great prospects. However, the Z Flip3 is a fun option should you be tired of traditional slab smartphones.
With a stylish foldable design, you can use it as a conventional full-sized smartphone or transform it into a miniature version at your discretion. Moreover, its performance and storage features are superior to most smartphones on the market. Generally, it is better if you want a change or an upgrade.
On the other hand, the iPhone 14 is also a good pick, especially if you are an ardent iPhone user. It has a tried and tested design and great features at a lower cost. Ultimately, buyers have the final say on which smartphone to buy.
