``Slightly bent'' and ``U-shaped'' smartphone usage comfort I thought about various things with the ``Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G'' that I bought out of my own pocket (page 1/5)

　One month has passed since I purchased Samsung's two-fold smartphone "Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G" (Fold 3 below). As a smartphone with a special shape, I often think about how to use it and its value on a daily basis.

　This time, I would like to take a closer look at the "value of a large screen folding smartphone".

About this article

This article is partly reprinted from the e-mail magazine "Kodera Nishida's Monday Lunch Buffet" that is distributed every Monday. This article was delivered on November 8, 2021. Click here to apply for an e-mail magazine subscription (660 yen per month, tax included). In addition, a note version of "Kodera Nishida's Column Buffet" (980 yen per month, tax included) with additional content has also started.

It's heavy, but it's comfortable enough to carry around.

There are two important points when talking about the Fold 3. It's a waterproof clamshell, and you can use a practical pen.

Folding in half means that you can carry a large screen in a smaller size. Products like the "Galaxy Z Flip 3" and "Motorola Razr 5G" are designed to make vertically long smartphones compact. On the other hand, it can be said that a design like the Fold 3 is for carrying around a tablet-like size.

I thought again, but the two are similar but different.

To be honest, the Fold 3 is heavy and thick even when folded, making it difficult to carry. It's heavier (271g) than heavyweight phones like the iPhone 13 Pro Max (238g) and Pixel 6 Pro (210g), and it's hefty. It becomes thinner when folded, but is still thick. Of course, the feeling will differ depending on the individual, but it is the limit that can be carried around as a smartphone. It is suitable to put it in a bag and carry it around.

　Currently, although things have calmed down a lot, it's not like it used to be that "working outside is a daily routine". In the past, I used to go out for interviews at least four days out of the week, but even though I'm back, I'm still only halfway there. That's why I spend more time using the Fold 3 at home than carrying it around.

　I usually use the 12.9 inch iPad Pro as a tablet. Some people say, "Isn't it too big?" I often use it like a PC/Mac, so I think this is fine.

On the other hand, there are certainly times when I myself think that it is "big". As something to take with you when you leave your seat for a while, well, it's certainly big.

　When I leave my seat for a while, I mean when I drink tea, eat, or go to the bathroom. I'm addicted to print and video, so even when I'm alone, I often find myself watching or reading something. In the past, I always had a paperback book, but now I have a tablet. The reason why it's not a smartphone is simply that the screen is larger and easier.

However, 12.9 inches is large. Therefore, the Fold 3 is playing an active role as a "somehow just right" size.

Then there is something else... For example, some people may think, "Isn't it okay to use an iPad mini?"

　Actually, I think so. However, the usability is quite different. To be honest, if you're used to Apple's way and don't mind having both a smartphone and a tablet, an iPad mini is fine, and it's cheaper.

However, it is an advantage that the main smartphone can be consolidated into this one unit.

　Well, I didn't combine them into one unit, so there is no advantage.

　For me, it's important to use "things that sparkle", and the ideas and knowledge that can be gained from that, so buying an iPad mini feels "a bit different for me personally".

To read more, you must agree to the terms of use for comments and register for "ITmedia ID" and "ITmedia NEWS Anchor Desk Magazine"