Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 Philippines Price, Confirmed Release Date, Specs and Features Rundown - Android

For me, if there's any tech company currently that's in the perfect position to be at the forefront of introducing fresh mobile device form factors and new categories, it would have to be Samsung.

Why? Well, they create their own smartphone parts, their ecosystem is already very mature, and their products are known and well-accepted the world over, from first world nations to developing ones. At this point, consumers already know what Samsung is capable of delivering.

I'm sure Samsung is well aware of this unique privilege and responsibility so in spite of the heavy criticisms received by their daring first foldable smartphone in 2019, the Korean Tech Giant continues to forge on and improve on this new product line that they practically created and introduced in this new era.


The all-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2, which was introduced through a virtual press briefing for international tech bloggers and members of the media, addresses the key sore points of its predecessors all while introducing fresh features that enhance the user's productivity and brings to life the beauty of the foldable hybrid form factor.

Crafted for tech enthusiasts who have seen it all and meticulous taste-makers who demand only the best that their money can buy, the Galaxy Z Fold2 pushes the boundaries of what we can expect from today's mobile gadget companion. A tablet and a smartphone in one, this device truly puts its owner at the cutting-edge of innovation and the forefront of what any smartphone maker can deliver.


When you unfold it like a book, the downright handsome aluminum-and-glass-clad Galaxy Z Fold2 greets you with a huge 7.6-inch 1768 x 2208 pixels HDR10+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 120Hz refresh rate which is not only larger than the 7.3-inch unfolded screen of the maiden release but also has thinner bezels and less noticeable front-facing cameras placed in small punch holes.

On the cover, the Galaxy Z Fold2 features a 6.23-inch 816 x 2260 pixels SuperAMOLED display with a tall 25:9 aspect ratio. This screen, which lets you do more on this smartphone even without flipping it open, is far bigger than the mere 4.6-inch panel on the exterior of the first Galaxy Fold.


Speaking of productivity, one of the most exciting features of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is the new Flex Mode, which was inspired by what's on the Galaxy Z Flip.

Essentially, when the Galaxy Z Fold2 is partially folded - that is, from 75 to 115 degrees - it automatically goes into Flex Mode. Applications will instantly re-orient and adjust give the user a more intuitive interface. In a real-world scenario, this lets you put the device on the table when making video calls or even allow you to compose emails while watching Youtube, among other tasks.


Multi-tasking has also been greatly improved on the Galaxy Z Fold2. The user can maximize the use of the larger display by having full control of up to three applications running on the screen at once. Samsung calls this "Multi-Active Window" and with it, you can open supported apps, including Youtube, Microsoft Office Apps, Gmail, and Spotify, side by side. It's truly like having a desktop that fits in your pocket.

If you want to take your multi-tasking and productivity on the Galaxy Z Fold2 to a higher level, you can easily launch the all-new Samsung DeX experience that comes pre-installed with this hybrid by connecting it wirelessly to any Smart TV in your home or office. With DeX, you can launch even more applications and even edit your photos and videos faster.

My only wish is that Samsung would eventually add S-Pen or stylus support on the Fold Series to make it an even better productivity workhorse. As a tech blogger who has reviewed many flagship-level Galaxy devices, I can definitely see this in this product category's horizon.


In terms of imaging, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is slightly inferior to the Galaxy S20 and Note20 Series as it lacks powerful telephoto or ultra-zoom features. Nevertheless, it is a solid flagship-level cameraphone that can be relied on for point-and-shoot photography, vlogging, or Youtube video content creation.

The Galaxy Z Fold2 features a Triple Rear Camera Module made up of the following shooters:

1. 12 MegaPixels, f/1.8 Aperture, 26mm, 1/1.76", 1.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Optical Image Stabilization

This is the most powerful of the bunch in terms of sensor size, wideness of aperture, and pixel size. As such, it is the one that you will often use in snapping everyday photos of people, food, greenery, and other subjects in various lighting conditions.

2. 12 MegaPixels, f/2.4, 52mm Telephoto, 1/3.6", 1.0µm, Phase Detection AutoFocus, OIS, 2x Optical Zoom

The secondary camera enables the Galaxy Z Fold2's 2X lossless zoom feature and what's great about it is that it also has optical image stabilization just like the main shooter so can get less blurry telephoto shots even when you're just handholding the device.

3. 12 MegaPixels, f/2.2, 123˚ Ultra-Wide Lens, 12mm, 1.12µm

Finally, the third one is an ultra-wide-angle shooter that's great for capturing scale, making it ideal for architectural or landscape photography. If you travel a lot, I'm sure you will greatly appreciate having this camera at your disposal for taking photos of tourist spots.

Now, as for video recording capabilities, all these cameras are capable of shooting 4K videos at up to 60 frames per second. Sadly, the Galaxy Z Fold2 does not support 8K video capture -- so if you really need that, then I suggest taking a look at Samsung's Galaxy S20 and Note20 models which support the said feature.


How about the front-facing cameras, you ask? Well, unfolded, Galaxy Z Fold2 sports Dual-Front-Facing Camera Module integrated into its slate screen. This is made up of a 10 MegaPixel f/2.2 Main Camera plus an 8 MegaPixel f/1.9 Depth Sensor. There's also a Single Front-Cam inside the punch hole on the Cover Display.

You can use these for taking selfies as they are powered by Samsung's own beautification software but I'd say they are more useful for recording videos as they can shoot 4K clips at up to 60 frames per second and they are also great for video calls in Flex Mode.


For those who are wondering just how powerful the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is when it comes to internal hardware, I'd say it stands shoulder to shoulder with the Galaxy Note20 Series in this regard.

A 2020 flagship handset through-and-through, the Galaxy Z Fold2 runs its One-UI-2.5-customized Android 10 Operating System with the beastly 7nm+ Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor that is quite simply the top mobile chipset based on AnTutu Benchmark Score as of writing. This top-notch CPU is complemented by a whopping 12GB of RAM for ultra-smooth multitasking and up to an impressive 512GB of non-expandable UFS 3.1 internal storage. Altogether, these innards make the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 one of the most powerful 2020 Android smartphones in the market that money can buy.

This foldable hybrid gets its juice from a fairly large 4,500 mAh Li-Po battery pack that supports 25W fast charging using the provided cable and travel charger. The handset also features 11W Wireless Charging and 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging for companion high-end accessories including the latest Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds.

For privacy and security, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 sports a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, facial recognition software integrated with the front-facing cameras, Samsung Knox real-time monitoring and protection, and pre-installed McAfee anti-virus and anti-malware software.


I'm sure you're now wondering how much money Samsung is charging for this ultra-premium flagship and when will fans here in the Philippines be able to get it.

Well, Samsung Philippines has yet to disclose the local SRP but the device dons a price tag starting at $1,999 USD in western markets; That's around PHP 97,000 to PHP 98,000 with current conversion. Given this, I would say that my guesstimate for the base model's official price will be around PHP 100,000 after taxes and subsidies.

That said, since this high-end release supports 5G mobile connectivity, I'm also expecting it to be bundled with new 5G postpaid plans of Samsung's network carriers in the Philippines, including Smart Communications. I believe their deferred or installment plans will make it easier for interested consumers to shoulder the price -- if a bit.

As for the official release date in our country, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 will be available in the Philippines in two elegant colors, namely, Mystic Black and Mystic Bronze starting on September 25, 2020 through select Samsung Online Partner Stores and on October 2, 2020 for select Authorized Samsung Stores in malls. The company will begin to take pre-orders from September 12 to 24, 2020.

Update as of September 11, 2020: The official price of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 in the Philippines is PHP 109,990.

The Pre-Order Period via Samsung Online Store is from September 11 to 24, 2020 and those will successfully sign-up for a unit will enjoy a Premium Bundle Freebie worth PHP 47,100 which includes a Galaxy Watch 3 45mm in Stainless Steel, 12 Months Samsung Care+ Card, and e-Voucher Worth PHP 2,000 for a Samsung Leather Cover.

The Pre-Order Period at Samsung Retail Stores Nationwide as well as via Samsung's Network Carriers will be from September 12 to 24, 2020, and through them, buyers can enjoy a Premium Bundle worth PHP 52,100, which include a 2020 53-inch Samsung Crystal UHD Smart TV, 12 Months Samsung Care+ Card, and e-Voucher Worth PHP 2,000 for a Samsung Leather Cover.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 Specs
Dimensions:
159.2 x 128.2 x 6.9 mm (Unfolded)
159.2 x 68 x 16.8 mm (Folded)
282 grams
Unfolded Display:
7.6-inch, 1768 x 2208 pixels, 373 PPI, Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X
HDR10+, 120Hz
Cover Display:
6.23-inch, 816 x 2260 pixels, 25:9, SuperAMOLED
Triple Rear Camera Module:
12 MegaPixels, f/1.8 Aperture, 26mm, 1/1.76", 1.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Optical Image Stabilization
12 MegaPixels, f/2.4, 52mm Telephoto, 1/3.6", 1.0µm, Phase Detection AutoFocus, OIS, 2x Optical Zoom
12 MegaPixels, f/2.2, 123˚ Ultra-Wide Lens, 12mm, 1.12µm
Front-Facing Camera:
Unfolded - Dual Front-Cam
10 MegaPixels, f/2.2, 26mm, 1.22µm
8 MegaPixels, f/1.9, 24mm, 1.22µm, Depth Sensor
Fold Cover - 10 MegaPixels, f/2.2, 26mm, 1.22µm
Video Recorder:
Back - 4K 60fps, 1080p 60, 240fps with gyro-EIS, 720p 960fps with gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Front - 4K 30fps, 1080p 30fps
One UI 2.5
Android 10 Operating System
7nm+ 3.09 GHz Octa-Core Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+
12GB RAM
256GB, 512GB Internal Storage Options
UFS 3.1
No microSD Card Slot
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.1
4G LTE-A
5G
Hinge-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner
Gyroscope
Wireless Samsung DeX Support
USB Type C Port
25W Wired Fast Charging
11W Wireless Charging
4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging
Non-Removable 4,500 mAh Li-Po Battery Pack
Ultra-Thin Glass, Aluminum
Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 Price in the Philippines
TechPinas Guesstimate - PHP 100,000
International SRP - $1,999 USD
Official Suggested Retail Price in the Philippines - PHP 109,990