Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone, z.com review.

Z.Com review


The cover display on the galaxy Z fold 2 does not offer a 120hz refresh rate, but it's still a heck of a lot better than what the first fold featured.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone, z.com review.


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone, z.com review.


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone, z.com review.

Measuring 6.2 inches, this OLED screen is big enough to perform pretty much any task, and you can still instantly resume what you were doing on the main display when you unfold the device. The galaxy Z fold 2 comes in two colors: mystic bronze and mystic black. But you'll be able to add some flair in the form of four hinge color options if you order through samsung.Com. Options include metallic silver, metallic gold, metallic red and metallic blue.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone


Thanks to a ton of improvements, the galaxy Z fold 2 is the best foldable phone yet and a productivity powerhouse


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review


Our verdict


With a bigger cover display, improved design and innovative flex mode, the galaxy Z fold 2 is the best foldable phone yet and a productivity powerhouse.



  • Bigger cover display

  • Flex mode adds versatility

  • Improved multitasking

  • More durable design

  • Apps make use of tablet mode


Against


The samsung galaxy Z fold 2 isn’t just better than the original galaxy fold — its a quantum leap better. And it needs to be at $2,000. The front display is a lot bigger, 5G is standard, and the unsightly notch on the inside is gone. Plus, this foldable is more durable than the first fold.


More important. Samsung has further innovated to make this phone-tablet hybrid a lot more versatile, thanks to a new flex mode. Plus, the multitasking is even better for running up to three apps at the same time, and several apps have a dual-pane view for enhanced productivity.


The galaxy Z fold 2’s cameras are not as advanced as the galaxy note 20 ultra’s (especially the zoom) and the design is pretty hefty, but overall the galaxy Z fold 2 does a much better job this time around of justifying samsung's high asking price.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: what I like


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: what I don't like



  • The main display is smudge prone: although the ultra thin glass on the 7.6-inch screen is more durable and has a better feel, it picks up smudges quickly. And, yes, the crease is still noticeable.

  • Limited zoom: I can live without the galaxy note 20’s 108MP sensor, but having just 2x optical zoom on a $2,000 phone when you can get 5x on the note is a bummer.

  • No water resistance: when it started to drizzle outside I took the Z fold 2 indoors because there is no water resistance promised for this device.

  • This is a hefty device: at 9.9 ounces, the Z fold 2 is heavier than the original galaxy fold (9.5 ounces) and I felt a bit of strain after several minutes of typing. Then again, you are getting a phone and tablet in one.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: price and release date


Price: $1,999
OS:
android 10
main display: 7.6 inch inches 120hz (2208 x 1768 pixels)
cover display: 6.2 inches 60hz (2260 x 816 pixels)
CPU: snapdragon 865 plus
RAM: 12GB
storage: 256GB
rear cameras: 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (2x optical/10x digital zoom)
selfie cameras: 10MP (cover), 10MP (main display)
battery: 4,500 mah
battery life: 10 hours 10 minutes
size: 6.2 x 2.6 x 0.66 inches (closed); 6.2 x 5 x 0.27 inches (open)
weight: 9.9 ounces


The samsung galaxy Z fold 2 had a release date of sept. 18 and is available for sale through multiple carriers as well as unlocked.


Samsung prices the galaxy Z fold 2 at $1,999 with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. Note that a microsd card slot is not included and there are no other capacities available. Original galaxy fold owners can trade in their device for up to an $800 value.


If you're looking for galaxy Z fold 2 deals, the phone has been discounted as low as $999, which makes it a much better value. So it can pay to look for sales on this foldable phone. The galaxy Z fold 2 is available through all of the major carriers, including AT&T, verizon and T-mobile (sprint), as well as unlocked.


Samsung offers the galaxy Z premier service for the Z fold 2, which includes on-demand concierge support from dedicated experts. In addition, Z fold 2 owners can get a membership to founderscard, access to a prepared meal from a michelin star restaurant and access to a various golf clubs.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: design and durability


The galaxy Z fold 2 immediately makes a better impression than the galaxy fold because of its larger exterior display. You no longer feel like you're operating android through a peep hole, and that's because the cover screen has grown from 4.6 inches to 6.2 inches.


The interior display is also bigger at 7.6 inches for the galaxy Z fold 2, compared to 7.3 inches for the previous model. Even better, the ugly notch on the main screen is gone, replaced by a small cutout for a selfie camera.


Samsung also made several enhancements fo the galaxy Z fold 2 to improve durability and usability. This includes a sturdier new ultra thin glass display, which is designed to provide a better touchscreen feel than the plastic screen fold, and a hideaway hinge that uses sweeper technology to prevent dust and dirt from entering the phone.


In a third-party test by youtuber jerryrigeverything, the galaxy Z fold 2 survived having dirt thrown on it, which suggests that the new hinge works better than on the original model.


Similar to the galaxy Z flip 5G, the galaxy Z fold 2's hinge uses a CAM mechanism that allows you to position the screen in multiple positions. And while there's still a gap between the two sides of the phone when closed, it's narrower than before.


The galaxy Z fold 2 comes in two colors: mystic bronze and mystic black. But you'll be able to add some flair in the form of four hinge color options if you order through samsung.Com. Options include metallic silver, metallic gold, metallic red and metallic blue.


Measuring 6.2 x 2.6 x 0.66 inches when closed and 6.2 x 5 x 0.27 inches when open, the galaxy Z fold 2 is slightly shorter but wider than its predecessor. It's also heavier, as the Z fold 2 weights 9.9 ounces, compared to 9.48 ounces for the original model. I definitely felt a bit of strain after using the phone several minutes and typing out messages.


Another bummer: the galaxy Z fold 2 doesn't offer water resistance, so you can't get it wet as you can with other flagship phones.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: display


In addition to a larger size, the 7.6-inch main display on the galaxy Z fold 2 boasts a 120hz refresh rate, so you should enjoy smooth scrolling and overall performance compared to the 60hz rate on the galaxy fold. Plus, because the panel is adaptive, it's smart enough to dial the rate down or up based on the content on screen.


The cover display on the galaxy Z fold 2 does not offer a 120hz refresh rate, but it's still a heck of a lot better than what the first fold featured. Measuring 6.2 inches, this OLED screen is big enough to perform pretty much any task, and you can still instantly resume what you were doing on the main display when you unfold the device.


Just keep in mind that the aspect ratio on the Z fold 2's cover display is narrower than most phones, so typing can feel a bit cramped.


Galaxy Z fold 2 review: software and flex mode


One of the complaints we had about the galaxy fold is that many of the apps just felt like blow-up phone apps in tablet mode. But samsung is addressing this drawback with the galaxy Z fold 2.


For example, in gmail I could see my messages on the left and the body of emails on the right. And in slack my contacts were on the left and messages on the right. You need to flip the galaxy Z fold 2 display's orientation to landscape mode to see these changes, but it makes a huge difference in productivity. And it makes the galaxy Z fold 2 feel more laptop-like. Samsung also promises an optimized viewing experience in microsoft office and youtube.


The galaxy Z fold 2's flex mode gives this foldable phone a lot of versatility. The idea is that you can have controls or settings on one side of the display and content on the other for maximum productivity.


I really enjoyed using google duo in flex mode, as it lets you set the phone down in a laptop-like position and have a video call with the other person without having to hold the device. It's something I immediately wished my iphone could do.


Samsung says that flex mode is supported by several samsung apps, including camera, video call, gallery, video player, clock and calendar. And google is supporting flex mode with youtube as well as google duo. Samsung is working with third-party developers as well to create flex mode optimized apps.


Another key galaxy Z fold 2 upgrade is multi-tasking. With the improved multi-active window feature, you can open up to three apps at the same time and can quickly create presets called app pairs that you launch with just a tap.


I tried this with slack, twitter, and spotify as well as youtube, photos and messages, and it was very cool to launch three apps at once.You can also quickly re-arrange the layout with a tap or drag an app from one window to another.


Even cooler, you can also drag and drop content from one window to another. I had no problem dropping a photo from the gallery app into an outgoing message. However, it didn't work with the google photos app. Multiple samsung apps support drag and drop, as does microsoft 365, gmail, chrome and google maps.


Samsung's app continuity feature is also on board from the original galaxy fold. The idea is that you can start an app on the cover display, open the main display and pick up right where you left off. This worked in most apps, but the sky force 2 game forced to me restart the app when moving to the bigger canvas.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 cameras


It's a bit strange to say this, but the $2,000 galaxy Z fold 2 represents a step down from the $1,300 galaxy note 20 when it comes to the cameras. You don't get a 108MP main sensor, a 5x optical zoom or a 50x space zoom, but you do get three capable shooters you can use in a variety of ways.


The galaxy Z fold 2 features a 12MP main wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide angle camera with a 123-degree field of view and a 12MP telephoto lens with a 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom.


The fun really starts with the camera features that are unique to the galaxy Z fold 2. For example, dual preview lets subjects see how they're going to look using the front display while you're taking the shot. You can also take higher quality selfies with the rear cameras.


All you need to do is fire up the camera on the cover display and then press a button in the top right corner, then the Z fold 2 will invite you to unfold the device and you'll see a live preview.


Another perk: you can prop up the galaxy Z fold 2 in what looks like laptop mode and it will keep your subject in focus when shooting video using a feature called auto framing. Thanks to flex mode, you can also review recent pictures on the bottom half of the screen while maintaining the live preview in the top half.


The Z fold 2's camera did a fantastic job capturing a close-up of these yellow and violet flowers. You can make out fine details in the petals and even fine droplets of water when you zoom in.


I also took this selfie using the rear 12MP camera and the Z fold 2's cover screen as the viewfinder. The blue in my shirt pops, and the surrounding trees and grass look vibrant. You simply can't do this on an iphone.


As expected, the 10x digital zoom proved disappointing compared to the more powerful space zoom on the galaxy note 20 ultra. As we zero in on the tree and hanging flower baskets, there's a fair amount of grain. It's certainly passable, though.


The galaxy Z fold 2 did a fairly good job in this portrait shot, artfully blurring the photos in the background. The bokeh effect is better on the Z fold 2 than the iphone 12. However, my face is a bit more blown out in samsung's shot.


In this shot of fall decorations, the galaxy Z fold 2 delivers a brighter overall image, and you can make out lots of detail in the turkeys. The iphone 11 pro max does a better job rendering the hay but overall I give the edge to samsung here.


The galaxy Z fold's 2 night mode worked well in this shot taken in near darkness of a wall hanging. However, the iphone 11 pro max's night mode captured a considerably brighter image of the scene.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: performance


The galaxy Z fold 2 sports a snapdragon 865 plus processor along with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage (UFS3.1). So we would expect similar performance to the galaxy note 20 ultra.


On geekbench 5, which measures overall performance, the galaxy Z fold 2 scored 3,193 on the mult-core portion. The note 20 ultra with the same chip scored a slightly higher 3,294 and the asus ROG phone 3 hit 3,393. The iphone 11 pro was fastest with 3,500.


On the gfxbench graphics test, the galaxy Z fold 2 scored 1,461 frames on the aztec ruins (high tier) off-screen benchmark, compared to 1,455 for the galaxy note 20 ultra and 1,657 frames for the iphone 11 pro.


Overall, the Z fold 2 offers smooth performance, but I noticed minor software glitches at times. The youtube app view didn't change I switched screen modes at one point, but restarting the app resolved the problem.


In terms of 5G, the galaxy Z fold 2 supports both mmwave and sub-6ghz flavors, so you should have no problems tapping into 5G networks where there is coverage. I didn't see the best results in central new jersey. On AT&T's network the galaxy Z fold 2's download speed hit only 22 mbps, but on T-mobile it was a much higher 122 mbps in the same location.


Because the Z fold 2 also supports ultra wide band technology, you can leverage samsung's nearby share features to quickly share files with other compatible devices, which thus far only includes the note 20 ultra.


Galaxy Z fold 2 review: battery life and charging


The galaxy Z fold 2 packs a 4,500 mah battery, which should be able to get you through most of the day. The galaxy fold had a slightly smaller 4,380 mah, so this is a step up.


On our battery test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits of screen brightness, the galaxy Z fold 2 lasted 10 hours and 10 minutes on the 60hz display setting. That's not enough to make our list of best phone battery life, where are the handsets last longer than 11 hours. But given the size of the Z fold 2's display that's pretty good endurance.


As expected, the battery life dropped on the Z fold 2 with the display set to 120hz (adaptive), with the phone lasting 9 hours and 5 minutes.


Anecdotally, the battery life on the Z fold 2 is pretty solid. I started using the phone at 10 am and after a day of heavy usage it had about 18% juice left at 10 pm.


The Z fold 2 supports 25W fast charging, as well as fast wireless charging and powershare reverse charging. But we didn't see the best results in our testing. After 30 minutes the Z fold 2 was at 46% and we would expect 50%. By comparison, the note 20 ultra hit 56% in the same amount of time.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: verdict


The samsung galaxy Z fold 2 is the quintessential example of a company listening to its customers and delivering a wide range of improvements they asked for. At $2,000, this is a phone that's still very much for early adopters, but the Z fold 2 seems a lot less like a prototype and more like a viable product.


The front display on the galaxy Z fold 2 alone is a huge upgrade. I also really like flex mode and the versatility that gives this phone. Being able to prop up the device at various angles really makes the Z fold 2 feel like a brand new type of device. And while the mult-active window multitasking requires a bit of a learning curve, it maximizes productivity.


If you want a more powerful phone and better cameras, the iphone 12 pro max is the better option, but apple doesn't have anything nearly as innovative in its lineup to take on the Z fold 2. An iphone flip could be on the way at some point, but we doubt it will be anytime soon.


Overall, I am really impressed with what samsung has accomplished here. This is clearly the best foldable phone yet and a sign of great things to come in the category.



Z.Com review


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone, z.com review.


Brandon christensen’s “Z,” premiering may 7 th on shudder, is a vicious little movie that recalls “poltergeist” and “the babadook” with its story of a possessive force that destroys a family. It’s a little rough around the edges in terms of an obviously thin effects budget and even simple things like its overcooked score but there’s a lot to like here in terms of storytelling within the risky screenplay by christensen and colin minahan (“what keeps you alive”). It’s one of those films that may be overly reliant on jump scares when you tally them all up, but I’d by lying if I didn’t admit that a few of them legitimately made me jump. There’s one in particular that made me gasp in a way I don’t think I will with any other horror movie this year—it’s the moment you know this movie, unlike its title character, isn’t playing around.


Josh parsons (jett klyne) is a quiet eight-year-old without a lot of friends. And so his parents—elizabeth (keegan connor tracy) and kevin (sean rogerson)—are actually happy when their son starts opening up and playing with an imaginary friend named ‘Z’. The sense that something is wrong with josh’s relationship with Z hits mom first, as it always does in these movies (you could program a film festival with horror movies in which mom knew something was wrong before dumb old dad). Josh, who formerly slept with the door open now wants it closed because “Z likes it dark.” and mom thinks she sees something at play zone but no one believes her. In fact, there’s an interesting undercurrent in the first third of “Z” in which it feels like elizabeth is being gaslighted by her husband and son. Josh seems to be acting even creepier to get attention and dad is willfully dismissive of the problems with his son, even after he gets suspended from school.


Mom is the first to suspect that there’s more to the story of Z than meets the eye. First, it’s reflected in the increasingly unstable behavior of her son, which really hits home when literally no one in his class will come over for a playdate. They’re all scared of josh. And then there are the creepy night scenes of sounds and shadows when elizabeth senses a presence in the house. Some of these are a bit overdone for the theatricality of the genre. I’ve always said there are some horror movies in which it feels like the characters can hear the creepy score and know they’re in a genre movie as they move slowly to increase tension. In the real world, you’d probably just flip on the light with a little less gravitas, but that’s no fun.


Christensen and minahan are smart to give “Z” two major turns—sorry to anyone who’s not a fan of the three-act structure. The first act's gaslighting creepiness becomes something more like “poltergeist,” especially after josh draws a terrifying vision of Z on his wall and, well, violence happens (I won’t spoil the aforementioned jump scare, but mine was accompanied by an audible exhalation and I believe a curse word). Without spoiling anything, a doctor who also treated a young elizabeth, played by the always-reliable stephen mchattie, reveals a family history with this particular problem that the parsons are having. But the film has another turn in its final act, leading to a pitch-black ending.


It may be all a bit too manipulative and inconsistent for some people, and I wouldn’t argue too much, but this feels like a perfect film for shudder, the growing service for horror fans. People who shell out a monthly subscription fee to the streaming company—which was built on the success of the creepy kids and haunted house movies that spawned “Z”—are unlikely to be disappointed by their new horror friend.


Premieres on shudder tomorrow, 5/7.



2020 nissan 370Z


Review, pricing, and specs


Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page.


2020 nissan z front



  • Highs great engine response, easy to drive enthusiastically, still cheaper than direct rivals.

  • Lows dated aesthetics throughout, steering lacks feedback, indifferent shifter action.

  • Verdict the 370Z is an engaging rear-drive, two-seater that is showing its age.


Overview


Although the 2020 nissan 370Z is mostly an afterthought to modern car enthusiasts, this rear-drive coupe still offers some thrills. Likewise, it can be a strong value compared with pricier sports cars, even if it can't compete with their performance on and off the track. With a responsive 332-hp V-6 and nimble handling, the nissan provides effortless fun. However, it has lower limits and less refinement than more contemporary alternatives. The 370Z is also even farther along in the aging process, with tired styling that is especially obvious on its interior. Every model is missing a telescoping steering wheel, and some don't even offer a modern infotainment system. While the 2020 370Z will satisfy fans of its history and budget-minded buyers, the car needs a full overhaul to be competitive again.


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone, z.com review.


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone, z.com review.


What's new for 2020?


For 2020, nissan doesn't really mix up the 370Z lineup. Fans of the previously available convertible will be sad to hear that nissan nixed the roadster for this model year. However, the company commemorates the Z car's 50th anniversary with two special-edition packages. Apart from some distinctive decals, unique paint-color combinations, and additional features, the heritage-inspired packages are hardly transformative.


Pricing and which one to buy


Since the 2020 370Z is heavier than rear-drive rivals such as the subaru BRZ and underperforms versus the toyota supra, we think the best value is the sport model. Its most notable standard features include a limited-slip rear differential, upgraded brakes, 19-inch wheels, and aerodynamic add-ons. Those who want the optional automatic transmission are forced to get the more expensive sport touring model. While that nets a leather interior and 7.0-inch touchscreen, we'd stick with the plainer stick-shift version. Its only options are the 50th anniversary packages that add snazzier interior-trim pieces as well as heated, power-adjustable seats. However, in our minds their two-tone paint jobs and tacky exterior decals are deal-breakers.


Engine, transmission, and performance


Every 2020 370Z powers the rear wheels via a 332-hp naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V-6 that hooks up to a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed automatic. The engine responds quickly to throttle inputs and makes sporty noises at higher revs. We tested one with the manual gearbox and found it was easy to drive around town and quick to accelerate, even at highway speeds. Unfortunately, its shifter lazily moved through the gates and relayed vibrations to our hands. Those hoping to match the athleticism of smaller alternatives such as the mazda miata will be disappointed. While the top-spec NISMO model is the most track-focused Z, it still can't match the precision of most rival sports cars. Instead, the 370Z is easy to drive enthusiastically and comfy enough to use daily. Its light steering effort and mediocre braking capability are hard to overlook, but the 370Z's rear-drive configuration can be exploited to fulfill enthusiast's tokyo drift fantasies.


2020 Nissan Z side


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone, z.com review.


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone, z.com review.


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone, z.com review.


Fuel economy and real-world MPG


Fitted with the optional automatic transmission, the 2020 370Z earns up to 19 mpg in the city, according to the EPA. While its manual gearbox drops that number to 17 mpg, every 370Z is expected to earn 26 mpg on the highway. We tested the stick-shift version on our 200-mile fuel-economy route that exceeded expectations and returned 29 mpg highway.


Interior, comfort, and cargo


The 2020 370Z interior design hasn't been updated in nearly a decade, but at least the space is well put together and the controls are logically arranged. Still, it's hard to look past basic missing features such as a telescoping steering wheel. The 370Z's cockpit remains comfortable and the seats are bolstered enough to be supportive when tossing the car through turns. Racier NISMO models come with all the goodies, including leather- and faux-suede recaro sport seats, and a special NISMO-branded tachometer. Interior cubby storage is largely mediocre, and we managed to fit three carry-on bags behind the front seat, which is one less than the supra held.


2020 Nissan Z interior


Infotainment and connectivity


Believe it or not, the base 370Z comes with a basic AM/FM radio that has a low-tech red-on-black dot-matrix display. Still, a CD player, USB port, and an auxiliary input jack are standard. A 7.0-inch touchscreen is optional but requires moving up to the nearly loaded sport touring model to get it. Needless to say, apple carplay and android auto capability are not on the options list.


Safety and driver-assistance features


The 2020 nissan 370Z hasn't been crash-tested by the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) or the insurance institute for highway safety (IIHS). Expecting driver-assistance technology such as adaptive cruise control or automated emergency braking? Don't. The Z eschews all of that in favor of an engaged driver.


Warranty and maintenance coverage


Nissan gives the 370Z a competitive albeit unspectacular limited and powertrain warranty. Its lack of complimentary scheduled maintenance is noticeable because rivals such as the supra and the audi TT offer it.



  • Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles

  • No complimentary scheduled maintenance




Nikon Z7


A 45.7 MP mirrorless powerhouse in a compact body


By nasim mansurov 155 comments
last updated on october 28, 2020


The Z7 is the first iteration of a full-frame high-resolution mirrorless camera that nikon released in august of 2018. The camera was announced together with a 24 MP sibling and three Z-mount lenses. One could argue that nikon’s entry into the mirrorless market took too long, but many photographers waited patiently for this highly-anticipated system to see the light of the day. With over 100 million F mount lenses out there, the company knew it had a large and dedicated crowd of photography fans. So it was not the question of “if”, but rather a question of “when” the full-frame mirrorless system would be revealed. Let’s take a close look at this mirrorless camera and go over all of its features, as of firmware v3.00.


Nikon Z7 Front View


With other camera companies like sony, fuji, olympus, panasonic, and leica already having years of experience in mirrorless technology, nikon’s timing was indeed quite interesting. As we have seen from the past, launching a new system is not an easy task and it usually takes two to three generations of cameras to finally appeal to the masses. But time is not on nikon’s side in a highly-competitive market, as the others already had a head start and a rather large stable of native mount lenses for their systems. Therefore, it was important for the company to not only develop a reliable, ready-to-go camera system but also to allow existing nikon F mount lenses to be used without any serious drawbacks and limitations.


An image of a landscape in Wadi Rum, Jordan. Nikon Z7 Review.


NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 24mm, ISO 64, 1/6, f/11.0


The company’s previous failures with its nikon 1 mirrorless system, along with a few other products, proved that improper product positioning and planning, as well as poor pricing strategies, can have rather deep long-term implications. With mirrorless technology being the future, it was critical for the company to put enough time and resources into making a highly desirable, future-proof camera system that will eventually replace its dslrs.


Nikon understands that a strong system must be accompanied by high-performance lenses to make it successful in the long run, so the company involved its top engineers in designing the new nikon mirrorless system and its future lenses. That’s how the nikon Z mount was born. With a large 55mm inner diameter and a very short 16mm flange distance, the new Z mount is nikon’s bet to make smaller, lighter and optically superior lenses when compared to nikon F (see why this is important in our nikon Z vs nikon F mount article).


Update: to clarify the above comment, the nikon Z mount allows designing lenses that previously were not possible on the nikon F mount. Even though some lenses might end up being larger and heavier than their nikon F counterparts (nikon 35mm f/1.8 S and 50mm f/1.8 S), they are optically on a complete different level and thus cannot be directly compared. On the other hand, the new 24-70mm f/4 S is a good example of what is possible with the Z mount – it is optically on par with the nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E VR and yet it is much smaller and lighter in comparison. Lastly, the true benefit of the nikon Z mount is going to be with ultra-wide angle lenses – that’s where we should see noticeable weight savings.


Together with the nikon Z6, Z7 and three lens announcements, the company also revealed its three-year lens roadmap that includes a number of appealing lens designs, from ultra-wide angle and telephoto to exotic f/0.95 and f/1.2 options. To make the transition easier for existing nikon F lens owners, a nikon F to Z “FTZ” adapter was also released, providing full autofocus and autoexposure support for over 90 nikon lenses. Older lenses can also be mounted and used, albeit with limited or no autofocus / autoexposure capabilities. Nikon says that a total of 360 lenses are supported by the FTZ adapter, which does not include third party lens options.


Nikon Z7 Image Sample #28


NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S @ 35mm, ISO 100, 1/25, f/5.6


Let’s take a closer look at what the nikon Z7 has to offer in terms of specifications, then we will compare the camera side-by-side with the Z6 as well as the nikon D850 DSLR.


Nikon Z7 specifications



  • Sensor: 45.7 MP FX BSI sensor, 4.35µ pixel size

  • Sensor size: 35.9 x 23.9mm

  • Resolution: 8256 x 5504

  • Native ISO sensitivity: 64-25,600

  • Boost ISO sensitivity: 32, 51,200-102,400

  • In-body image stabilization: 5-axis

  • RAW formats: 45.7 MP (RAW), 25.6 MP (mraw), 11.4 MP (sraw)

  • Processor: EXPEED 6

  • Dust reduction: yes

  • Weather sealing/protection: yes

  • Body build: full magnesium alloy

  • Shutter: 1/8000 – 30 seconds

  • Shutter durability: 200,000 cycles, self-diagnostic shutter

  • Storage: 1x XQD slot

  • Viewfinder: 3.69 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder

  • Viewfinder coverage: 100%

  • Viewfinder magnification: 0.8x

  • Speed: 9 FPS (only 12-bit RAW, no AE), 8 FPS (14-bit RAW, no AE), 5.5 FPS (14-bit RAW and AE)

  • Built-in flash: no

  • Autofocus system: hybrid PDAF, 493 focus points

  • AF sensitivity range: -1 to +19 EV (-4 to +19 EV with low-light AF)

  • LCD screen: touch-enabled 3.2″ tilting LCD with 2.1 million dots

  • Slow motion HD video: yes

  • Movie modes: 4K UHD @ 30 fps max

  • Movie output: MOV, MP4

  • Movie video compression: H.264/MPEG-4 advanced video coding

  • HDMI output: 10-bit 4:2:2 N-log

  • Silent photography mode: yes

  • Intervalometer: yes

  • Focus stacking: yes

  • In-camera HDR capability: yes

  • GPS: no

  • Wifi: built-in

  • Bluetooth: built-in

  • Battery type: EN-en15b

  • Battery life: 330 shots (CIPA)

  • USB standard: type-C 3.1

  • Weather sealing: yes

  • Weight: 585g (body only)

  • 134 x 100.5 x 67.5mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 2.7″)

  • Price: $3,399.95


A detailed list of camera specifications is available on the nikon Z7 page of nikon USA.


Nikon Z7 review: comparison to Z6


The nikon Z7 was accompanied by the announcement of the lower resolution Z6 camera, which was delayed together with the 50mm f/1.8S lens until late november of 2018. While both cameras have a similar build and look, there are some differences in their key specifications, so let’s take a look at them in more detail:


Camera featurenikon Z7nikon Z6
sensor resolution45.7 million24.5 million
sensor size35.9 x 23.9mm35.9 x 24.0mm
image size8256 x 55046000 x 4000
native ISO sensitivity rangeISO 64-25,600ISO 100-51,200
low-pass filternoyes
in-body image stabilizationyes, 5-axisyes, 5-axis
continuous shooting speed9 FPS (only 12-bit RAW, no AE), 8 FPS (14-bit RAW, no AE), 5.5 FPS (14-bit RAW and AE)12 FPS (limited to 12-bit RAW and no AE), 9 FPS (14-bit RAW but no AE), 5.5 FPS with AE
buffer: RAW 14-bit lossless compressed1943
buffer: JPEG fine large2544
autofocus systemhybrid PDAF, 493 focus pointshybrid PDAF, 273 focus points
battery life330 shots (CIPA)310 shots (CIPA)
weight (camera body only)585g (20.7oz)585g (20.7oz)
dimensions134 x 100.5 x 67.5mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 2.7″)134 x 100.5 x 67.5mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 2.7″)
MSRP price$3,399.95 (check price)$1,999.95 (check price)


For the most part, the two cameras are pretty much identical: both sport the same high-quality magnesium alloy body that is fully weather-sealed, both have the same weight and dimensions…even many of the in-camera features are the same. The main differences, however, are in sensor technology and resolution, autofocus system, continuous shooting speed, battery life, and price. Simply put, the two cameras are aimed at different photography needs – the high-resolution nikon Z7 is for architecture, landscape and studio photographers who need as much detail and resolution as possible to create large prints, whereas the nikon Z6 is best suited for portrait, event, food and other types of photography where image resolution is not a top priority.


Think of the nikon Z7 as a D850 mirrorless equivalent in terms of image quality, whereas the Z6 is a mirrorless D750 – this explains why the two cameras are priced so differently. At the same time, considering that both cameras are pretty much identical physically and functionally (whereas the D850 and the D750 are quite a bit different), these cameras aren’t positioned the same way as their DSLR counterparts. In fact, nikon positioned the two cameras similarly as sony has done with its A7 and A7R-series cameras: same body build and ergonomics, different sensors and prices.


Nikon Z7 Image Sample #40


NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 70mm, ISO 64, 1/400, f/8.0


For a more detailed comparison of the nikon Z7 with the Z6, check out our nikon Z7 vs Z6 comparison article.


Nikon Z7 review: comparison to D850


Both nikon Z7 and D850 have very similar sensors with identical resolution and native ISO range, but the two cameras do differ quite a bit when it comes to construction, features and autofocus systems. Let’s take a look at both in detail and identify the core differences.


Camera featurenikon Z7nikon D850
sensor resolution45.7 MP45.7 MP
native ISO sensitivity rangeISO 64-25,600ISO 64-25,600
mountnikon Znikon F
in-body image stabilizationyesno
image processorEXPEED 6EXPEED 5
buffer: RAW 14-bit lossless compressed1951
buffer: JPEG fine large25200
viewfinder typeelectronic viewfinder / EVFpentaprism / OVF
viewfinder coverage and magnification100%, 0.80x100%, 0.75x
storage media1x XQD1x QXD, 1x SD (UHS-II)
continuous shooting speed9 FPS (only 12-bit RAW, no AE), 8 FPS (14-bit RAW, no AE), 5.5 FPS (14-bit RAW and AE)7 FPS, 9 FPS with MB-D18
flash sync speed1/2001/250
exposure metering sensorTTL exposure metering using main image sensor181,000-pixel RGB sensor
number of AF points493 AF points153 AF points, 99 cross-type
AF detection range-1 to +19 EV (-4 to +19 EV with low-light AF)-4 to +20 EV
eye AFyesno
animal detectionyesno
HDMI output4:2:2 10-bit4:2:2 8-bit
log video recordingN-logno
LCD size and resolution3.2″ 2,100,000 dots3.2″ 2,359,000 dots
button illuminationnoyes
battery life330 shots (CIPA)1840 shots (CIPA)
USB version3.1 (type C)3.0 (type A)
weight (body only)585 g (20.7 oz)915 g (32.3 oz)
dimensions134 x 100.5 x 67.5 mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 2.7″)146.0 x 124.0 x 78.5mm (5.7 x 4.9 x 3.1″)
MSRP price$3,399.95 (as introduced; check price)$3,299.95 (as introduced; check price)


While these cameras have quite a few similarities, there are key differences between the two that are important to point out. First of all, the cameras have completely different underlying technologies – the nikon Z7 is a mirrorless camera that feeds the image directly from the image sensor into an electronic viewfinder (EVF), whereas the nikon D850 is a DSLR camera that reflects the image through a pentaprism to an optical viewfinder (OVF). This essentially affects the overall size and weight of the camera, with the nikon D850 DSLR being bulkier and heavier in comparison.


Nikon Z7 Image Sample #42


NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 24mm, ISO 64, 3 seconds, f/8.0


Second, the two cameras have completely different mounts – the Z7 has the new nikon Z mount, whereas the D850 has the older nikon F mount. This has a big effect on what lenses you can use with the two cameras. The nikon D850 can take pretty much any nikon F lens out there, whereas the nikon Z7 can only directly mount new nikon Z lenses, which are somewhat limited at the moment. While nikon F lenses can be mounted on the nikon Z7 with some limitations, you must use nikon’s new “FTZ” adapter to do so, which costs extra and adds to the overall size and bulk of the camera.


On top of that, lens compatibility is only one way – you cannot mount nikon Z lenses on nikon F cameras like the D850 due to its larger throat size and very short flange distance, as covered in our lens mounts explained article. At the same time, the newer nikon Z mount has far more flexibility when compared to nikon F – it can technically adapt pretty much any lens on the market once proper adapters are released, since it is the largest full-frame mount on the market, with the shortest flange distance. Keep all this in mind when comparing the Z7 and the D850, as there are pros and cons for each. To find out more about the differences between the two mounts, see our nikon Z vs nikon F mount article.


Third, the nikon Z7 has a very important advantage over the D850 – it has a 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which can help a great deal when shooting with both nikon Z and nikon F (via FTZ adapter) lenses. As you will see later on, the IBIS on the Z7 is amazing and certainly does make a difference when shooting hand-held, especially with non-stabilized lenses.


While IBIS is not as effective when using nikon F lenses via the FTZ adapter as when using native Z mount lenses, it still helps quite a bit. In fact, thanks to the ability to instantly zoom in on a subject via the EVF and tweak focus while the frame is stabilized, you can breathe new air into older nikon F mount glass that is hard to focus on nikon’s DSLR cameras. No need for magnifying eyepieces or LCD live view – you can compose and shoot through the viewfinder with amazing precision!


Nikon Z7 Image Sample #54


NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 29mm, ISO 450, 1/30, f/4.0


Fourth, the two cameras offer different type of storage media – the nikon Z7 is limited to one XQD memory card slot, whereas the nikon D850’s larger body allowed nikon to incorporate both XQD and SD memory card slots. This puts the nikon D850 at an advantage for those who prefer to shoot to two cards for backup purposes, but as we discuss further down, it is not as big of an issue as presented by some photographers out there.


Fifth, although both cameras can use the same EN-EL15 battery and its “a” and “b” variants, the nikon D850 has a noticeably better battery life. This is quite normal, as dslrs do not rely on power-hungry electronic viewfinders mirrorless cameras have to use. At the same time, as you will see later on, for those who rely on using live view via the LCD, battery life on the Z7 is quite comparable to that of the D850, so it all depends on how you actually use the camera.


Nikon Z7 Image Sample #59


NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 70mm, ISO 64, 1/320, f/8.0


Sixth, for video shooters, the nikon Z7 is also a superior option, thanks to 4:2:2 10-bit recording with N-log, which is absent on the D850. After using the nikon Z7 for shooting 4K video, we can say with confidence that it is a much better video camera than the D850, especially when hand-holding the camera and using IBIS. Although the nikon Z7 cannot do a full sensor readout like the Z6 does for 4K video and relies on line-skipping, the video quality is superb and the option to output 10-bit footage with N-log via HDMI puts the Z7 in line with professional video recording cameras like panasonic GH5 / GH5S.


Lastly, when it comes to autofocus performance and camera buffer, the nikon D850 is a more capable camera than the Z7. Although nikon did a great job with its first iteration of mirrorless cameras, autofocus performance of the Z7 for tracking moving subjects is arguably inferior in comparison. While the nikon D850 is not made for photographing fast action, if you shoot fast-moving subjects with the camera, you will find it to be a superior tool, thanks to excellent autofocus options (such as 3D-tracking and group AF) and snappier continuous tracking capabilities.


The good news is that nikon has been fixing a lot of subject-tracking autofocus issues via firmware updates, and as of firmware 3.0, the AF speed and accuracy has gotten much better. This is especially true after eye AF and animal detection AF features were introduced, which do quite a good job tracking subjects continuously.


Being able to focus right on the sensor does have significant benefits – you no longer have to worry about lens focusing problems and lens calibration.


In terms of camera buffer, as you can see from the chart above, the nikon Z7 is quite crippled when compared to the D850. Although it can technically push more frames per second, its buffer is limited to only 19 frames when shooting 14-bit lossless compressed RAW and 25 frames when shooting JPEG fine large. Compare that with 51 RAW and 200 JPEG images on the D850 – that’s a big difference! On the positive side, being able to move focus points to pretty much any area in the frame and focus on them, including extreme edges, is a great benefit to the Z7.


Nikon Z7 Image Sample #61


NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 70mm, ISO 64, 1/6, f/5.6


Both cameras are superb in terms of handling, ergonomics and easy to use menu system. However, I personally favor the Z7’s PASM dial with U1, U2 and U3 custom options over D850’s menu banks.


Let’s now go over the camera in more detail. Please select the next page below.



World war Z review


A forgettable example of a familiar formula.


Our verdict


Bland and mostly harmless, world war Z is another co-op zombie shooter that you could play.


What is it? 4-player co-op zombie horde shooter
reviewed on: windows 10, i5 4690k, 16GB RAM, nvidia GTX 970
price: $35
release date: 4/16/2019
publisher: focus home interactive
developer: saber interactive
link: wwzgame.Com


There's nothing I love more than rifling through a corpse's pockets. Shooting and looting is so common in videogames that I've spent many hours of my finite life checking over dead guys for ammo, cash, or sometimes a sparkly gem or magic potion. The thrill of discovery combined with the rush of grave-robbing? It's the best.


Searching corpses in world war Z, a zombie shooter based on that one brad pitt movie from 2013, is never fun. Instead, it's a recurring scavenger hunt where the key to a locked door is on the corpse of an employee or security guard. During one of these key hunts, my co-op teammates and I seek out the six very special corpses who aren't up and running around, and then press E on their bodies. These hunts play out the same way every time: the last body I searched had the key. I did this routine at least once in each of world war Z's four campaign chapters.


I have many complaints about world war Z, a four-player co-op shooter similar to valve's classic left 4 dead. This might be the pettiest, but it encapsulates a lot of what's wrong with the game: its repetitive level design, thoughtless obstacles, and tendency to take any good idea and jump on it until it's dead.


Battle of yonkers


It's weird to get a videogame based off a movie five years after the fact. Still, it's even weirder that world war Z takes inspiration from the 2013 movie when max brooks's best selling 2006 novel is just sitting right there, full of amazing stories of survival and human drama. The only nod to the book is the "lobo," a special shovel-based melee weapon invented by marines that becomes standard-issue in the rebuilt american army. In world war Z, the lobo is DLC for players who pre-ordered the special edition.


The movie adaptation stripped off everything special about the book—which I am in no way still bitter about five years later, ha ha, that would be ridiculous—to become a bland zombie movie overshadowed by other, better zombie movies. In the same way, world war Z is a bland zombie shooter overshadowed by other, better co-op shooters.


World war Z's campaign spans the world, following different sets of four characters trying to survive in the united states, israel, russia, and japan. I liked getting to hop around the world to different campaigns. Switching things up between sparse desert and frozen russian streets makes the story feel bigger and more universal. Unfortunately, I found that switching to new characters every few levels made the survivors forgettable. Hopping from a new york city fireman to a russian orthodox priest makes for an interesting cultural leap, but I couldn't tell you any of their names.


World war Z plays like left 4 dead or vermintide or overkill's walking dead. I joined three other players in walking, shooting, and scavenging for ammo and health. We opened gates and tried not to get pounced, poisoned, or snatched by powerful special enemies. Teamwork is key: even if I'm the best marksman in the world, I still need a friendly hand to pick me up when I'm injured.


Unlike all those other games I mentioned, world war Z does have different player classes along with different characters; they're interchangeable. I can play as a medic or melee-focused "slasher" whether I'm playing as bunko tatsumi the hello kitty–toting teenager or as angel flores the, um… new york… guy? (he's wearing a new york giants jersey, and that's everything I know about him.) this is a departure from left 4 dead, where the characters play the same, and from vermintide, where character and play style are the same.


I had the most fun with the fixer class, which can help out the team by dropping ammo bags. I loved helping my team get ready for a big fight by making sure everyone loaded up on extra-powerful explosive rounds. Leveling up a class gave me access to some interesting perks. For the fixer, one of the higher levels let me come back to life if everyone else on my team became incapacitated. Getting one last chance to heroically pick up another teammate and save a doomed mission was great.


There is exactly one thing that world war Z borrowed from the movie that works: huge zombie hoards. There's a part in the movie where CGI zombies climb over each other to hop the huge concrete walls surrounding jerusalem. During massive hoard fight events in world war Z, zombies that get stopped by fences or walls pile up, then climb each other and surge over them. I loved watching out for these piles in the chaos of a swarm. Shooting into the base of the pile makes it collapse like a junior varsity cheerleading squad failing to hold a human pyramid—both satisfying and slapstick hilarious.


And, well, that's pretty much it. I finished the entire campaign in a few hours, then I completed it again a couple of times to unlock better guns and more skills for the different classes. There's also a multiplayer "pvpvz" mode that feels like such a bolted-on afterthought that it doesn't deserve more than this mention.


Great panic


World war Z is bland and forgettable, but it's enjoyable in parts, not just plain bad. I played overkill's the walking dead last year, and that game was a mess. Instead, world war Z is mostly competent but it fails in little things, important design choices that similar games handled in much better ways.


Here's a good example: the gasbag. Just like left 4 dead's boomer and vermintide's globadier, the gasbag is one of world war Z's especially dangerous zombie types. The gasbag is a zombie—a medical worker or emergency responder, I guess—who died and decomposed while sealed up in a hazmat suit. As anyone who has ever found year-old leftovers in the fridge can confirm: you do not want to be near that thing when the seal gets cracked open and the horrible stench inside is released.


What's cool about the gasbag is that killing it with a headshot kills it without spraying the gas cloud. It doesn't make any sense that a headshot keeps all the stink inside, but that's not important. Pulling off a skillful headshot in the middle of chaos is a fun way to defuse a dangerous enemy.


The trouble is, it almost never comes up. At close range, the bright-yellow hazmat suit makes a headshot easy; at long range, the gasbag isn't dangerous. When I think of the boomer, I remember a specific sound, a splatter, blindness, and the fear of being helpless. The boomer lives in my mind as a jump-scare. When I think of the gasbag now, I think of a harmless puff of green gas in the distance. It's a waste of a cool idea.


In all things, world war Z takes ideas that I've already seen done better elsewhere, gives them an interesting little twist—and then makes that twist not matter. It treads familiar ground, but it's not as clever or fun as what's come before it.



Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: A truly amazing foldable phone


Thanks to a ton of improvements, the galaxy Z fold 2 is the best foldable phone yet and a productivity powerhouse


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review


Our verdict


With a bigger cover display, improved design and innovative flex mode, the galaxy Z fold 2 is the best foldable phone yet and a productivity powerhouse.



  • Bigger cover display

  • Flex mode adds versatility

  • Improved multitasking

  • More durable design

  • Apps make use of tablet mode


Against


The samsung galaxy Z fold 2 isn’t just better than the original galaxy fold — its a quantum leap better. And it needs to be at $2,000. The front display is a lot bigger, 5G is standard, and the unsightly notch on the inside is gone. Plus, this foldable is more durable than the first fold.


More important. Samsung has further innovated to make this phone-tablet hybrid a lot more versatile, thanks to a new flex mode. Plus, the multitasking is even better for running up to three apps at the same time, and several apps have a dual-pane view for enhanced productivity.


The galaxy Z fold 2’s cameras are not as advanced as the galaxy note 20 ultra’s (especially the zoom) and the design is pretty hefty, but overall the galaxy Z fold 2 does a much better job this time around of justifying samsung's high asking price.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: what I like


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: what I don't like



  • The main display is smudge prone: although the ultra thin glass on the 7.6-inch screen is more durable and has a better feel, it picks up smudges quickly. And, yes, the crease is still noticeable.

  • Limited zoom: I can live without the galaxy note 20’s 108MP sensor, but having just 2x optical zoom on a $2,000 phone when you can get 5x on the note is a bummer.

  • No water resistance: when it started to drizzle outside I took the Z fold 2 indoors because there is no water resistance promised for this device.

  • This is a hefty device: at 9.9 ounces, the Z fold 2 is heavier than the original galaxy fold (9.5 ounces) and I felt a bit of strain after several minutes of typing. Then again, you are getting a phone and tablet in one.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: price and release date


Price: $1,999
OS:
android 10
main display: 7.6 inch inches 120hz (2208 x 1768 pixels)
cover display: 6.2 inches 60hz (2260 x 816 pixels)
CPU: snapdragon 865 plus
RAM: 12GB
storage: 256GB
rear cameras: 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (2x optical/10x digital zoom)
selfie cameras: 10MP (cover), 10MP (main display)
battery: 4,500 mah
battery life: 10 hours 10 minutes
size: 6.2 x 2.6 x 0.66 inches (closed); 6.2 x 5 x 0.27 inches (open)
weight: 9.9 ounces


The samsung galaxy Z fold 2 had a release date of sept. 18 and is available for sale through multiple carriers as well as unlocked.


Samsung prices the galaxy Z fold 2 at $1,999 with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. Note that a microsd card slot is not included and there are no other capacities available. Original galaxy fold owners can trade in their device for up to an $800 value.


If you're looking for galaxy Z fold 2 deals, the phone has been discounted as low as $999, which makes it a much better value. So it can pay to look for sales on this foldable phone. The galaxy Z fold 2 is available through all of the major carriers, including AT&T, verizon and T-mobile (sprint), as well as unlocked.


Samsung offers the galaxy Z premier service for the Z fold 2, which includes on-demand concierge support from dedicated experts. In addition, Z fold 2 owners can get a membership to founderscard, access to a prepared meal from a michelin star restaurant and access to a various golf clubs.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: design and durability


The galaxy Z fold 2 immediately makes a better impression than the galaxy fold because of its larger exterior display. You no longer feel like you're operating android through a peep hole, and that's because the cover screen has grown from 4.6 inches to 6.2 inches.


The interior display is also bigger at 7.6 inches for the galaxy Z fold 2, compared to 7.3 inches for the previous model. Even better, the ugly notch on the main screen is gone, replaced by a small cutout for a selfie camera.


Samsung also made several enhancements fo the galaxy Z fold 2 to improve durability and usability. This includes a sturdier new ultra thin glass display, which is designed to provide a better touchscreen feel than the plastic screen fold, and a hideaway hinge that uses sweeper technology to prevent dust and dirt from entering the phone.


In a third-party test by youtuber jerryrigeverything, the galaxy Z fold 2 survived having dirt thrown on it, which suggests that the new hinge works better than on the original model.


Similar to the galaxy Z flip 5G, the galaxy Z fold 2's hinge uses a CAM mechanism that allows you to position the screen in multiple positions. And while there's still a gap between the two sides of the phone when closed, it's narrower than before.


The galaxy Z fold 2 comes in two colors: mystic bronze and mystic black. But you'll be able to add some flair in the form of four hinge color options if you order through samsung.Com. Options include metallic silver, metallic gold, metallic red and metallic blue.


Measuring 6.2 x 2.6 x 0.66 inches when closed and 6.2 x 5 x 0.27 inches when open, the galaxy Z fold 2 is slightly shorter but wider than its predecessor. It's also heavier, as the Z fold 2 weights 9.9 ounces, compared to 9.48 ounces for the original model. I definitely felt a bit of strain after using the phone several minutes and typing out messages.


Another bummer: the galaxy Z fold 2 doesn't offer water resistance, so you can't get it wet as you can with other flagship phones.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: display


In addition to a larger size, the 7.6-inch main display on the galaxy Z fold 2 boasts a 120hz refresh rate, so you should enjoy smooth scrolling and overall performance compared to the 60hz rate on the galaxy fold. Plus, because the panel is adaptive, it's smart enough to dial the rate down or up based on the content on screen.


The cover display on the galaxy Z fold 2 does not offer a 120hz refresh rate, but it's still a heck of a lot better than what the first fold featured. Measuring 6.2 inches, this OLED screen is big enough to perform pretty much any task, and you can still instantly resume what you were doing on the main display when you unfold the device.


Just keep in mind that the aspect ratio on the Z fold 2's cover display is narrower than most phones, so typing can feel a bit cramped.


Galaxy Z fold 2 review: software and flex mode


One of the complaints we had about the galaxy fold is that many of the apps just felt like blow-up phone apps in tablet mode. But samsung is addressing this drawback with the galaxy Z fold 2.


For example, in gmail I could see my messages on the left and the body of emails on the right. And in slack my contacts were on the left and messages on the right. You need to flip the galaxy Z fold 2 display's orientation to landscape mode to see these changes, but it makes a huge difference in productivity. And it makes the galaxy Z fold 2 feel more laptop-like. Samsung also promises an optimized viewing experience in microsoft office and youtube.


The galaxy Z fold 2's flex mode gives this foldable phone a lot of versatility. The idea is that you can have controls or settings on one side of the display and content on the other for maximum productivity.


I really enjoyed using google duo in flex mode, as it lets you set the phone down in a laptop-like position and have a video call with the other person without having to hold the device. It's something I immediately wished my iphone could do.


Samsung says that flex mode is supported by several samsung apps, including camera, video call, gallery, video player, clock and calendar. And google is supporting flex mode with youtube as well as google duo. Samsung is working with third-party developers as well to create flex mode optimized apps.


Another key galaxy Z fold 2 upgrade is multi-tasking. With the improved multi-active window feature, you can open up to three apps at the same time and can quickly create presets called app pairs that you launch with just a tap.


I tried this with slack, twitter, and spotify as well as youtube, photos and messages, and it was very cool to launch three apps at once.You can also quickly re-arrange the layout with a tap or drag an app from one window to another.


Even cooler, you can also drag and drop content from one window to another. I had no problem dropping a photo from the gallery app into an outgoing message. However, it didn't work with the google photos app. Multiple samsung apps support drag and drop, as does microsoft 365, gmail, chrome and google maps.


Samsung's app continuity feature is also on board from the original galaxy fold. The idea is that you can start an app on the cover display, open the main display and pick up right where you left off. This worked in most apps, but the sky force 2 game forced to me restart the app when moving to the bigger canvas.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 cameras


It's a bit strange to say this, but the $2,000 galaxy Z fold 2 represents a step down from the $1,300 galaxy note 20 when it comes to the cameras. You don't get a 108MP main sensor, a 5x optical zoom or a 50x space zoom, but you do get three capable shooters you can use in a variety of ways.


The galaxy Z fold 2 features a 12MP main wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide angle camera with a 123-degree field of view and a 12MP telephoto lens with a 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom.


The fun really starts with the camera features that are unique to the galaxy Z fold 2. For example, dual preview lets subjects see how they're going to look using the front display while you're taking the shot. You can also take higher quality selfies with the rear cameras.


All you need to do is fire up the camera on the cover display and then press a button in the top right corner, then the Z fold 2 will invite you to unfold the device and you'll see a live preview.


Another perk: you can prop up the galaxy Z fold 2 in what looks like laptop mode and it will keep your subject in focus when shooting video using a feature called auto framing. Thanks to flex mode, you can also review recent pictures on the bottom half of the screen while maintaining the live preview in the top half.


The Z fold 2's camera did a fantastic job capturing a close-up of these yellow and violet flowers. You can make out fine details in the petals and even fine droplets of water when you zoom in.


I also took this selfie using the rear 12MP camera and the Z fold 2's cover screen as the viewfinder. The blue in my shirt pops, and the surrounding trees and grass look vibrant. You simply can't do this on an iphone.


As expected, the 10x digital zoom proved disappointing compared to the more powerful space zoom on the galaxy note 20 ultra. As we zero in on the tree and hanging flower baskets, there's a fair amount of grain. It's certainly passable, though.


The galaxy Z fold 2 did a fairly good job in this portrait shot, artfully blurring the photos in the background. The bokeh effect is better on the Z fold 2 than the iphone 12. However, my face is a bit more blown out in samsung's shot.


In this shot of fall decorations, the galaxy Z fold 2 delivers a brighter overall image, and you can make out lots of detail in the turkeys. The iphone 11 pro max does a better job rendering the hay but overall I give the edge to samsung here.


The galaxy Z fold's 2 night mode worked well in this shot taken in near darkness of a wall hanging. However, the iphone 11 pro max's night mode captured a considerably brighter image of the scene.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: performance


The galaxy Z fold 2 sports a snapdragon 865 plus processor along with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage (UFS3.1). So we would expect similar performance to the galaxy note 20 ultra.


On geekbench 5, which measures overall performance, the galaxy Z fold 2 scored 3,193 on the mult-core portion. The note 20 ultra with the same chip scored a slightly higher 3,294 and the asus ROG phone 3 hit 3,393. The iphone 11 pro was fastest with 3,500.


On the gfxbench graphics test, the galaxy Z fold 2 scored 1,461 frames on the aztec ruins (high tier) off-screen benchmark, compared to 1,455 for the galaxy note 20 ultra and 1,657 frames for the iphone 11 pro.


Overall, the Z fold 2 offers smooth performance, but I noticed minor software glitches at times. The youtube app view didn't change I switched screen modes at one point, but restarting the app resolved the problem.


In terms of 5G, the galaxy Z fold 2 supports both mmwave and sub-6ghz flavors, so you should have no problems tapping into 5G networks where there is coverage. I didn't see the best results in central new jersey. On AT&T's network the galaxy Z fold 2's download speed hit only 22 mbps, but on T-mobile it was a much higher 122 mbps in the same location.


Because the Z fold 2 also supports ultra wide band technology, you can leverage samsung's nearby share features to quickly share files with other compatible devices, which thus far only includes the note 20 ultra.


Galaxy Z fold 2 review: battery life and charging


The galaxy Z fold 2 packs a 4,500 mah battery, which should be able to get you through most of the day. The galaxy fold had a slightly smaller 4,380 mah, so this is a step up.


On our battery test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits of screen brightness, the galaxy Z fold 2 lasted 10 hours and 10 minutes on the 60hz display setting. That's not enough to make our list of best phone battery life, where are the handsets last longer than 11 hours. But given the size of the Z fold 2's display that's pretty good endurance.


As expected, the battery life dropped on the Z fold 2 with the display set to 120hz (adaptive), with the phone lasting 9 hours and 5 minutes.


Anecdotally, the battery life on the Z fold 2 is pretty solid. I started using the phone at 10 am and after a day of heavy usage it had about 18% juice left at 10 pm.


The Z fold 2 supports 25W fast charging, as well as fast wireless charging and powershare reverse charging. But we didn't see the best results in our testing. After 30 minutes the Z fold 2 was at 46% and we would expect 50%. By comparison, the note 20 ultra hit 56% in the same amount of time.


Samsung galaxy Z fold 2 review: verdict


The samsung galaxy Z fold 2 is the quintessential example of a company listening to its customers and delivering a wide range of improvements they asked for. At $2,000, this is a phone that's still very much for early adopters, but the Z fold 2 seems a lot less like a prototype and more like a viable product.


The front display on the galaxy Z fold 2 alone is a huge upgrade. I also really like flex mode and the versatility that gives this phone. Being able to prop up the device at various angles really makes the Z fold 2 feel like a brand new type of device. And while the mult-active window multitasking requires a bit of a learning curve, it maximizes productivity.


If you want a more powerful phone and better cameras, the iphone 12 pro max is the better option, but apple doesn't have anything nearly as innovative in its lineup to take on the Z fold 2. An iphone flip could be on the way at some point, but we doubt it will be anytime soon.


Overall, I am really impressed with what samsung has accomplished here. This is clearly the best foldable phone yet and a sign of great things to come in the category.





So, let's see, what we have: while pricey, the galaxy Z fold 2 delivers nearly everything you could want in a foldable phone. At z.Com review

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