Just updated my venerable ZF3 to OneUI 6.0 (Android 14). One month behind the ZF4.

Hey guys, considering the series came out over 2 years ago, keen to hear how the device has or hasn't held up. Really keen to jump on the bandwagon but conscious the screen isn't as robust as a standard candybar phone.

While touching wood, the only issue I have had with my ZF3 is the inner screen protector failing along the fold (coming unstuck). It seems to be an annual event. The first round (after a year) was a free replacement at the Samsung Customer Service Plaza in Albany. Last year it cost $50 to replace plus $30 for the front screen. Neither protector had failed but both had started lifting at the edges. I consider $80 to have the phone looking like new reasonable. I am careful with my phones and they always live in a wallet type cover so can’t comment durability compared to flat phones.

I got the S-Pen with the official cover when I got the phone. I took it off after about a week as I found I wasn’t using it and it stopped the phone lying flat when open. To me, the biggest improvement Samsung could make for the ZF6 is making the S-Pen internal like the S Ultra.

The biggest advantage I found was not having to lug my personal iPad around with me as well as a phone. I don’t game on it but found it good for watching movies. I also got a car mount especially for it which allows it to be open in tablet mode. Great for in car Nav (if you don’t have Android Auto in your car).

The biggest disadvantage is its bulk and weight. If you’re a wearer of “skinny” jeans it’s definitely less pocketable than an S24+ and more noticeable to carry round.

Thanks for sharing your expeirence. Is there any way you could replace the inner screen protector yourself? To me at least paying many thousands for a phone that needs an annual WOF is not ideal.

I had no such issue on the Fold 3, 4, or 5.  So ymmv.  

heavenlywild:

 

Thanks for sharing your expeirence. Is there any way you could replace the inner screen protector yourself? To me at least paying many thousands for a phone that needs an annual WOF is not ideal.

 

As gehenna points out, YMMV.

I would assume you could do a screen protector yourself (YouTube can be your friend, or your worst enemy in this respect) but since the surface behind the protector isn’t at all tough, getting the old one off, then cleaning and then installing the new one is something I don’t want to attempt on a $3K phone. I find installing screen protectors incredibly frustrating because I like to have it look perfect and there is invariably a speck of dust or a bubble that spoils the job. The tech at the Service Plaza said they have a machine specifically for applying the screen protectors to their folding phones.

The ZF4 and 5 have been incremental upgrades (imo). Unless this one craps out, I won’t be upgrading anytime soon. Not sure how much longer it will be supported by Samsung though.

Update to OneUI 6.1 now available for ZF3 (also the ZF4 - thanks for posting @freitasm).

Brings AI goodness to my (almost) 3 year old phone. I’m glad the ZF3 hasn’t been left behind (yet).

Of interest (to me anyway) is that the battery is draining faster again. I say again because two updates ago I noticed a higher use of the battery which was fixed by the last update. Now with this latest update, it seems to be back but I may need to delve into the new battery settings that came with 6.1.

Yes, check the battery settings as now there are three types of battery usage. Also the Maximum type have changed from a max of 85% to 80% now.

Yes. But I believe the new “battery protection” settings only curate the charging percentages (Basic, Adaptive and Maximum) and how and when that happens. I’m just leaving mine set to off at the moment.

My concern was more that each time they bring out an update it increases battery usage and only seems to be fixed by a patch in a subsequent update. Kind of like we are beta testing for them.

Also the long-press on the Home button no longer brings up the default assistant app. It brings the new Google Search.

Default assistant is now a swipe from the corner to the centre of the screen.

freitasm:

 

Also the long-press on the Home button no longer brings up the default assistant app. It brings the new Google Search.

 

Default assistant is now a swipe from the corner to the centre of the screen.

 

Thanks for pointing that out. I would have wondered what was going on otherwise.

Yes and the first time I tried it it gave me the option of some other AI, I dismissed it without paying too much attention. 
Has Bixby been retired? Because believe it or not, I have a couple of Bixby routines that I operate by voice……….Actually disregard, I just tried Bixby and it still works.

Anyone know what AI I dismissed? It had a name.

The other thing I have discovered is the ZF3 is only getting things like “circle to search” and not the full suite of AI features that 6.1 offers. Either because it doesn’t have the processor power, or Samsung wants us to upgrade.

Bixby still exists. The Circle to Search was introduced with the S24 and Google Pixel 8 earlier this year.