Tech

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review: The best foldable yet, but expensive – Business Insider – Business Insider

Published

4 years ago

September 19, 2020

Harry Miller

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Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 2 feels like the most polished foldable device I’ve used yet.
It offers a large, vibrant tablet-sized screen that can now stay propped open halfway, offering more viewing angles than its predecessor.
It’s also said to be more durable than the original Galaxy Fold, which broke for some reviewers after just two days of use.
But, at $1,999.99, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is still too expensive for the benefits it provides, and it still feels awkward to use in phone mode given its size and thickness.

Samsung may have just launched its first foldable smartphone last September, but it’s already on its fourth model.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2, which launched on September 18 for $1,999.99, represents the culmination of Samsung’s efforts so far. It’s a design that largely maintains the same look as its troubled predecessor, but with some of the flourishes of its more compact Galaxy Z Flip.

At twice the price of a premium smartphone, it’s hard to recommend that anyone actually buy the Galaxy Z Fold 2. But, if you do, you likely won’t be disappointed — and that’s not something I could have said about the original Galaxy Fold or Microsoft’s Surface Duo.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2, as expensive as it is, doesn’t ask you to make too many sacrifices to get the benefits of having a tablet and a smartphone in one device.

But, of course, it’s not perfect. The device’s biggest drawback, other than its price, is that it can still feel awkward as a smartphone replacement.

As I wrote when I reviewed the Microsoft Surface Duo, devices that seek to replace your smartphone and your tablet need to provide an equally good alternative to both. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 2 does that better than its predecessor and Microsoft’s Surface Duo, but still takes some getting used to.

Here’s a longer look at what it’s been like to use the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 specifications

Display size and resolution: 7.6 inches with 2,208 x 1,768 resolution (Main screen); 6.2 inches with 2,260 x 816 resolution (Cover screen)
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
Main cameras: 12-megapixel ultra-wide, 12-megapixel wide-angle camera, 12-megapixel telephoto camera
Front camera: 10-megapixel
Cover camera: 10-megapixel
Battery capacity: 4,500 mAh dual battery
Memory: 12GB of RAM
Storage: 256GB or 512GB
Biometric authentication: Fingerprint sensor and facial recognition

Design and display

The Galaxy Z Fold 2’s design is similar to that of the original Fold, but with many improvements. Among the biggest of those upgrades is its more flexible and reinforced hinge.

Samsung had to delay the original Galaxy Fold’s launch after a small number of reviewers found that their device broke after just two days of use. In some cases, damage was caused by debris entering the hinge, while in other cases users accidentally removed a protective layer from the screen.

Samsung seemingly made improvements on both accounts. The company has implemented a new vacuum-inspired sweeper hinge to keep debris out. Upon unboxing the device, I also noticed that there was a label clearly informing users not to remove the phone’s screen protector film and providing other tips for maintaining the device.

There’s no IP rating on the Galaxy Z Fold 2, however, so be careful not to drop it in the sink.

From the back, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 looks similar to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: it comes in the same Mystic Bronze color as the Note 20 Ultra and has a similar-looking triple camera module.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 feels sleek and light as a tablet; when opened, it measures just 6.9 millimeters thin, making it only slightly thicker than the 6.1-millimeter iPad Air. Its roomy 7.6-inch screen also feels much more immersive now that Samsung has gotten rid of the notch in favor of its hole punch-shaped camera cutout, which has become a staple of its other devices as well.

But, when closed, it feels a bit thick and clunky. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 essentially looks like two smartphones stacked on top of one another when shut. It’s a bit cumbersome, but not unwieldy; it’s still compact enough to use with one hand or take a quick photo. That gives it an advantage over the Surface Duo, which felt too wide to use comfortably in phone mode unless I was gripping it with both hands.

The Galaxy Z Fold also gained another major upgrade compared to its predecessor: its larger cover screen. The front screen on the new Galaxy Z Fold measures 6.2 inches, making it the same size as the Galaxy S20. That’s a big improvement from the original Galaxy Fold’s minuscule 4.6-inch display, which felt too cramped to use for anything other than checking the time.

I often find myself using the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s cover screen when I want to send a quick text message or briefly check my email. While I appreciate the increase in size, the cover screen is still much skinnier than that of your average smartphone, so it still feels a little small to type on.

As to be expected from a device that’s mostly screen, the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s inner display resolution of 2,208 x 1,768 pixels boasts rich colors, sharp detail, and deep contrast. Although the crease is noticeable, it feels much more subtle on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 compared to the original Galaxy Fold.

Software

The Galaxy Z Fold 2’s tablet-sized display wouldn’t be of much use if apps weren’t optimized to take advantage of it.

Like the original Fold, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is capable of running up to three apps on screen at a time. Apps can be dragged-and-dropped in place on screen, and you can also pair two apps together so that they launch simultaneously — a feature Microsoft’s Surface Duo also offers.

But, I am often more impressed with the way the Galaxy Z Fold 2 performs when running single apps. The Galaxy Z Fold’s gigantic screen is perfect for times when you simply want a larger screen for watching Netflix, reading an important work email, or catching up on the news.

That’s much more valuable to me than cramming two apps alongside one another, although the ability to do so is certainly a useful perk. The crease in the middle of the display is also far less noticeable than it was on the original Fold, making it even more useful as a tablet.

That’s another benefit that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 offers over the Surface Duo. Microsoft’s foldable phones consist of two separate screens, not one screen that folds, so using it as a tablet can be difficult.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 also inherits one of the Galaxy Z Flip’s best features: Flex Mode. This enables apps to reorient properly to fit the screen when your phone is propped open halfway. The best use case for this in my experience has been the camera app.

When in Flex mode, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 displays the camera’s viewfinder on the top half of the screen and the camera controls on the bottom. That makes it easy to use your phone as a tripod without requiring any accessories. Flex Mode also works with YouTube, as shown in the image above.

Camera

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a triple-camera setup that consists of a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 12-megapixel standard camera, and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera. There’s also a 10-megapixel selfie camera on the cover display, and another 10-megapixel camera near the top of the screen upon opening the device.

That means the experience of capturing photo and video on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 doesn’t feel much different than snapping pictures on a regular smartphone. The Surface Duo, by comparison, requires that you fold the displays all the way back and physically turn the phone around to snap photos.

The Galaxy Z Fold also has the camera quality you’d expect from a high-end smartphone, unlike the Surface Duo which took images that looked less sharp with poorer lighting by comparison.

The quality of the images taken on the Galaxy Z Fold 2 were on par with those shot on the iPhone 11 Pro, offering crisp detail and rich colors. The iPhone, however, was better at taking photos in low-light environments.

Take a look at some of the photo samples below:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 (Low light)

Apple iPhone 11 Pro (Low light)

Battery life and speakers

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 offers plenty of battery life to get you through a full day. After using it for about 10 hours throughout the work day, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 had 66% of its battery left.

It’s important to remember that battery life will always vary depending on how you use your device. During my time with the Galaxy Z Fold 2, I’ve been primarily using it for checking email, reading the news, streaming Netflix, and listening to music.

One of the unexpected benefits of the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s large size is its booming speakers. The Galaxy Z Fold 2’s speakers are louder than that of any phone I’ve heard in recent memory, and make the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s speakers sound shallow and less crisp in comparison. That’s important for a device like the Galaxy Z Fold 2, which was likely designed with entertainment in mind.

The bottom line

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is one of the most promising foldable phone’s we’ve seen yet. It improves on the original in important ways, particularly when it comes to durability and the size of its cover display.

But, at $1,999.99, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a luxury device. It’s twice as expensive as high-end phones like the $1,000 Galaxy S20 and iPhone 11 Pro. And, the fact that Samsung is on its fourth foldable device in a year should be enough to give anyone a little pause before committing.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 doesn’t ask you to make any big compromises to get the benefits of a 2-in-1 device, like the Surface Duo does. But, its unconventional size still takes some getting used to when it comes to replacing your phone. It also doesn’t have an IP rating, meaning its not as durable when it comes to water and dust resistance compared to less expensive traditional smartphones.

Regardless, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 convinced me that foldable phones can offer a lot of benefits for those who want a larger screen in a mobile device. But, for now, it’s probably more cost effective and practical to just buy a tablet in addition to your smartphone.

Pros: Vibrant, tablet-sized screen; Good camera; Long battery life; Excellent speakers

Cons: Twice as expensive as regular high-end phones; No IP rating for water and dust resistance; Design can make it feel awkward in phone mode

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Tech

Ottawa orders TikTok’s Canadian arm to be dissolved

Published

3 days ago

November 6, 2024

Anne Joseph

The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.

“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.

The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.

However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”

Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.

A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.

“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.

“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”

The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.

At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.

A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”

Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.

Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.

Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.

Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.

While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.

Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.

The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.

— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.

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Health

Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Tech

Google’s partnership with AI startup Anthropic faces a UK competition investigation

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.

The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.

“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”

San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.

Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”

“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.

The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.

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