Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Flip Cover with S Pen Review – Noteworthy Consideration

As many of you may know by now, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 has support for the S Pen. Unlike the Galaxy Note series however, it doesn’t have a dedicated slot for it. This means you will have to store it elsewhere or get a case that has one. At the moment, there is an official case with a dedicated slot, known as the “Galaxy Z Fold3 Flip Cover with Pen”. Is it worth getting? Let’s find out.\

Unboxing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Flip Case with S Pen

The packaging of the protective case is pretty simple as it gives you a clear view of the case. When opened, you are expected to find the following items:

• S Pen Fold Edition
• S Pen tips
• User guide
• The flip cover case itself

Appearance

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Flip Case with S Pen looks like your typical flip cover case from Samsung, albeit narrower to fit the foldable smartphone. Looking at the front, with the flip cover which has a small opening on top so you can answer calls while the case is flipped close.

The top, bottom, and right side is basically exposed but on the left side, it’s covered to protect the hinge. Also, you will find the much needed S Pen slot to store the accessory. This slot does make the smartphone feel wider when it’s folded but since it’s rather narrow to begin with, it’s not really an issue.

Moving to the rear, you can see the camera cutout to nicely fit the foldable’s triple camera system on the top-left corner, and the Samsung logo towards the bottom. It’s worth noting that when you have the case on, it renders the camera bump invisible, but more on that later.

Lastly, you have the S Pen Fold Edition, which looks identical to the one found for the Galaxy S21 Ultra until you put both of them side by side. This new S Pen is actually bigger, albeit only slightly. You still have the button on the side and no locking mechanism on the top like you would typical find with the Galaxy Note counterparts.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Flip Case with S Pen is a simple, classy protective case that is practical, unlike the ones found on for its Flip brethren which are more for aesthetics. It’s only available in black so if you want a simple, straightforward case to use alongside the S Pen, I’m sure you’d have no complaints with its looks.

In case you missed it, check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 by clicking right here.

Specifications

Color	Black
Compatibility	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
Features	Antimicrobial Coating Dedicated S Pen slot Front and rear protection Leather
Dimensions	81.3 x 160.25 x 18.9 mm, 61g
S Pen	S Pen Writing (No Bluetooth) Exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 7.7 x 132.1 x 7.4 mm, 6.7g

User Experience

Installing the case on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is pretty easy. Basically, there is a shell that will be attached to the bottom part of foldable smartphone, which is the part that shares the same side as the USB-C port. It does seem rather odd since the sides of the top part of the Galaxy Z Fold3 are exposed but since shells adds a small bump, it’s less likely to make contact with any surface that it drops on. As soon as you hear a click sound when putting it in, you’re good to go.

The flip case isn’t magnetic, so it doesn’t necessarily close up all the time. However, I personally find that it doesn’t have trouble covering the display most of the time, with gravity usually being its worst enemy. Contrary to some reports, the flip cover does cover the entirety of the cover display just fine. In case you’re wondering, having it flipped close will automatically turn off the display.

While using the foldable smartphone with the case on, it does get noticeably wider. This is mostly due to the dedicated S Pen slot but you can feel that it became thicker as well. It’s nowhere close to the point of being unwieldy so don’t worry about that. As far as I’m concerned, it provided the necessary protection for the device.

Speaking of the dedicated S Pen slot, it’s a hard, rubberized shell which provides protection for the accessory as well. If you thought that it’s more of a “sock” that flattens when the S Pen isn’t sitting inside, that’s certainly not the case. Taking it out and putting in back is a smooth and easy process.

As mentioned previously, the flip case renders the camera bump invisible since it adds thickness to the rear except for the triple camera system given the cutout. This is great as it provides additional protection to the cameras while also allowing it to be placed flat on a surface.

For the most part, it’s an excellent case for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3, and the addition of the S Pen as well as a dedicated slot for it is its most enticing factor. It feels premium and it can definitely protect the foldable smartphone well. However, I do have a couple of issues with it.

The first is that it’s bland, since it only comes with one color choice (black). The second one is its flip nature making it cumbersome to use the rear cameras for selfies. If you rarely take selfies anyway, it’s not an issue but if you often do and want the best possible quality, it can be a nuisance. In this situation, you’re better off using a different case and storing the S Pen elsewhere.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Flip Case with S Pen Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Flip Case with S Pen is an excellent protective case for the foldable smartphone, but it’s not for everyone. It’s easy to install, has a premium feel, protects the foldable smartphone well, has a dedicated S Pen slot, renders the camera bump invisible, and antimicrobial coating for added protective measures.

However, the flip nature makes it cumbersome to use rear cameras for selfies, it’s bland with only a single color choice, the door doesn’t close magnetically, and a little pricey. If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward case with an added touch of convenience, it’s hard to look elsewhere but if you’re an avid selfie taker, you might be better off with a different protective case.

At the end of our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Flip Case with S Pen review, I award this accessory with our Silver Pokdeward.