Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 picked as Korea’s top mobile technology 2021

Samsung Electronics Co.'s latest flip phone, the Galaxy Z Flip3, has been chosen by South Korea’s science ministry as the country’s top mobile technology this year.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Tuesday the foldable phone has been given the President’s Award in recognition of its technological prowess.

In August, Samsung announced new additions to its high-end line of Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip phones, in hopes that the new 5G-enabled foldables will be game-changers in the premium smartphone segment.

During its Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event, the tech giant unveiled two new folding phones, the Z Fold3 and Z Flip3, alongside two new smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic; and a set of new wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds2.

Samsung said the new products equipped with new features and enhanced durability will help the company strengthen its overall mobile phone market leadership and put it on an equal footing with high-end smartphone leader Apple Inc.

The Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 are the first foldables with IPX8-rating water resistance, meaning they can withstand water depths of more than 1 meter for over 30 minutes.

Both devices are also built with Armor Aluminum, which Samsung says is the strongest aluminum ever used on a Galaxy smartphone, along with the toughest Corning Gorilla Glass Victus to protect against scratches and accidental drops.

The redesigned cover screen of the Z Flip3 is four times larger than the previous version, making it easier to view notifications and messages without having to open the flip phone.

The foldables will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, global foldable phone shipments will rise to 30 million units by 2023 from 9 million this year.

Write to Min-Jun Suh at morandol@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.