Galaxy Z Fold SE Review: Is the Premium Price Justified?

The world of foldable phones continues to evolve, and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold SE (Special Edition) has created quite a buzz. With a hefty price tag of approximately $2,800, it’s understandable why many would hesitate before purchasing. However, the Z Fold SE promises a more refined design, improved features, and a slimmer profile. But, is it worth the extra cost compared to previous models like the Z Fold 6?

In this review, we’ll dive into the design, performance, camera upgrades, and overall value proposition of the Galaxy Z Fold SE. Let’s see if this foldable flagship truly lives up to its price tag.

Design and Build Quality: A Sleek and Premium Experience

One of the first things that stand out when unboxing the Galaxy Z Fold SE is its design. The special edition comes only in the “Crafted Black” color and has a unique texture that feels far more premium than its predecessors. Unlike the smooth surface of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the SE version has a textured back with thin, subtle grooves that give it an impressive tactile quality.

The phone feels thinner and lighter than its predecessor, and when closed, the Z Fold SE feels almost like a traditional smartphone, thanks to a much narrower profile. The cover display is 6.5 inches—larger than the 6.3-inch display of the Z Fold 6, but the difference in real-world use is more noticeable in terms of comfort.

When it’s unfolded, the internal screen measures a massive 8 inches, providing a broader canvas for multitasking and media consumption. Compared to the Z Fold 6, which has a 7.6-inch screen, the difference is noticeable. The Z Fold SE also boasts a thinner hinge area, providing a more seamless and premium feel.

However, despite the overall improved design, the phone still has its share of downsides. The biggest issue? The phone’s frame creaks when placed on flat surfaces without a case, which can be quite unsettling for users. Additionally, with the special edition’s premium price tag, some consumers may feel frustrated that there’s only one color option available.

Display: A Big Leap Forward

The most obvious improvement in the Galaxy Z Fold SE is its display. Both the inner and outer screens are noticeably better than the Z Fold 6. The cover display, with a more immersive 6.5-inch size, now offers a larger area for browsing, viewing content, and multitasking.

Inside, the main screen is an 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. While it doesn’t seem like a massive difference in terms of size compared to the Z Fold 6’s 7.6-inch screen, the Z Fold SE’s display feels wider and more practical for heavy-duty multitasking. The result? A much more usable and enjoyable screen for tasks like video editing, gaming, and web browsing.

Samsung has also worked to make the hinge thinner, so the crease in the center of the foldable display is less noticeable compared to the Z Fold 6. While it’s not gone entirely, it’s certainly less of a distraction, adding to the device’s premium feel.

Performance: Top-Tier Speed and Multitasking

The Galaxy Z Fold SE is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which offers excellent performance for all types of apps, from everyday browsing to gaming and multitasking. The SE model also includes 16GB of RAM, an upgrade from the Z Fold 6’s 12GB. This increase in RAM is noticeable when running multiple apps simultaneously, and you’ll appreciate the added performance when you’re juggling tasks like voice notes, emails, and video streaming.

For those who enjoy Samsung’s DeX mode for a desktop-like experience, the SE’s added RAM will provide a smoother multitasking experience when you’re working on multiple windows. However, if you’re not a heavy multitasker, you may not immediately notice the difference between this model and its predecessor.

Camera: Minor Improvements, but Nothing Revolutionary

One of the areas where Samsung has made a noticeable change is in the camera department. The Z Fold SE features a 200MP primary camera, which is a substantial upgrade from the 50MP main sensor of the Z Fold 6. In theory, this means higher-quality photos with more detail. However, in practice, the difference in everyday photography is not as substantial as expected.

While it’s clear that the higher megapixel count allows for more detailed shots when zoomed in, the overall image quality doesn’t feel drastically improved over the Z Fold 6. The lack of optical zoom (as seen in the Galaxy Z Fold Ultra models) makes the 200MP sensor feel somewhat underwhelming, especially for those who regularly take zoomed-in photos.

That being said, video quality remains strong with 4K recording at 60 frames per second, and the camera system’s ability to switch between front, rear, and inner cameras seamlessly during video recording is an impressive feature, especially for vloggers. The ability to capture a variety of angles and perspectives without needing a tripod or external tools makes it great for on-the-go content creators.

Battery Life: Steady, but Not Groundbreaking

Battery life on the Galaxy Z Fold SE is adequate, but with the large display and high-performance specs, it’s no surprise that you may need to charge the device more frequently than a typical smartphone. With a 4,400mAh battery, the phone lasts a full day under moderate use, but heavy tasks like gaming or extensive video recording will drain the battery faster.

Charging speeds are also slightly better than the previous model, with the Z Fold SE supporting fast charging up to 25W, but it’s worth noting that it still doesn’t match up to the ultra-fast charging speeds of some competing devices on the market.

Is the Galaxy Z Fold SE Worth It?

At a starting price of $2,800, the Galaxy Z Fold SE is undeniably expensive. While it offers a more refined design, a larger and more functional display, and a smoother multitasking experience thanks to the additional RAM, it’s not a drastic upgrade over the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in terms of real-world use. If you’re already using a Z Fold 6, the Z Fold SE may not feel like a huge leap forward, especially considering the absence of some features like S Pen support.

The biggest issue, though, is the price. For $2,800, you’re paying a premium for marginal improvements. While the foldable form factor is undeniably cool and provides unique use cases, it’s hard to justify spending this much money when more affordable options from brands like Xiaomi and others provide similar performance and features at a fraction of the cost.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a foldable phone that feels lighter, more compact, and better suited for daily use, the Galaxy Z Fold SE offers a solid experience. However, it may not be worth the $60,000 premium over the Z Fold 6 unless you’re really drawn to the new design and form factor. If you’re still unsure, consider waiting for the next iteration, the Z Fold 7, as Samsung may bring even more exciting features to the foldable space.

What do you think of the Galaxy Z Fold SE? Is it worth the high price tag, or are you waiting for a more affordable option? Let us know in the comments!