This morning Samsung announced their next generation of foldable smartphones, which are on their way downwards in price and, the company claims, upwards in reliability. The fact that Apple has not released a folding smartphone—analysts' best guesses on that are for sometime in 2023—would suggest that folding screens can't be done well yet, but Samsung has been devoting a ton of resources towards proving they can.

Thus Samsung pulled the sheets off of the Galaxy Z Fold3, a larger phone that unfolds from a rectangle into a square, and the Galaxy Z Flip3, a smaller phone that unfolds from a square into a rectangle. The larger Z Fold3 is compatible with Samsung's S Pen stylus. Both models are said to have improved water resistance, as well as better screen and hinge durability, which were all sticking points with the previous generation.

Galaxy Z Fold3

Galaxy Z Fold3

Galaxy Z Fold3

Galaxy Z Fold3

"Samsung users expect foldable devices that are built to last," the company writes. "That's why this generation of Galaxy Z devices is built with unrivaled craftsmanship."

"For the first time ever on a foldable smartphone, Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 are equipped with IPX8 water resistance, so users no longer have to worry when caught in the rain. Both devices are also built with our new Armor Aluminum—the strongest aluminum ever used on a Galaxy smartphone—along with the toughest Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus™ to protect against scratches and accidental drops. In addition, both devices include a new protective film made of stretchable PET and optimized display panel layers resulting in a Main Screen that's 80% more durable than previous devices."

Galaxy Z Flip3

Galaxy Z Flip3

Galaxy Z Flip3

Galaxy Z Flip3

Galaxy Z Flip3

The price of the Z Fold3, which was previously two grand, comes down a bit to $1,800; the Z Flip3, which previously ran $1,380, has seen a steeper price drop down to $1,000. Still too rich for my budget, but it is encouraging to see the prices starting to decline; I look forward to the day when I can afford a folding smartphone.