bodyType

customContents

entityId

printArticlePageQuery

filter

article

body

urlAlias

articleSectionsContent

articleSeoArticle

articleSourceHeaderArticle

contentSchemaRenderContent

contentSubHeadlineContent

contentHeadlineContent

mainImagePrintArticleArticle

authorBlockPrintArticleArticle

contentSponsorTagContent

articlePianoPaywallContent

scmpYoutubeContent

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

query printArticlePageQuery(
  $entityId: String!
  $customContents: [CustomContentInput]
  $bodyType: BodyFormatTypeEnum
) {
  article(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
      json
    }
    urlAlias
    ...articleSectionsContent
    ...articleSeoArticle_3o8td4
    ...articleSourceHeaderArticle
    ...contentSchemaRenderContent
    ...contentSubHeadlineContent
    ...contentHeadlineContent
    ...mainImagePrintArticleArticle
    ...authorBlockPrintArticleArticle
    ...contentSponsorTagContent
    ...articlePianoPaywallContent
    ...scmpYoutubeContent
    ...hooksTrackPageViewArticle
    id
  }
}

fragment articlePianoPaywallContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksPaywallPromiseContent
}

fragment articleSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment articleSeoArticle_3o8td4 on Article {
  ...hooksArticleSeoArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersGetArticleTypeArticle
  entityId
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
  summary {
    text
  }
  subHeadline {
    text
  }
  body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
    text
  }
  keywords
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  topics {
    name
    entityId
    id
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  images {
    style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  readingTime
}

fragment articleSourceHeaderArticle on Article {
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
}

fragment authorBlockPrintArticleArticle on Article {
  ...defaultArticleDateContent
  ...authorNamesArticle
}

fragment authorNameAuthor on Author {
  ...entityLink
  name
  entityUuid
}

fragment authorNamesArticle on Article {
  authorLocations
  authors {
    entityId
    location
    ...authorNameAuthor
    id
  }
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment defaultArticleDateContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksArticleDateUtilsContent
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle on Article {
  entityId
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  disableOffPlatformContent
  sponsorType
  published
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    paywallTypes {
      entityUuid
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        entityId
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment hooksArticleDateUtilsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  createdDate
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
}

fragment hooksArticleSeoArticle on Article {
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle
  entityId
  headline
  socialHeadline
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
  images {
    generic_og: style(filter: {style: "og_image_scmp_generic"}) {
      url
    }
    styles(filter: {styles: ["og_image_posties_article", "og_postmag", "og_image_style", "og_image_scmp_analysis", "og_image_scmp_explainer", "og_image_scmp_editorial", "og_image_scmp_fact_check", "og_image_scmp_debate", "og_image_scmp_live", "og_image_scmp_obituary", "og_image_scmp_opinion", "og_image_scmp_review", "og_image_scmp_series", "og_image_scmp_generic"]}) {
      url
      style
    }
    type
  }
  urlAlias
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksPaywallPromiseContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment hooksTrackPageViewArticle on Article {
  entityId
  publishedDate
  headline
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  entityUuid
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment mainImagePrintArticleArticle on Article {
  images {
    title
    url
    isSlideshow
    size_652x446: style(filter: {style: "652x446"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}


sections

types

disableOffPlatformContent

sponsorType

published

headline

socialHeadline

authors

images

publishedDate

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

keywords

topics

readingTime

authorLocations

entityUuid

Winnie Chung

Even from early reviews, we knew the US$2,190 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G would be a technical wonder to behold.
After the shortcomings of the first generation Galaxy Z Fold that was released in February 2019, Samsung has upped its game to improve on everything you can think of – from the more polished metallic casing to the ultra-thin glass, as well as a sturdier hinge mechanism.
To get the nerdy stuff out of the way, the new Galaxy Z Fold comes in two colours – Mystic Black and Mystic Bronze, which actually looks more like rose gold. The Hong Kong version provides 12GB RAM and 512GB internal storage. It feels solid in the hands, if a little slippery because of the metallic finish, but at 282 grams it’s not significantly heavier than an iPhone 11 Pro Max in a sturdy case. Samsung hasn’t quite got rid of the tiny hinge gap when the phone is folded, although it has been reduced significantly.

The phone comes with two 10MP cameras at the front and three 12MP cameras at the back, which provide wide-angle as well as a limited zoom lens. There are two screens: the 6.2-inch cover one has an HD+ super AMOLED display and, when opened, the ultra-thin inside screen provides a 7.6-inch QXGA+ dynamic AMOLED 2X display.
The screen displays are crisp and sharp, but they are a bit hard to protect and raise more than a little paranoia about scratches. The inside screen is better protected, but I found it a magnet for fingerprints because there is really nowhere for you to hold the phone except on the screen itself.
STYLE decided to put its Mystic Bronze review phone through its paces simply by living our normal lifestyle with it. Here’s what we discovered.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20: great specs but seriously pricey
Social media

Because the Z Fold2 is a very niche product, plenty of app developers are still playing catch-up and will probably not feel the need to optimise their apps for the larger screen measurements. The Facebook experience on the Z Fold2 is similar to normal phones and the big screen makes for a better visual experience. Unfortunately, Instagram has not adjusted its display for the full-screen experience, leaving black strips on either side of the app. Having said that, the screen is still much wider than normal phones.
The camera

The camera is probably one of the most important considerations when buying a mobile phone these days, but this is where Samsung has held back a bit. Or perhaps it is just impossible to include the best of everything in a sleek package like this. Although the phone boasts five cameras, a 2x optical and 10x digital zoom are really nothing to write home about. The cameras are not bad, just not the best that Samsung has produced. In comparison, the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a 5x optical and 50x digital zoom.
This slight drawback is evident when it comes to macro photography. Pitting the Z Fold2 against the iPhone 11 Pro Max and Huawei P40 Pro with a close-up of some flowers, it was clear that the Samsung lost the most detail with the zoom. The iPhone fared the best of the three. With night mode activated, however, the Z Fold2 offered the brightest adjustment.

Not everyone is a fan of Samsung’s vivid display. While the sharp colours can brighten up the dullest days, they sometimes make photographs look Photoshopped and fake. Nevertheless, the inbuilt filters are perfect for selfies if you don’t look like a beauty queen.
Travel photography tips from Keira Mason: how to capture the perfect moment
So while the cameras may not be the best in Samsung’s stable, the five options can hold their own for amateur everyday use.
Entertainment centre
I installed Blade & Soul Revolution on both my iPhone and the Galaxy Z Fold2, and while I never found much to complain about when it came to the resolution of my iPhone screen, it became immediately apparent how the vivid display and the larger screen of the Z Fold2 elevated the gaming experience.
Holding the phone sideways allowed for a firmer grip, and although the action buttons were a little lower than was ideal, the larger screen allowed for a lot more detail – useful for role-playing games (RPG) as it’s always helpful to see what you’ve been maniacally slashing at. With games such as Words with Friends and Candy Crush, the larger screen is nice to have even though the gameplay is mostly the same.

The new flex mode viewing allows you to continue playing on the outer screen when you flip the phone closed, although no one would opt for a long and shallow screen when you have the choice of a 7.6-inch one. The flex mode is useful, however, when you are watching K-dramas or the occasional YouTube video because of the default ratios. The adaptive 120Hz refresh rate offers more fluidity to gameplay or watching movies compared with the 60Hz screen on last year’s Fold.

One of the leisure functions I found most useful in the Z Fold2 was my Kindle. The screen is about the same size as my Kindle Oasis and – in the age of having to stuff hand sanitisers, masks and other disinfectants in our bags – that means I can leave my 188 gram Kindle at home for longer bouts of reading. To minimise eye strain from the backlight, I kept the use of the Z Fold2 for shorter reading sessions on commutes or coffee breaks.
Mobile office

I do a lot of my work using my iPhone 11 Pro Max at the moment, and while the screen is big, it’s not great if you need a larger, horizontal view. When open, the Galaxy Z Fold2 is about as close to perfect as possible when it comes to reading documents, excel sheets or PDFs. The large centre screen essentially provides you with the equivalent of a small tablet and is an absolute delight to have when you need to peruse office documents.
Every Tokyo 2020 Olympics medal will be made from old mobile phones
The Multi-Active Window allows you to open multiple documents or apps, and the drag-and-drop function makes it very easy to drag text and visuals from one app to another; it made putting together a PowerPoint on the go a pleasant task. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said if you want to input data. I’ve never been a fan of the Samsung keyboard because the keys are too close together which makes accurate typing a challenge.
While they have made it easier for two-thumb typing by separating the keyboard into two, trying to hold the slippery phone steady and type at the same time is made worse by the predictive text function that sometimes results in gibberish. The outer screen offers no improvement either, as the narrow form is not conducive to two-hand typing, so your best bet would be to lay the phone down on a flat surface if you need to do a large amount of typing. But at least your PDFs will be in vivid display!
Is it worth the price?

We come to the most important question: is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G worth its hefty price tag? At the prohibitive price of US$2,190, it isn’t immediately clear at whom Samsung is aiming this phone and whether anyone can really make full use of the spectrum of cutting-edge tech. As a tool for out-of-office work, the inclusion of a pen would have been useful.
But then how many of us really buy a phone for all its functions? It is a good showcase of what Samsung engineers can do and a peek into the future of mobile phones. There’s also a version in collaboration with designer Thom Browne going for a whopping US$3,510.
If you are a phone buff yearning for a fold phone and have some spare cash jangling around in your pocket, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G is certainly the top choice compared to similar phones by brands such as Huawei and Motorola. You’d definitely look cool carrying it around if nothing else!
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Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G the phone we’ve all been waiting for? Here’s how it stacks up to Huawei, Motorola and Apple, and if it’s worth the US$2,190 price tag

Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G live up to the hype? Photo: Samsung

social Media on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold . Photo: Winnie Chung

Camera function comparison between iPhone (left) & Samsung Galaxy Z Fold (right). Photo: Winnie Chung

Mobile Office- Multi activity function on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. Photo: Winnie Chung

Blade & soul Revolution, Gaming on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. Photo: Winnie Chung

Camera functions on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold . Photo: Winnie Chung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. Photo: Handout

Is it worth $16,998? Photo: Samsung Handout

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WFH, watching K-dramas and playing Candy Crush – is Samsung’s new folding phone better than the first generation Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, and can enhance our day to day lives enough to justify its cost?


Is Samsung’s new folding phone a mini laptop? Can its cameras take the ultimate selfie? And how does it hold up against Huawei and Motorola?


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An assessment or critique of a service, product or creative endeavour.  Film reviews, restaurant reviews, reviews of art exhibitions. (Eg. Crazy Rich Asians: an important film, yes, but a good one?)


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Review | Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G the phone we’ve all been waiting for? Here’s how it stacks up to Huawei, Motorola and Apple, and if it’s worth the US$2,190 price tag

WFH, watching K-dramas and playing Candy Crush – is Samsung’s new folding phone better than the first generation Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, and can enhance our day to day lives enough to justify its cost?