Samsung's Foldable Galaxies Now Equal in Quality to Its Premium Smartphone Lineup
Samsung's Foldable Galaxies Now Equal in Quality to Its Premium Smartphone Lineup
According to recent whispers and disclosures, Samsung unveiled the fourth generation of its foldable smartphone lineup at its digital Unpacked event today. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 are now available for purchase this month. The new models showcase enhancements such as improved processors, cameras, and a more robust frame, allegedly bringing them on par with Samsung's leading Galaxy flagships. This marks a significant shift from the earlier foldable models that often appeared to be trials using leftover components.
Before I can make an informed judgment about their capabilities in comparison to the Galaxy S22 series, I'll need to put these devices through their paces. However, I've had the opportunity to handle these devices and will share my insights on the internal workings of the Galaxy Z Flip 4, the foldable clamshell model, and the Galaxy Z Fold 4, intended for users seeking a tablet-like device in a pinch. I'll also provide my impressions on their feel, having had an initial glimpse at both the Flip and the Fold. Both devices boast a batch of new software features, embodying the classic Samsung phone launch experience—only with foldable screens.
Galaxy Z Flip 4: Still appealing
Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a charmer, as evident from the image below: Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
It came as no surprise to learn that Samsung categorizes the Flip line as its most popular foldable. The clamshell design exudes an aura of fun, and the simple act of closing it instantly transports me back to an era when all phones were constructed in this manner.
Samsung slightly tweaked the design of the Z Flip 4. It features a narrower hinge and a slimmer profile overall, although the bezels appear to be unchanged. Samsung claims a 0.3mm reduction in width and a 1.6mm decrease in length, which contribute to a sense of spaciousness compared to its predecessor. The Z Flip 4 continues to be delivered with a pre-applied screen protector to safeguard the flexible display. The volume and power buttons on the side remain the same and are located in their respective spots as on the Z Flip 3.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 unfolds to reveal a typical-sized flat phone. Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 sports a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display. Samsung acknowledges that the actual viewable area is reduced due to the rounded corners and camera cutout. Given that foldable devices like the Flip are sought after for their compactness rather than their screen size, this seems reasonable. Samsung claims that the Flip 4's display is 45% more robust than its predecessor. It is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, while the rest of the device is constructed with Armor Aluminum, similar to the Galaxy S22 series launched earlier this year. It's also IPX8 water resistant. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which is standard for Android smartphones at this price point.
The Z Flip 4's front Cover Display remains unaltered from the previous model. It offers a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display, although rumors suggested it would be slightly larger to accommodate additional software elements. Regardless, the Cover Screen is still capable. Samsung has enhanced Quick Shot capabilities with the primary cameras, including an enhanced portrait mode. The Cover Screen can also be used for live streaming previews with FlexCam, albeit in select apps like Meta's Instagram and WhatsApp.
Samsung has integrated new camera features into the Cover Screen of the Z Flip 4. Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
The Galaxy Z Flip 4's processor has been upgraded, contrasting expectations for a cheaper alternative. It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip with 8GB of RAM. The flagship Galaxy S22 series uses the same chip, but the Z Flip 4 is only available with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage.
It will be intriguing to observe the battery life on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. The Z Flip 3's battery life was somewhat disappointing, and the new model only offers a slightly larger 3700 mAh battery, claiming an additional three hours of screen time. Samsung is attempting to sweeten the deal with fast charging, advertising the ability to achieve 50% battery life in just half an hour on the charger, along with wireless fast charging. Although this is far from what OnePlus is promoting with its SuperVOOC technology.
Samsung's Z Flip 4 features a dual primary camera system. Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
The primary cameras of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 include dual 12-MP sensors; one is the primary wide-angle camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.8 aperture, and the second is an ultra-wide camera with a 123-degree field-of-view (FoV) and an f/2.2 aperture. There's also a 10-MP selfie camera with an 80-degree FoV and an f/2.4 aperture. Samsung claims its primary camera sensor is 65% more sensitive than its previous Z Flip release. I look forward to comparing these against the Galaxy S22+ in my review.
Despite notable enhancements, the Z Flip 4's hinge mechanism feels fairly similar to its predecessor's. There's still a bit of resistance when closing the phone, much like the previous model, which required a 'learning period' before I could effortlessly snap it shut with a single hand.
The accessory offerings have seen a slight shift this year. Samsung showcased a sleek silicon cover adorned with a stylish gold clasp across the front of the Z Flip, diverging from the playful vibe of the cases associated with the Z Flip 3.
The Z Flip 4 will be available in four primary colors: graphite, bora purple, pink gold, and blue. Additionally, Samsung offers a Bespoke program, allowing for the creation of a custom Z Flip 4 with an online builder, boasting over 75 customization options. The price starts at $1000, and the device is officially on sale from August 26, with pre-orders open now.
Galaxy Z Fold 4: Enhanced Multitasking
The Z Fold 4 appears like a typical smartphone from its front. Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is Samsung's foldable phone-tablet combination, which remains somewhat less mainstream than the Flip's design. The Fold is reminiscent of a standard smartphone when viewed from the front; however, a closer glance reveals its foldable nature, thanks to its substantial hinge. With a simple turn, it transforms into a comprehensive tablet device.
The Z Fold 4 features a 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display on its front, frequently referred to as a Cover Screen. The inner surface houses a tablet-sized 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED display. Both the front and back displays boast 120Hz adaptive refresh rates. This year, the display has marginally increased in width compared to its previous release, and Samsung highlights its "minimized bezels" and "a slimmer hinge." Furthermore, the device has been fortified for better durability and carries an IPX8 water resistance rating.
The Z Fold 4 collapses to reveal a fully-fledged tablet within. Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
The specifications on the Fold bear closer resemblance to the Galaxy S22 Ultra than its two smaller S22 counterparts. Samsung opted for the same Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor as the Z Flip 4. However, the Fold comes with 12GB of RAM to accommodate the larger screen, as well as up to 1TB of internal storage. The 4400 mAh battery pack remains consistent with its predecessor, offering rapid charging capabilities similar to the Z Flip 4.
The Fold 4's cameras are more in line with the S22 Ultra, boasting five cameras in total. The primary 50-MP wide-angle camera with OIS and an f/1.8 aperture, the 12-MP Ultra Wide camera with a 123-degree Field of View and f/2.2 aperture, and the 10-MP Telephoto camera with OIS and an f/2.4 aperture compose the device's rear camera system. The primary camera offers 30x Space Zoom capability, which translates to digital zoom. The front-facing selfie camera features a 10-MP lens with an 85-degree Field of View and OIS, and the Fold 4 boasts an under-display 4-MP camera on its interior for video calls in tablet mode. It will be intriguing to see how these cameras stack up against the S22+ and S22 Ultra.
The rear-facing camera setup for the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
Samsung has updated certain aspects of the user interface in the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Google is actively refining Android to better cater to tablets, and the upcoming version of Android 13 is expected to feature more tablet-oriented enhancements. Samsung will likely leverage this for the Z Fold in particular, making use of Android 12L's tablet-optimized features. The Z Fold 4 runs on Samsung's One UI 4.1.1 out-of-the-box, based on Android 12L, the precursor to Android 13.
Upon unfolding the Z Fold 4, you will encounter a different Android interface, distinct from the standard one on the front. One UI incorporates a Taskbar at the base that resembles the one on Windows 10/11. Dragging an app icon from the Taskbar to any area of the screen makes it easy to launch apps in split-screen mode. Samsung is also introducing new swipe gestures, intending for me to try them out once I receive the device for review. The Z Fold 4 also supports S Pen functionality, allowing for Note-like capabilities on its inside screen, and purchasing a matching case will provide the additional functionality.
I'm about to experiment with the Galaxy Z Fold-style smartphone for the first time. I'm excited to get my hands on a device that can utilize Android's latest features. I'm also intrigued to discover if a smartphone can actually serve as a tablet-like device in a crunch. Will I have the same typing comfort on the Z Fold 4's screen as I would on a larger, standalone Android tablet? I'm also curious about the phone's thickness compared to carrying around the compact Z Flip 4, which sometimes feels like a compact makeup case once it's at the bottom of my bag. Exciting times ahead!
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 comes in three hues: gray green, phantom black, and a beige that appears to lean more towards the feminine side (you can check out the pink/beige colorway in the main image at the top). There will be an exclusive burgundy color available for purchase online through Samsung.com. Pre-orders for the Z Fold 4 start at a hefty $1800 and will also be available for purchase on Aug. 26.
The upgraded processor in the Galaxy Z Flip 4 might challenge the performance of some high-end smartphones, such as the Galaxy S22 series.In the future, foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4 might become more mainstream, as technology continues to improve and become more affordable.