Clamshell mobile phone with the best equipment and smartphone to fold – years ago Samsung created luxury products based on the wishes of some. The latest generation of Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold also arouse desire. But technology enthusiasts probably had hoped for something more from the Flip 4 and Fold 4.
These are the new foldable smartphones
One year after the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 3, it will be released on August 26, 2022 Galaxy Z Flip 4 in the colors Bora Purple, Graphite and for the first time also in Pink Gold and Blue. Prices start at 1099 euros (RRP) for the smallest model with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM. The most expensive version is 1279 euros (RRP) for 512 GB of flash memory.
The highlight is and remains the clamshell design. You can open and close the phone like a classic clamshell phone. When opened, a 6.7-inch display is revealed. There is another screen on the front. On the 1.9-inch display you can display the desired information or operate some functions without opening the phone. For example the camera.
And there it is Galaxy Z Fold 4. Normally you use the 6.2-inch front display here. If necessary, you can fold out the main screen, which creates an almost square 7.6 inch worktop. The focus here is on multitasking and working productively with the stylus. Hundreds of apps, including games, already support this immersive touchscreen surface.
The cheapest model with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB ROM costs 1799 euros (RRP), the most expensive 2159 euros (12 GB RAM, 1 TB ROM). Available colors include gray green, beige and phantom black.
Sounds good, but what are the differences with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Fold 3? In a direct comparison, the differences are surprisingly marginal…
Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs Galaxy Z Flip 3
The leap from one generation to the next is often associated with high expectations – especially in the smartphone sector. But with the Z Flip 4, Samsung has done more fine-tuning. After all: many should welcome the change of the processor.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 |
|---|---|
| Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 |
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Display: Exterior: 1.9 inch AMOLED display (512 x 260 pixels) Inside: 6.7-inch AMOLED display (2,640 x 1,080 pixels, 120 Hz) |
Display: Outdoor 1.9 inch AMOLED display (512 x 260 pixels) Indoor 6.7-inch AMOLED display (2,640 x 1,080 pixels, 120 Hz) |
| Storage: 8GB RAM 128/256/512GB ROM |
Storage: 8GB RAM 128/256GB ROM |
| Camera: 12 megapixel wide-angle camera (f/1.8) 12-megapixel super wide-angle camera (f/2.2) 10 megapixel front camera |
Camera: 12 megapixel wide-angle camera (f/1.8) 12-megapixel super wide-angle camera (f/2.2) 10 megapixel front camera |
| Battery Pack: 3,700mAh 25 watts fast charging 10 watts wireless charging |
Battery Pack: 3.300mAh 15 watts fast charging 10 watts wireless charging |
| Operating system: android 12 |
Operating system: Android 12 (after update) |
| Mate: 84.9 x 71.9 x 17.1mm (closed) 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9mm (open) 187 grams |
Mate: 86.4 x 72.2 x 17.1mm (closed) 166 x 72.2 x 6.9mm (open) 183 grams |
What makes the Galaxy Z Flip 4 better than its predecessor?
For those who have considered a switch from the Galaxy Z Flip 3 to the Flip 4, the new features may be sobering. In 2022, however, Samsung seems to have tried to convince new customers and owners of the Flip 1 or Flip 2. They now get a small update of the Flip 3 with useful detail improvements:
- Processor: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 is currently the most powerful chip in the Android sector.
- Battery Pack: The larger battery with a better fast charge function offers more “power” and flexibility.
- Mate: Slightly heavier, but slightly more compact and at the same time more robust than its predecessor.
- Revised wide-angle camera: Despite the identical camera, Samsung has revised the main camera and promises better photos in poor lighting conditions
Otherwise, there is talk of “more third-party apps” that developers have adapted for the Flip 4. But the Galaxy Z Flip 3 also benefits from this.
Galaxy Z Fold 4 vs Galaxy Z Fold 3
The Z Fold 4 has a little more to offer than its predecessor:
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 |
|---|---|
| Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 |
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Display: Outside: 6.2-inch AMOLED display (2316 x 904, 120 Hz) Inside: 7.6-inch AMOLED display (2176 x 1812 pixels, 120 Hz) |
Display: Outside: 6.2 inch AMOLED display (2268 x 832, 120 Hz) Inside: 7.6 inch AMOLED display (2208 x 1768 pixels, 120 Hz) |
| Storage: 12GB RAM 256/512GB/1TB ROM |
Storage: 12GB RAM 256/512GB ROM |
| Main camera: 50 megapixel wide-angle camera (f/1.8) 12-megapixel super wide-angle camera (f/2.2) 10 megapixel telephoto camera (f/2.4) Front camera: |
Main camera: 12 megapixel wide-angle camera (f/1.8) 12-megapixel super wide-angle camera (f/2.2) 12 megapixel telephoto camera (f/2.4) Front camera: |
| Battery Pack: 4.400mAh 25 watts fast charging 10 watts wireless charging |
Battery Pack: 4.400mAh 15 watts fast charging 11 watts wireless charging |
| Operating system: Android 12L |
Operating system: Android 12 (after update) |
| Mate: 155.1 x 67.1 x 15.8mm (closed) 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3mm (open) 263 grams |
Mate: 158.2 x 67.1 x 16mm (closed) 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4mm (open) 271 grams |
What makes the Galaxy Z Fold 4 better?
The specs don’t necessarily make it clear, but there are also a few obvious improvements you can take advantage of:
- Screen to body ratio: Narrower bezels around the screen provide a larger screen feel.
- shows: Both screens have a higher resolution than the predecessor.
- Processor: Like the Flex 4, the Fold 4 gives you the latest and greatest Qualcomm chip.
- Format: The almost square surface when opening the Z Fold 4 (ratio: 21.6:18) allows for new control options, for example in games. At the same time, the phone is lighter and slightly smaller.
- cameras: The wide-angle camera is now 50 megapixels, the telephoto lens has a 3x optical zoom and night photos are now more detailed.
- Android 12L: Android 12L, optimized for foldable smartphones, offers enhanced multitasking and optimal use of the display area.
Product maintenance instead of innovations
Minimal design tweaks here, as a faster processor. And there’s a bit of fine-tuning with the software – that doesn’t sound like innovations and completely new ideas.
And indeed: just like with the newly announced Galaxy Watch5, Samsung does more subtle product maintenance with the new Z smartphones. Above all, the Koreans promise more robust housings and displays, which is certainly necessary for the folding and clamshell concepts of both phones and what customers are asking for.
Personally, I don’t mind that this time there are no noteworthy, courageous or at least creative ideas. Samsung makes it clear that they do not want to appeal to the satisfied owners of the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 with the successors, but everyone else who may be interested in these devices.
But one thing is clear: in 2023, even Samsung fans should not be satisfied with such a “pale” update of the Z series. A breath of fresh air is needed by next year at the latest: maybe it will finally work with protection against dust (so far only waterproof) or scratch-resistant displays?
And I’d like to see future flip-and-fold models cost well under $1,000. In any case, this would lower the inhibition threshold for some to buy one of these attractive devices.
Conclusion: the time is right
Have you been toying with the idea of getting a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold or Z Flip long enough? Now your time has come, because: With the Z Fold 4 and the Z Flip 4, Samsung offers advanced foldable and clamshell phones that build on the experience and strengths of the previous generation.
The latest processors, sensible improvements and various innovations, especially with the Fold 4, make it clear: the manufacturer has not rested, but has once again ‘fine-tuned’ beautiful products.
The sticking point is still the high price: whether it’s the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 or the Z Flip 4, the smartphones are expensive and luxurious. On the other hand, they offer you a fantastic folding system (Flip 4) and an exceptional working environment (Fold 4) that many competitors are still a long way from.
Pre-order Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 and take advantage of pre-order bonuses.
