Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review: Pleased as a clamshell

Samsung’s fourth-generation clamshell would not convey too many brand-new pearls to the desk. Nonetheless, its present ones have a brand new shine due to a bigger battery and sooner charging. Add in an improved main camera and extra curated software program expertise, and there is no doubt that the Galaxy Z Flip 4 will hold Samsung’s dominance within the foldable market rolling for no less than one other 12 months.

There are many outdated sayings about issues altering, issues not altering, issues altering by not altering — you get the image. It’s powerful to inform which applies to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 as a result of it has each modified and stayed nearly fully the identical. The tweaks are minor but fastidiously deliberate, which Samsung hopes will widen its already monumental lead within the foldable telephone market. Are small steps sufficient to make a big effect? Discover out in our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review.

About this Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review: I examined the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 on the T-Cell community over a interval of 12 days. It was working Android 12 on the July 1, 2022 safety patch. Samsung offered the unit for this review.

What it’s essential to know in regards to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

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• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 (8GB/128GB): $999 / £999 / €1,099
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 (8GB/256GB): $1,059 / £1,059 / €1,159
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 (8GB/512GB): $1,179 / £1,199 / €1,279

Samsung launched its Galaxy Z Flip 4 in August 2022 as a successor to its well-liked Galaxy Z Flip 3. It steps in nearly all of its predecessor’s footprints, nearly to the purpose you can’t inform them aside. Nonetheless, Samsung made just a few intelligent inside modifications that push its newest clamshell additional than earlier than.

On the surface, you’ll discover that Samsung’s 1.9-inch Tremendous AMOLED “Cowl Display” — the tiny one subsequent to the camera — is now made from Gorilla Glass Victus Plus. It’s barely extra sturdy than the earlier mannequin, although in any other case unchanged in pixel density. The inner folding show can be on par with its predecessor; it nonetheless measures in at 6.7-inches with a Full HD+ decision. It packs a easy 120Hz variable refresh fee and as much as 1,200 nits of peak brightness. The remainder of the package deal is equally as refined, with Armor Aluminum for the body and Samsung’s improved Extremely Skinny Glass (UTG) protecting the display.

When you dive under the powerful IPX8-rated outer shell (nearly appears like a clam, doesn’t it?), you’ll discover a host of updates from the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Samsung introduced Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset into the combination, which boosts each energy and battery effectivity over the common Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 we noticed within the Galaxy S22 sequence. It’s paired with 8GB of RAM throughout all three configurations, and you’ll go for as much as 512GB of storage. The additional storage is price a glance when you’re going to be filling it with bigger information, too, as there’s no microSD slot.

The Galaxy Z Flip 4’s acquainted aluminum body hides a number of efficiency upgrades below a shiny coat of paint.

Maybe most essential is the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s bigger battery — a crucial weak level for the final era foldable. It’s grown from 3,300mAh to three,700mAh, proper in step with the vanilla Galaxy S22. The wired charging received a pleasant enhance, too, leaping from 15W to 25W. Wi-fi charging is an choice, nonetheless at 10W, as is reverse wi-fi charging at 4.5W.

As appears to be the custom now, there’s much less within the Galaxy Z Flip 4 field than ever. Whereas the earliest foldables got here with some packaging pomp and circumstance, the 2022 iterations supply not more than primary paperwork, a USB-C cable, and a SIM ejector instrument. It’s not a shock, although it does imply you’ll should put money into a brand new charger when you don’t have already got a appropriate one.

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The Galaxy Z Flip 4 sits in a rarified spot on the subject of competitors — it’s already the king. Samsung holds a dominant 88% market share of all foldables, and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 was the gross sales chief. The previous-generation foldable continues to be the highest competitors, particularly now you can get it closely discounted. Motorola hasn’t launched a brand new Razr exterior of China (not but, anyway), and Huawei’s P50 Pocket has the standard slate of complications you’d count on from a telephone with out Google’s assist. As an alternative, it’s higher stacked in opposition to units in the identical worth bracket — across the $1,000 mark — like Samsung’s personal Galaxy S22 Plus and the ever-popular iPhone 13 Professional.

You should buy the Galaxy Z Flip 4 ranging from August 26 by means of Samsung, Amazon, Greatest Purchase, and extra within the US, in addition to most main markets worldwide. It is available in Bora Purple (pictured on this review), Graphite, Pink Gold, and Blue colorways. There may be additionally a Bespoke Version which lets you customise the body and rear for as much as 75 completely different mixtures, although it’ll set you again no less than one other $100 over the common model.

Has the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 design modified in any respect?

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Al Pacino talked a couple of recreation of inches throughout his locker room speech in Any Given Sunday; waxing poetic about how small modifications and occasions add as much as create the larger image. Samsung apparently took that message and took it a step additional. As an alternative of a recreation of inches, the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s up to date design is a recreation of millimeters.

Actually, you would set the Galaxy Z Flip 4 proper subsequent to the earlier Galaxy Z Flip 3 (which we did) and have nearly no method of realizing them aside. Until you’re whipping out a microscope to search for the 0.4mm of top or 0.3mm of width that Samsung shaved off, you received’t discover it. Nonetheless, that trim ticks the screen-to-body ratio barely greater and leads to a tool that’s as comfy to carry as any conventional flagship.

All of the buttons and ports are proper the place you’d count on them to be when you’ve used any current Samsung Galaxy telephone. The capacitive fingerprint reader and quantity rocker are proper at dwelling alongside the correct edge, whereas the SIM slot is nestled within the prime left nook. Samsung tucked its USB-C port and one in all its stereo audio system alongside the underside edge, with the earpiece because the second speaker to type stereo sound.

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 refines an already glorious design that is pretty much as good within the hand as it’s to take a look at.

One other good thing about the acquainted design is that Samsung’s sturdy Gorilla Glass Victus and Armor Aluminum combo makes a return. This 12 months, nevertheless, the glass is upgraded to Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on the exterior show and the colourful rear glass panels. The Armor Aluminum body additionally has a shiny end in comparison with the earlier mannequin’s satin sheen. Samsung’s Extremely Skinny Glass as soon as once more covers the interior show, although the South Korean large says it’s been toughened up in comparison with the Galaxy Z Flip 3’s protecting layer, and has been internally examined for as much as 200,000 folds. The corporate additionally claims it has improved the adhesive used to use the all-important display protector. We couldn’t check this with out probably leaving the gadget susceptible to everlasting harm. On that notice, when you do choose up a Galaxy Z Flip 4, don’t take away the display protector! It’s a necessary a part of the show.

Regardless of Samsung’s wholesome trim across the edges, the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s inside show stays at 6.7 inches alongside the diagonal. It’s nonetheless a superb 120Hz variable panel, with good shade recreation and a peak brightness of as much as 1,200 nits. Throughout my testing, I had no points with it being too dim, and the tall, skinny form stays straightforward to stretch a thumb throughout. You could possibly, in concept, use the Galaxy Z Flip 4 with one hand from the time you open it to the time you shut it, however I discovered it to be a problem. The hinge is a bit too tight to press with a thumb, however it does an excellent job protecting the show in place.

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That stated, generally change could be a good factor. Sadly, Samsung’s lack of change implies that the show crease continues to be plainly seen and is not any smaller than in earlier generations. Your eye can be taught to disregard it, and your thumb may not graze over it fairly often, however it’s nonetheless there, and any informal observer is certain to ask you about it.

Additionally primarily unchanged, aside from the Gorilla Glass Victus Plus improve, is the Cowl Display. It stays at 1.9 inches with a decision of 260 x 512, and that’s about it. There are just a few new software program wrinkles, however we’ll come again to them in a bit.

How is the battery life? And the charging?

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For all that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 received proper, its battery life remained a obvious concern. The tiny 3,300mAh cell and 15W wired charging have been unchanged from the first- and second-generation Galaxy Flip telephones, they usually wanted a cautious push to make it by means of the day. Certain, the relative lack of punch supplied a handy excuse to depend on the Cowl Display, however whenever you purchase a tool for its folding show, you’re going to wish to use it.

Fortunately, the battery and charging obtain one of many largest boosts of all the operation. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 now packs a 3,700mAh battery with 25W wired charging — the identical because the vanilla Galaxy S22. In fact, like different Samsung flagships, that additionally means you’ll want a USB Energy Supply PPS charger to achieve prime speeds, and also you received’t discover one bundled within the field. Try our charger information for one of the best choices if it’s essential to choose up a appropriate adapter.

Qualcomm’s fuel-efficient Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 lends a hand to the improved battery life, maybe as a lot because the bigger battery itself. No matter which has had the largest affect, the important thing takeaway is that the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s battery now not looks like a legal responsibility. You’re not more likely to blaze previous a full day of utilization, however you shouldn’t be sweating your remaining cost till properly after time for supper.

I had no issues on a mean day of net shopping, social media, and reasonable streaming, however it nonetheless might assist to memorize the place the Energy Saving function is within the Fast Settings. On one in all my heavier days — heading to New York for a briefing occasion — I received to expertise how the Galaxy Z Flip 4 handles a heavy load. The telephone shone as my Amtrak ticket, my trusty navigator to the venue, and even my ticket into Yankee Stadium. Nonetheless, I turned Energy Saving on by the point I reached the sport, and by the point “New York, New York” performed, I used to be sitting at about 10% battery left.

The bigger battery and sooner charging imply the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s energy now not looks like a legal responsibility for on a regular basis use.

General, I averaged between 4 and 5 hours of screen-on time all through my time with the Galaxy Z Flip 4. That’s nonetheless not on par with conventional flagships, however the exterior show stays a superb solution to verify primary notifications. That method you solely want to reply to people who matter when unfolded. All of it simply requires a little bit of reconditioning from the way you’d use a daily “slab” smartphone.

When you empty the nonetheless comparatively small cell, the 25W wired charging ought to have you ever again on the go in about 75 minutes. I discovered that it took barely longer on some days, although hardly ever way more than 80 minutes. Samsung’s wi-fi charging will take a bit longer, someplace round 90-100 minutes, however it’s ok when you’re charging when you work.

How is the software program?

If that is your first time with a foldable telephone — and it most likely can be for a lot of — it’s good to know what software program wrinkles you’re entering into. Whereas the general expertise when unfolded may be very very like conventional Android 12, the return of Samsung’s “Flex mode” is essential for all different positions. Though Samsung’s Flex mode has been round for the reason that early days of the Flip, the Flex mode panel stays a particular Labs function, which implies it received’t all the time work accurately, nor will it work with most third-party apps.

When you open the Flex mode panel menu, you’ll see an extended listing of each app in your telephone and the way it interacts with the modified controls. Some, just like the native Calendar and Digicam apps, supply distinctive layouts with controls under the fold and information above it. Others, like Chrome, open a menu alongside the underside panel the place you may management brightness, take screenshots, and even open a trackpad. It’s enjoyable to strive the trackpad a few times to really feel like you may have the world’s smallest laptop, however it shortly turns into much less sensible than when you have been to easily use the telephone like regular.

Flex mode panel for ChromeFlex mode panel for the default camera app

I did, nevertheless, use the Flex mode panel with the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s Digicam app for a function which has its personal title — “FlexCam.” Though the title is new for the Galaxy Z Flip 4, the function is acquainted. Basically, it lets you fold your telephone and sit it on a flat floor to take group selfies by waving your hand. It feels barely ridiculous to carry the telephone like a basic camcorder, but it makes the shutter button straightforward to achieve with out risking shaky palms. I felt like I may hold a gradual grip and attain varied settings with my thumb as a substitute of stretching to the highest of the show.

Samsung has additionally discovered new methods to make use of the Cowl Display, particularly the camera, which we’ll come again to within the subsequent part. Now you can toggle extra Fast Settings, together with Airplane Mode, brightness, and the telephone’s flashlight, which comes with a useful reminder to level it away out of your face. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 contains new alternatives to work together together with your notifications, and you’ll reply to sure messages with out ever opening your telephone. Sadly, the responses are restricted to sure apps, and it’s a must to select from a curated listing of messages with no choice to kind your individual.

Flex Mode continues to be removed from the completed article, however the retooled Cowl Display function gives loads of distinctive use circumstances.

Past the brand new wrinkles, One UI stays probably the greatest Android skins. It embraces just a few key tenets of Materials You, most noticeably the wallpaper-based themes. You possibly can set all the pieces from app icons to toggle switches to coordinate together with your wallpaper, although the app icon assist is restricted to first-party creations.

This additionally looks like an applicable place to say Samsung’s replace dedication; it’s nonetheless glorious — one of the best within the enterprise, in actual fact. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 (and its bigger Galaxy Z Fold 4 sibling) will obtain 4 years of Android model updates and 5 years of safety patches. That ought to see it by means of till Android 16, with additional safety protection into 2027.

Are the twin cameras ok?

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In yet one more case of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 following its predecessor, the general camera setup hasn’t modified a lot. Two sensors are the identical — the 10MP selfie shooter and the rear 12MP ultrawide. Nonetheless, the first camera received a slight bump in pixel dimension, rising from 1.4μm to 1.8μm, a rise of about 65%. It’s nonetheless a 12MP sensor, however the bigger pixels enhance the camera’s total mild sensitivity. This leads to higher low-light efficiency, particularly compared immediately in opposition to the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Samsung has additionally talked up enhancements to its AI processing and “Stereo Depth” mapping for larger element in pictures. Do these minor tweaks make a distinction? Not a lot that it’ll problem the perfect camera telephones, however definitely sufficient to be a dependable shooter in most situations.

Each rear cameras additionally now stick out barely additional than earlier than. The shiny metallic rings across the extensive and ultrawide lenses catch the attention, whereas the punch gap selfie camera is hoping you may ignore its skinny black border. One factor you may not be capable of forgive is Samsung’s love of saturation. Just like the amplifier in This Is Spinal Faucet, it goes to 11.

I relied on the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s main camera for almost all of my capturing, and it delivers nice outcomes. Particulars are sometimes glorious, as are highlights and shadows. Colour recreation is punchy, to say the least, with sure shades showing far bolder than in reality. It’s particularly noticeable with inexperienced hues, particularly crops like these behind the small pile of stones pictured within the backside gallery under. The miniature golf signal is very saturated as properly in comparison with actuality.

Regardless of my qualms with shade, the small print are properly preserved. Whether or not the topic was shut, just like the pink and inexperienced plant, or far, just like the New York Metropolis avenue, there’s little lack of element or discoloration. Even the picture of the clock in Moynihan Practice Corridor reveals good element by means of the curved glass panels and as much as the buildings past.

As talked about, Samsung didn’t supply modifications to its ultrawide camera in comparison with the Galaxy Z Flip 3. It nonetheless offers a focal size of 0.5x, which helps you to squeeze in additional of a scene over the first shooter. As you may see within the samples under, the latter cuts off simply previous the clock, whereas the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s ultrawide captures the sweet store to the correct and a view down the boardwalk to the left. The distortion isn’t too dangerous on this case, although the distinction in shade between the 2 pictures is noticeable. All the pieces is bolder within the ultrawide picture, together with the wooden boardwalk, the phrase “pizza,” and even the sky.

The comparability of Yankee Stadium tells the same story, albeit with a bit extra distortion. You possibly can simply see the distinction in shade recreation, although the straight rows of seats really feel stretched within the foreground. Within the part under the place I focus on zoom, the Chevrolet Suburban within the foreground shows the same diploma of distortion.

Ultrawide pizza restaurantCustomary pizza restaurant

Provided that it’s solely geared up with two lenses, it’s honest to not count on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 to be a zoom monster. The camera app solely defaults to 2 profiles as fast picks — normal and ultrawide. You possibly can digitally zoom as much as 10x with crops of the primary sensor, however your total outcomes will differ vastly. I captured respectable sufficient particulars on the wall sculpture as much as about 4x zoom, however the neon lights began to bleed nearly instantly in pictures of the Ferris wheel. There’s additionally no element within the evening sky as the intense boardwalk blows out just about all the pieces else. General, given good lighting, it is best to be capable of use the usual, and as much as 4x zoom capabilities in a pinch, although I’d hesitate to transcend.

Ultrawide wall sculptureCustomary wall sculpture2x zoom wall sculpture4x zoom wall sculptureCustomary Ferris Wheel2x zoom Ferris Wheel4x zoom Ferris Wheel10x zoom Ferris Wheel

Portrait mode, regardless of the topic, is great as properly. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 had little hassle figuring out edges, even in opposition to equally coloured backgrounds, even when it wasn’t excellent. The sundial pictured under does lose a small quantity of its tip, although the pedestal and the dial face are each clear. Samsung’s portrait impact isn’t as pronounced on the half-full glass to the correct, although it looks like pure bokeh somewhat than an over-processed mess.

Samsung’s Evening Mode assist on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 can be spectacular. All three of my pattern pictures have been taken in vastly completely different lighting situations, but every maintains a strong degree of readability. The figurine to the left was taken within the lowest mild, the place my bare eye couldn’t clearly replicate the colours. Nonetheless, the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s new, bigger sensor created a a lot brighter picture, even when Vault Boy’s blue swimsuit is barely off. The gnome lamp within the center was the one mild supply in that room on the time, and it manages to steadiness the publicity pretty properly (even when it was a creepy ornament).

Samsung’s 10MP punch gap selfie camera is like its consolation meals. It’s examined and dependable, even when it’s not the most recent or strongest choice. In consequence, the selfies from the Galaxy Z Flip 4 are nearly equivalent to these from the Galaxy S22 sequence and even the Galaxy S21 sequence earlier than it. They’re not dangerous, no less than so far as the topic is worried, although some leaves behind me tended to mix in the usual shot under. The selfie camera’s edge detection is great, having solely missed just a few of my hairs alongside the best way. I’ll say that the colour recreation appears to return out barely higher on the portrait mode picture, particularly on my face.

Customary selfiePortrait selfie

As promised, it’s time to debate exterior cameras as selfie lenses. This is without doubt one of the bigger enhancements relating to the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s Cowl Display, as now you may management the Fast Shot camera mode by means of a sequence of faucets and swipes as a substitute of simply hitting the shutter. It’s straightforward to activate the mode with a double-press of the house button, after which you may swipe left or proper to bounce between picture, video, and portrait modes. Swiping up or down toggles the first and ultrawide cameras, whereas a double-tap on the show adjusts the side ratio — one other welcome change because the Galaxy Z Flip 3 may solely shoot in 1:1 to match the previews.

The controls may be tough to grasp at first (protecting your thumb out of ultrawide pictures is a little bit of a ache), however the outcomes communicate for themselves. The small print and the portrait mode edge detection are much better on the superior foremost rear camera, and the ultrawide offers ample room to slot in mates or distinctive backgrounds.

Rear camera normal selfieRear camera portrait selfieRear camera ultrawide selfie

Going together with the speak of exterior cameras as selfie shooters, that is the place “FlexCam” is at its greatest. So long as you could find the correct floor to steadiness your telephone on, waving to the camera couldn’t be simpler. I can admire not having to set a timer and go on a mad sprint to get into place inside just a few seconds. You may as well begin recording movies in Fast Shot mode and transition to Flex mode with out ever stopping the recording.

Sadly, one sufferer of Samsung’s continued use of a dual-camera setup on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is its Skilled RAW app. You received’t be capable of faucet into professional-level controls on the small clamshell anytime quickly, because it lacks the requisite 3x telephoto shooter. Maybe we’ll see the camera array change down the road so as to add a devoted zoom lens, however not this time.

As for video, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is able to as much as 4K at as much as 60fps from the rear cameras. It additionally covers 1080p video at as much as 240fps, in addition to 720p at as much as 960fps when you want a bit of slow-mo in your life. Not a lot has modified right here when it comes to high quality, it’s completely positive, with respectable shade and element seize. The Galaxy Z Flip 4’s distinctive type issue does nonetheless make it excellent for holding the telephone like a basic camcorder.

The samples above are solely among the pictures I took throughout my time with the Galaxy Z Flip 4. You possibly can try these and the remaining in full decision on this Google Drive folder.

How highly effective is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4?

Geekbench 5 rating3DMark Wild Life Excessive rating3DMark Wild Life Excessive Stress Take a look at rating

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a basic case of “small however mighty.” Its flagship Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor leaves little doubt about its efficiency, even when the pocket-friendly type issue feels extra tuned to play than to punch. It had no hassle maintaining with my day-to-day duties or when put below stress in our testing. Like nearly any telephone, it warmed up when pushed, and the battery drained sooner following extended GPS navigation or when linked to Bluetooth units. Nonetheless, it felt much less drastic than telephones working on the earlier Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, furthering our findings that the Plus variant is a contact extra environment friendly.

Samsung’s small foldable is among the many final units you would possibly consider as a gaming telephone; no person needs to play Genshin Affect with a crease in the course of the show. Nonetheless, you are able to do it, and the 120Hz refresh fee and 8GB of RAM come collectively properly to cruise by means of the motion. The longer you recreation, the extra the telephone will heat up, efficiency will sluggish, and also you’re certain to empty the battery in a rush.

As for the benchmarks, we ran the Galaxy Z Flip 4 by means of each Geekbench 5 and 3DMark, the place it handed with flying colours. It barely outperformed the equally geared up OnePlus 10T on Geekbench 5 when the latter was in efficiency mode and simply topped it in the usual setting. Samsung’s latest clamshell additionally beat its predecessor by a wider margin — about 200 factors within the single-core rating and almost 500 factors within the multi-core consequence.

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 maxed out 3DMark’s normal Wild Life check and really useful a go on the Excessive model as a substitute. Right here, it scored proper across the OnePlus 10T, too, placing it among the many prime performers for GPU testing. Nonetheless, as soon as we stretched issues into the stress check, Samsung’s clamshell struggled to maintain up. It put up robust numbers for the primary two rounds earlier than plummeting to round half of its unique rating all through the loops. The consequence means that anybody in search of sustained efficiency below load — like avid players — received’t essentially see the identical stellar outcomes throughout lengthy play periods.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 gives 128GB of base storage, which is about common today. You possibly can enhance it to 256 or 512GB for a value, and all three variations come matched with 8GB of RAM. Given the dearth of expandable storage, the 256GB model is price a glance, or you would all the time depend on cloud storage.

The rest?

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• Biometrics: The Galaxy Z Flip 4 sports activities a capacitive fingerprint scanner on its proper edge, identical to its predecessor. Whereas most flagships have moved to an in-display scanner, Samsung’s side-mounted choice is great, and I by no means had any points with it figuring out my contact. Some would possibly discover the position tough to achieve, however it’s straightforward sufficient together with your proper thumb when the telephone is open to any place.
• Audio: Like many flagships, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 packs a stereo speaker setup. The audio system are tuned by AKG, they usually mix a single bottom-firing speaker with the earpiece for good outcomes. I didn’t discover any vocal distortion till I turned the quantity all the best way up.
• Connectivity: Samsung’s clamshell gives nearly all the newest connectivity requirements, together with dual-SIM within the type of a nano-SIM slot and non-compulsory eSIM. It additionally carries Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, which implies it should not have any drawback staying future-proof for some time, although it doesn’t assist the very newest Wi-Fi 6E normal. You’ll additionally discover NFC assist — a should for Samsung Pay — and ultra-wideband (UWB) to be used with Galaxy SmartTags and different area of interest use circumstances.
• 5G: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 comes geared up with a full vary of 5G protection. It helps sub-6GHz bands and mmWave choices within the US, although the latter will solely make a giant distinction when you’re in particular hotspots in main cities, and are signed as much as a appropriate service.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 specs

Worth and competitors

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

Compact clamshell design • Upgraded cameras and battery life • Excellent software program assist

Good issues are available small packages

An upgraded camera setup, a extra highly effective chipset, a bigger battery, and some new options make the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 a strong improve over its predecessor.

In a world the place many manufacturers are elevating their costs, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 mercifully stays put. It nonetheless begins at $999 for the 128GB model, which makes it the comparatively inexpensive clamshell foldable to beat. Simply shy of $1,000 continues to be costly for any telephone, however the distinctive type issue can be price loads to patrons in search of one thing a bit completely different. The twin cameras and small battery may not examine properly throughout the board, however the Galaxy Z Flip 4 retains a “enjoyable issue” that has but to decrease throughout 4 generations of Flip telephones.

Samsung’s clamshell finds itself in an fascinating place in that it has no direct competitors but loads of sensible options. It’s not the one clamshell available on the market, however Motorola’s most up-to-date Razr is restricted to Chinese language shores, and the Huawei P50 Pocket is dear, lacks Google providers, and is very restricted when it comes to availability.

In reality, one of the best folding competitors is coming from inside the home: the Galaxy Z Flip 3 ($959). Because of Samsung’s “refine, don’t rebuild” strategy, the 2 generations really feel nearer collectively than ever. You’ll get the identical expertise in hand, comparable cameras, and efficiency that may nonetheless sustain with out the value tag. In fact, the upgraded battery makes a giant distinction within the day-to-day use of the telephone, in order that is likely to be sufficient to sway you somehow. The 2 generations are comparable sufficient that when you desire a sure shade of the Galaxy Z Flip 3, it might be nearly sufficient justification to decide on it first. With common gross sales dropping the Galaxy Z Flip 3 under the $700 mark, it’s understandably tempting to avoid wasting money at the price of the Z Flip 4’s added polish.

Samsung’s personal Galaxy Z Fold 4 ($1,799) is one other worthy foe. The book-style foldable grabs just a few of the identical inside upgrades, just like the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip, and it provides a completely retooled camera suite over the Galaxy Z Fold 3. In reality, it packs the identical tried-and-tested setup you’ll discover on the smaller Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus fashions, with a 50MP main sensor backed by 10MP telephoto and 12MP ultrawide lenses. The premium foldable opens into a bigger 7.6-inch show, which can be the place you’ll discover an under-display selfie camera (although it nonetheless wants some work). Maybe the largest change is that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 now runs Android 12L, which places a taskbar at your fingers for straightforward entry and split-screen management.

Galaxy Z Fold 4 (L) vs Galaxy Z Flip 4 (R)Galaxy Z Flip 3 (L) vs Galaxy Z Flip 4 (R)

Sticking within the Samsung wheelhouse, the Galaxy S22 ($799) and Galaxy S22 Plus ($999) are becoming options. The Flip shares a battery and charging setup with the smallest S22, although it lands nearer to the center sibling when it comes to dimension and value. Irrespective of which method you go, you’ll get a largely comparable software program expertise save for the Cowl Display and Flex mode performance. As talked about above, each Galaxy S22 units pack extra full camera arrays than the small foldable, in addition to assist for Skilled RAW, when you’re into that.

For those who’re coming on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 from the angle of wanting a small gadget that matches in your pocket, the Asus Zenfone 9 ($779) is likely to be price a glance. It’s the closest we’re more likely to come to a small premium flagship (that runs Android), with its 5.9-inch show and premium Gorilla Glass Victus building. The pocket-friendly powerhouse additionally packs a pair of rear cameras: a 50MP main shooter and a 12MP ultrawide for good measure. They’re able to as much as 8K recording at 24fps, or 4K that reaches as much as 120fps. Oh, and the Zenfone 9 has a headphone jack too!

Venturing exterior the Android bubble, the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s iOS comparisons are trickier. The iPhone 13 Mini ($699) is smart if you would like one thing small and comfy to hold. It gives a 5.4-inch show, however it’s backed by premium flagship internals. The twin cameras, each 12MP shooters, are up there with one of the best. Nonetheless, if you would like one thing nearer in worth to the Flip, it needs to be the iPhone 13 Professional ($999). Apple’s flagship provides a 3rd rear camera, extra RAM, and a bigger battery to the combination, together with optimization that stretches the ability for hours that the clamshell foldable can solely dream of.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review: The decision

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Samsung’s newest clamshell foldable doesn’t convey too many new pearls to the desk, however it doesn’t should. As an alternative, it applies a brand new sheen to an already glorious gadget, with delicate refinements to the design, internals, and cameras. Samsung has been saying that foldables are the longer term for some time now, and with a product this polished, it would lastly be true.

After dwelling in its siblings’ highlight, Samsung’s clamshell is lastly all grown up — when you’ve been ready to strive a foldable telephone, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the simplest one to choose.

Though the Galaxy Z Flip 4 isn’t a reinvention from its earlier era, it’s extremely refined — crease apart — and eventually overcomes essentially the most excessive of battery woes. It’s additional buoyed by the intelligent Cowl Display performance and probably the greatest replace commitments within the enterprise. Possibly Al Pacino actually was onto one thing in that locker room speech as a result of small modifications have gone an extended solution to make the preferred foldable available on the market even higher.

With out actual competitors on the horizon till no less than 2023, Samsung will undoubtedly stay on prime of foldable mountain. The premium Galaxy Z Fold 4 would possibly tempt energy customers, however most patrons can hold their consideration right here. Add an excellent trade-in deal to the combination by way of Samsung’s on-line gives, and it’s even tougher to say no. For those who’ve been ready to strive a foldable telephone for your self, that is the simplest one to choose.

Prime Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 questions and solutions

Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 break simply?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4’s Extremely Skinny Glass is rated for as much as 200,000 folds, whereas the outside is roofed in Gorilla Glass Victus Plus with an Armor Aluminum body. For a foldable telephone, it’s about as sturdy because it will get, although it will likely be extra liable to display harm than a daily slab telephone, and the hinge could possibly be broken by mud.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 waterproof?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 has an IPX8 ranking for cover in opposition to immersion in water, although it isn’t dust-proofed.

Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4’s show have a crease?

Sure, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 has a visual crease, and it’s nonetheless as noticeable because it was on the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 have wi-fi charging?

Sure, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 helps wi-fi charging although it tops out at 10W.

Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 have a headphone jack?Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 include a charger within the field?

No, you don’t get a charger bundled with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.

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