Galaxy S10+ • Unlocked vs Galaxy Z Fold4 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, released in March 2019, is a traditional smartphone that represented a peak in conventional smartphone design at its launch. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, launched in August 2022, is a foldable device that transforms from a compact smartphone into a larger tablet-like experience. These devices offer fundamentally different user experiences, primarily distinguished by their form factors, display technologies, and the significant generational gap in their underlying hardware and software capabilities.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its release date and the manufacturer's software support policy. These two devices, separated by over three years, exhibit notable differences in this regard.

• Software Support: The Galaxy S10 Plus, having been released in early 2019, has reached the end of its major Android operating system updates, concluding around Android 12. The Galaxy Z Fold4, released in late 2022, was promised four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its support well into 2027 and potentially up to Android 16.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a robust design with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 on the front and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back, encased in an aluminum frame, offering IP68 dust and water resistance. The Galaxy Z Fold4 incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its cover screen and back panel, with a specialized Ultra-Thin Glass for its foldable inner display, and boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating. However, the unique folding mechanism of the Z Fold4 introduces specific durability considerations, such as the potential for screen protector peeling and concerns regarding the long-term resilience of the inner display.
• Expected Lifespan: While the physical build of the S10 Plus is designed for longevity, its software support has concluded, meaning it will no longer receive the latest features or security enhancements. The Z Fold4, with its ongoing software support, offers a longer period of up-to-date functionality and security, though its foldable nature presents a different set of long-term durability factors for users to consider.

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer Galaxy Z Fold4 benefiting from significant advancements in processing power and efficiency compared to the Galaxy S10 Plus.

• System Responsiveness: The Galaxy S10 Plus, powered by its generation's leading processor, handles everyday tasks and most applications smoothly. However, the Galaxy Z Fold4 features a more advanced and efficient processor, resulting in noticeably faster app loading, seamless multitasking across multiple applications, and a more fluid experience with demanding games and complex productivity tasks.
• Multitasking and Memory: The Galaxy S10 Plus typically offers 8GB or 12GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most multitasking needs. The Galaxy Z Fold4 comes standard with 12GB of RAM, which, combined with its optimized software for foldable displays, allows for more robust and efficient handling of multiple applications simultaneously, particularly when utilizing its larger inner screen.
• Storage and Battery Behavior: Both devices offer various internal storage options, including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB variants, though only the S10 Plus supports expandable storage via microSD. The Galaxy S10 Plus, with its 4100 mAh battery, generally provides a full day of use for many users. The Galaxy Z Fold4, equipped with a 4400 mAh battery and a more power-efficient processor, also delivers reliable full-day battery life, even with its larger, high-refresh-rate displays.

The display experience is where these two devices diverge most significantly, with the Galaxy Z Fold4 introducing a revolutionary foldable design and higher refresh rates.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both phones utilize Samsung's Dynamic AMOLED technology, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S10 Plus features a single 6.4-inch display with a Quad HD+ resolution (3040 x 1440 pixels), offering a high pixel density of 522 pixels per inch. The Galaxy Z Fold4, however, has two Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays: a 6.2-inch cover screen (2316 x 904 pixels) and a foldable 7.6-inch main inner screen (2176 x 1812 pixels). The main screen of the Z Fold4 offers a tablet-like viewing area when unfolded, ideal for immersive content consumption and productivity.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S10 Plus offers a bright display, capable of reaching up to 1200 nits of peak brightness. The Z Fold4's displays also provide excellent brightness, with the main screen reaching up to 1000 nits peak brightness, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. A key difference is the refresh rate: the S10 Plus has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, while both the cover and main displays of the Z Fold4 feature a smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing a more fluid scrolling and gaming experience.
• Viewing Experience: The S10 Plus offers a premium, traditional smartphone display experience. The Z Fold4 provides versatility, allowing users to choose between a conventional smartphone experience on the cover screen or an expansive, tablet-like canvas on the main foldable display, enhancing media consumption and multitasking.

Both devices offer capable camera systems, but the Galaxy Z Fold4 benefits from newer sensor technology and improved image processing, particularly in challenging conditions.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear: a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with a variable aperture, a 12-megapixel telephoto lens offering 2x optical zoom, and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The Galaxy Z Fold4 also has a triple-camera array, but with upgraded sensors: a 50-megapixel wide-angle main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S10 Plus captures excellent color and exposure in bright light, with a versatile set of lenses for various scenarios. Its low-light performance can be adequate but may show some dullness in colors. The Z Fold4, with its larger main sensor and improved processing, delivers vibrant and detailed shots, performing notably better in low-light conditions and offering enhanced dynamic range.
• Front Cameras and Video: The S10 Plus includes a dual front camera system (10-megapixel wide and 8-megapixel depth sensor) capable of 4K video recording. The Z Fold4 has a 10-megapixel camera on its cover screen and a 4-megapixel under-display camera on the main screen, primarily intended for video calls. For video recording, the S10 Plus supports up to 4K at 60 frames per second, while the Z Fold4 can record up to 8K at 24 frames per second, in addition to 4K at 60 frames per second. Both devices offer stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support for an enhanced audio experience, with the S10 Plus retaining a 3.5mm headphone jack.