Galaxy S22 5G • Locked AT&T vs Galaxy Z Flip4 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, released in February 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, launched in August 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design within the Android ecosystem. While the Galaxy S22 offers a traditional, compact form factor, the Galaxy Z Flip4 introduces a unique foldable clamshell design. Both devices run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, but they cater to different user preferences through their core functionalities and physical attributes.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its software support and physical durability. Both the Galaxy S22 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip4 were part of Samsung's policy to provide four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates from their respective release dates.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S22, shipping with Android 12, is expected to receive its last major OS update as Android 16. Similarly, the Galaxy Z Flip4, also launched with Android 12, is projected to conclude its major OS updates with Android 16. This means both devices offer comparable long-term software support, extending their usability for several years.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S22 features an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, contributing to its robust build and IP68 water and dust resistance. The Galaxy Z Flip4 also uses an aluminum frame and offers IPX8 water resistance, but it lacks official dust resistance due to its foldable nature. Its foldable display, while innovative, introduces a different set of durability considerations compared to a traditional rigid screen.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S22 received a low repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, primarily due to the extensive use of adhesive for components like the battery and screen, making repairs challenging. The Galaxy Z Flip4, while also presenting challenges due to its complex foldable design and adhesive use, received a slightly higher repairability score of 6.0 out of 10 from one assessment, with Samsung reportedly making repairs cheaper for this model compared to its predecessors.

Performance in both devices is designed to handle daily tasks and demanding applications, though they feature different generations of processing power. The Galaxy S22 5G and Galaxy Z Flip4 both come with 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking capabilities.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 is equipped with a processor that delivers strong performance for everyday use and gaming. The Galaxy Z Flip4, released later, features a newer generation processor, which offers enhanced performance and improved power efficiency. This translates to slightly faster app loading and smoother operation, particularly in graphically intensive tasks.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 houses a 3700 mAh battery, which some users found to offer average battery life, often requiring a charge before the end of a heavy usage day. The Galaxy Z Flip4 also has a 3700 mAh battery, but due to its more efficient processor and optimizations, it generally provides improved endurance, often lasting a full day for typical usage, a notable improvement over its predecessor.
• Storage Options: Both smartphones offer internal storage options of 128GB and 256GB. The Galaxy Z Flip4 additionally provides a 512GB option, catering to users with higher storage needs. Neither device supports expandable storage via microSD cards.

The visual experience on these two Samsung devices differs significantly due to their fundamental design philosophies, offering distinct advantages in display technology and form factor.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S22 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip4 feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, providing clear and sharp visuals. The Galaxy Z Flip4's main foldable screen is larger at 6.7 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels, offering a similar level of clarity when unfolded.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both displays support a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. They also boast a peak brightness of 1200 nits, which allows for good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
• Form Factor and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S22 offers a traditional flat screen experience, ideal for users who prefer a conventional smartphone design. The Galaxy Z Flip4, however, features a unique foldable design, allowing its large screen to fold into a compact form. It also includes a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover display, which can show notifications, widgets, and act as a viewfinder for selfies without unfolding the phone. The presence of a visible crease on the foldable screen is a characteristic of the Z Flip4's design.

Both the Galaxy S22 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip4 offer capable camera systems, but they are configured differently to suit their respective designs and target user experiences.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S22 features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. This configuration provides flexibility for various photography scenarios, including detailed close-ups and distant subjects. The Galaxy Z Flip4 has a dual-camera system on the rear, comprising a 12MP wide-angle camera with OIS and a 12MP ultrawide camera. It does not include a dedicated telephoto lens, meaning zoom capabilities rely on digital magnification.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 is noted for its strong all-around camera performance, particularly in daylight and low-light conditions, producing detailed and well-exposed images. The Galaxy Z Flip4's main camera received an upgrade over its predecessor, offering improved low-light performance and generally producing vibrant images. Its ultrawide camera, however, may show some detail loss in less ideal lighting.
• Front Camera and Video: Both devices are equipped with a 10MP front-facing camera. The Galaxy S22's front camera includes autofocus and can record 4K video. The Galaxy Z Flip4's front camera is also capable, and a unique advantage of its foldable design is the ability to use the higher-quality rear cameras for selfies, utilizing the cover screen as a viewfinder. Both phones offer good video recording capabilities, with the S22 supporting up to 8K video.