Galaxy S24 • Unlocked vs Galaxy Z Fold4 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S24, released in January 2024, represents a traditional smartphone form factor, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, launched in August 2022, offers a unique foldable design that transforms from a compact phone into a larger tablet-like display. Both devices operate on the Android platform, providing access to a wide ecosystem of applications and services, but they cater to different user preferences through their distinct designs and feature sets.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release date and the manufacturer's commitment to software updates, as well as its physical construction.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S24 is a more recent device, released in January 2024, making it newer than the Galaxy Z Fold4, which debuted in August 2022. This difference in launch dates impacts their respective software support cycles.
• Software Support: The Galaxy S24 is notable for offering an extended software commitment, with Samsung promising 7 years of OS and security updates, expected to last until 2031. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold4 was promised 4 Android OS upgrades (up to Android 16) and 5 years of security updates, extending its support until 2027. This means the S24 will receive updates for a significantly longer period.
• Durability and Build: The Galaxy S24 features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for display protection and an Armor Aluminum frame, contributing to its durability. The Galaxy Z Fold4, with its foldable design, uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its cover display and back panel, and Samsung's proprietary Ultra-Thin Glass with protective PET layers for the inner foldable screen. It also boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating, similar to the S24's IP68 rating, indicating protection against water immersion.

Performance in both devices is designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking, though they achieve this with different underlying hardware and offer varying experiences based on their form factors.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 is equipped with a more recent generation processor, either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy or the Exynos 2400, depending on the region. This allows it to handle current applications and intensive tasks with efficiency. The Galaxy Z Fold4 features the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, which was a high-performance chip at its release, capable of smooth multitasking and gaming.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S24 typically comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The Galaxy Z Fold4 offers 12GB of RAM across its configurations, which is beneficial for its large, foldable screen, enabling seamless transitions between apps and efficient use of its multi-window capabilities.
• Storage Options: Both devices offer various internal storage options to suit different user needs. The Galaxy S24 is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage. The Galaxy Z Fold4 provides larger storage capacities, including 256GB, 512GB, and up to 1TB, which can be advantageous for users who store a large volume of media or applications.

The display experience is a primary differentiator between these two Samsung smartphones, with the Galaxy S24 offering a traditional flat screen and the Galaxy Z Fold4 providing a unique dual-screen foldable setup.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices utilize Dynamic AMOLED 2X display technology, known for vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch FHD+ (2340x1080) display, offering sharp visuals for everyday use. The Galaxy Z Fold4 has a 6.2-inch HD+ (2316x904) cover screen and a larger 7.6-inch QXGA+ (2176x1812) foldable inner display, providing a more expansive viewing area when unfolded.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S24's display can reach a peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. It also features an adaptive refresh rate that ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz, optimizing power consumption while ensuring smooth scrolling. The Galaxy Z Fold4's displays also support a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing a fluid visual experience, and offer good brightness for various environments.
• Screen Size and Usage: The Galaxy S24 provides a compact and easily manageable screen for one-handed use and standard smartphone interactions. The Galaxy Z Fold4's dual-screen setup allows for a traditional phone experience when folded and a tablet-like experience when unfolded, which is beneficial for productivity, media consumption, and multitasking with multiple apps open simultaneously.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though the Galaxy S24 benefits from more recent software enhancements and a slightly updated sensor array.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S24 features a triple-camera setup with a 50 MP wide main sensor, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens. The Galaxy Z Fold4 also has a triple-camera system, including a 50 MP wide main sensor, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens, a setup that was comparable to other flagship phones at its release.
• Photography Features: The Galaxy S24 includes advanced AI-powered camera features such as faster shutter speeds, Dual Recording (recording with front and rear cameras simultaneously), and enhanced low-light photography capabilities. The Galaxy Z Fold4 also offers strong low-light performance and various shooting modes, with its foldable form factor allowing for unique shooting angles and preview options.
• Front-Facing Cameras: For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy S24 is equipped with a 12 MP front camera. The Galaxy Z Fold4 has a 10 MP camera on its cover display and a 4 MP under-display camera on its inner foldable screen, offering flexibility for different usage scenarios, though the under-display camera's quality is generally lower.