Galaxy S24+ • Unlocked vs Galaxy Z Flip4 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, launched in August 2022, represent distinct approaches within the smartphone market. While both devices operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, their fundamental designs offer different user experiences. The S24 Plus is a traditional, high-performance slab smartphone, whereas the Z Flip4 features a unique foldable clamshell design, prioritizing portability and novel interaction methods.

The expected lifespan of these devices is influenced by their release timelines and software support policies.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S24 Plus benefits from Samsung's commitment to seven years of major Android OS updates and security patches, extending its software support significantly into the future. The Galaxy Z Flip4, released earlier, is eligible for four major Android OS updates and up to five years of security updates, with support expected to reach Android 16.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 Plus features an Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, contributing to its robust build and IP68 water resistance. The Galaxy Z Flip4 also has an aluminum frame and IPX8 water resistance, but its foldable display, while protected by ultra-thin glass, is generally considered more delicate than a traditional smartphone screen and lacks dust resistance.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S24 Plus has a high repairability score, with components like the battery designed for easier replacement due to pull tabs. While specific repairability scores for the Z Flip4 are less commonly cited, its complex folding mechanism can make repairs more intricate.

Performance capabilities differ between these two models, largely due to their respective release dates and hardware generations.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a more recent generation processor, which translates to ultra-fast performance, smoother handling of demanding applications, and excellent multitasking capabilities. The Galaxy Z Flip4, while powerful at its release, features an earlier generation processor that still provides a snappy and responsive experience for everyday tasks and most applications.
• Memory and Storage: The S24 Plus typically comes with 12GB of RAM, offering substantial capacity for intensive multitasking and ensuring applications run smoothly. The Z Flip4 generally includes 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for typical smartphone usage and app switching. Both devices offer various internal storage options, including 256GB and 512GB, with the Z Flip4 also having a 128GB option, though neither supports expandable storage via microSD cards.
• Battery Performance: The Galaxy S24 Plus houses a larger 4,900mAh battery, which users report can comfortably last well over a day with moderate use, and in some tests, up to 14 hours of video streaming. The Galaxy Z Flip4 has a 3,700mAh battery, which, while an improvement over its predecessor, typically requires daily charging for heavy users, offering around 8.5 hours in continuous web browsing tests.

The display experience is a key differentiator, with the S24 Plus offering a traditional large screen and the Z Flip4 providing a unique foldable form factor.

• Main Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, providing a large and immersive viewing area. The Galaxy Z Flip4 also has a 6.7-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, which folds in half for enhanced portability.
• Resolution and Brightness: The S24 Plus boasts a QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels), resulting in exceptional clarity and sharpness, and a high peak brightness of 2,600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The Z Flip4's main display offers a Full HD+ resolution (2640 x 1080 pixels) and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, delivering vibrant colors and good clarity for most viewing conditions.
• Refresh Rate and Cover Screen: Both devices feature an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz, allowing for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions while optimizing power consumption. The Z Flip4 uniquely includes a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen, which can display notifications, widgets, and act as a viewfinder for selfies using the main cameras.

Camera capabilities vary, with the S24 Plus offering a more comprehensive system and the Z Flip4 leveraging its form factor for creative photography.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, providing detailed images across various scenarios. The Galaxy Z Flip4 comes with a dual-camera system, comprising a 12MP main sensor with optical image stabilization and a 12MP ultrawide lens, delivering good image quality in most lighting conditions.
• Photography Performance: The S24 Plus excels in producing detailed photos with good dynamic range and accurate colors, performing well in both bright and low-light environments, and includes AI-powered editing features. The Z Flip4 offers improved low-light performance compared to its predecessor, and its main camera captures punchy images with good contrast. A notable difference is the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens on the Z Flip4, meaning it relies on digital zoom for distant subjects.
• Video and Unique Features: The S24 Plus supports video recording up to 8K at 30 frames per second. The Z Flip4 can record video up to 4K at 60 frames per second, and its foldable design allows for unique shooting angles and the ability to use the higher-quality main cameras for selfies via the cover screen, making it suitable for vlogging.