Galaxy Z Flip4 • Unlocked vs Galaxy Z Flip5 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, released in August 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, launched in July 2023, are consecutive generations of Samsung's clamshell-style foldable smartphones. While both devices offer a compact, folding design and run on the Android operating system, the Z Flip5 introduces a significantly larger and more functional cover screen, alongside updated internal components for enhanced performance and efficiency.

When considering the long-term usability of these foldable smartphones, several factors contribute to their expected practical lifespan, including software support and physical resilience.

• Software Support: Both the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Flip5 are eligible for four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates from their respective release dates. The Z Flip4, launched with Android 12, is expected to receive updates up to Android 16 and security patches until 2027. The Z Flip5, which debuted with Android 13, is projected to receive updates up to Android 17 and security support through 2028.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an Armor Aluminum frame and IPX8 water resistance, indicating protection against submersion in water. The Z Flip4's outer display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, while the Z Flip5 upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering improved scratch resistance for the cover screen. The inner foldable displays on both devices utilize Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) and are susceptible to scratches at a Mohs hardness level of 2, with deeper grooves at level 3, similar to plastic.
• Hinge and Screen Longevity: The Z Flip5 features a redesigned hinge that allows it to fold completely flat, reducing the gap seen in its predecessor. While the Z Flip4's hinge was an improvement over earlier models, some durability tests noted potential internal sounds during extreme bending. Users of the Z Flip4 have reported that the crease in the main display may become more noticeable over time, and some have experienced peeling of the factory-applied screen protector. The Z Flip5's hinge has shown robust performance in durability tests, with less susceptibility to dirt ingress.

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its processing power, memory, and how efficiently it manages its battery resources for daily tasks.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Flip4 is equipped with a powerful processor from its generation, enabling smooth operation for everyday applications, multitasking, and mobile gaming. The Galaxy Z Flip5 incorporates a newer, more advanced processor, which provides a notable boost in overall speed and efficiency. This translates to faster app loading times, more fluid transitions, and enhanced capabilities for demanding tasks and graphically intensive games.
• Multitasking and Storage: Both devices come with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for handling multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. Storage options for the Z Flip4 include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, while the Z Flip5 starts at 256GB and also offers a 512GB variant.
• Battery Behavior: Both the Z Flip4 and Z Flip5 house a 3700mAh battery. The Z Flip4 generally provides enough power to last a full day for moderate users, representing an improvement over its direct predecessor. The Z Flip5, despite having the same battery capacity, benefits from the greater power efficiency of its newer processor, leading to slightly extended battery life in some real-world usage scenarios, with some tests showing nearly an hour longer usage than the Z Flip4. However, heavy users, particularly those frequently on 5G networks, may still find themselves needing to recharge before the end of a long day with either model.

The display experience is a core aspect of any smartphone, and these foldable devices offer unique characteristics for both their main and cover screens.

• Main Display: Both the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Flip5 feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x main display with a resolution of 1080x2640 pixels (FHD+). This display technology provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Both screens also support a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations during use.
• Cover Screen Evolution: A significant difference lies in the cover display. The Z Flip4 has a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen with a resolution of 260x512 pixels. This smaller screen is primarily used for quick glances at notifications, time, and basic widgets. The Z Flip5 dramatically expands this to a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover display with a resolution of 720x748 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate. This larger cover screen, often referred to as the Flex Window, offers much greater utility, allowing users to interact with more widgets, run full applications, and respond to messages without unfolding the phone.
• Crease Visibility: As with all foldable phones, a crease is present in the middle of the main display where the device folds. While advancements have been made to minimize its appearance, it remains a characteristic of the technology. Users of the Z Flip4 have noted that the crease can become more noticeable over extended use.

The camera systems on both devices are designed to offer versatile photography options, leveraging the foldable form factor for unique shooting experiences.

• Rear Camera System: Both the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Flip5 feature a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. The wide-angle lens on both models includes optical image stabilization (OIS) for clearer shots, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
• Photography Performance: The Z Flip4 delivers good image quality in most lighting conditions, with improvements in low and mid-light performance compared to its predecessor. Photos are generally characterized by vibrant colors and good detail. The Z Flip5, while maintaining similar hardware specifications, benefits from software optimizations and its newer processor, leading to enhanced image processing, better noise reduction, and improved overall photo and video quality. Both phones excel in good lighting, producing bold and bright images.
• Selfie and Video Capabilities: Both devices include a 10-megapixel front-facing camera located on the main display. A key advantage of the flip design is the ability to use the higher-quality rear cameras for selfies, utilizing the cover screen as a viewfinder. The Z Flip5's larger cover screen enhances this experience, offering more framing options and the ability to record video with the main cameras while the phone is folded. Both models support video recording up to 4K at 60 frames per second, with good stabilization. Neither phone includes a dedicated telephoto lens, meaning zoom capabilities rely on digital magnification.