Galaxy Z Flip4 • Unlocked vs Galaxy Z Flip6 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 (released in August 2022) and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (released in July 2024) represent two generations of Samsung's foldable smartphone line. While both devices maintain the signature compact clamshell design, the Z Flip6 introduces advancements in processing power, camera capabilities, and an extended software support policy. Both operate on the Android platform, offering a familiar user experience with Samsung's One UI.

Evaluating the practical lifespan of these foldable devices involves considering their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy Z Flip4, launched with Android 12L, was eligible for four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, with its final Android version being Android 16 (One UI 8) as of October 2025, and security updates extending until 2027. In contrast, the newer Galaxy Z Flip6, which debuted with Android 14, benefits from Samsung's commitment to seven years of Android OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, ensuring support well into the future.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an Armor Aluminum frame and water resistance with an IPX8 rating, meaning they can withstand submersion in fresh water. The Z Flip4 uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ for its cover screen and back panel, while the Z Flip6 upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering enhanced scratch resistance. The Z Flip6 also introduces an improved hinge design and is the first Flip phone to incorporate a vapor chamber cooling system, which can contribute to long-term component health.
• Repairability: The Galaxy Z Flip4 received a repairability score of 6.0 out of 10, with some challenges noted in screen replacement due to adhesive use. The Galaxy Z Flip6 shows improvement in this area, achieving an overall repairability score of 8 out of 10, with screen replacement being easier than its predecessor.

The performance of these devices is largely driven by their internal components, impacting how smoothly they handle daily tasks and demanding applications.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Flip4 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. The Galaxy Z Flip6 features the newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor, which offers a notable boost in overall performance and efficiency. This newer processor in the Z Flip6 also includes an AI engine, enabling advanced on-device AI features.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Z Flip4 comes with 8GB of RAM. The Z Flip6 is available with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, providing more headroom for intensive multitasking and ensuring smoother operation with multiple applications open simultaneously. Both devices offer various internal storage options, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB for the Z Flip4, and 256GB, 512GB, and potentially 1TB for the Z Flip6, without expandable storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy Z Flip4 is equipped with a 3700 mAh battery. The Galaxy Z Flip6 features a larger 4000 mAh battery. User reports indicate that the Z Flip6 offers improved battery longevity compared to its predecessor, with the more efficient processor also contributing to extended usage times.

The display experience is central to a foldable phone, encompassing both the main folding screen and the external cover display.

• Main Display Technology: Both the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Flip6 feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a 2640 x 1080 pixel resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Z Flip6's main display has a higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, compared to the Z Flip4's 1200 nits, enhancing visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
• Cover Screen Experience: The Z Flip4 has a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover display with a 512 x 260 resolution. The Z Flip6 significantly expands the cover screen to 3.4 inches, also a Super AMOLED panel, with a 720 x 748 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. This larger cover screen on the Z Flip6 allows for more interactive widgets and functionality without needing to unfold the device.
• Crease Visibility: While both foldable displays inherently have a crease, the Galaxy Z Flip6 has a significantly minimized crease compared to the Z Flip5, which would also be an improvement over the Z Flip4.

The camera systems on both devices offer versatile photography options, with the newer model bringing notable enhancements.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy Z Flip4 features a dual-camera setup with a 12MP wide-angle lens (f/1.8 with OIS) and a 12MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2). The Galaxy Z Flip6 upgrades the main sensor to 50MP (f/1.8 with OIS) while retaining a 12MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2). This higher resolution main sensor on the Z Flip6 allows for more detailed images and improved low-light performance.
• Photography Performance: The Z Flip4's cameras produce good images in most lighting conditions, with improved low and mid-light performance compared to its predecessor. The Z Flip6's upgraded main camera captures photos with wide dynamic range, accurate exposure, and impressive detail in daylight, and also shows improvements in low-light photography due to a dedicated image signaling processing block. Both devices lack a dedicated telephoto lens, relying on digital zoom.
• Video and Selfies: Both phones support 4K video recording. The Z Flip6 offers good video stabilization. For selfies, both have a 10MP front camera. The foldable design allows for using the higher-quality rear cameras for selfies via the cover screen, a feature present on both models.