Galaxy Z Flip4 • Unlocked vs Galaxy Z Fold4 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, both released in August 2022, represent distinct approaches to foldable smartphone design. While both devices offer the innovative folding form factor and run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, they cater to different user needs through their unique designs and functionalities. The Z Flip4 emphasizes portability and a traditional smartphone experience that folds in half, whereas the Z Fold4 transforms from a standard smartphone into a larger, tablet-like display for enhanced productivity and media consumption.

Both the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 were launched in August 2022, placing them in the same generation of foldable technology. Samsung has committed to providing four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates for both models, ensuring software support well into 2027.

• Software Longevity: Both devices are expected to receive Android 16 as their final major OS update, offering a consistent and extended software lifespan. This commitment provides users with a reliable experience for several years.
• Physical Durability: Both foldables feature IPX8 water resistance, meaning they can withstand submersion in fresh water. They also incorporate Armor Aluminum frames and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on their external surfaces for enhanced protection against drops and scratches. The Z Fold4's inner display also features improved durability compared to its predecessor.
• Repairability Considerations: While foldable screens inherently present unique repair challenges, Samsung has made efforts to make repairs more accessible and potentially less costly for these models compared to earlier generations. However, the complex nature of foldable displays means that screen replacements can still be intricate.

Both the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 are equipped with the same advanced processor, delivering comparable performance for demanding applications and multitasking. Their internal configurations are optimized for smooth operation across various tasks.

• Processing Power: Both devices utilize a current-generation processor, enabling them to handle graphically intensive games, complex applications, and seamless multitasking without noticeable slowdowns. This ensures a responsive user experience for everyday use and more intensive workloads.
• Memory and Storage: The Galaxy Z Flip4 typically comes with 8GB of RAM, while the Galaxy Z Fold4 offers a more substantial 12GB of RAM. This difference means the Z Fold4 is better suited for users who frequently run many applications simultaneously or engage in heavy productivity tasks that benefit from more memory. Both devices offer various storage options, ranging from 128GB to 512GB for the Flip4 and up to 1TB for the Fold4, without expandable storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy Z Flip4 houses a 3700mAh battery, while the larger Z Fold4 is powered by a 4400mAh battery. In real-world usage tests, both devices demonstrated improved battery efficiency over their predecessors, with the Z Fold4 generally offering slightly longer endurance due to its larger capacity, despite powering a larger main display. Both support 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging.

The display experience is a primary differentiator between these two foldable smartphones, with each offering distinct advantages based on its form factor.

• Main Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy Z Flip4 features a 6.7-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display when unfolded, offering a traditional smartphone screen size. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold4 boasts a much larger 7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X inner display, providing a tablet-like viewing area when unfolded. Both main displays offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Z Flip4's main display has a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 426 ppi. The Z Fold4's inner display has a higher resolution of 1812 x 2176 pixels, with a pixel density of around 373 ppi. While the Flip4 has a slightly higher pixel density, the Fold4's larger screen offers a more expansive canvas for content. Both devices feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions.
• Cover Screens: The Z Flip4 includes a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen for quick notifications and widgets. The Z Fold4 has a larger 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen, which functions as a fully capable smartphone display when the device is folded. Both main and cover screens on both devices offer a peak brightness of 1200 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions.

The camera systems on the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 are designed to offer capable photography, though the Z Fold4 provides a more versatile setup.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy Z Flip4 features a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 12MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. This system offers improved low-light performance compared to its predecessor. The Galaxy Z Fold4 boasts a more comprehensive triple-camera system, including a 50MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom. The Fold4's main sensor is a significant upgrade, offering enhanced light gathering capabilities.
• Front-Facing Cameras: The Z Flip4 has a 10MP front-facing camera on its main display. A notable feature of the Flip4 is the ability to use its higher-quality rear cameras for selfies, utilizing the cover screen as a viewfinder. The Z Fold4 has two front-facing cameras: a 10MP camera on the cover screen and a 4MP under-display camera on the inner foldable screen. The under-display camera is primarily intended for video calls and is less suited for high-quality photography.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at 60 frames per second with their main cameras. The Z Fold4 also offers 8K video recording at 24 frames per second. Both phones provide stereo speakers, tuned for an immersive audio experience during media consumption.