Galaxy Z Flip4 • Unlocked vs Google Pixel 7 Pro • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 (released August 2022) and the Google Pixel 7 Pro (released October 2022) are contemporary Android smartphones, yet they offer distinct approaches to mobile technology. The Galaxy Z Flip4 stands out with its unique foldable design, prioritizing portability and a compact form factor, while the Google Pixel 7 Pro focuses on a traditional smartphone experience with an emphasis on advanced camera capabilities and a streamlined software experience.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, both offer substantial software support, though with slight differences in their update policies and physical designs.

• Software Support: The Galaxy Z Flip4 launched with Android 12L and is expected to receive four major Android OS updates, with security updates extending for five years, concluding around 2027. The Pixel 7 Pro, released with Android 13, is guaranteed five years of both OS and security updates, also extending its support until October 2027. This means both devices offer comparable longevity in terms of software.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy Z Flip4 features an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in water, but it lacks official dust resistance, which is a consideration for its folding mechanism. Its main display uses Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) 2.0, designed for flexibility, while the cover screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+. The Pixel 7 Pro offers IP68 dust and water resistance, providing more comprehensive protection against environmental elements, and its display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.
• Expected Lifespan: The folding design of the Z Flip4 introduces a mechanical element that users should consider, though Samsung has improved hinge durability. The Pixel 7 Pro, with its traditional slab design, generally presents fewer mechanical points of potential wear over time. Both devices are built with quality materials, but the Z Flip4's unique form factor requires a different approach to long-term care compared to the more conventional Pixel 7 Pro.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, and both devices are equipped to handle demanding applications, though they utilize different underlying architectures.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Flip4 is powered by a processor designed for efficient performance, allowing it to manage everyday applications and multitasking smoothly. The Pixel 7 Pro features a processor developed by Google, which is optimized for the device's software and its advanced computational photography features, resulting in responsive performance across various tasks.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy Z Flip4 typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The Pixel 7 Pro generally offers 12GB of RAM, providing additional headroom for more intensive multitasking and demanding applications. Both devices offer various storage options, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, without expandable storage via microSD cards.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy Z Flip4 has a 3700 mAh battery, which offers improved endurance compared to its predecessor, capable of up to 19 hours of video streaming or 16 hours of Wi-Fi/LTE usage. The Pixel 7 Pro is equipped with a larger 5000 mAh battery, providing solid all-day power for most users. However, some users have noted that heavy camera usage on the Pixel 7 Pro can lead to faster battery drain. Both support fast wired charging, with the Z Flip4 reaching 50% in 30 minutes with a 25W charger, and the Pixel 7 Pro achieving a similar charge level in 30 minutes with a 30W charger.

The visual experience is a key differentiator, with the Galaxy Z Flip4 offering a unique foldable display and the Pixel 7 Pro providing a high-resolution, traditional screen.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy Z Flip4 features a 6.7-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display when unfolded, alongside a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen. The Pixel 7 Pro has a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display. The Z Flip4's main screen has a 22:9 aspect ratio, making it taller and narrower, which is well-suited for scrolling content. The Pixel 7 Pro offers a more conventional aspect ratio.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Z Flip4's main display has a 2640 x 1080 pixel resolution (FHD+), providing clear visuals. The Pixel 7 Pro boasts a QHD+ resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels, resulting in a higher pixel density and sharper image quality. The Pixel 7 Pro's display is also curved at the edges.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: Both devices offer a smooth viewing experience with adaptive refresh rates. The Z Flip4's main screen can dynamically adjust from 1Hz to 120Hz. The Pixel 7 Pro's LTPO display also features an adaptive refresh rate, ranging from 10Hz to 120Hz. For brightness, the Pixel 7 Pro can reach a peak of 1500 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The Z Flip4 also offers good brightness levels, making it usable outdoors.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but they cater to slightly different photographic priorities and user experiences.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy Z Flip4 is equipped with a dual-camera setup on the rear, featuring a 12MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. The Pixel 7 Pro features a more versatile triple-camera system, including a 50MP wide-angle lens with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide lens with a wider field of view, and a 48MP telephoto lens capable of 5x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The Z Flip4's main sensor has improved low-light capabilities due to larger pixels, and its FlexCam feature allows for unique shooting angles. The Pixel 7 Pro is highly regarded for its computational photography, delivering excellent image quality across various conditions, particularly in low light, and offers features like Photo Unblur and Cinematic Blur. The Pixel 7 Pro also includes a macrophotography mode.
• Front Camera and Video: The Galaxy Z Flip4 has a 10MP front camera. A notable feature is the ability to use the higher-quality rear cameras for selfies by utilizing the cover screen as a viewfinder. The Pixel 7 Pro features a 10.8MP ultra-wide front camera. Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video, with the Pixel 7 Pro generally offering more advanced video features and stabilization.
• Audio Experience: Both phones feature stereo speakers for media consumption. The Z Flip4's speakers are described as solid but not exceptional. Microphone quality for calls and recording is generally good on both devices.