Galaxy Z Flip4 • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked AT&T

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, released in August 2022, and the Apple iPhone SE (2022), launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. The primary differentiators between these two devices lie in the Galaxy Z Flip4's innovative foldable design and the iPhone SE (2022)'s traditional, compact form factor, alongside their respective Android and iOS operating systems.

When considering the practical lifespan and longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including software support and physical resilience.

• Software Support: The iPhone SE (2022) typically receives 5-6 years of major iOS updates from its release. The Galaxy Z Flip4 is promised four major Android OS updates and up to five years of security updates, ensuring continued functionality and security for an extended period.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy Z Flip4 features an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its cover screen and back. Its main foldable display utilizes Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) protected by a film. The iPhone SE (2022) incorporates durable glass on both its front and back, comparable to the back glass found on the iPhone 13. User tests indicate the iPhone SE (2022) offers solid durability for a traditional smartphone, withstanding some drops with minimal cosmetic damage. However, the Z Flip4's foldable screen is more susceptible to scratches from everyday use.
• Water Resistance: The Galaxy Z Flip4 carries an IPX8 rating, allowing it to be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. The iPhone SE (2022) has an IP67 rating, providing protection against submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.

Both devices offer capable performance, though their underlying architectures and RAM configurations lead to different user experiences, particularly in demanding scenarios.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Flip4 is equipped with a powerful, current-generation processor, which enables smooth operation for demanding applications, intensive gaming, and efficient multitasking. The iPhone SE (2022) also features a high-performance processor, ensuring quick app launches and fluid navigation through the operating system.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 8GB of RAM, the Galaxy Z Flip4 handles multiple applications running simultaneously with ease, maintaining responsiveness even under heavy load. The iPhone SE (2022) comes with 4GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most daily tasks and typical multitasking, though very intensive usage might see differences compared to devices with more RAM.
• Storage Options: The Galaxy Z Flip4 is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage. The iPhone SE (2022) offers storage configurations of 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy Z Flip4 includes a 3700 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of power for many users, marking an improvement in endurance over its predecessor. The iPhone SE (2022) has a 2018 mAh battery; its efficient processor and smaller display contribute to decent battery life, though heavy usage may necessitate more frequent charging.

The display technologies and designs of the Galaxy Z Flip4 and iPhone SE (2022) present distinct visual experiences and practical benefits.

• Display Technology and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy Z Flip4 features a 6.7-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and notably smooth scrolling and animations. The iPhone SE (2022) is equipped with a 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD display, which operates at a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
• Clarity and Brightness: The Z Flip4's main display offers a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels, contributing to sharp visuals. The iPhone SE (2022) has a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels, providing good clarity for its size. Both displays offer sufficient brightness for comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions.
• Unique Design: A key feature of the Z Flip4 is its 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen, which allows users to view notifications, control music, and take quick selfies without unfolding the device. The iPhone SE (2022) maintains a traditional, non-folding display.

The camera systems on both smartphones are designed for different photographic approaches, offering distinct capabilities for capturing images and videos.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy Z Flip4 features a dual-camera setup on its rear, comprising a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens. This configuration provides versatility for capturing different scenes, and it offers good image quality in various lighting conditions, with improvements in low-light performance over its predecessor. The iPhone SE (2022) comes with a single 12MP wide rear camera. It excels in well-lit environments, producing detailed photos with accurate color reproduction.
• Computational Photography: While the iPhone SE (2022) benefits from advanced computational photography features, it does not include a dedicated Night Mode, which can affect the quality of photos taken in very low light. The Z Flip4's camera system also leverages software enhancements for image processing.
• Video Capabilities: Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video, supporting up to 4K resolution.
• Front Camera: For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy Z Flip4 is equipped with a 10MP front camera. The iPhone SE (2022) features a 7MP front camera. The Z Flip4's foldable design also allows users to utilize the higher-quality rear cameras for selfies, using the cover screen as a viewfinder.