Galaxy Z Fold4 • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked AT&T

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, released in August 2022, and the iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While both are capable devices from their respective ecosystems, the Z Fold4 offers a unique foldable form factor with a large, adaptable display, contrasting sharply with the iPhone SE 2022's traditional, compact design. These differences cater to varied user preferences, from those seeking expansive screen real estate for productivity to those prioritizing a familiar, pocket-friendly experience.

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

• Software Support: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, running Android, typically receives four years of operating system updates and five years of security updates from its release. The iPhone SE 2022, on the other hand, benefits from Apple's reputation for extended iOS support, often receiving major updates for seven years or more, though it was discontinued in February 2025.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in fresh water, but it does not have an official dust resistance rating. Its cover screen and back are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, while the inner foldable display uses Ultra-Thin Glass with protective layers. The iPhone SE 2022 has an IP67 rating, offering dust and water resistance up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, and features an aerospace-grade aluminum and glass design.
• Expected Lifespan: Both devices are built to last, with the Z Fold4 incorporating an 'Armor Frame' for enhanced structural integrity. The foldable nature of the Z Fold4 introduces a unique durability consideration regarding its hinge and inner display, though Samsung has made improvements in this area. The iPhone SE 2022, with its solid, traditional construction, offers a robust and familiar build.

Performance is a key differentiator, with both devices offering robust capabilities tailored to their respective designs and user expectations.

• Processing Power: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is equipped with a high-end processor, designed to handle demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and advanced gaming with ease. The iPhone SE 2022 features a very capable processor, delivering smooth performance for everyday tasks, quick app launches, and efficient handling of graphics-intensive games, matching the performance of more premium iPhone models from its generation.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Z Fold4 comes with 12 GB of RAM, facilitating seamless transitions between multiple applications and supporting its expansive multitasking features. It offers storage options up to 1 TB. The iPhone SE 2022 includes 4 GB of RAM, which is optimized for iOS to provide a responsive user experience, and is available with up to 256 GB of internal storage.
• System Responsiveness: Both devices offer excellent system responsiveness within their operating systems. The Z Fold4's powerful hardware is optimized for its Android-based foldable interface, providing a fluid experience across its multiple screens. The iPhone SE 2022's efficient processor ensures that iOS runs exceptionally smoothly, making it feel very fast for its compact size.

The display experience is one of the most significant distinctions between these two smartphones, catering to vastly different user preferences.

• Display Technology and Size: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 features two Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays. The main, foldable inner screen measures 7.6 inches diagonally, offering an immersive tablet-like experience when unfolded. The cover screen is a 6.2-inch display, providing a traditional smartphone experience when folded. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022 has a single 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display, offering a compact and familiar viewing area.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Z Fold4's main display boasts a resolution of 2176 x 1812 pixels, while its cover screen has 2316 x 904 pixels, both delivering sharp and vibrant visuals with deep blacks and excellent contrast. The iPhone SE 2022 features a 1334 x 750 pixel resolution, which provides clear text and images on its smaller screen.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both displays on the Z Fold4 offer an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations, and can reach a peak brightness of 1000 nits for good outdoor visibility. The iPhone SE 2022 has a standard 60 Hz refresh rate and a typical brightness of 625 nits.

The camera systems of the Galaxy Z Fold4 and iPhone SE 2022 are designed with different philosophies, offering distinct photographic capabilities.

• Rear Camera System: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50 MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. This configuration allows for a wide range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed zoomed-in shots. The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a single 12 MP wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS, which is enhanced by computational photography features like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion for improved image quality.
• Low-Light and Everyday Photography: The Z Fold4's multiple lenses and advanced processing contribute to strong performance in various lighting conditions, including improved low-light capabilities. The iPhone SE 2022 excels in well-lit conditions, producing color-accurate and pleasing images, but it lacks a dedicated Night mode, which can impact its performance in very dim environments.
• Video Recording and Front Cameras: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video, with the Z Fold4 supporting up to 8K resolution at 24fps and the iPhone SE 2022 offering 4K at up to 60fps. For selfies and video calls, the Z Fold4 has a 10 MP camera on its cover screen and a 4 MP under-display camera on its main screen. The iPhone SE 2022 features a 7 MP front camera with HDR capabilities.