Galaxy Z Fold4 • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked Verizon

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 the Galaxy Z Fold4 offers a unique foldable form factor that transforms from a traditional smartphone into a larger tablet-like display, the iPhone SE 2022 maintains a compact, classic smartphone design. These devices also operate on different ecosystems, with the Z Fold4 running on Android and the iPhone SE 2022 on iOS.

When considering the longevity of these devices, both offer substantial software support, though their physical designs present different durability considerations.

• Software Updates: The Galaxy Z Fold4 is eligible for up to four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its support until around 2027. The iPhone SE 2022, powered by Apple's iOS, is expected to receive software updates for approximately 5 to 7 years from its release, potentially until 2028-2030.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features an Armor Aluminum frame and hinge cover, with Gorilla Glass Victus+ protecting its cover screen and rear glass, and boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating. Its inner foldable screen uses Ultra Thin Glass (UTG), which is less resistant to scratches than traditional glass. User experiences vary, with some reporting issues like screen protector peeling or inner screen malfunctions over time, while others find it robust. The iPhone SE 2022 has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and features a glass front and back with an aluminum frame. Users often note its traditional glass construction can be prone to damage from drops, recommending protective cases.
• Repairability: While specific repairability scores differ, the complex foldable mechanism of the Z Fold4 can make repairs more intricate and potentially more involved than those for a standard smartphone like the iPhone SE 2022.

The performance of both devices is robust, though they cater to different user expectations regarding storage, battery endurance, and processing power for daily tasks.

• Storage Options: The Galaxy Z Fold4 offers generous internal storage configurations, starting from 256GB and extending to 512GB and even 1TB, providing ample space for extensive apps, media, and files. The iPhone SE 2022 comes with more modest storage options, typically 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, which may require users to manage their storage more actively depending on their usage habits.
• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Fold4 is equipped with a powerful, current-generation processor designed to handle demanding applications, intensive multitasking across its multiple screens, and graphically rich games smoothly. The iPhone SE 2022 features a highly efficient processor, similar to those found in Apple's flagship models from its release year, ensuring fluid performance for everyday tasks, quick app launches, and capable gaming, despite its more compact form factor.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy Z Fold4 houses a larger battery capacity, and despite powering two displays, real-world usage often indicates it can last a full day for many users, benefiting from an efficient processor and adaptive display technology. The iPhone SE 2022, with its smaller battery, is generally reported to last a full day for light to moderate users, though heavy use, such as prolonged gaming or camera usage, may necessitate more frequent charging.

The display experience is a primary differentiator between these two smartphones, offering distinct visual and interactive characteristics.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features two Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays. Its main, foldable inner screen measures 7.6 inches diagonally, offering a tablet-like experience with vibrant colors and deep blacks. The cover screen is a 6.2-inch display, providing a more traditional smartphone experience when folded. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022 has a single 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD, which delivers consistent colors and good viewing angles in a compact format.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Z Fold4's main display boasts a high resolution of 2176 x 1812 pixels, resulting in sharp images and text, while its cover screen has a resolution of 2316 x 904 pixels. The iPhone SE 2022 offers a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels, which is clear for its size, though not as pixel-dense as the Fold4's larger screens.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: Both displays on the Galaxy Z Fold4 support an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, providing smooth scrolling and responsive interactions, with the main screen reaching a peak brightness of 1200 nits. The iPhone SE 2022 features a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient for most daily tasks, and offers adequate brightness for typical indoor and outdoor use.

The camera systems of these devices cater to different photographic needs and expectations, with one offering versatility and the other focusing on reliable core performance.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy Z Fold4 is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup on its rear: a 50MP wide-angle main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom and 30x digital zoom. This configuration allows for a wide range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to distant subjects. The iPhone SE 2022 features a single 12MP wide-angle camera with OIS, designed for straightforward, high-quality everyday photography.
• Front and Specialty Cameras: For selfies and video calls, the Z Fold4 has a 10MP camera on its cover screen and a 4MP under-display camera on its main foldable screen. The iPhone SE 2022 includes a 7MP front-facing camera. The Z Fold4's video recording capabilities extend to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second, while the iPhone SE 2022 records up to 4K.
• Photography Features and User Experience: While the Z Fold4 offers advanced features and flexibility, user sentiment suggests its camera performance is solid but may not always match the absolute top-tier flagship phones. The iPhone SE 2022 provides consistent image quality in good lighting conditions but lacks features like Night Mode and an ultrawide lens, which are common in many contemporary smartphones.