Few smartphones will be thought-about distinctive lately, and even fewer have an expertise as honed in as what the Galaxy Z Fold 4 delivers. On paper, it appears like little greater than a marginal enchancment over final yr’s system. It is slightly slimmer, lighter, shorter, and wider. It is bought a sooner processor, a greater digital camera, and a sleeker hinge.
However the expertise itself is way over the sum of its components. It is the continued perfection of one thing that was already so spectacular in and of itself. A tighter execution of a reasonably new idea, that continues to make increasingly more sense for a bunch of customers not keen to accept something however the greatest and finest Samsung telephone (opens in new tab) ever made.
Utilizing the Galaxy Z Fold 4 continues to really feel like utilizing an object from a near-future time. It nonetheless turns heads each time I exploit it and, due to the brand new taskbar and some different refinements achieved by integrating Android 12L into Samsung’s One UI, the Fold 4 reasserts Samsung’s domination within the foldable area. Even with a couple of flaws, it is nonetheless the perfect telephone I’ve ever had the pleasure of utilizing. And I’ve used a lot of telephones.
About this overview
I have been utilizing the Graygreen colorway of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 since August 10, 2022, on the T-Cell community in North Carolina and New York Metropolis, U.S.
Since beginning the overview, there have been no updates to the software program. My overview Z Fold 4 was operating Samsung One UI 4.1.1 with the July 2022 safety patch.
Samsung offered the Fold 4 overview unit to Android Central.
I sometimes use Backdrops for my wallpapers, which will be downloaded without spending a dime (opens in new tab) on the Google Play Retailer.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Worth and availability
Preorders for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 started on August 10, 2022, and the system is accessible from August 26, 2022, on all main U.S. carriers, unlocked, and internationally.
Samsung sells the Galaxy Z Fold 4 for $1,799 unlocked within the U.S. and provides the standard suite of trade-in offers to assist scale back the value. U.S. carriers and shops like Greatest Purchase additionally provide related offers, as effectively. One of the best Galaxy Z Fold 4 offers (opens in new tab) typically scale back the value by about half with a trade-in.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 ships in three colorway decisions: Graygreen (which does not look inexperienced in any respect), Phantom Black, and Beige.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Design and show
When you had been to take a cursory look on the Galaxy Z Fold 4, you would be forgiven for pondering it regarded an identical to the Fold 3. Samsung established its design language with the Z Fold 2, and has solely tweaked it within the two generations since. Whereas the Fold 3 was bodily an identical to the Fold 2, the Fold 4 slims issues up and squares off the edges only a bit.
In complete, Samsung was in a position to scale back the peak of the Z Fold 4 by 3mm when in comparison with the Fold 3. Moreover, the system is now 0.8mm wider and 0.3mm slimmer when unfolded than the Z Fold 3. It is also 8 grams lighter, which is actually solely noticeable when instantly evaluating the 2 gadgets. At 242 grams, it is nonetheless a really heavy system.
| Class | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 |
|---|---|
| Show | 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, LTPO (1-120Hz), 2176×1812, 21.6:18 |
| Cowl show | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, LTPO (48-120Hz), 2316×904, 23.1:9 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| Reminiscence | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB |
| Rear Digital camera 1 | 50MP, ƒ/1.8, 1.0μm, 85-degree FoV (predominant digital camera) |
| Rear Digital camera 2 | 12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.12μm, 123-degree FoV (ultra-wide) |
| Rear Digital camera 3 | 10MP, ƒ/2.4, 1.10μm, 3x optical zoom |
| Cowl Digital camera | 10MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.22μm, 80-degree FOV |
| Inside Digital camera | 4MP, ƒ/1.8, 2.0μm, 80-degree FOV |
| Battery | 4,400mAh (twin 2,200mAh batteries) |
| Charging | 25W quick charging, 10-15W quick wi-fi charging 2.0, 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging |
| Weight | 263 grams |
| Dimensions (folded) | 67.1 large x 155.1 tall x 15.8mm skinny |
| Dimensions (unfolded) | 130.1 large x 155.1 tall x 6.3mm skinny |
| Water and dirt resistance | IPX8 |
| Colours | Graygreen, Phantom Black, Beige, Burgundy (Samsung.com unique) |
A lot of the slimming down was achieved via a brand new hinge design that’s 6mm narrower, and noticeably slimmer, when folded closed. This new hinge is simpler to fold and unfold than final yr, but it additionally feels tighter than the Fold 3’s hinge.
For me, that is fairly a aid. There have been loads of occasions within the final yr that I practically dropped the Fold 3 whereas making an attempt to open it as a result of the hinge held very tightly collectively when closed, and Samsung provided no lip to simply pull it open from on the aspect.
There is no lip this yr, both, however the act of pulling the telephone open is not met with as a lot resistance. It is also a lot smoother to shut and sports activities a brand new, extra padded closing snap that feels and sounds nice.
The Fold 4 additionally folds flatter than the Fold 3 due to this new hinge. It is a type of belongings you’ll actually solely discover if upgrading from the Fold 2 or 3, and it’s extremely welcome.
The broader outer show of the Fold 4 is one in all my favourite adjustments from the Fold 3. It is simply a lot extra sensible to make use of.
You will now not see a thick bezel on the skin (left) fringe of the Fold 4 — as was the case with the Fold 2 and three — reasonably, it is a lot narrower and solely about 2x the width of the bezel on the appropriate aspect. Samsung additionally lowered the bezels across the outer display to additional benefit from the bodily actual property of the Fold 4’s heft.
It appears like a small distinction in particular person — and you may’t see it in any respect on paper — however the barely wider show makes all of the distinction on the earth whereas typing. On the Fold 2 and three, I often “fat-fingered” the keyboard and pressed the unsuitable key as a result of the display was so darn slim. This far, I have never performed this as soon as with the Fold 4 outdoors of the traditional adjustment interval when shifting between telephones with screens of a distinct dimension or ratio.
Personally, that is one in all my high favourite adjustments between this era and the final. I am unable to start to let you know how irritating typing on the Fold 3’s outer show was some days. That now not appears to be the case with the broader outer display on the Fold 4.
The brand new sub-pixel design on the under-display digital camera provides it higher picture and video high quality, and it even makes it higher hidden than on the Fold 3.
Samsung famous that the inside show was additionally now a bit wider and shorter, making the show friendlier for movies with facet ratios of 16:9. Whereas which may technically be true, I am unable to say I actually observed a distinction in apply. On condition that many social apps now choose to point out tall portrait video, I am unable to say there are too many alternatives to search out this newer facet ratio as a bonus.
The bezels on the inside show have additionally been lowered, however that is not probably the most spectacular change for immersion. That award goes to the under-display digital camera, which is now higher hidden than earlier than. Trying extra intently, you will see that this yr’s design is way extra rounded than final yr’s and includes a utterly completely different sub-pixel design.
Along with being higher hidden, this new sub-pixel design additionally makes for cleaner, clearer photos that look a lot larger decision than final yr’s even when the digital camera did not get upgraded. Take a look at the digital camera part beneath to see the distinction.
Stronger glass and higher display protectors ought to assist hold these shows wanting beautiful for even longer than earlier than.
Samsung now not ships the Fold 4 with a display protector pre-installed on the duvet display — seemingly owing to the presence of Gorilla Glass Victus+ on that show — and whereas the inside show’s display protector is manufactured from the identical materials as final yr, it ought to work higher than final yr’s. Samsung enhanced the adhesive and software to assist stop peeling and bubbles, which appeared on some Fold and Flip telephones.
Whereas I by no means had this concern on my Fold 3, my spouse’s Flip 3 display protector started peeling and cracking across the hinge portion about eight months into possession. Samsung will restore this without spending a dime, however it’ll expend the one free display alternative within the course of, and Samsung does not suggest changing the protector by yourself as a result of semi-fragile nature of the ultra-thin versatile glass.
Fortunately, this yr, that ultra-thin glass has been strengthened by about 45%. Samsung says this is because of a mix of two issues: stronger supplies, and higher optimization of the layered construction of its ultra-thin glass.
Lastly, I would prefer to gush in regards to the audio system Samsung outfitted this telephone with. This pair of Dolby Atmos-tuned stereo audio system are actually excellent, delivering nice quantity, balanced sound, and immersive audio. Taking part in video games on the Fold 4 is a pleasure due to the display dimension, and the cherry on high is the digital encompass sound that emits from this pretty pair of audio system.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: S Pen and the Be aware issue
Final yr, I known as the Fold 3 the true inheritor to the Be aware throne. Whereas I nonetheless really feel just like the Fold is the superior Be aware system due to the bigger show, there is no doubt many Be aware followers will choose the Galaxy S22 Extremely as a result of the S Pen truly has a holster.
Whereas the Fold 4 nonetheless does not have any kind of holster for the S Pen, Samsung now makes a greater Be aware-style case that has a holster on the again for the S Pen. Moreover, case producers like Caseborne and Spigen make circumstances with S Pen holsters within the backbone, on the again, and even on the appropriate aspect of the case.
These circumstances all add bulk to an already giant and ponderous telephone however, if you happen to’re a stickler for having one system that does all of it, there is no doubt the Fold 4 will present an expertise nearer to that perfect than every other system at the moment in the marketplace.
Throughout the overview interval, I used Spigen’s Skinny Match P case (pictured right here), which gave me quick entry to the S Pen always. I observed that I used the S Pen much more due to this added comfort, and completely suggest such a case to anybody who loves utilizing the S Pen.
Moreover, Samsung is makng the S Pen Fold Version in two new colours this yr that match the Fold 4’s colorways. It is a good contact that appears nicer and higher strains up with the Be aware’s model aesthetics. Be aware telephones have lengthy since shipped with S Pens of the identical coloration because the system they’re holstered in and now the Fold isn’t any completely different.
The largest draw back to the S Pen on the Fold 4? It nonetheless does not work with the duvet show. Greater than as soon as, I discovered myself attempting to faucet on it solely to recall that this is not doable. Solely the foldable inside show has S Pen assist. I would like to see Samsung add this in a future iteration of the Fold.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Efficiency and battery life
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 does a a lot, a lot better job of delivering constantly glorious efficiency than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. It additionally does not get scorching!
The Fold 3 could by no means have felt like a sluggish system at any level in its lifetime, however the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 within the Fold 4 makes it really feel even zippier than earlier than. That is nice given the brand new taskbar on the large display that prioritizes multitasking like by no means earlier than.
It is also vital as a result of, as we have identified in lots of telephone critiques this yr, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC does not maintain as much as its guarantees of higher efficiency than 2021’s SoCs beneath heavy load. Fortunately, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 does a a lot, a lot better job of delivering constantly glorious efficiency, and one way or the other not getting scorching on the similar time.
half-hour or longer with any recreation reveals constantly nice framerates all through the expertise, and the Fold 4 does not get significantly scorching to the contact, both. It was nice to get an expertise that was as constant because the Fold 3’s Snapdragon 888 — meaning the sport ran easily and didn’t stutter or drop the framerate continuously as many Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 telephones will — and nonetheless get the higher total framerates from a more moderen processor.
It is a large enchancment in these circumstances over nearly any flagship Android system launched within the first half of 2022. Nevertheless, you in all probability will not discover the distinction whereas scrolling via social media or looking the online.
Samsung did not improve the battery dimension from the Fold 3 to the Fold 4, however you will nonetheless get higher battery life on the newer telephone. That is, as soon as once more, due to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and its superior power effectivity score.
That’s an enormous aid coming from the Fold 3 which, by all accounts, didn’t have nice battery life. Over the previous week, I’ve made a visit to New York Metropolis, performed a number of hours of Minecraft and Fortnite, drove as much as Mount Pisgah on the Blue Ridge Parkway and took a lot of photographs, and even went out within the wee hours of the morning to work on the digital camera overview of the Fold 4.
Regardless of these grueling circumstances, there wasn’t sooner or later the Fold 4’s battery did not dwell to see the tip of the day. That’s completely not one thing I may ever say in regards to the Fold 3 on a busy day, and it reveals simply how way more energy environment friendly the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is than something from this yr or final.
In our lab assessments, the Fold 4 lasted as much as three hours longer than the Fold 3 on a single cost.
To get extra scientific, the outcomes from battery rundown assessments — a lab take a look at from our father or mother firm, Future — the Fold 4 lasted as much as three hours longer than the Fold 3 on a single cost when operating at 60Hz. At adaptive refresh fee — that is as much as 120Hz, relying on what’s taking place on display — the battery life distinction was lowered to only an hour higher. Even nonetheless, that is spectacular provided that Samsung did not improve the battery dimension in any respect.
Of us who must eek a bit extra trip of the battery can choose to set the telephone to the brand new low energy mode, which scales the processor again about 100MHz at its peak and prioritizes thermals over efficiency. Regardless of this, I could not inform the distinction in efficiency in any app that I attempted.
Samsung particularly notes that this Low Energy mode does not have an effect on gaming, however I did not discover this to be the case. Whereas taking part in Fortnite on low energy mode, I observed the framerate would constantly drop over a 30-minute interval. After that timeframe, the sport would run between 24 and 30FPS, relying on what was taking place on display.
The brand new low energy mode helps the telephone get via a couple of extra hours in a day and does not have an effect on on a regular basis efficiency.
On common energy mode, the sport ran between 50 and 60FPS with out important stuttering or body drops. I did not discover the telephone getting overly scorching in both of those energy modes, in contrast to practically each Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 telephone we have examined. As Michael famous in his Galaxy S22 Plus overview (opens in new tab), the telephone typically “felt…like I would left it within the solar on asphalt” when taking part in video games. That telephone is not alone, by any means.
Simply as marketed, low energy mode helps get the telephone via much more hours on a single cost.
Charging, too, is notably sooner, even when it’s solely “quick” by Samsung requirements. True to what Samsung advised us, a 30-minute cost added 50% to the battery’s capability, which is sufficient to get via roughly half a day’s price of regular use. Telephones just like the OnePlus 10T can cost to 100% in that very same timeframe, although, so Samsung nonetheless has a methods to go if it ever desires to assert to have super-fast charging occasions.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Software program
This yr’s Z Fold launch doesn’t include a slew of latest software program options like we noticed final yr, however it does launch with one huge headlining function: a taskbar.
Sure, that’s a taskbar just like a desktop or laptop computer PC, and it’s in all probability my favourite Fold-specific function for the reason that launch of the unique Fold 4 years in the past. With it, the Fold’s true potential lastly feels prefer it’s been unlocked.
Functionally, it’s a bit just like the Edge panel that has been on Samsung telephones for years, however with the added presence of being all the time accessible on the big inside show. The taskbar is break up into two predominant sections separated by a | (pipe) character.
To the appropriate of the pipe, you’ll discover icons for the final two apps you’ve used. A fast faucet will swap between them, and is a faster strategy to multitask between three full-screen apps than any earlier technique.
The taskbar is my favourite new software program addition to the telephone and makes it a real multitasking beast.
To the left of the pipe is a mirror of your pinned house display apps. In my case, I’ve three folders with numerous apps in them, flanked on the left and proper sides by Edge and the Cellphone app. If what I’m searching for isn’t situated in these teams, I can all the time faucet the app drawer to the leftmost aspect of the taskbar to get a compact record of each app put in on the telephone.
In essence, it takes solely two faucets from wherever to entry any app on the telephone, and that’s merely wonderful for any energy consumer.
The Fold 4 and Flip 4 are the primary telephones to ship with the foldable-centric Android 12L.
Samsung additionally enhanced Flex Mode on each the Flip 4 and Fold 4 by making the underside half of the show work like a trackpad. This setting is routinely enabled when an app is in Flex Mode, which implies the telephone is just not utterly folded, but additionally not utterly unfolded.
Whereas this was a cute function and could be helpful in very particular circumstances, I could not discover a lot use for it.
A lot of the improved multitasking is as a result of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the primary telephone to ship with Android 12L within the backend. Surely, the taskbar is one thing taken from Android 12L, not a Samsung-specific function per se. Nonetheless, that is the one place you could find it, for now, and it is merely good.
Take into account, although, {that a} new OS with enhanced capabilities for foldables and enormous screens signifies that there are a couple of quirks that also have to be ironed out. Whereas apps appear to scale higher en masse when folding and unfolding the telephone than they did on earlier variations of Android, I ran throughout a number of bizarre UI points that had been very clearly bugs.
A few times, the keyboard bought caught behind the notification shade after I was attempting to make use of the fast reply operate on a notification. Different occasions, the taskbar would bug out and don’t have any apps current on it. These had been all solved by both swiping again to house after which swiping again to the app in query or, on the worst, I needed to shut the app and reopen it.
In complete, I may need run throughout half a dozen occasions the place these odd UI errors would happen. Definitely price noting, however not one thing to complain about, for my part.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Cameras
After I first bought the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the very first thing I did was put its cameras head-to-head towards the Fold 3’s cameras. Shortly after, I revealed our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 digital camera overview (opens in new tab) and famous simply how a lot of an improve the digital camera was in practically each scenario.
On this overview part, I will spotlight among the most vital components of the Fold 4 digital camera expertise. If you wish to see all of the in-depth particulars — significantly, if you happen to’re upgrading from a Galaxy Z Fold 2 or 3 — try that separate digital camera overview.
Over the course of the previous two weeks, there wasn’t a single time the place I discovered myself wishing I had introduced my Pixel 6 Professional alongside for the journey. When you’ve ever listened to the Android Central podcast or learn my different critiques, you will perceive how huge a deal that assertion is.
In all conditions, the Fold 4 wasn’t simply sufficient to get the job performed. Its digital camera was a superb performer in each manner, form, and type, and that is a triumph in comparison with final yr’s telephone.
The one actual weak level I discovered with the telephone is, sarcastically, in shiny mild the place the digital camera tends to overexpose pictures only a bit. Hopefully, Samsung can get this fastened in an replace however, for probably the most half, any picture that sees this minor overexposure will be fastened in a photograph modifying app with a faucet or two.
Among the many greatest enhancements is capturing movement, which has lengthy been an issue for Samsung telephones.
Among the many greatest enhancements is capturing movement, which has lengthy been an issue for Samsung telephones. I’ve chronicled this downside on many Samsung Galaxy critiques — the newest being the Galaxy S22 Extremely (opens in new tab) — because the expertise for folk who personal pets or have kids will likely be one stuffed with a lot of blurry photographs.
However when the Galaxy Z Fold 4 captures a baby in movement or a pet taking part in? More often than not, it produces a clear, clear image that I merely did not anticipate given historic outcomes. This goes for each low mild and daylight, utilizing the principle sensor or the telephoto sensor. It is a powerful enchancment and deserves reward.
For this specific bit, I believe Google nonetheless does a greater job with motion than Samsung, however seeing this stage of enchancment in just some months (in comparison with the S22 Extremely) is important.
The Fold 4’s 3x optical telephoto digital camera additionally doubles as a terrific macro lens which, for me, is preferable to a devoted macro digital camera — and even an ultra-wide digital camera that doubles as a macro lens — as you will get nice, detailed up-close pictures with out truly having to be up-close.
House Zoom works extremely effectively as much as about 20x. Past that, outcomes are very blended however normally not nice.
And the opposite large enchancment is the telephoto digital camera itself, which is now 3x optical zoom. That is in comparison with 2x optical zoom on the Fold 2. Plus, it is a newer, higher sensor that makes use of Samsung’s “House Zoom” processing to assist ship clear pictures from distant.
Realistically, you’ll be able to take crystal clear pictures as much as 10x away. Listed here are a couple of samples I took at 10x zoom to show the purpose.
House Zoom works extremely effectively as much as about 20x. Past that, outcomes are very blended, however normally not nice. Samsung says the Fold 4 can zoom as much as 30x away, however it’s not going you will need to use these photographs past illustrative functions.
One shot I took of the Statue of Liberty regarded downright terrible from this distance. In the meantime, the shot of the butterfly wasn’t too dangerous, however that object was a lot nearer to the lens than the statue was. Listed here are a couple of pictures at 30x zoom to point out what I imply.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Competitors
Samsung does not have a lot in the way in which of direct competitors within the giant foldables area outdoors of China. There, shoppers have the selection of nice telephones just like the Vivo X Fold, Xiaomi Combine Fold 2, and several other different glorious gadgets that supply even higher cameras or sleeker type components than what Samsung provides.
In all circumstances, although, Samsung retains the software program benefit and the dignity of getting waterproof foldable telephones.
In different international locations, the one actual competitors is from Samsung itself. 2021’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 remains to be a terrific telephone to contemplate if you happen to do not need to spend $1,800 on a Fold 4, as Samsung lately dropped the value of unlocked Fold 3’s by $600. As people will likely be upgrading to the Fold 4, it is also seemingly you could possibly web a second-hand Fold 3 for fairly a bit much less.
If a bigger foldable does not match the invoice (or your pockets), the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is an outstanding various to the Fold. It packs in the identical software program — minus the taskbar that is accessible on the bigger Fold show — and even consists of loads of digital camera enhancements and higher battery life than the Flip 3. There’s nothing fairly like having a giant previous display that you may fold in half and slip in any pocket.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Must you purchase it?
You should purchase it if…
- You need probably the most feature-rich and highly effective Android telephone ever made.
- You want the concept of getting a pill that may fold in half (or simply love utilizing the S Pen on a giant display).
- You need a foldable telephone with nice cameras.
You shouldn’t purchase it if…
- You do not need to spend practically $2,000 on a brand new telephone.
- You’ve got small pockets or giant shows aren’t your favourite.
- You want a digital camera that may zoom in additional than 20x and produce a pleasant picture.
For me, there are only a few causes not to contemplate upgrading to a Galaxy Z Fold 4. This telephone does all of it: from taking nice photographs and video, to multitasking between apps like a laptop computer. Battery life and efficiency are each higher than final yr’s telephone, and higher than any 2022 telephone Samsung has delivered up to now.
Samsung’s software program experience is solely unmatched in any class, too; not simply foldables, however you would be remiss to disregard the lead Samsung has within the foldable area. This does not simply imply excellent {hardware} that is a pleasure to make use of. It additionally means extra mature software program that works such as you would anticipate, and this yr’s iteration is extra about Samsung perfecting a method than rewriting the principles.
Positive, it is nonetheless bloody costly and can seemingly make anybody assume twice earlier than dropping this type of money on a telephone. However changing a telephone and a pill with a single system is a dream I’ve lengthy held, and is lastly actuality due to the appearance of the Fold collection.
There is no doubt that such a robust, giant system is not for everybody, although. Energy customers, gadget lovers, and productiveness hounds will relish Samsung’s software program and {hardware}, however it’s unlikely that even most customers will want such a robust, versatile system day by day.
For most individuals, the Flip 4 in all probability makes extra sense, however for me and people like me, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a dream come true and the perfect telephone I’ve ever used.
Samsung’s fourth-generation foldable mini-tablet is a dream come true for energy customers. The brand new taskbar makes multitasking on the large display simpler than ever, and the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor supplies extra horsepower and higher battery life than ever earlier than, all with out heating up the telephone. Add in S Pen assist and flagship-level cameras and you have a winner.
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