A foldable tablet without compromises?
With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, the manufacturer wants to stir up the market for foldable mini tablets. We have tested the device extensively.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: design and finish
That Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is almost identical in design and workmanship to its predecessor, the Fold3. But small changes – it is two millimeters shorter and two millimeters wider – make a clear difference in everyday life. This makes the device easier to hold in one hand and apps can display more content in unfolded mode.
The Fold4 is a bit wider and smaller than its predecessor (Image: BASIC thinking)
The workmanship is of the usual high quality. The folding mechanism in particular is very precise. This allows the device to remain in any position without collapsing. In closed mode, however, there is still a gap, so that the Fold4 is hardly protected against dust.
What is also immediately noticeable is a fold on the inside. Especially when you open it, you look at it when light reflects. However, as soon as you use the device, the crease is no longer very visible. An improvement for the next model would be desirable.
The Fold4 still has a small gap in folded mode (Image: BASIC thinking)
At 263 grams, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is still a fairly heavy smartphone, but it is eight grams lighter than its predecessor. Do you notice that in everyday life? No, the Fold4 is still a real hunk. Still, is it nice to see that Samsung seems to be tackling this issue step by step? Absolutely, it’s a step in the right direction.
The Fold4 has a crease that is still visible and noticeable (Image: BASIC thinking)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: The display
The device still has two displays – a narrow one on the front and a large one in unfolded mode. The small 6.2-inch external display now has a new aspect ratio of 23.1:9. This makes one-handed navigation much easier. However, it is still not as easy as with a normal smartphone and from time to time you make a typing error.
The display itself, on the other hand, looks very good. It becomes bright enough and can therefore also be read in the sun. With OLED, HDR 10+ and 120 Hertz refresh rate according to the LTPO standard, the latest technology is on board.
The highlight of the Fold4: the interior display (Image: BASIC thinking)
The star, however, is still clearly the 7.6-inch internal display. Unfolded, you have a small mini tablet in your hand, which Samsung takes reading e-mails or websites and mobile gaming to the next level. Because most of them are already optimized for the display and are really fun with it.
The situation is different with social media or videos. Twitter can now also be used on the large display, especially when multitasking with another app. Instagram has also received a solution on the software side, which is a big step compared to the iPad app.
However, the aspect ratio is simply not right for videos. 21:9 films in particular have large margins at the top and bottom. So the benefit is not much greater than with a smartphone. However, the display is great for e-books.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: Performance
Inside the Samsung Galaxy ZFold4 sits the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor from Qualcomm, which is supported by twelve gigabytes of RAM. Samsung offers 256 gigabytes of storage as standard. The Fold4 is also available with 512 gigabytes or one terabyte of internal memory.
Especially compared to the normal Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the device seems to work much more efficiently. This may be due to the improvements in the processor. But I would rather tie it to the better manufacturing process of the TSMC company.
The Fold4 can also emulate games (Image: BASIC thinking)
Either way, the Fold4 is super fast in everyday life and also well equipped for multitasking. Every game ran without problems, every app opened quickly and reliably. Only animations were sometimes jerky, which I would rather blame on the OneUI surface.
the sound
The Fold4 has two “real” speakers that sit on the top and bottom of the device. They provide a very good sound. This makes consuming content really fun.
The Z Fold4 has very large speakers (Image: BASIC thinking)
I also enjoyed listening to podcasts, movies, and music through it, although music is a little tinny at full volume. The speakers of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 are probably the best you can get in a smartphone.
The cameras
Samsung has given the Fold4 two new lenses. The company speaks of a “flagship camera” on the “level of the Galaxy S22”.
So let’s go into detail: Here we find the identical camera system from the Galaxy S22 Plus. A 50-megapixel main camera (unlike the 12-megapixel lens found on the Fold3), a 10-megapixel telephoto lens, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera.
Taking photos with the Fold4 sometimes takes some getting used to (Image: BASIC thinking)
The photos are significantly better, especially compared to the Fold3. The 23 percent more light that hits the sensor makes a big difference. Photos now look significantly brighter, especially at night. Although the telephoto lens has a lower resolution than its predecessor on the data sheet, it also takes better photos.
The triple optical zoom has also repeatedly proven its usefulness in everyday life. Although customers with a focus on photography should still use the Vivo X80 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, the maximum 30x zoom capability (digital) is a big step forward compared to its predecessor.
You can find a gallery of test photos here.
So you don’t get the best camera in a smartphone with the Fold4, but it should be sufficient for many. However, the competition from China shows that it is also possible to put even more “cameras” in a foldable. However, these devices are not yet available on the German market.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: Software
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 runs Android 12L (12.1), with OneUI 4.1.1 interface. The manufacturer promises three major Android updates and five years of security updates. This is unique in the industry and Samsung leads the list with the most major software updates, ahead of Google.
But what’s new in OneUI 4.1.1? Android 12L support adds a taskbar that makes opening apps much easier. This helps enormously, especially when multitasking. An app launcher also makes it possible to start apps significantly, since the current applications no longer have to be closed.
The Galaxy Z Fold4 is very well suited for multitasking (Image: BASIC thinking)
But these functions will probably all come to the Fold3. So they don’t remain exclusive to the Fold4. However, Samsung is still ahead in the foldable area with Google when it comes to software.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: Battery
Although the battery has not increased at 4,610 milliamperes, the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 means that the battery consumption is lower than that of its predecessor. Is it on par with a current flagship smartphone? No, especially with online telephony, the battery drains itself as if by itself.
But I always got through the day well, which for me is an indicator of good smartphone batteries. But especially if I want to go somewhere spontaneously at 5:00 p.m., for example, I charge it again to be on the safe side, because you can’t get through the night with the Fold4.
Then there’s the well-known Samsung problem with fast charging. Because the company can’t seem to get it under control to develop a competitive fast charging system – even if you leave out Google or Apple.
Manufacturers such as OPPO, Xiaomi or Vivo show that you can charge with 65, 100 or even 150 watts without damaging the battery.
But the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 charges with a maximum of 25 watts if you buy an additional power supply from Amazon for around 15 euros. This charges the device from zero to 100 percent in about 90 minutes. So if you want to go somewhere spontaneously, you have to go back to the power supply again and again.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is the first foldable smartphone that I would also use privately in everyday life. So far, it’s always been a question of compromise: What features do I give up to get a big display? In the meantime, I only miss fast loading and some app optimizations (Twitter, Instagram or YouTube).
Go to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
The technology seems mature, the software in good condition. Samsung has also improved my points of criticism from last year with this version (camera, software and battery life), although this should be improved again in the next generation.
What will continue to be the sticking point for many: price. With an RRP of 1,799 euros, the device is the most expensive smartphone on the market. That’s why I would only recommend it to those who want the most modern technology, the large display and above all: want to try something new.
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