Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 in the test: does it work with the mass market?
With the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, manufacturer Samsung wants to establish a foldable smartphone on the mass market. Can this work? We put the foldable smartphone through its paces.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: design and finish
That Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is almost identical to the Galaxy Z Flip3. However, there are subtle differences. The Flip4 is available in four different colors, all of which now have a matte back. Samsung has also developed a new hinge, making the display bezels narrower.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is available in four classic colors. (Image: BASIC thinking)
Otherwise it is still the familiar system. The 6.7-inch interior display can be folded. The main advantage of this is that the device fits more easily in your pocket. A small 1.9-inch display on the back shows notifications and incoming calls.
The Flip4 has a matte back, which feels good in the hand. (Image: BASIC thinking)
As a result, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is as thick as two smartphones (about 16 millimeters) when it is closed. With a length of 85 millimeters, it is only half as long as a Galaxy S22 Ultra, for example.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: Screen
The Galaxy Z Flip4 has two displays. A large 6.7-inch AMOLED panel when unfolded and a smaller 1.9-inch display when folded, located next to the cameras.
The interior display is not made of “normal glass”, but of Samsung’s own “ultra-thin glass”. According to the manufacturer, this can be folded up to 200,000 times. However, it doesn’t feel as premium as real glass.
The display of the Z Flip4 can be opened and closed. (Image: BASIC thinking)
The maximum brightness is again 1200 nits. This makes the display easily recognizable in everyday life. I only had problems reading a text when there was maximum sunshine on the beach. Meanwhile, the interior display supports a refresh rate of 120 Hertz. This ensured smooth use.
The Flip4’s outer display shows notifications or quick settings. (Image: BASIC thinking)
The external display is quite useful in everyday life. This is how calls can be received. You can also reply to messages with short text modules. Skipping songs or using the timer are also possible when the case is closed. However, there is still no way to open apps directly because the display is simply too small for it.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 uses the latest chip from the American company “Qualcomm”, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This is significantly more efficient than the 8 Gen 1 (without Plus). This is especially noticeable in the battery life, but more on that later. However, assumptions suggest that this is due to the producer.
The Z Flip4 has the currently fastest Android processor installed. (Image: BASIC thinking)
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is only available in a variant with 8 gigabytes of RAM, but with a choice of 128, 256 or 512 gigabytes of internal memory.
In everyday life, all apps run without problems, be it games or social media apps. Especially the cooperation with companies like Meta or Snap is noticeable, because all three camera lenses can be used in their apps. This increases the performance of the applications enormously.
A heat development was not observed because the processor regulates itself a little after about five minutes. However, the full performance is only required for graphically intensive games, which is not often the case. If you are looking for a gaming smartphone, you are wrong with the Flip4 anyway.
the sound
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 has a full speaker and a speaker in the earpiece. Both produce a good sound. But the second speaker in the earpiece is significantly quieter than the one in the frame.
The speakers are sufficient for making calls or watching videos. But if you want to consume a lot of content, you should consider an S22 Ultra.
The Z Flip4 has quite small speakers compared to the Fold. (Image: BASIC thinking)
The cameras
The Z Flip4 has three cameras. Two of them are on the back. There is also a 10 megapixel front camera. The two main cameras can also be used as selfie cameras thanks to the small display on the back. This has proven to be quite useful in everyday life.
The Z Flip4 still only has two camera lenses on the back. (Image: BASIC thinking)
While only one of the sensors on the spec sheet is better (the 12-megapixel wide-angle sensor captures more light), that’s pretty obvious. The photos look very good and sharp in daylight, but the colors are very strong, which is typical for Samsung. Details are easily recognizable and the image processing is also quite fast thanks to the fast processor.
The ultra-wide-angle camera also has a resolution of 12 megapixels, but is identical to the Flip3. It can capture a lot of detail and light for its small size. But especially at the edges you notice differences to large sensors like in the Vivo X80 Pro or OPPO Find X5 Pro.
We have put together a gallery with some test photos for you. You will find this here.
At night, the recordings with the main camera also look good for the small sensors. However, you notice differences to other flagship smartphones with a camera focus, such as the S22 Ultra or the Vivo X80 Pro, especially when it comes to light scattering. However, details and colors still look good, even if the shutter release time could sometimes be faster (some recordings take six to seven seconds).
The selfie camera and the portrait mode are also very good, as is typical for Samsung. However, a new sensor would have done the device good. The 10 megapixel lens from the S20 has now been overtaken by a number of other devices, with the iPhone in particular making strong competition for the Z Flip4.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: Software
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 runs Android 12L with OneUI 4.1.1 interface. Unlike the Fold4, however, the Flip4 has few advantages from the new Android version. Because Android 12L is suitable for tablets and foldables with large screens, less so for flip phones.
The software still offers some new functions with the new 4.1.1 interface. For example, Samsung has added some new widgets and quick settings to the outer display.
Apps like Instagram are already adapted to the Flex mode (Image: BASIC thinking)
In Flex mode, some apps like Instagram have been optimized. However, most apps still don’t support “buckled” mode.
Samsung’s update policy deserves a positive mention, because the manufacturer promises four major Android OS updates and five years of security patches for the smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: Battery
Probably the biggest update to the Flip4 is the battery capacity. This has been increased from 3,400 to 3,700 milliamperes and should also last longer thanks to the more energy-efficient processor.
In everyday life, this corresponds to around four to five hours of display time. All normal users will probably get through the day with it – and maybe also through the night. Before long evenings, however, intermediate charging is still recommended.
The Flip4’s battery lasts all day, but it takes a long time to charge. (Image: BASIC thinking)
This is possible with a maximum of 25 watts of charging power, whereby the official charger has to be bought later. With the cable, the device charges about 50 percent in half an hour. A full charge takes about 75 minutes.
Especially compared to the competition, this corresponds to a very long loading time, at least for those who do not only load overnight. The Flip4 also supports 10-watt wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
For the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: Verdict
The Galaxy Z Flip4 is probably the foldable smartphone with the highest market maturity. It hardly offers any disadvantages (at most the fragility and the display glass could be mentioned here), but the new form factor.
The advantage over the fold is also clearly noticeable. It is significantly more compact in your pocket. All apps work without problems and then there is the significantly lower price of “only” 1,099 euros.
The form factor itself is definitely debatable. Do I need to be able to fold my smartphone? Does that really help in everyday life? I advise anyone considering a purchase to see the device in store beforehand.
All in all, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is currently the best folding smartphone for me. Samsung has improved the critical points of battery life and camera quality compared to the predecessor. With the small market share of foldable smartphones, however, there is no pressure to innovate.
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The article Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 in the test: does it work with the mass market? by Nils Ahrensmeier appeared first on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
