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Folding smartphones have come a long way. Although 2022 saw the release of several foldable smartphones, Samsung still remains the foldable king. Its variants, Samsung Galaxy Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, are two of the most innovative phones on the market today.
The two have a sleek design packed with power, versatility, and innovative features. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at how the two compare in specs, design, display, battery, cameras, and software so you can make an informed decision in your next purchase.
Galaxy Fold vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Galaxy Fold | Galaxy Z Flip 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Release | September 6, 2019 | August 26, 2022 |
| Size | Unfolded: 130.1 x 155.16.3mm Folded: 67.1 x 155.1 x 15.8mm | folded: 71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9mm Folded: 71.9 x 84.9 x17.1mm |
| Weight | 263g | 187g |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB |
| Camera | Rear main: 50MP primary, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto Front main screen: 4MP under-display | Rear main: 12MP primary, 12MP ultrawide Front: 10MP |
| Battery Capacity | 4,400mAh | 3,700mAh |
| Operating System | Android 12L | Android 12 |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Ports | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| Screen Size | Cover screen: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Main: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Cover screen: 1.9-inch Super AMOLED Main: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Price | $1,800 | $1,000 |
Galaxy Fold vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: What’s the Difference?
The Samsung Galaxy Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip remain the top contenders in the foldable market. While they both have similar processors, flexible displays, sleek designs, and state-of-the-art technology, the two devices have several key differences.
Design and Display
As you’d expect, these phones differ in design and form factor. The Galaxy Fold delivers a more tablet-like experience, but the Galaxy Z Flip 4 gives a more traditional smartphone experience. The displays on each device vary in size and resolution, providing you with various experiences based on which one you select.
The Galaxy Fold is a more typical foldable device that opens like a book to reveal a larger tablet-like experience. It has a 7.6 rating “AMOLED dynamic display with a resolution of 2,176 x 1,812. When folded, the gadget may be used as a phone with a 6.2-inch screen “AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,316 x 904.
- Take notes while on a conference call or watching a video
- Hands-free video chat allows you to multitask
- Open multiple windows when working
- Customize how apps display on your phone
The Galaxy Z Flip 4, on the other hand, is a clamshell foldable phone that opens up to reveal a 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED display with 2,640 x 1,080 resolution. The outside of the device features a small 1.9″ Super AMOLED display that shows notifications, incoming calls, and other quick tasks when the device is closed.
Both devices’ displays are of great quality, with clear and brilliant colors, high resolutions, and fast refresh rates. However, the larger screen and display of the Galaxy Fold provide more immersive and multitasking experiences. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is more portable and convenient to carry along due to its smaller display and compact design.
Price
The Galaxy Fold is the more expensive choice between the two. Its top-tier features and specifications come with a hefty $1,800 price tag. At $1,000, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is significantly less expensive.
The Z Flip 4’s cheaper price point makes it an appealing alternative for people searching for a tablet with some of the same features as the Fold, but without paying extra. However, if you want a smartphone with top-tier features, you should select the Fold over the Z Flip 4.
Camera
The Flip 4 has two 12MP sensors on the back, one with a wide-angle lens and the other with an ultra-wide lens. The rear-facing sensors on the Fold 4 are 50MP wide-angle, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.
The Fold 4 can also shoot 8K video at up to 24 frames per second. However, both phones can capture 4K 60 FPS (frames per second) video with their front or rear cameras (and they share the same 10MP front-facing camera). The Fold also contains an additional user-facing camera hidden within the folding display.
Software
Both phones run One UI 4.1, Samsung’s Android 12 skin. While each device’s version of One UI 4 differs slightly, the overall experience is roughly the same.
That means you’ll receive a more flexible and powerful version of Android, complete with an improved privacy dashboard and a Stories feature in the Gallery app that collects your finest photographs.
- Flex Mode makes doing two things at once a breeze
- The customizable cover screen on Galaxy Z Flip4 allows you to see just what you need while keeping your full screen private
- Many color options
Regarding updates, both devices are expected to receive Android 13 — and later versions — at around the same time. The Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 will be subject to Samsung’s standard update process, like the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. This translates to four major Android releases and five years of security patches.
Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy Z Fold 4’s larger footprint enables it to accommodate a larger battery. The larger foldable has a 4,400 mAh battery as opposed to the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s relatively smaller 3,700 mAh battery.
You can anticipate the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to have a longer battery life than the Galaxy Z Flip 4, but the difference is unlikely to be significant due to the larger displays.
Both phones support up to 25W wired charging, so it is safe to assume that Samsung is still behind the competition in terms of charging speeds. However, Samsung is working to improve this situation. It is important to note that both devices can be charged wirelessly.
Performance
Both foldables are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a chip manufactured in a 4nm process that is quicker than prior generations. The RAM in the Z Fold 4 is 12GB, whereas the RAM in the Z Flip 4 is 8 GB.
In theory, this means that the Fold outperforms the Flip. If you plan on multitasking and running numerous apps simultaneously, the Fold will be the better pick. The Fold 4’s primary focus on productivity and mobile working is one of the significant differentiators in terms of specs, features, and performance.
The taskbar at the bottom of the screen is the first thing you see when you open it. It works nicely with the phone’s ability to launch three apps simultaneously on its huge, crisp screen, similar to a laptop or tablet.
Galaxy Fold vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: 6 Must-Know Facts
- The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 has significantly greater storage than the Z Flip 4.
- Both phones are powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Plus chipset.
- The refresh rate on both phones is 120Hz.
- The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4’s display is somewhat smaller.
- The price difference between the two phones is significant, with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 being significantly less expensive at $1000.
- The Galaxy Fold is a more typical foldable device that opens like a book to reveal a larger tablet-like experience.
Galaxy Fold vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: Which One Is Better?
Although each foldable has advantages over the other, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 edges the Z Flip 4 out thanks to a slightly faster processor, more RAM, a better and more versatile camera, and greater multitasking flexibility.
It also has a more spectacular display, which, when opened or unfurled, effectively transforms the device into a tablet. Although the Fold 4 is pricey, its inherent utility makes it hard to ignore.
However, this does not imply that Flip 4 should be ignored. The Flip 4 is a great foldable alternative if you want a foldable but can’t afford the Fold 4’s pricing or don’t like its design. Although it isn’t quite as robust or functional, it is still worth maintaining on your shortlist.
