The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the fourth-generation foldable and clamshell-based Android smartphone from Samsung introduced in August 2022 during the Galaxy Unpacked event alongside the announcement of the fourth-generation Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.
From the surface, it looks like its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and even the original Galaxy Z Flip. However, under the hood, this new device is equipped with the more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and other hardware and software improvements.
The Pros and Cons of Galaxy Z Flip 4: Reasons Why You Should or Should Not Buy
1. Processing Capabilities
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the most portable yet powerful smartphone of 2022. At the heart of this device is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 system-on-a-chip which packs more punch than the previous generation Snapdragon chip. However, because of its design, it tends to suffer from heat management issues.
Below are the specific pros:
• It is 10 percent to 50 percent more powerful than the Galaxy S22 and even the Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy S22 Ultra both in single-core and multi-core processes.
• The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 fundamentally has better CPU, GPU, and overall architecture than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 used in the S22 series and the Snapdragon 888 found in the Galaxy Z Flip 3.
• Note that this device can run resource-demanding apps and graphics-intensive games like most flagship Android smartphones in the market.
Below are the specific cons:
• One of the biggest drawbacks of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is heat management. The SoC resides in the top half of the device. This means that it has a smaller area for heat dissipation, unlike conventional smartphones.
• The heat management issue means that thermal throttling is possible when using demanding apps or during prolonged intensive gaming.
• It is also important to note that the performance gains of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 might be negligible for average users. Both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and the Snapdragon 888 chips remain capable smartphone chips.
2. Camera Performance
Samsung equips this new-generation Galaxy Z Flip with newer cameras both on its front and rear side. The main camera is a notable upgrade from the previous generation. Shortcomings become evident when compared with other flagship smartphones.
Below are the specific pros:
• The main camera takes good photos in medium and low light situations. This comes from the new image sensor and the better processing capabilities of the SoC.
• Note that the main camera and ultrawide camera found on the rear side of the device can be used as selfie cameras thanks to the small supplementary OLED screen located beside the entire camera module.
• Photos taken from either the front-facing camera or the two rear cameras look good overall. Colors pop and images look vibrant under good lighting conditions.
Below are the specific cons:
• However, when compared with the S22 and other flagships such as the iPhone 13 Pro, the main camera still underperforms.
• There is also no dedicated telephoto camera which has been a staple in mid-range and flagship smartphones. Users need to depend on digital zoom using the main camera which produces degraded photo quality.
• Overall improvements in the camera hardware are arguably minimal and uninspiring when pitted against the Galaxy Z Flip 3.
3. Overall Look and Design
The main selling point of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is its foldable clamshell design that features a small supplementary screen on the rear. It is a fun and compact device that can compete head-on against flagship smartphones in terms of processing prowess. The design still lacks drastic differences from the previous generation.
Below are the specific pros:
• Samsung noted that this newer generation of the Z Flip is more durable than the previous one. The hinge might be slimmer and lighter but it can withstand constant flipping and folding within its entire product lifespan.
• The device also has an IPX8 rating for water resistance. This means that it can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters or about 5 feet for 30 minutes.
• It is also worth mentioning that it comes in five color variants. These are Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, and Blue. The edges are also flatter than the edges of the previous generation to give it a sleeker and more modern look.
Below are the specific cons:
• The overall look and feel are similar to the look and feel of the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Some might consider that the design of the Z Flip 4 is uninspired. Samsung has focused on durability rather than aesthetics.
• One disadvantage of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is that it lacks dust resistance. This means that dust and fine materials can still clog the hinge mechanism or accumulate inside the device through different entry points such as the speaker.
• The hinge gap remains between the two displays when folder. This might be a minor issue but note that other smartphone manufacturers are designing gapless clamshell smartphones that look and feel sturdier and balanced.
4. Display and Battery Performance
The main screen is a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution and an adaptive refresh rate that can go as high as 120Hz. The supplementary screen is also a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display. Both displays are reasonably bright and vibrant. The device also sports a 3700 mAh battery.
Below are the specific pros:
• Color benchmarks show that the main OLED display of the Z Flip 4 is more accurate than most OLED-based flagship smartphones such as the iPhone 13.
• The 6.7-inch screen is also narrow. It is smaller than the S22 Ultra but it looks and feels the same when used for browsing and reading. The extra height gives an additional screen real estate that is helpful when reading long-form texts.
• One of the defining features of this device is the supplementary display that can be used for notifications, launching certain apps, and as a camera viewfinder.
• Note that the battery capacity is larger than the previous generation which came with a 3300 mAh lithium-ion battery. It is still equipped with fast-charging capability at 25W when wired and wireless charging at 10W.
Below are the specific cons:
• The main screen still has a noticeable crease. It also feels less durable since it is made from plastic. There is a preinstalled screen protector but it seems that it is hard to replace once it starts to peel off or accumulate scratches.
• It is also worth mentioning that the main screen is not as bright as the S22 Plus and the iPhone 13 Pro. Brightness peaks at 772 nits. This can be a problem when used under bright outdoor sunlight.
• The battery performance is still lacking despite having a larger capacity than the Z Flip 3. The phone can last 8 hours and a half when adaptive refresh rate is turned on and about 9 hours when the refresh rate is switched to 60Hz.
Overall Verdict for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Notable Advantages and Drawbacks
The main selling point or advantage of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, especially when compared to the previous Z Flip 3 and other Samsung flagships such as the entire S22 series, is its powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip.
Other significant positive points about this device are its improved durability and slight improvements in design and battery capacity.
However, considering that it retails at above USD 1000.00, which is a flagship-level price range, the features and functionalities of this device do not rationalize its expensive price tag. The cameras are underwhelming and battery life is not enough.