Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G

Item: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G
Rating: 4.7
Author: Richard Garrett

August 13, 2022

At first glance, Samsung has only made a few changes to the Galaxy Z Flip 4, but in detail, there is a larger battery that can be charged faster, a better camera and a faster processor. The external display supports more functions such as payment without opening the smartphone.

Like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the fourth generation of the Galaxy Z Flip comes with several detail improvements that make for a more rounded overall package. However, Samsung has not changed the inner and outer screens in terms of size or resolution. However, a 45 per cent more resistant Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) from Schott on the inside and Gorilla Glass Victus+ for the outside also move into the horizontally foldable smartphone. Once again, the primary 6.7-inch screen comes in at 1,080 × 2,640 pixels at 1 to 120 Hz and supports HDR10+. With 10 MP at a pixel size of 1.22 μm, the camera integrated as a punch hole in the panel comes to the same specification as in the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Flex modes for more apps

From the clamshell design, the manufacturer draws various flex modes that divide the content between the two halves of the smartphone, for example, for the keyboard and written text, controls and videos on YouTube or the camera section and shutter release. In FlexCam mode, videos and group selfies can be taken from different angles. In cooperation with Meta, the camera apps integrated with Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp also support the different flip positions of the smartphone.

The camera gets higher pixels

A new primary camera takes care of the shots, whose sensor has been given larger pixels with an edge length of 1.8 instead of 1.4 μm by Samsung, while the native resolution of 12 MP and the aperture of f/1.8 remains identical. Samsung has also carried over features like Dual Pixel AF and OIS from last year’s generation. The same goes for the ultra-wide-angle camera with 123 degrees FoV and 12 MP, but here with smaller 1.12-μm pixels. Galaxy Z Flip 4 (Image: Samsung) The external display supports more functions The two cameras sit in the upper half next to the external display, which comes to 260 × 512 pixels at 1.9 inches. A larger panel had been speculated in the run-up, but in the end, the dimensions match the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Instead, there are functional changes, which include, among other things, payment by smartphone in a closed state. Until now, Google Pay or Samsung Pay could not be handled via the external display because the fingerprint sensor in the smartphone’s power button was only available after opening. The cover screen also supports functions such as calls, text messages and smart home control via SmartThings. New designs for clocks and backgrounds are also available, and the latter can now also be stored as a video or GIF.

Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and %12 bigger battery

As with the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 from TSMC-N4 manufacturing serves as the new processor, which is always supported by 8 GB LPDDR5. In addition to storage configurations with 128 and 256 GB, there is a new variant with 512 GB. Although the smartphone’s dimensions of 84.9 × 71.9 × 17.1 mm (closed) and 165.2 × 71.9 × 6.9 mm (open) have hardly changed and, strictly speaking, are even smaller, Samsung accommodates a 12 per cent larger battery of 3,700 mAh, which this time can be charged with 25 instead of 15 watts. Wireless charging is supported with 10 watts, and 4.5 watts are possible in the opposite direction. Compared to last year, the weight has increased slightly to 187 g. The smartphone is once again protected against water penetration, according to IPX8.

Five years of Android updates

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 comes with Android 12 and One UI 4.1.1, for which Samsung gives an update guarantee of four years for main Android versions and five years for monthly Android security patches at the smartphone’s sales launch.

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