Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Review: A Modern Take on Classic Flip Phones
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 represents the latest iteration in Samsung’s ambitious line of foldable smartphones. Combining nostalgia with cutting-edge technology, the Z Flip 4 offers a unique blend of style, functionality, and modern features. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, software, and overall value of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 stands out with its distinctive flip design, offering a blend of retro aesthetics and modern technology.
Materials and Build:
- Exterior Design: The Z Flip 4 features a clamshell design reminiscent of classic flip phones, but with a contemporary twist. The exterior is crafted from Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front cover and rear panel, providing durability and resistance to scratches and minor drops.
- Colors: Available in various colors, including Bora Purple, Graphite, and Pink Gold, the Z Flip 4 allows users to choose a finish that suits their style. The colors are vibrant and add a touch of elegance to the device.
- Frame and Hinge: The frame of the Z Flip 4 is made from aluminum, which contributes to its lightweight feel and sturdiness. The hinge mechanism has been refined from previous iterations, offering a smoother fold and a more robust feel when opening and closing the phone.
Ergonomics:
- Closed Form Factor: When closed, the Z Flip 4 is compact and pocket-friendly. It fits comfortably in most pockets and purses, making it highly portable. The foldable nature adds a sense of novelty and practicality, allowing users to carry a larger screen in a more compact form.
- Open Form Factor: Unfolded, the Z Flip 4 reveals a spacious 6.7-inch main display. The phone remains relatively slim when open, though it is thicker than conventional smartphones. The device’s build quality ensures that it feels solid and well-crafted in both open and closed states.
Display
The display technology on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is one of its standout features, providing an immersive and versatile viewing experience.
Cover Display:
- Size and Type: The cover display is a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 260 x 512 pixels. This small display offers basic functionalities like notifications, quick access to apps, and glanceable information without needing to open the device.
- Functionality: The cover display is useful for checking notifications, controlling music playback, and viewing quick information at a glance. It supports widgets and customization options, enhancing its utility.
Main Display:
- Size and Type: The Z Flip 4 features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2640 x 1080 pixels. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and responsive interactions.
- Technology: The main display is designed with minimal crease visibility, thanks to Samsung’s advanced technology. The AMOLED panel offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
- Brightness and Color: The display’s peak brightness reaches up to 1200 nits, making it highly readable even under direct sunlight. The color accuracy and contrast are excellent, providing an immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
Display Performance:
- Multitasking: The large main display allows for effective multitasking. Users can run multiple apps side-by-side, use split-screen functionality, and enjoy a more immersive experience for gaming and multimedia.
- Durability: The main display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, which adds an extra layer of durability. The screen is designed to resist scratches and minor impacts, though users should still handle it with care.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is equipped with high-end hardware, ensuring top-tier performance across various tasks.
Processor:
- Chipset: The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, which offers significant improvements in performance and energy efficiency compared to its predecessors. This chipset ensures smooth operation and responsiveness for both everyday tasks and demanding applications.
- RAM and Storage: The Z Flip 4 comes with options for 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The ample RAM and fast storage options ensure smooth multitasking and efficient performance.
Gaming and Multitasking:
- Gaming Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset handles high-end games like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact with ease. The graphics are rendered smoothly, and gameplay remains responsive, even on the large main display.
- Multitasking: With 8GB of RAM, the Z Flip 4 manages multitasking efficiently. Users can run multiple apps simultaneously, switch between tasks without lag, and enjoy a seamless experience for both productivity and entertainment.
Camera Performance
The camera system on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is designed to offer versatility and high-quality imaging across various scenarios.
Rear Cameras:
- Main Camera: The primary camera features a 12MP sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS). It captures sharp, detailed photos with accurate color reproduction and excellent dynamic range. The camera performs well in various lighting conditions, delivering high-quality images.
- Ultra-Wide Camera: The 12MP ultra-wide lens offers a 123-degree field of view, making it ideal for landscape shots and group photos. The quality is consistent with the main camera, though there may be some edge distortion.
Front Camera:
- Selfie Camera: The front-facing camera has a 10MP sensor, providing high-quality selfies and video calls. The camera performs well in different lighting conditions and includes various beauty modes and filters to enhance photos.
Camera Performance:
- Daylight Photography: The Z Flip 4 excels in daylight conditions, capturing vibrant and detailed images with accurate colors. The ultra-wide lens adds versatility for different shooting scenarios.
- Low-Light Performance: The camera system performs well in low-light conditions, thanks to its advanced image processing and OIS. Night mode enhances detail and reduces noise, providing clear shots even in challenging lighting.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is equipped with a 3,700mAh dual battery, which is designed to provide all-day battery life under typical usage.
Battery Performance:
- Usage: With moderate usage, including social media, web browsing, and media consumption, the Z Flip 4 comfortably lasts a full day. Heavy users, particularly those who engage in gaming and extensive multitasking, may need to recharge by the evening.
- Charging: The device supports 25W fast wired charging and 15W wireless charging. It also supports 4.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing users to charge other Qi-compatible devices. While the charging speeds are competitive, they are not the fastest available compared to some competitors.
Software and Features
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 runs on One UI 4.1, based on Android 12, offering a feature-rich and customizable software experience.
Software Features:
- Flex Mode: The Z Flip 4 supports Flex Mode, which allows the device to stand at an angle when partially folded. This feature is useful for video calls, media consumption, and hands-free photography.
- Multitasking: One UI 4.1 enhances the foldable experience with improved multitasking features. Users can run multiple apps side-by-side on the main display, use split-screen functionality, and access a taskbar for easier navigation.
- Customization: The software offers extensive customization options, including themes, widgets, and icon packs. Users can tailor the interface to their preferences and make full use of the device’s foldable capabilities.
Pre-Installed Apps:
- Bloatware: The device includes a range of pre-installed apps, some of which may not be necessary for all users. However, most of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled if desired.
Connectivity
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 supports a wide range of connectivity options, ensuring compatibility with modern networks and accessories.
Connectivity Features:
- 5G: The device supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G, providing fast and reliable connectivity in areas with 5G coverage.
- Wi-Fi: It supports Wi-Fi 6E, offering improved speeds and performance over previous Wi-Fi standards.
- Bluetooth: The Z Flip 4 features Bluetooth 5.2, providing enhanced connectivity and lower power consumption for wireless accessories.
- USB Type-C: The device includes a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, supporting fast wired charging and high-speed data transfer.
Value for Money
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is positioned as a premium foldable smartphone, reflecting its advanced technology and high-quality build. It is priced higher than traditional smartphones, but it offers unique features and a distinctive design that justify the investment for many users.
Pros:
- Unique Design: The Z Flip 4’s foldable design offers a nostalgic flip phone experience with modern functionality. The compact form factor and large main display provide a unique and practical user experience.
- High-Quality Displays: Both the cover and main displays deliver excellent color accuracy, brightness, and smoothness.
- Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 ensures top-tier performance for multitasking, gaming, and productivity.
- Versatile Camera System: The camera setup provides high-quality imaging across various scenarios, including strong low-light performance.
- Advanced Features: One UI 4.1 enhances the foldable experience with Flex Mode
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