Samsung ups the ante in foldable smartphones, and along with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 has also presented the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, an interesting and rational evolution of its previous folding “large format” that now introduces striking changes.
Although the format follows the line of its predecessors, the Fold4 is slightly different, and being folded is slightly wider and less high. The photographic bet is also more ambitious and is supported by the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and this is also a device based on the Android 12L operating system that “pampers”, especially the folding ones. The price, of course, remains high.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 technical specifications
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | |
---|---|
Indoor Screen | 7.6-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X Resolution of 2,176 x 1,812 pixels |
Outer Screen | 6.2-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X Resolution of 2,316 x 904 pixels |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
Main Memory | 12 GB |
Storage | 256 / 512 / 1.024 GB |
Front Cameras | Selfie: 10 MP f/2.2 Camera under Screen: 4 MP f / 1.8 |
Rear Cameras | Principal: 50 MP f/1.8Ultra gran Angular: 12 MP f/2.2 123º Tele: 10 MP f/2.4 3X optical zoom |
Wireless Connectivity | 5G / LTE (Two nanoSIM and one eSIM) Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 NFC |
Operating System | Android 12L / One UI 4.1.1 |
IP Resistance | IPX8 |
Battery | 4,400 mAh 25W fast charge Power adapter not included |
Sensors | Fingerprint sensor (side) Accelerometer Barometer Sensor Geomagnetic Sensor Proximity sensor Light sensor |
Dimensions and Weight | Folded: 67.1 x 155.1 x 15.8mm Unfolded: 130.1 x 155.1 x 6.3mm263 g |
Colors | Gray-green / Beis / Ghost Black / Burgundy |
Price | From $1,799 |
This Fold4 is more “squarer”, and that’s good news
Previous revisions of the Galaxy Z Fold looked great when unfolded, but when you folded those devices the screen had a slightly more elongated format than conventional phones.
In the Galaxy Z Fold4 things change slightly. The height is cut a little and we gain some width compared to previous models, and that makes the folded mobile has a “more mobile look” (we went from 24.5:9 to 23.1:9) and to be deployed screen, something more “square” still showing a huge amount of information and is especially enjoyable. The bezels have also been slightly reduced, something that helps to enjoy even more of these screens.
The device is also slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessor, and also takes advantage of the advances made in the previous generation: the front-facing camera duo is again starring not only the selfie camera but also the under-screen camera that debuted and already caught our attention in the Galaxy Z Fold3.
The device will be available in four colors: gray-green, beige, ghost black, and burgundy (the latter is only available on samsung.com). Aluminum and glass are once again the primary construction materials, which once again promises to be fantastic.
As in the past, we have the fingerprint reader on the side and IPX8 certification that allows it to withstand immersions of up to 1.5 meters in fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Here in any case better not to risk too much: it is not advisable to use it on the beach (careful there, there is no dust resistance) or in the pool, for example, as indicated by Samsung.
The question is whether there are appreciable changes with the hinge and that famous fold that can be seen when the Z Fold4 is unfolded. Samsung spent a few moments talking about the new hinge design, which was previously based on a gear mechanism that made it somewhat thicker: a new design allows the hinge to “thin” and still retain the durability of the old models.
We will have to check it in our analysis, but a priori it seems a difficult problem to solve although its relevance -this reminds us of the controversy with the notch of the iPhone and whether it bothers or not- is subjective.
Power to give free rein to multitasking
In terms of internal hardware, the most notable change is found in the SoC used: while the Fold3 used the Snapdragon 888, here we have the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a guaranteed SoC that will allow us to take advantage of all the options of this device.
Accompanying it are the 12 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of storage that we already saw in the previous model, while connectivity is also well resolved with support for 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2.
The screens are, of course, the clear starring in this phone, and those somewhat different dimensions have curiously not involved changes in diagonals, but resolutions.
Thus, folded we have a diagonal of 6.2 inches and resolution of 2,316 x 904 pixels (in the Fold3 were 2,268 x 832 points, we gain pixels in the horizontal and vertical), and unfolded are 7.6 inches and 2,176 × 1,812 (in the Fold3 were 2,208 x 1,768, we lose something in horizontal, and we gain in the vertical resolution). In both cases, we have refresh rates of up to 120 Hz.
We will have to see how the 4,400 mAh battery performs, but here there is no noteworthy news either in terms of capacity – the format does not give much margin for the moment – or in terms of fast charging support, which comes to a discreet 25 W. The adapter, by the way, is not included in the box.
This screen and processor invite us to do more than one thing at a time and enjoy the multi-area that this diagonal offers once we deploy the Fold4.
In doing so, we will especially benefit from the advantages of Android 12L, a version specifically designed for tablets and folding devices that takes advantage of this versatility.
This version joins One UI 4.1.1 to offer for example a new computer-like taskbar to give quick access to favorite and recently used applications.
There are also new scrolling gestures that for example allow you to show open applications and then place them on the split screen.
There are also advantages for users of Google and Microsoft apps with more complete drag-and-drop functions, but also especially noteworthy is the support for the S Pen that allows -if we have this optional accessory- to take notes or make drawings taking advantage of the extended diagonal.
More zoom and more megapixels
The Galaxy Z Fold4’s photographic bet changes notably. It does not do so in the interior cameras, which are the same as in the Z Fold3 but in its rear sensor array, which has two important modifications.
The main sensor has a resolution of 50 Megapixels and an f/2.2 aperture (it was 12 MP f/1.8 in the previous one) and therefore will theoretically allow us to achieve photos with more detail when zooming, although the aperture loses integers with this new sensor and we will have to see what impact both decisions have.
There are also changes in the telephoto lens, which goes from a 12 MP f/2.4 sensor with 2X zoom to a 10MP f/2.4 sensor with 3X zoom. Again the change is interesting and we will have to see if this improvement in zoom lives up to expectations.
We will also be able to enjoy those photographic modes enabled by this versatile format. Thus, we have the dual preview mode or the selfie with the rear camera, which is precisely one of the great advantages of having a foldable device and allows us to take advantage of the best sensor even for those photos and videos that we make ourselves.
Versions and price of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is now available for pre-order at the following prices:
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 (12 + 256 GB): $1,799;
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 (12 + 512 GB): $1,919;
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 (12 + 1,024 GB): $2,159.
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