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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold4 smartphone exactly a year after showcasing its predecessor. The range-topping, shape-shifting Android arrived alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and the Galaxy Buds2 Pro wireless earbuds. It has the same instantly recognizable design and $1,800 starting price tag as the outgoing model, but with revamped hardware specs.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Android Smartphone
I’ve been using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 since its launch, and it’s the best foldable smartphone money can buy. It sits alone at the top of a still-niche product category, with last year’s Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G being its only alternative. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 has an identical design, display size and layout, and IPX8 rating for water resistance as the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. The same goes for its S Pen compatibility, battery capacity, and onboard connectivity features.
Given their many similarities, it's easy to wonder whether it's worth upgrading to the Z Fold4 from the previous iteration or spending big money on the latest model if you can snag the 2021 version for considerably less. After almost a month of comparing the Galaxy Z Fold4 to the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, I discovered a few legitimate reasons why it's worth spending more on the latest model. Here’s a breakdown:
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Specs
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset
• 7.6-inch foldable QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X secondary screen; 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
• Triple camera with 12MP main, 12MP telephoto, 12MP wide-angle, 10MP selfie camera, 4MP under-display camera
• 12GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage
• 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity
• 4,400 mAh battery, fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
• Built-in stereo speakers, IX8 waterproof
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Specs
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
• 7.6-inch foldable QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X secondary screen; 120 Hz maximum refresh rate
• Triple camera with 50MP wide, 12MP telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP selfie camera, 4MP under-display camera
• 12GB of RAM, 256/512GB, 1TB of storage
• 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity
• 4,400 mAh battery, fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
• Stereo speakers, IX8 waterproof
Superior Cameras
The Galaxy Z Fold4 has a vastly superior camera setup than the model it replaces. The impressive camera is headlined by a 50MP wide sensor — the same as in the Samsung Galaxy S22 — and better zoom capabilities. It can also record 8K video, which is four times sharper (!) than the industry-standard 4K footage.
By default, the device’s primary camera captures 12MP images like the Fold3. However, combining the data captured by the higher-resolution sensor into 12MP shots allows the Fold4 to take nicer, more detail-rich photos. The product’s low-light image quality is also noticeably better, making it easier to capture stellar photos in the darkest settings.
Better yet, the Fold4 can also snap 50MP photos with incredible levels of detail. When the lighting permits, you can highlight more intricate details from the larger pictures by zooming in and cropping.
Speaking of zoom, the Z Fold4 has made significant improvements. Its telephoto camera has 3x optical and 30x digital zoom — up from 2x optical and 10x, respectively, in the Fold3 5G. The expanded range made taking wildlife photos in New York City’s Central Park easier during my testing.
More than two years after making its mainstream debut alongside the Samsung Galaxy S20 lineup, 8K video recording finally made its way to the tech giant’s foldable phones. Like in other Galaxy phones, I found the option to take 32MP still images while recording 8K video to bring even more creative opportunities.
The unique form factor and the capable triple rear camera make the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 a solid contender for the best phone for still and video selfies. You can take full advantage of all rear-facing cameras and use its smaller screen as a handy viewfinder for composing your shots when you unfold it — all you need to do is open the camera app when folded, then tap on a button at the top corner. I had to hold the phone with two hands to take advantage of it, but the results were always worth it. I only relied on its duo of front-facing cameras for video calls.
While testing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G in 2021, I couldn’t help but feel that a phone that starts at $1,800 should have a better camera. By bringing more megapixels, bigger zoom, and higher-resolution video recording, its successor offers an experience closer to being fully in line with the expectations set by its price tag. Still, selfies aside, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is Samsung’s best camera phone yet.
More Power
Chip upgrades are a standard new feature for any premium new smartphone, and the Galaxy Z Fold4 is no exception. It packs Qualcomm’s range-topping Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, which delivers welcome power bumps over the Snapdragon 888 ticking inside the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
The real-life difference in performance and speed (e.g., opening and switching between apps, gaming, etc.) between the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and the Z Fold4 is next to impossible to decipher — but that doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of an upgrade. Thanks to its new chip, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is more futureproof. Plus, the upgrade has significantly improved its battery endurance, eliminating the need to worry about charging up on the go. The Fold4 offered more screen-on time between charges while I tested it, despite having the same battery capacity.
Other Noteworthy Bits
Compared to the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, the follow-up has a more subtle and less distracting crease in the middle of its bigger screen. The camera hidden underneath the main display is less noticeable, too. Combined, the changes make interacting with the unfolded phone more seamless — and it didn’t take me long to notice the improvements they bring.
The back and the smaller cover screen of the Galaxy Z Fold4 are made using Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ — an exclusive material developed in partnership between the glassmaker and the tech giant. According to Samsung, the Fold4 is more resistant to damage than the versions that precede it. Despite its durability improvements, a protective case is a must-buy accessory for this phone.
Last but not least, the Galaxy Z Fold4 is the first smartphone to hit the shelves with Android 12L, an operating system tailor-made for big-screen and foldable devices. It offers superb multitasking capabilities with the ability to run multiple apps side by side. Samsung just began rolling out Android 12L to the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, meaning it will deliver the same user experience as the sequel.
Wrap-Up
Despite its higher price tag, I recommend the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 over the previous iteration. Foldable phones are costly, so if you're spending big on one, I suggest you go for the latest and greatest on the market. Abundant power and a great camera are always essential bits to look for in a premium phone, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 delivers both.
You can order the Galaxy Z Fold4 in phantom black, beige, and gray green with up to 1TB of storage. The latter is available exclusively from Samsung. Trading in its predecessor and other top-shelf Samsung phones will get you up to $900 off the Fold4’s hefty sticker.
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
