We can’t start this review without admitting the obvious: this is a niche, high-cost phone that targets a specific profile. This profile corresponds to people who are very fanatical about technology, who update their phone year after year and who also have the resources to acquire a phone with these characteristics.
And it is that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 borders almost 2 million Chilean pesos. And although if we go to “the numbers” this new version is not groundbreaking compared to the previous one, it fulfills its model promise: to be the most incredible smartphone of the year for technology enthusiasts and advanced Android users.
With its many powerful multitasking features, stylus pen support, large foldable screen, it’s definitely a device that looks like it’s from the future. Tablet and phone at the same time. And while it doesn’t look like it at first glance, it does have revolutionized aesthetic details, like a smaller hinge, smaller bezels around the front display, and a slightly different screen aspect ratio. A necessary aesthetic evolution, since the system to double the screen with each generation is less noticeable.
The general of this new team
The processor is new. We now have the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 flagship processor on board. Although the Z Fold 4 maintains the same 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM as its predecessor, when paired with this new processor, performance improves.
Let’s go back to the general. When folded, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a candy bar-shaped phone that, to some, may seem like “two phones together”. It is something that design, from its beginnings, has evoked. And that’s still the idea, since it’s not very thin at all. Although one might think that it weighs more (it is only 263 grams).
The cameras
This equipment, evolved for its times, also brings us better cameras. Its Wide and Ultra Wide cameras are improved and also have 3X optical zoom instead of 2X. Highlighting these areas, we have a module that is practically identical to the module of its predecessor: it is vertical, in the form of a pill, with three cameras and a flash.
But what has changed are those cameras, which are now almost identical to the ones included in the Galaxy S22. There’s a 50-megapixel wide main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with OIS and 3X optical zoom. Combined with digital zoom, the zoom play on the Z Fold 4 goes up to 30X (12X in video mode), and the results are pretty good.
Battery, aesthetics and others
The battery remains at 4400 mAh. Something practical, one of those things that we love to evaluate, is the act of opening it. Enough. It would have been nice if a kind of “wedge” or space had been left. Well, if your nails are too short, or your hands are wet (summer and heat are coming for the southern hemisphere), it is a bit difficult to unfold it.
Audio? Supreme. We’ve got dual stereo speaker grilles, one on the top and bottom sides of the Z Fold 4, plus a USB Type-C charging port on the latter. On the sides we have the volume keys, and a power key with a built-in fingerprint reader. There is no in-display fingerprint scanner here. For those who were hoping, unfortunately there is also no slot for the S Pen stylus. If you prefer something like that, go for the S22 Ultra. But beware: it is compatible with SPen.
Screens: inside and out
There’s something we’d like to take a closer look at: the smaller outer screen (also known as a “cover screen”). It is the first face that this team presents to us, before deploying it. And it’s great quality! We have a 6.2-inch High Dynamic AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz.
High quality: It’s super smooth and the fact that it’s AMOLED means solid blacks, vibrant colors and an overall beautiful experience when using it. And what can you use the cover screen for? You can do it all: answer calls, reply to texts, browse social media apps. It’s like using the computer being “thinner”.
What if we take it to its tablet mode? The experience you paid for: Its gorgeous, large, flexible 7.6-inch screen. Dynamic AMOLED again, 120Hz support again, amazing again. Watching YouTube videos and movies, playing games, scrolling through social media apps, or browsing the web on this screen is an experience on another level.
It’s a phone, it’s a tablet, it’s Superman! No, but it can even act similar to a connected desktop PC with Samsung DeX. If you’re a tech enthusiast, this is Samsung’s take on the future.
If you are a user who likes to take advantage of equipment for a long time and you already have a Fold 3, maybe you should wait one or two more generations. But one thing is clear: it may not be a revolution. between generation and generation, but it is clear that Samsung is improving the details, power and aesthetics year after year by listening to its audience.
It is a phone of excellent quality, and I would not expect less (Look at that price!). Ideal for executives looking for a large team and the best optimization to work on documents, excel spreadsheets and also enjoy multimedia content with all the quality of a table. Formidable cameras and an exquisite design, undoubtedly transform this team not only into a powerful titan, but also into a “chiche” worthy of being shown around.