It’s the 10th day of August 2022, the day set aside for the summer launch of new devices, the Samsung Unpack Event. However, Samsung isn’t releasing many significant surprises today, and the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is holding the line. The newest version of Samsung’s smaller foldable device features some subtle but significant improvements, including a larger battery, improved camera technology, and a more durable main display. Additionally, there are several additional colours that you can combine to make your device a “bespoke” Flip 4. However, if you were hoping for a price cut, we’ve got some bad news for you: the price still starts at $999, which is still in the higher tiers of smartphone pricing by foldable standards but is still affordable.
The Flip 4 has an updated chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 (along with 8GB of RAM), which is present in virtually every premium Android phone released this year that isn’t built by Google. Samsung straightened out the phone’s formerly curved edges, shaving off a few millimetres in width and height. The hinge is also a touch smaller. However, the thickness is unchanged: 17.1mm at the hinge and 15.9mm at the junction of the display’s ends, meaning that the gap when the phone is folded is the same size.
This time around, the main screen remains 6.7 inches with a variable refresh rate of 120Hz, and it is reportedly 45% stronger due to modifications in the display structure and stronger ultra-thin glass. This year’s adhesive is also stronger, keeping the (very important) screen protector in place. We are all taught that when the adhesive slips, awful things happen. The total durability score remained constant. It remains IPX8, meaning that it has strong water resistance and robust dust resistance.
The cover screen is still somewhat small at 1.9 inches. However, there are other things you can do with the cover screen, including accessing Samsung Wallet or sending quick text answers. There will also be an optional SmartThings widget for quick access to smart home management. Selfie previews with the same photo ratio as the finished image will also be displayed on the cover screen.
Although subtle, there is a noticeable difference in appearance between Samsung’s latest model and its predecessors. The Flip 4 feels less like it was designed with folding in mind and more like a regular, excellent flagship phone that just so happens to fold in half. The smooth aluminium rails, the cleaner edges and corners, and the flatter hinge make a good impression. It appears to be what the Flip should have looked like from the beginning for this fashion-focused phone. Simply put, Samsung needed to make one more version to get there.
The 3,300mAh battery from last year is increased to 3,700mAh. The Flip 3 easily made it through a full day of use of testing, but having longer battery life is never a bad thing. The rate of wired charging has increased to 25W from 15W. The same 10W speed of wireless charging is still available.
The main camera gains some updated hardware. The chip is still 12 megapixels, but Samsung doesn’t specify how much larger the sensor and pixels are this years (1.8 mm vs. 1.4 mm). Optical stabilization is still included, which is something that any $999 phone must have. Both the 10-megapixel selfie camera and the 12-megapixel ultrawide remain. Starting today, you may place a preorder for the Flip 4, which will be delivered on August 26. Bora purple, graphite, and new pink-gold and blue choices are among the colours available.