Formula 1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton once said that he kept his weight constant throughout the season because a 1 kilogram weight gain would cause him to lose 2 seconds throughout the race. Two seconds is not a long time but separates first and second place in a Formula 1 race.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 was launched a few weeks ago with some changes that, if seen from the outside, are not very noticeable. In our first look at the device, we doubt that the Fold4 has enough changes to make users choose it over the Fold3.
After a week of using the Fold4, we can definitively say that the small changes made by Samsung this year have had a big enough impact for them to continue to remain the powerhouse of the world's foldable screen device market.
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
External Screen – 6.2″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz
Inside – 7.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz, HDR10+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 89 Gen 1 processor (4nm)
1 X 3.19 GHz Cortex X2 chip
3 X 2.75 GHz Cortex A710
4 X 1.8 GHz Cortex 510
Adreno 730 Graphics Chip
RAM 12GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage 256/512/1000 GB UFS 3.1
Primary Camera 50MP, f/1.8 Wide Angle, OIS
10MP, f/2,2 Telephoto, 3X Optical, OIS
12MP, f/2.4 Ultra Wide Angle
Outdoor Selfie Camera – 10MP f/2.2
Inside – 4MP f/1.8 UDC
4400 mAh battery
25W wired charging
15W wireless charging
4.5W reverse charging
SIM/Nano Telephony/5G
NFC Yes
No Audio Jack
IPX8 Waterproof
Scan System Side fingerprint scanner
Sale Price RM 6799 (12/256GB)
RM 7299 (12/512GB)
RM 8299 (12/1000GB)
Screen
We'd say small changes made have a pretty big impact this year. The first minor change is to the outer screen which is now 3 mm wider and shortened in height.
A change that may seem small but it finally makes the Fold4's external screen usable for typing which has been our issue since the very first Fold. With a wider screen the need to open the foldable screen all the time is greatly reduced.
The screen is still 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a resolution of 904 x 2316 pixels, 23.1:9 ratio and 120Hz. The external screen is bright and works well in direct overhead sunlight. As usual Samsung's screen technology does not disappoint. The displayed colors are also quite vivid especially in HDR10+ mode.
The internal screen is still 7.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a resolution of 1812 x 2176 pixels, 120Hz and HDR10. It also still has quite noticeable crease marks. The use of the UDC under-screen camera is also maintained, only this year it can be hidden better but can still be seen at certain angles. Samsung's UTG glass coating still feels like polyamide under the fingers but they say it is still more scratch resistant than other coatings on the market.
The crease effect is still noticeable but less distracting when watching video content and using apps. It is only noticeable when using a light colored background for example browsing the web. As Fold3 and Fold2 users, we can say that we are used to this folding effect just as iPhone users can get used to the large screen notch. So it's not a big issue. But it must be admitted that its existence is disappointing because their competitors such as Oppo, Xiaomi and Vivo have managed to produce a screen that does not show the effect of folding.
Like the external screen, the color quality on the foldable screen is very satisfactory. It's just less obvious used in bright sunlight. So when we're outside, we prefer to use the outdoor screen only because it's brighter. The device passes the HDR10+ standard and has no issues playing Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video and YouTube content in HDR mode.
Changes have been made to the hinge mechanism of the Fold4 and therefore the "backbone" of the hinge used is no longer so noticeable on this year's model. You can still feel the hinge hump when fingering the screen but this time it's not as noticeable.
The process of opening the screen also feels smoother this year. Very different from the close and open rat trap experience we had on the original Fold. With a smoother and softer mechanism, using the Fold4 feels more natural without us having to be careful every time it is opened/closed.
There is still S Pen support but we were not given a stylus to test by Samsung Malaysia. Support is still the same as last year with S Pen for Fold and S Pen Pro only can be used to avoid damage to the foldable screen. The external screen still doesn't support the S Pen like last year.
Another thing S Pen is not given any new features or improved capabilities. Still detects 4096 pressure levels, still has side control buttons and still has low latency. We understand that the usage experience is similar to that which can be experienced on the S22 Ultra.
Ura-ura S Pen will have its own storage place does not happen otherwise again it is placed outside with Samsung offering a special frame with a storage pocket located in the spine of the frame.
Design
The body design is getting flatter, smaller and lighter. The hinge is now a few millimeters thinner and smaller. When added to the metal bezel also reduced once, the Fold4 is now slightly shorter and slightly wider. It is also now only 263 grams, which is 8 grams lighter than the Fold3 and 23 grams heavier than the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The change in dimensions of the device in the open state is as below.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 – 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 – 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm
We'd say the Oppo Find N's design is the most user-friendly to date thanks to its one-handed external screen and comfortable typing. As we said in the screen section above, on the Fold4 the same thing can now be done comfortably as well because of the wider outer screen. But if we are honest, the design of Find N is more comfortable, compact, light and the external screen ratio is more conventional.
The body still has a metal frame but this time it is more flat according to the current trend. We can see it on the previous Galaxy S and Galaxy A series. Because the flat side of the device looks neater, professional and more importantly comfortable in the hand.
The power button (cum fingerprint scanner) and volume rocker are placed on the right side of the right wing of the device. While on the left side of the left wing there is a slot for the SIM card. There is nano-sized physical dual-SIM support and one eSIM. But only two SIMs can be activated simultaneously on this Fodl4. There is still no support for the now-defunct micro SD card on Samsung's flagship devices.
At the top there is an audio grille for the stereo speaker system which is matched with an audio grille at the bottom. Both have the same size for balanced audio. Finally, a USB-C charging port is also located at the bottom.
No need to worry about using the device outside as it still passes the IPX8 waterproof standard. There is no dust-proofing capability like the Galaxy S series because the hinge has some open space. So be careful when using Fold4 in sandy areas such as beaches for example.
Use And Software
The Fold4 is the first smartphone to launch with Android 12L on board as it comes with One UI 4.1.1 launcher. Although not a new operating system, Android 12L is designed specifically for foldable screen devices with a focus on facilitating simultaneous application use and Multi Window use. Samsung also promises support for four Android version updates and five years of security patches for the Fold4.
You can feel the difference in the smoothness of the application this time when compared to Fold3 which still uses Android 13 and One UI 4.1. Apps launch faster especially in the process of switching apps.
Two important small changes we will touch on here. First of all is the introduction of the Taskbar. Whenever an application is opened, a Taskbar similar to those found on Windows and macOS computers will appear at the bottom of the screen. Up to eight applications placed on the bottom bar will be minimized and placed in the Taskbar along with the two previously opened applications.
The process of switching applications is as simple as pressing the icon in the Taskbar. Using the Fold4 in this mode is the same as a desktop with application switching happening in the blink of an eye. On the Fold3 we noticed there was a bit of a lag.
Previously Taskbar was offered on Fold3 but placed on the right/left side by placing a pin on the Edge Panel. This results in the Edge Panel no longer being usable. On Fold4, the Taskbar and Edge Panel can still be accessed by users when needed.
Using Multi Window is also easier because users only need to swipe two fingers from the left or bottom side to open a secondary window to launch a second application. This feature is similar to the one introduced by Xiaomi on the Mi MIX Fold last year. To change the application in the Multi Window window is also as easy as dragging the application icon in the Taskbar to the desired window. Up to 3 applications can be used in Multi Window mode.
Continuity Mode is also still included for applications opened from the front screen to the inner screen or vice versa. Flex, on the other hand, allows the device to be used in the "L" position. On the YouTube application, for example, the top screen displays the video screen and the bottom is the comment section. This feature is not supported on all applications at this time.
Overall, the changes made to the processor and software make the use of Fold4 feel very smooth when compared to Fold3. Only then can you feel the pleasure of the 120Hz screen used. For those looking for a smartphone with the smoothest and fastest multitasking system, the Fold4 is the device for you because at the moment no one can offer a similar experience.
Bench mark
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip is paired with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 3.1 storage. The reviewed model comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Memory can reach 20GB of RAM using the RAM Plus feature that adds it virtually. Users are given the option to add 2, 4, 6 and 8 GB of RAM through RAM Plus on the Fold4.
The high specifications place the Fold4 comfortably in the class of premium flagship devices in the market because it shares a processor with the ASUS ROG Phone 6 which is a gaming device.
When the main benchmark tests are performed on the device, the scores recorded are as below. To facilitate the comparison of the scores recorded by Black Shark 5 Pro (Snapdragon 888), ROG Phone 6 (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1) and iPhone 13 Pro Max (Apple A15 Bionic) we also included.
Geekbench 5
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 – 1298/3963
ASUS ROG Phone 6 – 1312/4191
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max – 1727/4713
Black Shark 5 Pro – 1202/3693
Antutu 3D
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 – 980,346
ASUS ROG Phone 6 – 1,099,5132
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max – 789,647
Black Shark 5 Pro – 1,018,939
Wild Life Extreme
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 – 2798
ASUS ROG Phone 6 – 2786
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max – 2937
Black Shark5 Pro – 2604
The Fold4's test score isn't the highest this year but it runs smoother than 99% of other devices on the market right now because of the good software. Despite being marketed as a productivity device for professionals, it can still be used for high-end gaming sessions such as COD Mobile, Genshin Impact and Diablo Immortal. No issues playing all of these at high settings.
The device gets a little warm after a few laps on COD Mobile for example but not to extremes. Because it is not a gaming device, the cooling level is still not comparable to that offered by Black Shark 5 Pro and ROG Phone 6. The large screen offers a first experience as good as the iPad Mini tablet. When paired with accessories like the Razer Kishi V2 and the Sony DualShock 4, the Fold4 can be a portable console that can also be folded comfortably in a trouser pocket.
Telephony and GPS
The device is supported by DNB's 5G network in Malaysia. We do not subscribe to the YES network and simply use the Digi 4G LTE postpaid plan. The experience of using this network is very satisfying with voice calls being clear especially if VoLTE is activated (and supported by the telco used). The internet network is also smooth in areas with good 4G. If the cellular network in your area is not satisfactory there is VoWiFi support.
GPS performance is also very fast even in the middle of Kuala Lumpur with skyscrapers on the left and right of the road. Waze for example can detect a location in less than a second. As a phone, web browser and navigation device, the Fold4 does not disappoint.
Camera
This year's camera specifications have also been improved to answer the complaints of Fold3 users who are said to be incompatible with devices sold at a price of more than RM6000. The Galaxy S22 camera is used on this year's Fold4.
A 50MP f/1.8 wide-angle lens is paired with a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto lens and a 10MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens. Optical zoom capability increased to 3X compared to 2X last year and digital zoom up to 30X compared to 10X last year. Both the wide-angle and telephoto lenses come with the OIS optical image stabilization system which is essential to ensure satisfactory photography capabilities.
The camera on the outer screen is still 10MP f/2.2 and the under-screen selfie camera is also 4MP f/1.8. The only change is to the UDC camera which is better hidden but still visible at certain angles. The ability to record video is only up to 4K 60FPS instead of 8K 24p on the S series.
So does using the camera from the S22 make a big difference? Our answer is yes because the images appear sharper, more lively, colors are more vivid and bright. In open areas reproduction is excellent using wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses. Taking pictures of close-up objects is also beautiful with the camera having no issues focusing on the desired subject.
The night mode is very satisfying thanks to the large 50MP sensor and the OIS system. Longer exposures of up to 7 seconds can be done to get brighter night shots.
This year's 4MP under-screen camera, although improved, still does not offer satisfactory pictures. The picture looks dark, the colors don't stand out and it's not as sharp as below.
Very different from pictures taken using the main camera. With the Cover Screen Preview mode taking selfies with the 50MP main camera is easier and offers much better image quality as below.
The zoom mode is good up to about 10x zoom only. Beyond this level the picture starts to look blurry. Below are sample images using 1x, 3x, 10x and 30x zoom modes. The conclusion from the test we did the camera on the Fold4 is a corporation with its status as a flagship device.
In 90% of situations the camera does not disappoint, only the camera under the screen for selfies is still of low quality. With a better external selfie camera and being able to use the main camera, maybe the UDC camera won't need to be included on the Fold5 in the future.
Battery
There is no change to the battery capacity which is still 4400 mAh and supports 25W wired charging, 15W wireless and 4.5W reverse charging. This is perhaps the most disappointing element of the year as the S22 Ultra is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery and 45W charging. Obviously the charging format supported on the Fold4 is slow and several generations behind. Mi MIX Fold2 which was also launched this year supports 67W charging.
Even so we were able to enjoy a SOT life of 8.5 hours on moderate use and 6.5 hours on heavier use. It is able to last almost 24 hours on moderate use and around 14.5 hours on heavier use.
This good battery life is achieved because in 90% of situations we only need to use the external screen with the foldable screen open to watch Netflix and YouTube. You can see for yourself in the screenshot above. Last year in 80% of situations we had to open the screen because the external screen was not very useful. Recharging takes 90 minutes from 1% to 100%. No charger provided with every purchase.
Audio
Two side-firing stereo speakers offer balanced audio. The music and videos played can be enjoyed better because the Dolby Atmos audio system is also included. For fans of wireless audio accessories, there is AAC, SBC and LDAC coded support.
Still no room for a 3.5mm audio jack. Because of the large size of the device, the speaker can be placed on top with the hand on the side not covering the audio hole during the first session or Netflix. The Fold4's audio performance is far superior to other smartphones on the market today.
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is the best foldable screen device ever produced by Samsung. After four versions, it can finally be said to be suitable for everyday use. The issues on the previous model have almost all been successfully resolved.
The external screen can now be used in 90% of situations, the software is more multitasking friendly, the usage is very smooth, the camera is now in the benchmark class and the battery life is also better than last year. Various small changes that are made bring quite big changes.
But the foldable screen still has a folding effect, the battery is still small, charging is still slow and the camera under the screen is not yet fully hidden.
Still, if you're looking for the best foldable screen device on the market, the Fold4 is the one we're recommending right now because no one has been able to offer a better experience so far. It's true that the price of Fold4 is expensive starting at RM6799 but it's definitely worth it if you're looking for a smartphone that can also be turned into a tablet.
Pro
The external screen is now more useful.
Pretty high powered specs.
Android 12L which makes the use of multitasking very smooth.
Good camera capabilities.
S Pen support.
Long lasting battery.
IPX8 waterproof.
Android version support of 4 versions and 5 years of security patches.
Cons
The fold line is still visible on the screen.
25W charging is slow.
The UDC camera is still less than satisfactory.
Still no built-in S Pen storage.
Price increase this year.