Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: Brand New Design & Software Updates

The foldables were definitely the highlight of the Samsung Unpacked Event, the Galaxy Z Flip & Fold 4 are impressive for sure. The South Korean tech giant continues to develop its foldable phone design with the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which goes on sale on August 26 and begins at $1,800.

The new book-style foldable phone, introduced at Wednesday’s Unpacked presentation, features a tweaked design that should make it simpler to operate in phone mode. It will also get updated software that takes use of its foldable screen, as well as regular CPU and camera improvements.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: What’s New?

Samsung was an early market participant, releasing its first Galaxy Fold gadget in 2019. According to Display Supply Chain Consultants and Omdia estimations, it leads the foldable phone market by a large margin in terms of shipments. However, foldable phones account for just a small portion of the overall mobile phone industry. The new Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 are Samsung’s latest attempts to alter that by addressing some of the most common complaints about prior versions, perhaps making foldables more attractive to a wider audience.

Display & Design

When closed, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 features a bigger cover screen that looks more like a standard, nonfolding phone. Because the Z Fold 4’s screen isn’t as thin, the tweak makes applications seem more natural. The change is evident when compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 3, but the display is still not as large as a conventional phone like the Galaxy S22 or iPhone 13.

Samsung is also doing more to make the Galaxy Z Fold 4 functional when folded halfway. When the Z Fold is propped open, Flex mode distributes an app across the top and bottom sides of the screen. You can use a smart switch app on one side and answer text on the other.You’ll be able to use the bottom half of the screen as a trackpad to control content on the top half, much like a laptop’s touchpad.

Because you won’t have to block the top section of the screen with your finger as you scroll, browsing applications in Flex mode should be simpler. This capability is also available on the recently released Galaxy Z Flip 4, and Samsung says it will consider extending it to previous Galaxy Z Fold and Flip devices. Samsung also claims that the Z Fold 4 is the first gadget to come with Android 12L, the tablet-optimized version of Android. The redesigned task bar on the Z Fold 4 is one of the most apparent Android 12 enhancements, and it should make toggling between applications more straightforward.

The basic look of the Z Fold 4 is similar, but Samsung says it has a stronger construction. Gorilla Glass Victus Plus protects the exterior, while the interior tablet-sized display is supposed to be 45% more robust. Samsung also claims that the inside screen of the Z Fold 4 is brighter than that of its predecessor, and that the internal under-display camera is less visible. The Z Fold 4 is also S Pen compatible, as was the prior model.

Camera

The camera and CPU advancements you’d expect from an annual phone update are coming to the Galaxy Z Fold 4. The camera is notable; Samsung is improving the Z Fold 4’s triple lens camera system to a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens. The optical zoom on the telephoto lens is 3x, while the digital zoom is 30x. Samsung is also introducing the better low-light photography of the Galaxy S22 to the Z Fold 4 and Flip 4.

Most folks who are interested in the Galaxy Z Fold are probably more interested in the phone’s massive inner screen than in the camera. However, at such a premium price, the Z Fold 4 should have a camera that meets or surpasses that of Samsung’s non-folding phones. The cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 are unquestionably an improvement over the 12-megapixel wide, telephoto, and ultrawide lenses on the Z Fold 3. However, the Galaxy S22 Ultra remains Samsung’s top-tier camera phone.

Processor & OS

The Z Fold 4 will also be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, a newer and somewhat enhanced version of the technology featured in the Galaxy S22 range. The battery capacity stays same at 4,400 mAh, which is unfortunate since CNET’s Patrick Holland was unhappy with the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s battery life.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is, in general, a more refined and polished version of the Galaxy Z Fold 3. After about three years, Samsung seems to be acquiring a better idea of who these products are for. With its huge screen and S Pen support, Samsung is pitching the Z Fold 4 as a productivity gadget, similar to the now-defunct Galaxy Note. With that approach established, Samsung can concentrate on providing new capabilities that are unique and exclusive to the Z Fold, rather than just ensuring applications run seamlessly across the Fold’s various screen sizes.

Last Thoughts

The Z Fold 4 is still a difficult sell at $1,800. While these new capabilities are encouraging, they may not be enough to persuade non-foldable phone owners. However, it is a step closer to determining what function, if any, foldables may play in our lives.