Galaxy Z Flip 5G: Those who are early adopters of Samsung foldable and are looking to upgrade, might think about switching from the Galaxy Z Flip 5G to the Galaxy Z Flip 4. The new Samsung clamshell foldable has an improved display, a more extensive cover screen, more features, a larger battery, and other improvements. Surprisingly, the megapixel count of the camera has remained consistent across the four generations of the Galaxy Z Flip lineup. But are the upgrades enough to entice you to purchase the most current device?
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G Design and display
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is narrower and thinner than the Z Flip 5G. The former feels more solid in the hand and has a higher build quality than the latter. Samsung also found a way to add water resistance to the Galaxy Z Flip 3, and the Galaxy Z Flip 4 retains the IPX8 rating.
While the Z Flip 4 is four grams heavier than the Z Flip 5G, the weight difference is unlikely to be noticeable when held side by side. The fingerprint sensor position is the only thing that hasn’t changed since the first-generation Flip. It is still on the device’s right edge. In terms of display, the Flip 5G featured an AMOLED display but lacked the Flip 4’s 1Hz-120Hz high refresh rate. But the first thing you’ll notice isn’t the main display.
The cover screen is what you’ll notice first. The Z Flip 4 now has a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED screen instead of the 1.06-inch Super AMOLED cover display found on the Flip 5G. As a result, the cover display is more intuitive than ever, particularly with the addition of widgets.
Whereas the Z Flip 5G’s cover screen could only be used to check the time and take selfies, the Z Flip 4’s cover screen can be used for much more, including viewing and responding to notifications, adjusting some quick settings, viewing the weather, and controlling music playback.
The resolution of the main screen remains unchanged at 2640 1080 pixels, which is unusual for four generations in a row on any of the best Android phones, but the display is now brighter at 1300 nits peak brightness. And, because the Z Flip 5G is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, it feels much slower than the Z Flip 4’s 120Hz smoothness.
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Cameras
The camera megapixel count has not changed between the Flip 5G and the Flip 4. Both clamshell devices have dual rear cameras. A 12MP primary camera with OIS and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens with a 123-degree field of view are included. A 10MP shooter is located on the front, but the Flip 4’s selfie shooter has a wider 80-degree field of view, allowing for better group photos. Similarly, the Z Flip 4’s 12MP main camera has a 65% brighter sensor for better low-light photography.
While the cameras appear to be the same on paper, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 offers superior camera performance thanks to a new chipset and fine-tuned camera algorithms. It captures more detailed and colorful images than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G. Furthermore, the Flip 4 can record videos in 4K at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240 frames per second, and 720p at 960 frames per second. Neither handset prioritizes camera performance, but the Flip 4 delivers the improvements you’d expect after two generations.
Performance and battery
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G+ processor was paired with 8GB of RAM in the Galaxy Z Flip 5G. While the amount of RAM on the latest offering remains the same, the processor has changed significantly over the years. The Galaxy Z Flip 5G included 256GB of internal storage as well as a 3,300mAh battery. It supported 15W fast charging and wireless charging of the phone or other devices via Wireless PowerShare. The Flip 5G’s battery life was nothing to write home about, with it barely making it through a full day of normal use.
The latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor powers the Galaxy Z Flip 4, which is significantly more power efficient and has improved NPU, GPU, and CPU performance. As a result, you get better cameras, longer battery life, and overall performance. It has 8GB of RAM and three storage variants, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options from Samsung. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 has a larger 3,700mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging. In other words, you can extend your day and recharge faster than before.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G Software and updates
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G was released with Android 10 and is now nearing the end of its life. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 comes pre-installed with Android 12 and a more advanced One UI 4.1.1. The new smartphone will last longer, with major Android updates and security patches arriving long after the Z Flip 5G’s last update.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Because of the latest Qualcomm processor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 performs better. As a result, it captures better images than the original Flip while also being more power efficient. Samsung’s latest clamshell foldable also has a larger battery and a larger, more intuitive cover display.
Combine all of these improvements with proper water resistance, a slimmer hinge, and longer software support, and you’re in for a treat with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. If you’re a Flip 5G user looking to keep the form factor but upgrade, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 has more than enough to justify its purchase.
Price and availability
The base 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant of the Galaxy Z Flip 5G was priced at $1449. Samsung has reduced the starting price of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 to $999, with the same amount of RAM but less storage (128GB). Bespoke Edition allows you to personalize your Flip 4.
The Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, and Blue colorways of the Z Flip 4 are now available. However, the availability of the color options will be market-dependent. It is widely available at all major retailers.
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