Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Review: Unfolding the Future of Smartphones

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is a premium foldable phablet, unveiled on August 10, 2022, and launched globally on August 26, 2022. As the 4th generation of Samsung’s Z Fold lineup, it was the first device to ship with Android 12L—Google’s optimized OS for large screens—and debuted the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip for enhanced performance. Targeting power users, business professionals, and productivity enthusiasts, it refined the foldable form factor with improved durability, an upgraded 50 MP main camera, and S Pen compatibility, cementing its status as a leading multitasking flagship.

1. Key Specifications

Category	Details
Displays	– Main (Inner): 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 2176×1812 (QXGA+) resolution; 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate; 1000 nits (HBM); under-display camera; S Pen support (S Pen Fold Edition/Pro required)- Cover (Outer): 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 2316×904 (HD+) resolution; 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm); 3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 + 3×2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 + 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510; Adreno 730 GPU; 12 GB / 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM
Storage	256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB UFS 3.1 internal storage; no microSD slot; Nano-SIM + eSIM support
Camera System	– Rear: 50 MP wide (f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel AF); 12 MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 123° FoV); 10 MP telephoto (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS, 30x Space Zoom); 4K@30/60 fps video recording- Cover: 10 MP (f/2.2, AF); 4K@30 fps video- Under-Display (Inner): 4 MP (f/1.8); 1080p@30 fps video
Battery	4,400 mAh non-removable dual-cell; 25 W Super Fast Charging; 15 W Qi wireless charging; 4.5 W Wireless PowerShare
Software	Android 12L + One UI 4.1; officially upgradable to Android 14 + One UI 6.0
Connectivity	5G (sub-6 GHz; mmWave in select regions); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 ax); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC; GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo/QZSS; USB-C 3.2 Gen 1; IPX8 water resistance
Design & Build	Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus+ (cover) / Gorilla Glass Victus (back); dimensions (folded): 155.1×67.1×14.2–15.8 mm; (unfolded): 155.1×130.1×6.3 mm; weight: 263 g; colors: Phantom Black, Beige, Graygreen, Burgundy
Sensors	Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, hall sensor, ambient light sensor

2. Core Features & Innovations

2.1 Enhanced Multitasking with Android 12L & Taskbar

Android 12L: Optimized for large screens, with better window management and two-pane UI support for apps like email and calendar.
PC-like Taskbar: Provides one-tap access to favorite/recent apps, plus drag-and-drop for split-screen or pop-up windowsSamsung Global Newsroom.
Flex Mode: Hinge at 75–115° enables dual-screen workflows (e.g., video calls + notes, camera preview + settings).
Swipe Gestures: Instantly switch full-screen apps to pop-up windows or split views for intuitive multitaskingSamsung Global Newsroom.

2.2 S Pen & Productivity Tools

S Pen Compatibility: Works with S Pen Fold Edition/Pro for precise writing, drawing, and annotation in Samsung Notes/PenUp.
Samsung DeX: Wireless/USB-C desktop mode for document editing, video conferencing, and PC-like multitasking.
Secure Folder: Encrypted space for sensitive data, protected by biometrics.

2.3 Camera Upgrades

50 MP Wide Camera: 23% brighter sensor, larger pixels, and improved night mode for sharper low-light shotsSamsung Global Newsroom.
3x Optical Zoom: Telephoto lens delivers clearer zoomed images vs. Z Fold3’s 2x; 30x Space Zoom for long-range shots.
Dual Preview & Rear Cam Selfie: Use cover/main display to frame shots; rear cameras for high-res selfies with Flex ModeSamsung Global Newsroom.

2.4 Durability & Design

Armor Aluminum Frame: Thinner and stronger than Z Fold3; reduced hinge gap minimizes dust ingress.
Gorilla Glass Victus+ (Cover): Better scratch/drop resistance for the outer display.
IPX8 Water Resistance: Protected against water immersion up to 1.5 m for 30 minutes (no dust rating).

2.5 Performance & Battery

Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: 4 nm process for 10% faster CPU/GPU performance and 30% better power efficiency vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
4,400 mAh Dual-Cell Battery: All-day usage with 25 W wired charging (0–50% in ~30 minutes) and wireless charging support.

3. Market Position & Reception

Target Audience: Power users, business professionals, and content creators prioritizing multitasking, large-screen productivity, and stylus input. It competed with the OPPO Find N2 and Huawei Mate Xs 2.
Critical Reception: Praised for Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance, 50 MP camera, and refined multitasking; criticized for no microSD slot, high price ($1,799 for 256 GB), and under-display camera quality.
Sales Performance: Outperformed Z Fold3, with strong demand in North America and Asia, driven by enterprise adoption and productivity-focused marketing.