Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review: The foldable phone I’ve been waiting for

by



The small improvements Samsung made to the Galaxy Z Flip 4 make it arguably the best foldable phone around for curious mainstream users. Its versatility makes it more fun to use, and you’ll have to live with a shorter battery life than on traditional modern phones. But those looking for their first foldable will find the Flip 4 capable and satisfying.

Read our full story on Engadget:
https://www.engadget.com/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-4-review-camera-samples-specs-price-battery-life-170027529.html

Get More Engadget:
• Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engadget
• Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/engadget
• Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/engadget
• Read more: http://www.engadget.com

source

34 thoughts on “Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review: The foldable phone I’ve been waiting for”

  3. If you're getting the Flip 4, just be wary of the screen protector bubbling up at the crease. I finally removed mine on my Flip 3 today at Ubreakifix AKA Asurion for free. Took only 2 minutes. It was only getting bigger and annoying to look at. We'll see how it holds up without one but I do take really care of my phones and Gorilla Glass Victus is very scratch resistant.

    Had I got the screen protector replacement, it would just bubble up again after 6 to 12 months depending on much I use it which surprisingly isn't much. I think if you only use one phone, you need to go for the Flip 4 over 3 just from the battery life alone. Since I carry two phones daily, I don't need the battery life upgrade.

    My biggest concern without a screen protector is if the black cracks starts developing at the crease? From what I've read, Flip 3 is durable enough without it unlike the previous two gens. It is water-resistant and the display was much stronger than the previous ones, so I'm guessing most likely not. Be a rare case if it happens.

    If it does crack, then c'est la vie. They're just material things. Will have it recycled. Warranty expires tomorrow. Will be using my other four phones that still works fine in 2022. I do believe Flip 3 will hold up well without a screen protector. If it doesn't, then I know for sure it will be the last Z Flip I'll ever buy. I'll stick to the Motorola Razr line. I much prefer their cover displays.

    My Flip 3's crease does feel less shallower without the screen protector. It actually feels nicer. Our screen protector for these foldable flip phones is basically when they're closed.

    Reply

  6. I kept my Flip 3 for mostly sentimental reasons but that initial $900 trade-in deal to get the Flip 4 was extremely tempting. I just didn't want to go through that long process of setting up everything again. I have so many settings tweaks for every app I use. It's not like the Snapdragon 888 is ancient either. Still very fast.

    I'm also no longer chasing after the latest and greatest any more. The Flip 5 will be better than 4, and so on and so on. The happiness won't last very long. We'll get bored once the honeymoon phase is over and you'll get the newer one in a year which is essentially the same experience as the previous one. Endless loop to upgrade from all the phone salesmen on YouTube who need their views.

    I saw somebody make their Flip 4 look like a Game Boy Advance SP on Reddit. Been there, done that. Even made it look like a Nintendo DS. Been using SamSprung a day after it came out. Was originally called Zflip Launcher or something like that. Just the sentimental value is why I kept my 3.

    So many fun nights playing GameCube or PS2 games on it while in my car. It's why my cover display is the GameCube boot-up animation. I played NBA Street Vol. 2 using Dolphin MMJ and MMJR2 for 100+ hours. The 3 is what got me back playing video games. The 4 is technically better, but the 3 gave me more freshness and memories I'll never forget.

    That Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is very efficient though. But I carry multiple phones. Sometimes up to three: Razr 5G, Flip 3, and iPhone SE (2016) for music with wired headphones. I own multiple powerbanks. Add the fact I plan to lessen my Internet usage. Why would I need more battery life? Removing Internet use can boost any phone even with bad battery life by at least 3x-4x.

    I'm good with that. Flip 4 offers upgrades I don't really need. It just happens to be newer but feels more of the same. Who knows? Flip 5 will look and feel more of the same too. Smartphones no longer excite like a decade ago.

    Reply

  7. Thank you for such a detailed honest review, your reviews give real-world experiences and do not just list the specs. I am in the market to replace my Pixel 5 and am thinking of Z Flex 4 (heavily discounted to $600 CAD with 512 Gb) or Pixel 6 pro or Pixel 7(in Oct). Instead of the same old candy bar experience, I am leaning towards a Flip 4, you make it look like a lot of fun. Thank you so much for your very valuable review. Appreciated

    Reply

  14. I don’t think it worths this price until maybe z flip 6. Hopefully by then, the cover screen is much bigger, even battery life and faster charging speed with samsung dex.

    Reply

  15. I watch a lot of drama on my phone in full screen mode. I'm wondering if the crease/folding point in the centre causes any issue with this Flip 4? Whether the picture will be distorted? Can you share your views?

    Reply

  18. I'd like to see them put an eINK panel on the outer cover. Don't need a fancy color display for simple things like checking notifications, music, calendar, alarm etc. Keep a small color viewfinder for the camera if need, but otherwise the eINK would be perfect for this.

    Reply

  21. i hope it gets more improvements. the flip form is something very very personal to a lot of millennials growing up in early 2000s. i dont see it going away anytime soon as it's a way for phone companies to flex their screen tech, and also appealing to nostalgia that draws loyal milennial customers. i just got my flip 4 and i love it

    Reply

  27. Believe it or not, I convinced to buy the Z Flip 4 from your review and your experiences on Instagram using the device! I was a very long time iPhone user and after the cancellation of mini this year I decided to change my 12 mini for the new Flip. In my opinion, most people like me want the small form factor for practical reasons, not necessarily the small screen and the limiting small battery. After using the Flip 4 for a couple of days in can admit that I love it!! It combines the practicality of the pocket size (smaller than iPhone mini when folded) and the benefits of a huge 6.7” display! And for my modest using I managed to pass two and a half days of use on a single charge (for comparison, the exact same usage on 12 mini gave me about a day and the next morning even when it was new).

    I believe the future for the small phone lovers is the foldables.

    Reply

  30. The flip is best if you want to carry a smaller phone (however thicker). However, if you have the flip 3, just pull off the screen protector if it's coming loose or has bubbles. You don't really need the flip 4.

    Reply

Leave a Comment