Samsung’s next low-cost foldable device has our expectations up.
After the release of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 in the summer of 2013, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 will have a difficult challenge. Samsung improved its clamshell-style foldable phone with that model, making improvements across the board and offering a more acceptable $999 starting price.
However, there is always opportunity for improvement, particularly in the foldable phone area. It’s clear that Samsung can do better with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 when a new model comes later this year. Like its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 has the potential to be a game-changer when it comes to battery life and durability.
If the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is to become one of the greatest foldable phones on the market, we’ve compiled what we’ve heard and what we’d want to see from it.
Estimated price and release date for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Samsung is expected to have an Unpacked event for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 in August, based on historical experience. It is possible that Samsung is trying to give itself some time before Apple’s iPhone 14 launches in September by launching the Galaxy Z phones at the same time as the Note.
We don’t see Samsung changing the pricing of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 any time soon. After all, the lower starting price of $999 of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 was one of its distinguishing features. To get more people interested in foldables, Samsung has to lower the cost. According to a tweet by Ross Young, a well-known leaker, the price might fall much more.
Rumored specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is still a mystery, but a report suggests that Samsung may stick with the same internal and exterior screens of the Galaxy Z Flip 3: 6.7-inch and 1.9-inch, respectively. That makes sense, since the Flip 3’s design is excellent and the external display is really helpful.
A variant of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 featuring an under-display camera has also been rumoured, according to the aforementioned reports from Samsung. Hope this isn’t it, considering how bad it was with the Galaxy Z Fold 3. According to the leak’s source, Samsung is considering redesigning the hinge of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 to reduce the overall weight of the device. To us, the Oppo Find N’s gapless design is all that matters.
Although it’s not yet confirmed, rumour has it that the Galaxy Z Flip 4 will sport a 3,300 mAh battery like its predecessor. The Flip’s lack of battery life is one of its main flaws, so unless Samsung has a secret weapon, that may be a massive disappointment.
Another resemblance may be a fingerprint sensor that is attached to the power button. Under-display fingerprint sensors for Samsung’s foldables have been in the works for a while, but they’ve been put on hold for now because of the Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4.
It is possible that the phone may be renamed later this year. As a possible reaction to Russia’s use of the letter Z as a symbol of support for the invasion of Ukraine, certain European nations are now selling the latest model as the Galaxy Flip 3. Next year’s phone, the Galaxy Flip 4, may be renamed to avoid confusion with the Galaxy Z.
Expectations for Samsung’s next Galaxy Z Flip 4 smartphone
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 was a significant upgrade over the first model. However, it was far from flawless. With the debut of the Galaxy Z Flip 4, we believe Samsung should fix some of these shortcomings.
Battery life is improved.
The battery life of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 was dismal at best. In Tom’s Guide’s battery life test, the adaptive refresh rate setting didn’t even last six hours. That’s a bad sign. Because of its 120Hz internal displays and bigger cover display, we believe that this was a contributing factor. If you choose the Galaxy Z Flip 3, as we suggested in our review, be sure to have a charger close at hand.
We’d want to see the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s battery life become better. Samsung may not be able to meet this simple requirement unless they increase the size of their power packs. This isn’t going to be a game changer on its own with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
Increased robustness
We’ve seen instances of Galaxy Z Flip 3 handsets failing after only a few months of use, despite Samsung’s efforts to improve the durability of its previous foldables. Even while we can’t corroborate these claims with our own experience, hearing that phones don’t last a year is troubling. Foldables have a long way to go in this area.
It would be fantastic if the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s durability and lifespan continued to improve. For $999, you don’t want to buy a phone that will fail or become unusable in a few of months.
Hinge with no gaps
When it comes to folding phones, Oppo has beaten Samsung in one critical area: the design of their hinges. The hinge of the Oppo Find N is completely gapless. Because there is no space between the displays at the hinge, it should protect the interior screens from dust and other harm.
We’d want to see the Galaxy Z Flip 4 (and Galaxy Z Fold 4) embrace a gapless hinge design. Take a cue from Oppo’s strategy, Samsung.
Improved battery life
Wired charging on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is woefully sluggish compared to the industry and even more so for phones that cost more than $1,000. When phones like the OnePlus 9 Pro can charge at 65W, we hoped to see the Flip 3 charge considerably quicker, particularly with how terrible the battery life was.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 should come with 25W at the absolute least, which is what the Galaxy S22 checks in at. (The Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy S22 Plus charge @ 45W wired.)
A wide-angle lens
Samsung omitted a telephoto lens on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 presumably to keep prices down. In addition to the phone’s primary camera, there was an ultrawide camera as well. We believe the absence of a 3x telephoto lens on the Flip 3 is glaring in comparison to the $999 Galaxy S22 Plus.
Even if it just has a 2x or 2.5x zoom, a telephoto lens for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is something we’d want to see. Samsung may have a hard time justifying the loss of camera capability while making the switch to a foldable phone.