Light and Long Lasting: Hands On With Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 4, Z Fold 4
Get ready to flip out. Samsung just announced its Galaxy Flip 4 and Fold 4 folding phones. They're not a radical move for Samsung; the phones are an update to the successful Flip 3 and Fold 3, with longer battery life, more durable screens, and better cameras.
Samsung also today announced two new Galaxy Watch 5 models as well as new Buds 2 Pro earbuds. For more on the new smartwatches, see our hands on.
The Samsung Galaxy Flip and Fold are the only successful foldables in the US right now. Motorola keeps making stabs at the market with its Razr phones, but it hasn't updated the US model of the Razr since 2020. According to Samsung, about 70% of foldable buyers choose the $999 Flip, while the other 30% choose the $1,799 Fold.
Our reviews of last year's Flip 3 and Fold 3 were generally positive. Our major concerns were the Flip's battery life and cameras, and the Fold's cameras and weight. Samsung says it gave this year's Flip better cameras and longer battery life, and I can tell you from my hands on that the new Fold feels lighter. (It's 9.27 ounces to the Z Fold 3's 9.6.)
The new phones have faster, more power-efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processors, like the OnePlus 10T does. Both phones have what Samsung says is a "45% tougher" main screen panel.
The two phones will go on sale on Aug. 26 with preorders starting today, Samsung says. The Z Flip 4 starts at $999.99, and the Z Fold 4 starts at $1,799.99. The Buds 2 Pro cost $229.99. Samsung has trade-in deals for all of its products that considerably lower the effective prices.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 feels a lot like the Z Flip 3. Side by side, you see the slimmer hinge and how that lets it fit a little more easily into a pocket, but the difference is subtle and you have
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