I spent six months with a Galaxy Z Flip 3, loved the Z Flip 4, and yet a month with the Galaxy Z Fold 4 was enough to convince me of its usefulness.
I spend six months with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 in your pocket. I was then able to test Galaxy Z Flip 4. In the articles that followed these two experiences, I have been able to emphasize on many occasions how much I felt it was, in my view, a really new way of experimenting with smartphones, in the sense that a physical limitation completely changed my relationship with this sometimes too pushy little creature. After letting a little water run under the bridges, I spent a month with the Galaxy Z Fold 4, whose appeal I didn’t see until now. Well, let me tell you I was wrong.
My phone speaks to me differently
One thing that I find particularly interesting about foldable smartphones is that they change the way I use them very naturally compared to a normal phone. The change happens almost without me realizing it, and when it comes time to take stock, I notice that my behavior has changed. And all I have to do is reap the rewards and tell you about the experience.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is totally in this vein. Perhaps what changed the most was my dynamics when I was using my phone. Usually, with each smartphone, you have a single screen in front of you that allows you to do everything: reply to messages, view content, manage your music, etc. As a result, you are forced to change tempo, practice in one and the same room.
Everything is different there. I quickly developed two diametrically opposed applications for each screen. The remote served me for all the very quick tasks: change music on my widget Spotify Where Youtube musicrespond quickly to a colleague, link my wireless headphones, etc. Basically, what I would call all newbies. But as soon as I wanted to go a little deeper, enjoy video content, manage my calendar, play a game… the internal screen opened my arms. Besides, I’ve never enjoyed so many sessions of SVoD alone in bed at night with this screen. Plus, it’s done right: you can have a completely different layout with the internal screen and the external screen, really separating the experiences.
The “Widget King”
I find a bit of the same dynamics here as with the Z Flip, namely an external screen to manage daily life and an internal screen to really use the device to the fullest. Only there, when you unfold, you don’t have a “simple smartphone”, but a tablet, no more and no less. In this we can clearly say that the Fold is superior to the Flip, I have to bring myself to admit it.
You can see this better if you are a fan, like me, of widgets. Usually I have to make choices in the messages I post. There I could roll around in it without shame, displaying huge sized widgets that take up all the space like the World’s, while leaving a little space for Google Photos, todoist and others. The large internal screen is also a real pleasure in terms of productivity and this is greatly enhanced by the latest additions in screen layout. Very easy to use, just learn two or three gestures to really enjoy it. The Flip offers it here too, but in a much less powerful way due to lack of space.
In short, the Galaxy Z Fold is a real delight for anyone who sees the appeal of a tablet, but doesn’t have one yet. When you consider the price of Samsung’s high-end tablets and S-line phones, you could argue that buying a £1799 Fold 4 would end up being cheaper than an S22 plus a Tab S8, regardless of models. And all without having to juggle between two devices. Again, I have to admit defeat, my Flip can’t.
Worry and hassle
Speaking of the Flip, I found one of the flaws of this Fold: the concern that its sturdiness can cause. I speak here voluntarily of a feeling and not of a certainty, since I did not have to regret any concern. But I’ve found elements that lead me to believe that the Z Fold 4 will eventually run into the same reliability issues that I found after 6 months of Z Flip.
By this I mean that the screen had a little more trouble opening from time to time, as if some dust had gotten into the hinge. Keep in mind that the Z Fold 4 is IPX8 and is therefore sensitive to dust. On the editors’ long-term tested Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, this resulted in a phone that no longer opens at 100%, but something close to 99.8%. As for the screen itself, there is no reason for me to doubt that after a few months it will fall victim to a phenomenon of micro-scratches observed by many users, including yours truly.
Another element that leads me to tell you that beware, not everything is rosy in the land of the Z Fold: it’s not always easy to type with this phone. We are given the choice between a screen that is too narrow where the fingers always type next to it or a screen that is too large where the fingers are always stretched. It used to be said that you have to suffer to be handsome or beautiful, we will say here that it is the price you have to pay to be ahead of your time. A very small price if you ask us.
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