The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the latest foldable phone from Samsung, but how does it stack up to the more mainstream Samsung Galaxy S22? We found out.
In many ways, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the best foldable phone for most people interested in foldable technology. It utilizes its folding screen to create a more compact device, reminiscent of classic flip phones, and is almost half the price of its big brother, the Z Fold 4. However, before flipping for the Flip 4, it’s worth taking a look at how it stacks up to Samsung’s more mainstream mobile phone, the Samsung Galaxy S22. After all, why pay more for the Z Flip 4 if you can get as good an experience out of the Galaxy S22? We took a look at the two phones to see how they stack up.
These are two radically different phones. The S22 is a slab with no moving parts, while the Flip 4 folds in half. However, when unfolded, they actually have similar dimensions; but when folded, the Flip 4 measures 84.9mm by 71.9mm by 17.1mm. Basically, it reduces in length by 50% but doubles in thickness in a very similar manner to an old-school flip phone.
The advantage for the Flip 4 here is that you don’t need as long of a pocket to carry it in, making it ideal for carrying in a bag, purse, or short pocket. This extra thickness when folded may make it bulge out more in some pockets, and so the change in overall size is more of a readjustment of shape than a reduction in volume. Whether or not this design is actually beneficial to you will depend largely on the clothes you wear or the accessories you regularly carry.
Beyond size and foldability, the Flip 4 and the S22 are largely similar in their layout, except that the Flip 4 has an exterior 1.9-inch cover screen beside its camera array. This allows you to check notifications and the time and take selfies using the main camera, all without having to fully open the phone.
The Flip 4 features a larger 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X 1080 x 2640 pixel display, compared to the 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X 1080 x 2340 pixel display of the Galaxy S22. Both phones have great-looking displays and run at up to 120Hz, though it’s important to note that Flip 4’s screen isn’t as durable as the S22’s, and it still has a crease in the middle where it folds. Because of those caveats, which one has the better display is really a matter of personal preference.
The folding screen of the Flip 4 is inherently more delicate than a rigid, unmoving slab like the S22. It’s unfortunately a simple physical fact that moving parts are more vulnerable to wear and damage than unmoving parts.
The biggest problem with the Flip 4 can be seen in its IPX8 rating. In such a rating, the first number after “IP” denotes resistance to solids (such as dust and sand), while the second number indicates its resistance to water. The rating of “X” for solids means that the Flip 4 has practically no resistance to dust and other solids, while the rating of 8 for liquids means it can be fully immersed in water down to a depth of 1.
