First Impression: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

The all-new 2022 Samsung Galaxy Z series foldable devices – the Z Fold4 and Z Flip4 are finally here. While social media is mostly raving about the Z Fold4, the Z Flip4 is my most anticipated device from Samsung. It is simply because the Z Flip 4 is more “approachable” and budget-friendly. It is the ideal first foldable that someone can afford.

Last week, I received my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 review sample and after setting it up as my work device, here’s my first impression after using it for a few days. Disclaimer, Samsung sent the device in exchange for our unbiased opinion & review of the device.

New Old Design, but Better

Let’s start with the design. I’m sure many have pointed out how Samsung has kept the same outlook for the second year. It is a double-edged decision from Samsung. Rehashing the same chassis is fantastic for the team to focus on enhancing the hardware and software instead of worrying about integration. However, having a brand-new device that looks almost exactly like its predecessor is not an easy pill for consumers to swallow. If you value practicality over form, you will appreciate the refined Z Flip4 construction over the outgoing Z Flip3.

I like the flat frame chassis design since it is much easier to hold no matter if the phone is in folded or unfolded state. While the changes are minor, they all reflect on the outcome and how we feel while handling the device. Then again, most of the users are going to use a case anyway.

Samsung’s hardware team has done a tremendous job at improving the device’s durability. Of course, a device with a foldable display is still not for everyone, nevertheless, I believe device durability shouldn’t be the main concern for those who are on the edge of leaping.

Upgraded Primary Shooter

While the camera module might look similar to the Z Flip3, the primary shooter has received a silent upgrade. The lens is slightly wider at 24mm instead of 27mm. At the same time, the sensor is slightly bigger at 1/1.76″ as opposed to the Z Flip3’s 1/2.55″.

While the difference is not that obvious, I can tell that the camera is more “responsive”, especially in low light situations. It is a tough comparison since the Z Flip4 has a different lens, sensor, IPU and software version. That said, what customers care about is a positive user experience.

While this may not be my final verdict for the camera, do stay tuned for my review of the Z Flip4 after spending more time with it.

Less Heat Output

Another major upgrade of the Z Flip4 is the SoC. While the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 is a powerhouse, it was never a successful chip when you factor in power efficiency and heat output. The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 somehow alleviated most of the aforementioned issues, making it the better evil of the two.

While copying my data into the phone, I noticed the device didn’t heat up as much as I thought it would. The same experience applies when I’m downloading the Genshin Impact game assets. Overall, a very positive first impression!

Battery Life

On top of the temperature improvements, the Z Flip4’s battery life has got upgraded as well. Samsung manages to squeeze a 3700 mAh battery into the chassis at the expense of extra 4 grams of total weight increment. I’m pretty sure they have cut down some of the weight here and there to accommodate the bigger battery, but doing so without compromising on the build quality is a major win for the development team.

Since the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 has better power efficiency, the result is a longer battery life that should easily last you a full day of use.

Here’s a screenshot of my preliminary battery life usage curve. As you can see, I am left with 45% battery after having the phone taken off from the charger for 21 hours with 3 hours of screen on time. That is pretty impressive for a thin foldable device with a 3700 mAh battery. Don’t take this screenshot as final as the device will continue to adjust after learning my usage behaviour for some time.

First Impression

So far, I’m very happy with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. Way more than the Z Flip3 even though they may look similar. The battery life improvement basically justifies the purchase since people who purchase a Z Flip definitely don’t want to bring along a power bank. It goes to show how the company have been listening to the feedback and continues to improve its product. Stay tuned for my final verdict for the phone in few weeks time.