Smartphone, tablet, camera, video camera, computer. All this in a compact, convenient device that fits in any pocket. This is what Samsung Galaxy Fold4 looks like.
At first glance, it may seem that there are almost no differences from the previous models in this series, but this is not entirely true. Every year Samsung refines its smartphones, improves details and adds new features. Galaxy Fold4 is no exception.
Over the past few years, the Fold series has earned a great reputation – mainly as a business device. You can view and fill in a spreadsheet, prepare a presentation, or hold a video conference. This is facilitated by the large screen and the ability to place the smartphone on a table, i.e. bend it in half. Instead of carrying two or three devices with you, you can do everything on one. In addition, the Galaxy Fold4 works at the highest level, and the build quality is excellent. Hinges, speakers, a fingerprint reader, and even a single unpleasant hole for the camera in the expanded screen, although there is a selfie camera, of course. The attention to detail is what allows us to finally call Fold4 a refined and mature device. I use this word intentionally, because Fold4 is more than just an unusually shaped smartphone.
Let’s find out in more detail why Samsung Galaxy Fold4 can be called an amazing multitasking device.
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Modernized design
Samsung paid a lot of attention to the design of the smartphone’s hinges. In addition to the internal screen, in my opinion, this is the second most important thing that ensures the high functionality of the device. The hinges are quite rigid, so you can open the screen at any angle, and you don’t have to worry about the smartphone closing unexpectedly. You can also adjust the position of the screen, for example, based on the angle at which light falls on it if the device is used outdoors.
It may seem like a small thing, but it also determines whether we are comfortable using the device or not. Comfort is guaranteed here. Thanks to this design, Galaxy Fold4 is ideal for video conferencing, urgent online meetings, etc. In the advanced settings, you can hide the background to maintain privacy and block out ambient noise. You can also use automatic tracking to ensure that the image is always focused on a specific person. The features work in Meet, Messenger, and WhatsApp.
In addition, Galaxy Fold4 is made of extremely durable and high-quality materials. The aluminum frame provides sufficient rigidity. Samsung guarantees that the device will withstand 200,000 open-close cycles. This guarantees 5 years of use if you open and close the smartphone 100 times a day. In addition, Galaxy Fold4 meets the IPX8 standard, which means it is waterproof and protected from dust and dirt.
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Amazing displays
Of course, the most important part here is the large, almost square internal display with an aspect ratio of 5:6 and a diagonal of 7.6 inches. It’s a Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz. The maximum brightness is 1200 nits, which allows you to work comfortably in any conditions. It is worth noting the excellent quality, color accuracy, saturation and brightness. Here, of course, Samsung is the leader among manufacturers in the field of displays. But I liked its proportions and size the most.
This makes it very convenient to split the screen, with two applications opening side by side or one above the other. The problem of the selfie camera hole has finally disappeared. In last year’s version, although the lens was hidden under the display, it was still clearly visible. In the updated Galaxy Fold4, it is almost invisible, and we have a beautiful, modern screen without any notches or holes for the selfie camera.
There are no complaints about the external screen either. Although some people may still find it too narrow (23.1:9 aspect ratio). However, contrary to my fears, I most often performed basic actions on it, for example, making calls, viewing the mailbox, responding to SMS or messages in instant messengers.
Samsung OneUi software
Without decent software, even the most complex shape of a smartphone will be a fad at most, not an advantage. Nowadays, creating a foldable smartphone is not an art. The main thing is to customize the software that allows you to maximize its capabilities. Samsung is definitely the leader in this regard. The Korean company has the most experience and a great understanding of what can be done with such a screen.
Of course, such dimensions are designed for multitasking. For the first time, Samsung has provided users with a special panel at the bottom of the screen that displays recently used applications. But the most interesting feature is the ability to immediately attach pairs of programs to this panel, which will automatically open simultaneously in two windows. And you can choose to do it horizontally or vertically. If you don’t like this bar, you can easily remove it: just hold your finger on it longer and the bar will disappear, so there’s no problem with the “cut-out display”. If you want to return the panel, hold your finger down again and it will appear.
That is, we can pin a couple of programs to the bottom panel and then open them with a single click. This makes it possible to work with a maximum of three programs at the same time, also in a floating window.
Oddly enough, I found it extremely convenient to answer emails or messages on the smaller screen of the Samsung Galaxy Fold4. When we bend the screen in half, a keyboard is displayed at the bottom – large enough to allow you to type without problems, i.e. without errors. In other words, I didn’t have to open my smartphone all the time to respond to a chat message or an email. A smaller screen could easily handle this task. Making and receiving calls is also the best thing about it.
I’m sure you’ll like Flex mode, which allows you to watch videos and other content without interruption if you need to open your device. This feature will automatically move all open apps from the external to the home screen without restarting them.
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Highest performance with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Even the most advanced features will be useless if the components are weak. In the Galaxy Fold4, the Korean company uses the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, so the device can handle any task. It should also be noted that the Galaxy Z Fold4 is one of the best Android smartphones when it comes to storing files, photos, and videos in the device’s memory. We have 12 GB of RAM at our disposal, and it is also possible to increase it by 8 GB with the RAM Plus feature. This is an incredible almost 20 GB of RAM! This was unimaginable a few years ago.
Thanks to this, you can safely interrupt your work even for a few hours if someone calls you or sends you important messages – your work will be waiting for you.
And the processor makes Galaxy Fold4 ideal not only for work but also for relaxing in your free time. Playing on a smartphone with such performance and a large screen is a pleasure. It’s as if you’re not holding a smartphone, but a small tablet with an incredible screen and graphics.
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S Pen stylus
This is a novelty that many users have been waiting for. Although you will need to buy a stylus separately, because, unfortunately, it is not included in the basic set. Samsung offers a very nice branded case for its smartphone (it will definitely come in handy) with a place for the stylus, so you won’t worry about losing it somewhere. Thanks to the stylus and its functions, Fold should appeal to users of the Note line, which has evolved into the Galaxy S Ultra model. Many were worried that Samsung would abandon the stylus. Fortunately, the company not only did not forget about the stylus, but also expanded its functionality in the Galaxy Fold series. The use of the stylus is the same as in the Note: you can write, draw, and work with the interface.
The special design of the part that touches the screen prevents scratches and damage to the surface. You can take notes that are automatically converted to electronic form, draw, work with the interface, and control the camera.
Samsung DeX mode
Samsung DeX (Desktop eXperience) – This mode is available on some Samsung smartphones. It allows you to connect your device to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse and use it as a computer.
In DeX mode, a desktop-like interface appears, similar to that used on Windows or Mac computers. In this mode, you can open multiple windows at the same time, open a file manager, use a web browser, and run programs.
Some applications can automatically support DeX mode by adapting to a desktop-like interface. Other applications may run in a special window that you can move and resize.
To connect to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse, you can use the Samsung DeX dock or connect the device via HDMI cable and USB cable.
Using Samsung DeX mode, you can conveniently work with documents, watch videos, play games, and perform other tasks that are usually performed on a computer.
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Incredible photos and videos
The quality of the cameras in Galaxy Fold4 has clearly improved and now we can talk about the flagship device with a clear conscience. The photographic capabilities of Galaxy Fold 4 are provided by two selfie cameras – 10 megapixels (f/2.2) on the external display and 4 megapixels (f/1.8) under the flexible display, and a triple camera on the back, which consists of a 50 megapixel (f/1.8) main lens with Dual Pixel PDAF and OIS, 10 megapixels (f/2.4) telephoto (3x) with PDAF and OIS, and a 12 megapixel ultra-wide-angle module (f/2.2) 123°. Some might say that Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has a better camera set, but each of these smartphones has its own target audience.
Moreover, the photographic capabilities of the flagship models of the Koreans are at a very high level, and it will be difficult for the average user to notice the difference. Nevertheless, you can definitely distinguish Samsung photos from competitors – the manufacturer likes spectacular photos with slightly muted colors, and this time it remained true to itself. You immediately feel that the photos were taken with an expensive smartphone, and this is probably the best recommendation.
Pictures from a wide-angle lens usually have lower quality compared to the main module, but not in this case – the photos are well detailed, have a wide range of tones, do not have typical edge distortion, and the colors are almost indistinguishable from the main lens. The same goes for the telephoto lens.
Examples of photos in real resolution
Selfies are taken care of by a 10-megapixel (f/2.2) camera on the external display and a 4-megapixel (f/1.8) camera under the flexible display screen, the former of which is much better. And it’s not surprising, because the technology of under-screen lenses is only in its infancy, so it still has its limitations. However, thanks to the design of the smartphone, it is possible to put it in a folded position, for example, on a flat surface, and use the main cameras for selfies, which is a nice bonus.
How does the Fold4 do with video? Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 allows you to record video in a maximum resolution of 8K at 24 frames per second. In addition, it is possible to record movies in 4K and 120 FPS – with slow motion recording. However, let’s return to the most popular settings, that is, recording at 60 FPS in 4K or Full HD resolution. Videos recorded with the Galaxy Fold 4 are characterized by excellent autofocus smoothness, which is fast and, above all, accurate. This is not always so obvious, even when we are talking about the most expensive and best flagships. The algorithms can pick up the settings quite accurately, resulting in a nice movie that reflects the conditions around it well. The detail and smoothness of the recording itself is also good. So, movies recorded with Samsung Fold can really be enjoyed.
Galaxy Z Fold4 is a truly cutting-edge and mature folding smartphone. It will be an indispensable assistant in work, and afterwards it will help you to have a great rest, because it is a powerful multifunctional device. This is a very solid device with an unusual shape and an unprecedented number of applications that can replace several devices for us.
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