We have tested the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 for almost two months. We have made a special emphasis on this terminal, in addition to being an expensive phone (it starts at 1.799 euros) because it is not easy to trust new technology such as folding screens, and It is normal that there are many doubts about whether it is worth the outlay.
During this week, we have especially checked the resistance of the phone. After all, a folding screen is not a glass screen, and it does not offer the same level of durability. In fact, it is still plastic, so if we have the opportunity to touch a folding screen, we will realize that if we press with a fingernail, it will probably leave a small temporary indentation.
In addition, we all have the memory of those first folding terminals that Samsung launched, which had so many dust problems under the screen.
a bomb test
The technology assures that the duration of the Fold 4 has significantly increased, and during these seven weeks the phone has fallen on occasion, more than we would like to admit, and anyone who says that the phone never drops, mine. Precisely, we have not put a cover on it to check the durability of its aluminum house, and right now it does not have a single scratch.
The second important point of the Galaxy Fold 4 is that it is IPX8, that is, it is not resistant to dust, only to water, but we have carried it in our pocket all this time, which is always full of fibers and lint, and the screen is pristine, no dirt under the screen. The bristle system on the hinge that prevents dust from entering works.
In all cases, the Fold 4 has a double screen: a 6,2-inch large-format AMOLED front panel and a 7,6-inch tiltable AMOLED interior. Once the large screen is unfolded, it allows you to enjoy applications that look spectacularly well, despite the square format.
The key is to unfold
Although the external screen could be a problem due to its 16:9 aspect, in reality, the time we have used it has been minimal, mainly to read notifications or check quick mail. If you use more than 10 seconds of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 you end up opening the removable screen, you will only get more comfort, not only for multimedia content, such as YouTube or Netflix, but also for reading emails, WhatsApp or social networks, regardless of where we do it.
In short, the outer screen is not relevant because we will use the inner one 90% of the time. When asked if the folding screen kept the 'wrinkle' at the height of the hinge, yes it does, and it doesn't get better over time, but honestly, it doesn't really hurt the experience with it.
Other important aspects of the screen are the great work that Samsung has done so that we can take advantage of its large size and format. For example, the keyboard that might even seem awkward at first is split at the back, and typing is faster than on a traditional phone.
Multitasking is the star of the Fold 4, that is, having several applications open at the same time. This is easy thanks to several menus that the phone has, one on the side and one on the bottom in which we can drag, drop and start different applications at the same time. As much as productivity, the Fold 4 is second to none.
In general, the experience with the portable screen has been very positive, it represents a great qualitative leap thanks to its size. In fact, those people who travel and carry a phone and a tablet, especially to consume multimedia content, may have enough with the Fold.
Flexible system
Let's talk a little about the Flex system that Samsung has developed for its two foldables, taking advantage of the book aspect that entrusts them to the hinge. For example, we have used it continuously for video conferencing and thanks to the fact that we can simply duplicate it and focus the camera towards us by resting it on any surface, we have been able to carry it out without having to hold the phone.
Flex mode also allows us to play a lot with the camera, for example, leaving the phone supported we can take photos with the timer, or use the rear camera in selfie mode previewing the external screen. The positions that this format allows are almost infinite, and it is up to the user's creativity to fully exploit them.
good cameras
Regarding the cameras, it is the set of the Samsung Galaxy S22, that is, the best on the market, with one of the three-magnification telephoto lenses and 12 megapixels less than we have tested. Not to mention the 50 megapixel main lens, OIS, and the 12 megapixel wide angle. The interior 'selfie' camera is reserved for video conferencing, and offers a modest 4 megapixel resolution, but enough for its function, and the exterior front camera is 10 megapixels, but it doesn't take advantage of them.
The Flex format has a negative point, and that is that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 cannot be opened with one hand. Although, in practice, when we are going to consume content with the screen open we will always want to use both hands, one to hold the terminal, the other to handle it, so, basically, we cannot say that it is really a failure.
Regarding the size, it is not that the double screen is very noticeable, obviously it is more frightening than a normal phone and somewhat heavier, but it is not an exaggerated fact either, that is, you can carry it perfectly inside your pocket and forget that you have a phone with double pants. Of course, if we go from a very light phone, we probably will, but compared to a traditional phone with a 6-inch screen, the difference is not abysmal.
In short, we liked the Galaxy Z Fold 4 a lot. It is a great phone with a high price, so you will not be able to buy practically anything, but with fantastic cameras, a large screen, more than enough Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 power and autonomy for everything. Obviously we would like that indentation to disappear in the middle of the folding screen, but as we already mentioned, it is not something that bothers. The price starts at 1.799 euros.
