Samsung’s foldable smartphones are now mainstream, replacing the Galaxy Note series in its fall range. Galaxy Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, and other wearables were announced this year. Samsung’s latest foldable aims to improve on the first. In this example, its predecessor is “good.” Do the upgrades warrant an upgrade? Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 versus 4.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 3
Old vs. new: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 vs. Fold 3. The new Fold is better, but by how much is unclear.
Dual displays, S Pen compatibility, and software enhancements make the Galaxy Z Fold 3 the best foldable. High pricing, big design, and weak battery make it far from perfect. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 boasts a more powerful and efficient chipset, a broader design, and better cameras, making it easier to operate and closer to non-folding phones in terms of skills.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Watch 5, and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro were announced today. We’ll compare the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to its predecessor. See how a year changes a foldable.
Camera
Most upgrades are to the camera. The new phone’s 50MP sensor improves image and video quality. Improved telephoto camera. 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Galaxy Z Fold 3’s 12MP telephoto camera sports 2x optical zoom.
Samsung’s 4MP under-display camera has been upgraded. The new sub-pixel screen structure makes the under-display camera less intrusive, enhancing media immersion. Connectivity, battery capacity, and charging speeds have not improved.
If you want a better camera or a thinner, lighter phone, consider the Galaxy Z Fold 4. If not, keep your Galaxy Z Fold 3 for another year. If you have an older phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is cheaper.
Price Comparison
In the U.S., the Galaxy Z Fold 4 costs the same at launch as the Galaxy Z Fold 3 did: $1,800. Unfortunately for U.K. readers, the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s start price is £1,649, up from the £1,599 of the Galaxy Z Fold 3. It’s only a small increase given the overall cost of the phone, but it’s still an increase.
You can buy the Galaxy Z Fold 3 right now if you wish, but the Z Fold 4 isn’t quite on sale yet. It’s open for pre-orders now, and buying through Samsung will get you a free memory upgrade and Standing Case with S Pen, but will only hit store shelves on August 26.
Design Comparison
Old vs. new: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 vs. Fold 3. The new Fold is better, but by how much is unclear.
Dual displays, S Pen compatibility, and software enhancements make the Galaxy Z Fold 3 the best foldable. High pricing, big design, and weak battery make it far from perfect. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 boasts a more powerful and efficient chipset, a broader design, and better cameras, making it easier to operate and closer to non-folding phones in terms of skills.
Should you Upgrade? The final Answer
If you spent close to two thousand dollars on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 last year, you almost certainly don’t need to upgrade to the Z Fold 4 this year, unless you can get a fantastic trade-in deal.
There are a handful of differences between the two, but nothing fundamental. You’re still set with flagship performance with the Z Fold 3, but the Fold 4 is a bit faster. Both come with Samsung’s excellent software support of four Android versions and five years of security updates. That means you’ll get one newer version of Android with the latest Fold. The nip and tuck changes to the design aren’t significant, but any refinement is an improvement. You also have the option for more storage and will get slightly faster wireless charging with the Fold 4.
The most significant changes are in the camera department, though, a better primary shooter is a much sought-after upgrade. The camera isn’t the selling point of a phone that can become a tablet, but it’s great to finally see an improved camera setup, at least on paper. Especially with a price tag as high as the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s.
The small differences add up to a better handset overall, but their unexceptional nature makes the Z Fold 4 hard to justify as an upgrade. Foldable enthusiasts, by definition, love to be on the cutting edge of smartphone technology, so existing Z Fold 3 owners might be able to talk themselves into a new purchase. However, the phone makes a lot more sense for first-time foldable buyers, but even then, the expensive price tag should give them pause for thought.