Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs Galaxy Z Flip 3
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Intro
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 sold like gangbusters as it was marketed as more of a fashion accessory, complete with a Bespoke version, than a geeky high-tech contraption like its bendy sibling in the Z Fold line. Needless to say, it was also the cheapest foldable phone at introduction which contributed to its popularity, so does the Z Flip 4 follow suit?
Key Z Flip 4 vs Z Flip 4 differences:
- Lighter, more refined Z Flip 4 design
- Better Z Flip 4 battery life and faster charging
- Much faster Z Flip 4 processor
- More lioght-sensitive camera on the Z Flip 4
Contents:
Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs Z Flip 3 design and display quality
When comparing the design of the Z Flip 4 with the old clamshell king with foldable display - the Z Flip 3 - we can't help but notice that, despiteall the improvements on the inside, these devices are practically identical in dimensions, though the Flip 4's design seems more refined.
6.5 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches
165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm
6.60 oz (187 g)
6.54 x 2.84 x 0.27 inches
166 x 72.2 x 6.9 mm
6.46 oz (183 g)
6.66 x 2.86 x 0.31 inches
169.2 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm
6.77 oz (192 g)
6.11 x 5.12 x 0.25 inches
155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm
9.28 oz (263 g)
6.5 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches
165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm
6.60 oz (187 g)
6.54 x 2.84 x 0.27 inches
166 x 72.2 x 6.9 mm
6.46 oz (183 g)
6.66 x 2.86 x 0.31 inches
169.2 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm
6.77 oz (192 g)
6.11 x 5.12 x 0.25 inches
155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm
9.28 oz (263 g)
Compare these and other phones using our Size Comparison tool.
At first brush, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 sports the same 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X internal Infinity Flex Display with 2640 x 1080 resolution and 22:9 aspect ratio, and the same 1.9-inch 260 x 512 pixels external panel like its predecessor.
The 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, or the "Dynamic" part of the lengthy main screen title, is now a 1-120Hz affair, meaning that it offers much more granular refresh rate depending on the content displayed and thus has a gentler impact on the battery power draw.
The Z Flip 4 display may be of Samsung's newest M12 OLED generation that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is also rumored to have scored, introducing higher brightness, lower power consumption, better color rendering, and more minute refresh rate adjustments that lower the screen's power consumption further.
Samsung's 2022 clamshell foldable has a Bespoke edition, too, which introduces a number of new color combos for the front and back in Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki, Red, as well as for the frame which can be either Silver, or painted in Black or Gold hues.
Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs Z Flip 3 performance
Coming with the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 already carries the fastest processor on Android phones at the moment, but its 1080p display resolution ensures that it will also be the fastest runner in the world of foldable phones.
Not that the Z Flip 3 is a slouch with the Snapdragon 888, but the newer 4nm processor production node of TSMC pegs the 8+ Gen 1 as the quickest Qualcomm processor at the moment.
The 8GB RAM that come standard are now paired not only with a base 128GB storage and a middle 256GB tier, but also with a model that carriers the whopping 512GB of storage, something unheard of for a foldable phone in this price range before. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 maxed out at 256GB and that's that.
Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs Z Flip 3 specs comparison
| Specs | Galaxy Z Flip 4 | Galaxy Z Flip 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Folded: 71.9 x 84.9 x 17.1mm (Hinge) - 15.9mm (Sagging) Unfolded: 71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9mm | 2636 x 1080 pixels, 22:9 ratio, 425 PPI |
| Weight | 6.59 oz (187g) | 5.89 oz (168.0 g) |
| Screen | Main: 6.7 inches, 120Hz, (2640 x 1080, 22:9), 1Hz-120Hz Secondary: 1.9-inch Super AMOLED, 60Hz | 6.7 inches, 2636 x 1080 pixels, 22:9 ratio, 425 PPI, 60Hz-120Hz Secondary: 1.9-inch, 60Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM and storage | 8GB RAM 128/256/512GB internal memory | 8GB RAM 128/256GB |
| Rear Cameras | Dual system 12MP main camera with 1.8 micron pixels 12MP ultrawide camera | Dual system 12MP main camera with 1.4 micron pixels 12 MP Ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 10MP Selfie Camera F2.4, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 80˚ | 10 MP |
| Battery Size | 3,700 | 3,300mAh |
| Charging Speeds | 25W wired/10W wireless | 15W wired/10W wireless |
| Price at launch | $999.99 (128GB) | $999.99 (128GB) |
Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs Z Flip 3 camera
At a 12MP main wide-angle camera with Samsung's Dual Pixel autofocus technology, optical image stabilization, F1.8 aperture, and 83˚ field of view, the Z Flip 4 mimics the main camera spirit of its predecessor, but not the 1.8 micron pixel size which is larger than the 1.4 micron pixels before and seems borrowed directly from the Galaxy S21 series.
Z Flip 4 vs Z Flip 3 camera
The the ultrawide-angle 12MP camera with 1.12 micron sensor pixel size, F2.2 aperture, and far-reaching 123˚ field of view, however, seems borrowed directly from the Z Flip 3, just as the 10MP selfie snapper.
Thus, there aren't drastic Galaxy Z Flip 4 camera hardware upgrades as there are on its larger bendy sibling the Z Fold 4 and you can expect better imagery to come via the upgraded image processing that the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers, as well as improved software algorithms.
At night, however, the pictures from the Z Flip 4 and its larger 1.8 micron pixels are shaping up as better. Ditto for the low-light modes, though don't expect any night video improvements since the phone will be using the identical 12MP ultrawide camera.
New Z Flip 4 Camcorder mode
The new Camcorder mode that lets you use the phone as, well, a camcorder of yesteryear by bending it 90 degrees and holding the lower part in your palm, while recording and previewing with the upper is a Z Flip 4 exclusive. Not a camera revolution, but it certainly seems handy, though we can't seem to shake the feeling that the Z Flip 3 can also be used this way no matter the name of the feature
Galaxy Z Flip 4's Camcorder mode
Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs Z Flip 3 battery life and charging speed
Perhaps the biggest improvement of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 over the Z Flip 3 is its better battery life and the faster charging times. The much larger, 3700 mAh battery pack now ensures longer runtimes, while the 15W charging speed of the Z Fold 3 turns into "Super Fast Charging" at "up to 50% charge in around 30 mins with 25W adapter."
Needless to say, said adapter isn't in the box, while the 10W wireless charging speed remains unmoved. We put the Z Flip 4 through our battery life test as this was the Achilles heel of its predecessor, now rectified by Samsung with a two-pronged battery life and charging speed improvement approach.
Indeed, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 battery life is much better than the Z Flip 3's by a significant margin of about 20% in both the web browsing and YouTube watching tests. When it comes to gaming, however, the more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 heated up the phone, but didn't throttle like crazy and the result was a shortened 3D-rendering play time than on our Z Flip 3 unit with last year's finest Snapdragon.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 or Z Flip 3, should you upgrade?
Samsung released the Galaxy Z Flip 4 at the same $999.99 price for the 128GB base version and has now discontinued the Z Flip 3, so if you are looking for the fastest, cheapest clamshell phone with bendy display on the market, you won't have any choice but the Z Flip 4. Moreover, the best Z Flip 4 deals now include a free storage upgrade that will get you the 256GB model for the price of the base one.
Also, right now Samsung will give you the whopping $900 for your used Galaxy Z Flip 3, and tack on free case and storage upgrade, so you don't even have to think if upgrading from the Z Flip 3 to the Z Flip 4 is worth it, be it only for the way faster processor and the much longer battery life, not to mention the brighter display and new Bora Purple color.
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