Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 long-term review

10 July 2023


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I had the Fold 4 for a few days (48h) but returned it. Simply Unpractical:

Too heavy
Front display has Unpractical ratio worse than Sony Xperia Smartphones (narrow but tall).oppo find N2 does a better job.

Battery life could be better

Display durability is bad.

5 months after purchase the display of my brother's fold got micro cracks. Samsung says it isn't covered by warranty since the screen protector had to be replaced before the cracks happened.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • 3gj
    • 11 Jul 2023

    Anonymous, 11 Jul 2023You may hate me for this, but whatever… had it for one week... moreAh yes, comparing the 400 dollar Watch 5 Pro with Apple's 800 dollar one. What a fair comparison.

    Additionally, I don't understand how the galaxy buds were worse when it's been proven time and time again that they are superior to the airpods pro.
    Just because the airpods pro are more bass heavy doesnt mean they are better.

    And about Android... I will give it to you. For some, iOS is better.

      The protective film on the inner display starts to peel off, its a known problem yet is totally swept under the carpet by Samsung. Unless you take the samsung care plan, you will end up paying for the protective screen. charging almost 2000USD for a phone that will not last more than a year is a crime

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • xDZ
        • 11 Jul 2023

        You may hate me for this, but whatever… had it for one week, it’s a beautiful phone, I really liked the design and the foldable screen, but oh god. That android thing it’s actual crap. Had to go back to my iPhone. Besides, the galaxy buds pro 2 are super uncomfortable and had a very low volume compared to the AirPods Pro 2, best in class. And their watch, oh god their watch, even the pro edition had nothing to do with the Apple Watch ultra. God knows I really tried to like them, I pays almost 2500, but I had to return it. iOS and iPhone and the whole ecosystem are still years ahead.
        Sorry.

          The slow charging is pathetic 🚮 DEAL BREAKER

            The problem with these foldables is that it will break, it's only a mater of time. Most are within a year or less where the screen protector starts to peel off, exposing the fragile plastic panel. Worse, Samsung doesn't even stand up to its own product, only offering measly 1 year of warranty while trying to upsell people to their extended warranties. Even then, you will be without your phone for an extended amount of time for repairs. Unacceptable for something that is touted as a productivity machine.

            As much as I want a foldable for productivity, its fragility is a dealbreaker, especially at that price where I can get an actual laptop.

            I'm sure we will get there, but I'm guessing I'll wait for another 5 years.

              ThunderCrackR, 10 Jul 2023"How many people have given up on the Google apps that... moreIm on the same boat, Google's version feels designed for always online use which i don't like and the design is pretty bad, actually Material You is ugly.

                • R
                • Richard
                • uH$
                • 11 Jul 2023

                The fold has a problem.. the screen breaks at the fold after certain time.. usually less than the tested duration and just after warranty expires ..

                  • B
                  • Bard
                  • xcE
                  • 11 Jul 2023

                  ThunderCrackR, 10 Jul 2023"How many people have given up on the Google apps that... moreThat's me too..even prefer Samsung own IE rather than chrome. I'm so used to samsung's native app that I would be like fish out of sea if I ever use a Google phone.

                    LoLoL, 10 Jul 2023I had it for 2 weeks. Outer display is to narrow. It has to... moreSo you are buying a foldable phone out from what the outer screen is and how they are and not what the inner screen is / are?

                    Jesus, the foldable phones are all about the inner screen. You can rather buy a normal candy bar phone if the front screen is important.

                    Just to take an example. The 'Google Pixel Fold' is good for using the outer screen, but not that great for using the inner screen while the Z Fold4 / 5 are okish in using the outer screen while being amazing in using the inner screen.

                    What is most imporant in a foldable phone?

                      • B
                      • Bard
                      • fIP
                      • 11 Jul 2023

                      ThunderCrackR, 10 Jul 2023"How many people have given up on the Google apps that... moreThat's me too..even prefer Samsung own IE rather than chrome. I'm so used to samsung's native app that I would be like fish out of sea if I ever use a Google phone.

                        • J
                        • JLC
                        • pa7
                        • 10 Jul 2023

                        ThunderCrackR, 10 Jul 2023"How many people have given up on the Google apps that... moreThe same here. I am still surprised that after so many years people have not understood yet that you buy a Samsung device and not a Google device. That you don't buy hardware, but a package. If I bought an iPhone I would expect iOS. And if I bought a Galaxy, I would expect One UI including all tools, what else? One UI AND those tools are the only reason for buying Galaxys.
                        What is the purpose of buying a Z Fold and using Google Apps that are not adapted to the form factor yet (in the meantime yes)?
                        The best example: why shouldn’t I use Samsung Gallery including Object Eraser when Googles pendent does not deliver it (in the meantime yes, but only on Pixel devices)?

                          "How many people have given up on the Google apps that can be used on any Android device to switch to Samsung's which can only be used on Samsungs?"

                          Well, I am one. I use Samsung Gallery and not Google Photos, Notes and not Keep, Samsung's file manager and not Google's and am a huge advocate for Samsung Calendar and how it's organized instead of Google's mess. Samsung's versions seem like they are designed by the same company, not by a group of different small ones..

                            Black and white screen is available. Just search for "Grayscale" in settings and you'll find it.

                              • L
                              • LoLoL
                              • pdq
                              • 10 Jul 2023

                              I had it for 2 weeks. Outer display is to narrow. It has to be much wider. This was point braker. Sold and got s22u by that time.
                              If fold5 will be the same dimension I will pass.