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Source: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Z Flip 4 offers minor but worthwhile improvements over its predecessor. Most importantly, though, it carries over the Flip 3’s legacy as a foldable phone accessible to the masses. Months after its release, it’s still an excellent choice.
Pros- Takes up little pocket space
- Performs incredibly well
- Redesigned, highly durable hinge
- IPX8 water resistance
Cons- Battery doesn’t last very long
- Camera is only OK
- Not fully protected from dust
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Source: Spigen
Samsung Galaxy S22+
Samsung’s Galaxy S22+ is the clear Goldilocks of the family, with plenty of screen space, a reasonably sized form factor, and a price that won’t make your eyes bleed. Given its great performance and design, is it worth investing in right now?
Pros- Top-of-the-line screen
- Impressive charging speed
- Nearly unbeatable imaging hardware
- Great for well-lit photos
Cons- Battery life could be better
- Limited to a max of 256GB
- Takes subpar low-light pictures
There’s no question that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy S22+ are two of the best Android phones around. They’re both packed with premium hardware and driven by Samsung’s unbeatable OneUI user experience. But it’s also obvious they’re quite different in some drastic ways —for example, one folds in half, hamburger-style.
The Z Flip 4 is one of today’s most accessible foldable smartphones due to its relatively moderate price compared to other foldables. The S22+, on the other hand, is the middle child in Samsung’s main flagship family. So which is worth your money in 2023?
Price, availability, and specs
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 and S22+ both start at $1,000 for the unlocked version with no trade-in. The difference comes when you hand in a qualifying used phone. With the right trade-in, you can get up to $400 off the Z Flip, but the S22+’s price only goes as low as $840. Also, note that you’ll get a lower trade-in value if the device you provide is cracked.
When it first launched, the Z Flip 4 came in four base colors and five Bespoke Edition configurations. As of now, you can only get the black and silver, or black, silver, and gold Bespoke Editions, and you can only get them in 256GB. Similarly, all four S22+ Samsung Exclusive colors are now out of stock.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Samsung Galaxy S22+ SoC Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Display 6.7″ 2640 x 1080 120Hz OLED primary, 1.9″ 260 x 512 OLED cover display 6.6-inch 1080x2340px OLED @ 120Hz RAM 8GB 8GB Storage 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB 128, 256GB Battery 3,700mAh 4,500mAh, max 45W charging, 15W wireless Operating System Android 12L (OneUI 4.1.1) Android 12 with One UI 4.1 Front camera 10MP f/2.4 hole-punch camera (80˚ FoV, 1.22μm pixels) 10MP f/2.2 (26mm) Rear cameras 12MP f/1.8 wide-angle (83˚ FoV, OIS, 1.8μm pixels), 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (123˚ FoV, 1.12μm pixels) 50MP f/1.8 main, 10MP f/2.4 telephoto (70mm), 12MP f/2.2 (120˚) Dimensions 71.9 x 84.9 x 17.1mm folded (tapering to 15.9mm), 71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9mm unfolded, 187g 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6mm Price Starting at $1,000 Starting at $999
Design
The biggest design difference, and probably the biggest difference between the two, is that the Galaxy Z Flip 4 folds but the S22+ doesn’t. There are also a few interesting functions integrated with the hamburger-fold smartphone, which we’ll get into shortly. You also won’t need to be as neurotic in taking care of the Z Flip 4 as its predecessors, thanks to a redesigned hinge that finally does this high-end device justice.
Without a hinge, the S22+ is a masterclass in packing a phone with the high-end hardware the consumer demands while leaving out the stuff that pushes devices over the top in size and price. In that light, the S22+ is by no means compact, but it’s also not as girthy as its more costly sibling, the S22 Ultra. It has seen some small retouches to the exterior that make it more comfortable to hold and use. It’s lighter and shorter than its direct predecessor, the S21+, which is a small blessing as smartphones re-evolve into gigantic tablets.
Display
Both phones have great displays, but the Galaxy S22+ screen really shines (pun intended). Its 1,750-nit peak brightness is one of the best in the field and 550-nits higher than the Z Flip 4’s.
But the Z Flip 4 isn’t to be viewed lightly. For starters, its contrast and clarity are right there with the S22+. Plus, the Z Flip 4’s variable refresh rate has a notably wider range, stretching from 1 hertz to 120. The S22+, by contrast, is limited to a 48 to 120 range.
Then there’s the unavoidable fact that the S22+ and its fixed display deliver a slightly more firm and consistent experience due to the thicker, more robust Gorilla Glass screen. It’s one of the most advanced Gorilla Glass formulations, and it shows in its crack and scratch resistance. The Z Flip 4’s softer screen, necessary due to the flexible materials and hinge, offers a little more friction than ultra-smooth glass, and it’s a touch more sensitive to damage, particularly scratches.
In other words, both screens are fantastic, but the S22+ has a slight leg up on the Z Flip 4. Like most differences between the two, it boils down to the fact that one folds and the other doesn’t.
If your screen gets cracked or otherwise damaged, we recommend enrolling in the Samsung Care+ extended warranty program. Samsung Care+ charges a small monthly fee and nearly eliminates the charge for a screen replacement, which is a big deal considering how expensive these bad boys are and how different a folding screen is from a typical smartphone’s. It’s also important to get a quality screen protector and phone case. Both can prevent major damage from nicks and drops.
Galaxy Z Flip 4 hinge quality
Samsung’s first hinge was a disaster, but its latest releases are well-engineered to the point where it’s barely an issue. Yes, you’ll be able to tell slightly where the hinge is by feel, but the visual lines and constant worry of damage have been worked out quite well by Samsung’s R&D department.
For example, the well-known YouTube channel JerryRigsEverything did a number on the Z Flip 4 and determined that you have to try to break the hinge. It continues to work smoothly even after being opened and closed thousands of times, resisting dust and other particulates reliably. In that light, there’s not much to worry about as far as hinge longevity goes, and we’re pleased that Samsung has worked this out.
Software
Both offer almost indistinguishable user experiences because their Android implementation is almost identical. The only discrepancies lie in S Pen and Samsung DeX support, as well as foldable-only features in the Flip.
The S Pen is widely regarded as the top stylus in the Android market, but not all Samsung phones support it. The Z Flip 4 doesn’t support any version of the S Pen, and it lacks support for Samsung DeX, which lets you turn a high-powered smartphone into a de facto desktop computing experience.
Both phones are slated to receive Android updates and security patches for four and five years after launch, respectively. In addition, Android 13 and the Samsung OneUI 5.0 interface package have been rolled out in every major market, so usability is better than ever. Look for the Android 14 announcement at the upcoming Google I/O event on May 10th.
Galaxy Z Flip 4 Flex Mode
The Z Flip 4’s big software advantage lies in how it uses its screen. If you open the device between 75 and 115 degrees, some apps (if the capability’s programmed in) recognize the angle and take advantage of the foldable design with a split-screen mode that makes it easier to use the app, whether it’s by monitoring your videos as you record them or controlling a video chat. It’s one of the fold-specific features we’re glad to see and expect Samsung to use more in the near future.
Performance
You have to look hard to find any significant performance differences here. The slightly newer Z Flip 4 has a minor edge in raw numbers since it uses the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 rather than the mere Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. One of the few basic hardware performance differences is in storage options. The Z Flip 4 offers up to 512GB of storage, compared to the S22+’s maximum of 256GB.
The S22+ also boasts a high-speed USB 3.2 port, which makes transferring large files faster than using the Z Flip 4’s USB 2.0 connector. However, due to the nature of folding phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s only rated to IPX8 — dust particulate is still Enemy #1 — while the S22+ is IP68 dustproof and water-resistant.
The performance bottom line is clear: The S22+ has an advantage here, at least on paper. But both phones are so well-designed that either should deliver the processing needed to complete the most resource-intensive tasks possible on a smartphone.
A note on the Galaxy S22+ processor
Most of the world got the S22+ equipped with the powerful and low-energy Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which performs admirably with no noticeable slowdowns or errors. Europe’s S22+, however, contains a slightly less stellar processor in the Exynos 2200.
Samsung’s in-house Exynos lineup has never quite met the standard set by the more popular Snapdragon family. Samsung’s done a good job mitigating the issues, but the Exynos 2200 found in the S22+ is still more prone to throttling and general performance woes than the Snapdragon. If you have a choice and the prices are similar, avoid buying the European S22+ version.
Battery life
Look, no device is perfect. Neither phone’s battery life is anything to write home about.
It’s been a while since its release, so Samsung has had time to tweak the software and improve S22+ battery life. Heavy users might still occasionally need to top off their device in the late afternoon, especially if they want to preserve the battery lifespan. That said, it’s not out of the question that battery life improves with continued updates; by this point, we actually manage to go through most days without recharging before bedtime.
The Z Flip 4 doesn’t get the same appreciative marks. Due to its folding nature, it needs two separate cells, which can’t store the same kind of energy storage as the S22+’s configuration. To be clear, Samsung has done well here in optimizing power usage. But despite its more efficient processor, battery life is the number one issue you’ll notice on a new Z Flip 4. You’ll notice the problem less with heavy usage of an S22+, but it’s still there.
Cameras
Other than the whole folding thing, the camera hardware is the biggest difference between these devices. The Z Flip 4 has notably inferior camera hardware, with a fraction of the resolution on its most advanced sensor. Nonetheless, it takes photos just fine, largely due to constantly improving imaging algorithms.
On the other hand, the S22+ boasts some impressive lenses on top of that improved software. Its 50-megapixel sensor ensures minimal noise thanks to 4X pixel binning, in addition to one of the physically largest sensors Samsung had released. It lets in plenty of light, giving the phone more data to turn into a good-looking picture. There’s even 3X optical zoom, a feature making its way into many high-end handsets.
Is the Galaxy Z Flip 4 or S22+ right for you?
The Z Flip 4 remains the most reasonable foldable phone for most people due to its decent price and impressive performance. If you’re on the fence, it’s a great time to get one since the Z Flip 5 is still quite a ways away. The performance is near the top of the pack (albeit not the leader), and you’ll absolutely be happy with it for years to come. If you want a foldable but don’t want to sell your firstborn for a Z Fold 4, the Z Flip 4 is right for you.
Source: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Z Flip 4 is still every man’s foldable, delivering great performance in a novel and useful form factor. Aside from the battery life, which most people can work around, it has no noticeable flaws and will serve you well for years.
The S22+ is a somewhat different story. It was one of the most balanced combinations of price, performance, and user experience found upon release, and there’s still nothing really wrong with it. Its only real drawback is that, compared to the Z Flip 4, it doesn’t fold. So what’s the problem with the S22+? Quite simply, the more recent Galaxy S23 lineup. Although its improvements aren’t otherworldly, a slightly increased battery capacity and an extra year of updates make the latest man-in-the-middle a better choice.
So while we don’t want to disparage the S22+ — it is a great phone — most new phone buyers are currently better served with the S23 or S23+. The only exceptions are if you’re buying used or happen to find a short-term sale that drops the S22+ price significantly.
Source: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S23
If you want something compact, streamlined, and incredibly powerful, you can’t go wrong with the Galaxy S23. It’s equipped with the most cutting-edge hardware Samsung could cram into its frame, and it’s as reasonably priced as a flagship-adjacent smartphone gets.
If you want something compact but the Z Flip 4 just isn’t right for you, your best alternative is the base-level Galaxy S23. It’s the best modern smartphone that you even remotely call compact, and it takes better pictures than its hamburger-fold sibling. It’s also not as costly as the S23+ or S23 Ultra.
Source: Spigen
Samsung Galaxy S22+
The Galaxy S22+ is the perfect middleground between the larger Ultra and smaller S22. It features a bigger, brighter display, but is easier to handle than the S22 Ultra’s phablet-sized screen. Just remember you can’t use an S Pen on this model.
