Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Evolution not Revolution
23/08/2023 11:52
Following on from the Z Flip 4 the 5 arrived, I have spent a little over 2 weeks with it now as a daily driver.
Samsung made the delivery box a little special by adding some Flip details, packaging was smaller and more eco friendly.
Comparison between the 4 and 5 are limited, much of the Z Flip 4 and features are the same such as the battery and camera which I would have expected to have a bump up. To Samsung's credit the gap between the screens has disappeared when closed, this is more impactful than people give it credit, however still there is no IP dust resistance which incredibly frustrating, a case is a must to limit dust egress.
The external screen is a big step up, I never used it on the 4 as I found it too small and awkward and pointless. The Z Flip 5 external screen is clear and very useful to read and reply quickly to messages, however the pixel density is disappointing, I can see the pixels which is not what I have come to expect on a premium phone.
Out of the box the use of the external screen is limited, you need to download additional Samsung tools to make it more functional, most users won't bother and this feels like a missed opportunity by Samsung to bring customisation to the masses.
I used the 5 for selfies, the viewfinder use is a good idea as you can use the better external camera over the limited internal camera, I have yet to see if this can be used on video calls with colleagues.
Build quality is great, I prefer the matt finish on the 5 to the metal parts, it brings a more polished feel over the shiny steel from the 4.
OneUI has had no big changes between the 4 and 5, it is clean and simple, I do wish it was a little clearer at times and aligned more closely to standard Android out of the box.
The transfer tool to move to the Z Flip 5, all my settings came across with a minimum of fuss, this was a real bonus and something that I have come to expect when changing devices.
Lets move on to the biggest features of the phone that is largely overlooked, the new hinge is great, closing the phone completely flush with no gaps is great and the hinge design is clever, it feels smoother to use compared to the 4. But it's almost like a trick has been missed, there has been no reduction in the impact of the crease on the screen, it's still very noticeable in certain conditions and can be felt when scrolling.
The Z Flip 5 is definitely evolution of an existing platform rather than revolution.
matt.carter
Newent , Spojené království
Age: 39
Gender: Female