If it has hardly evolved in its form, the Samsung Galaxy Flip has become an almost iconic model of the brand. The fourth iteration of the product fixes most of its flaws.
Samsung currently markets two models of “foldable” smartphones: the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip. The first folds and folds laterally on itself, transforming at will into a real tablet. The second folds and folds vertically on itself, thus drawing inspiration from the “clamshell” telephone models of the 90s. A stylish design that appeals to young people a lot…
If the Z Fold is cut for productivity, the Z Flip relies more on its design and its very cool side to stand out. Let’s not be afraid to say it, this smartphone is nothing revolutionary. But some of its features are worth checking out. Especially since with the Flip 4, Samsung has corrected most of the flaws of the older models.
Design level, this fourth model seems much more successful than the previous one with its very elegant matte finish, which contrasts radically with the glossy finish of the previous model. The main advantage is that the hull of the smartphone tends to retain fingerprints much less than on the old model. The screen hinge has also been redesigned to be thinner. If the old models seemed awkwardly designed, the formula has improved considerably. It should be noted, however, that you can always feel the border where the screen bends with your fingertip. It’s not extremely disturbing in itself, and you get used to it very quickly, but not everyone will necessarily appreciate this aspect of the smartphone.
Technical sheet level, the smartphone is entitled to a complete upgrade. The 6.7″ FullHD+ screen now has a refresh rate of 120Hz. The small 1.9″ back screen, which displays notifications once the device is closed, can now be personalized with widgets. Which is frankly very practical, even if it remains a very accessory feature. The biggest development, however, concerns the autonomy of the smartphone, which literally jumps. Samsung has managed to slip a 3700mAh battery into this new model, a capacity gain of 400mAh which has the merit of improving the autonomy of the smartphone – which was once quite limited. Side photo also we feel a clear improvement. The Flip 3 was disappointing in low light and did not have the same combination of sensors as the S22, the brand’s flagship, yet cheaper than the Flip. Samsung has revised its copy and this time, the result is up to our expectations. The rendering is much better in terms of brightness. The Flip 4 captures better quality photos in very dark environments and is thus able to stand up to flagships for “common” use. Be careful however, it is clearly not the best photophone. It is still devoid of a telephoto lens and its combination of sensors hardly impresses. It therefore offers fewer possibilities than other devices. The sensors are powerful, but we are however limited to a combination of two 12 megapixel sensors – a wide angle and an ultra wide angle. Considering the price, we were entitled to expect more anyway.
Comparateur: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 / Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
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|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | |
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Screen: |
Main screen: 6.7″ 2636×1080 pixels 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED Face screen: |
Main screen: 6.7″ 2640×1080 pixels 120Hz 2X Dynamic AMOLED Face screen: |
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Camera: |
12MP f1.8 main sensor Capteur ultra grand-angle 12MP f2.2 8K 30FPS stabilized video |
12MP f1.8 main sensor Capteur ultra grand-angle 12MP f2.2 4K 60FPS stabilized video |
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Processor: |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SM8350 8-core CPU 8Go RAM |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 8-core CPU 8Go RAM |
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Storage: |
128Go | 128Go |
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Battery: |
3.300mAh | 3.700mAh |
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Charge: |
USB-C Charge rapide 25W Charge sans-fil 10W |
USB-C Charge rapide 25W 15W fast wireless charging 4.5W reverse charge |
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Connectivity: |
5G WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.1 NFC |
5G WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.2 NFC |
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Operating system: |
Android 11 | Android 12 |
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Front camera: |
10MP | 10MP f2.4 |
Overall, the verdict is therefore very positive for this new model, which benefits from notable improvements in terms of design, photo, autonomy, functions but also overall performance with a nice upgrade in terms of the processor. The Flip 3’s biggest flaws have been fixed. All is not yet perfect, however. We regret the slow recharging, which is limited to 25W at a time when competitors are offering devices capable of charging at 150W. We also regret that the price is too high. Innovation is certainly paid for, but the added value brought by the Z Flip compared to the flagships at 800 € is minimalist. It will still take a budget of 1109€ for the basic model, and up to 1289€ for the model with 512 GB of storage…
Clearly, the Z Flip 4 is a smartphone that is aimed at a very young audience and that relies on its “cool” design, its customization and some of its features to seduce. Multitasking is, in our opinion, of little interest here. The Flip 4, on the other hand, seduces with its form-factor and its offbeat photo uses. It is indeed possible to “fold” the screen of the smartphone at 90 degrees to place it on a table like a laptop. The user then no longer has to carry it at arm’s length to make a video call – which is still very practical. It is also possible to take advantage of this capacity to take photos from a distance (by waving at the smartphone) – practical on vacation once more, or at home, for a single person who wants to take a portrait. But is all this really enough to justify its somewhat excessive price? Not necessarily… Especially since the price is inflated by €50 this year. One thing is certain, however, you will not go unnoticed with him!
The +:
– A neat design
– His very cool side
– The back screen is now customizable
– Samsung has corrected the biggest flaws of its ancestors
– The ability to take photos remotely
The – :
– Charging is slow
– You can still feel the border by sliding your finger on the screen
– A fairly high price (1109€)
– Can do better in photography
So, do we crack?
With its Z Flip 4, Samsung has corrected most of the flaws of its previous “foldable” smartphone models. The buyer will no longer have to make concessions in terms of autonomy, performance or photography. The Flip 4 thus represents a major evolution for the range. But are its “innovative” features really worth paying more than €1,000 to acquire? Clearly, most features are mere gimmicks. But gadgets that might appeal to the youngest. With its cool design, extensive customization and ability to take photos from a distance by folding it 90 degrees, the Z Flip is an atypical smartphone, which will not go unnoticed this summer on café terraces. However, the note remains salty for a product that is not yet fully premium. In particular, it will be necessary to deal with a “slow” charge – at only 25W.
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