Phones Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

[Ludatyk]

Hello there I'm currently using S22 ultra and I was wondering if it's worth to switch to fold 4. I did have fold 2 before and loved it but I switched to the S22 ultra because of the screen protector on fold. Had to replace it twice. I do reside in Brazil. Pretty humid here. Maybe that was the reason.

Not entirely sure if there have been major changes to the Fold 2 vs Fold 4 in terms of screen protector quality, but Samsung has made slight modifications to the overall dimensions. It's much lighter and I believe it's much durable between the two. Perhaps, you might have better results this time around.

Did anyone use fold 4 for more than 6 months? I wanted to know how the screen protector is handling itself. Especially for those in the humid and hot climate. Any opinions on whether it's worth too change to 2 months old fold 4 and I only have to pay extra $400. Would appreciate any feedback from users here.

I've had mine since launch... which preorders started around August 10th (I ordered mine on the 11th due to technical issues). And I received it on the 26th, while some received their order earlier.

So, the Fold 4 hasn't been out more than 4 months... I'm located in Texas, but the weather hasn't been too hot during that 4-month period. But if you are interested in it, I'd say go for it... spending only $400 is a good deal. You can always trade it in down the line and switch to a S23 Ultra when that is available.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Hello there I'm currently using S22 ultra and I was wondering if it's worth to switch to fold 4. I did have fold 2 before and loved it but I switched to the S22 ultra because of the screen protector on fold. Had to replace it twice. I do reside in Brazil. Pretty humid here. Maybe that was the reason. Does anyone here have both S22 ultra and fold 4? Did anyone use fold 4 for more than 6 months? I wanted to know how the screen protector is handling itself. Especially for those in the humid and hot climate. Any opinions on whether it's worth too change to 2 months old fold 4 and I only have to pay extra $400. Would appreciate any feedback from users here.

I have used my Folds 1,2,3 and 4 in KL Malaysia and Thailand all year round and no issues with heat or humidity and screen protector

Only my wifes Flip 1 screen protector bubbled in the middle 10 months in but no issues on her Flips 2,3 or 4

 

[Triband]

Thanks for replying. Honestly it's been a weird experience with Fold 2 for me. I did love the device. But replacing the screen protector twice and seeing nail marks after first week of usage was really an unpleasant experience. And I do trim my nails pretty regularly. ;-) Aside from that it was a really nice futuristic device.
Need to think what to do, maybe wait for fold 5, who knows. Just didn't want to get a used fold 4 now trading in my ultra. Even though the fold is with 7-8 months warranty left on it.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Thanks for replying. Honestly it's been a weird experience with Fold 2 for me. I did love the device. But replacing the screen protector twice and seeing nail marks after first week of usage was really an unpleasant experience. And I do trim my nails pretty regularly. ;-) Aside from that it was a really nice futuristic device.
Need to think what to do, maybe wait for fold 5, who knows. Just didn't want to get a used fold 4 now trading in my ultra. Even though the fold is with 7-8 months warranty left on it.

A new F4 would come with a full 12/24 months warranty ? and normally has 2 free screen protector replacement included

No idea how you got nail marks even my wife with hers has seen zip on her Flip 1 to 4 and she taps the screen as if she was conducting an orchestra LOL

 

[gangzoom]

Hello there I'm currently using S22 ultra and I was wondering if it's worth to switch to fold 4.

I switched from a S21U to a Fold 4 back in September. I was initially unsure about the drop in camera quality but now that am use to the screen real estate of the Fold there is zero chance of me going back to a normal slab phone.

I love using the Fold so much I've gone a bit mad with accessories, like turning it into a proper laptop alternative and even a pretty good Steam Deck mimick - but better

Cannot comment on the 2 vs 4, but as a first time Fold owner the 4 feels as 'tough' as my old S21U. Interms of 'excitement' and user experience, its the biggest jump I've experienced since going from a Treo 650 to original iPhone 3G.........am astounded in the European/US markets only Samsung are pushing the folding form factor, for me anyways its the absolute future of phone design.

.....also the camera on a 2013 iPad is really bad by modern day standards

 

[rhinosrcool]

I switched from a S21U to a Fold 4 back in September. I was initially unsure about the drop in camera quality but now that am use to the screen real estate of the Fold there is zero chance of me going back to a normal slab phone.

I love using the Fold so much I've gone a bit mad with accessories, like turning it into a proper laptop alternative and even a pretty good Steam Deck mimick - but better

Cannot comment on the 2 vs 4, but as a first time Fold owner the 4 feels as 'tough' as my old S21U. Interms of 'excitement' and user experience, its the biggest jump I've experienced since going from a Treo 650 to original iPhone 3G.........am astounded in the European/US markets only Samsung are pushing the folding form factor, for me anyways its the absolute future of phone design.

.....also the camera on a 2013 iPad is really bad by modern day standards

What is the keyboard called and who makes it?

 

[Ludatyk]

I love using the Fold so much I've gone a bit mad with accessories, like turning it into a proper laptop alternative and even a pretty good Steam Deck mimick - but better

Yeah, same with me. But I haven’t gone that far with gaming on the Fold.. if I was to game, I’ll do it on the iPad instead.

 

[sporez]

Has Samsung paused the A13 rollout? Seems that no one on an unlocked model in the US (that wasn't on beta) has received it yet, when predictions were that they'd roll it out by the end of November. I'm assuming the hold up probably has something to do with carrier BS.

 

[Ac1d 8urn]

Has Samsung paused the A13 rollout? Seems that no one on an unlocked model in the US (that wasn't on beta) has received it yet, when predictions were that they'd roll it out by the end of November. I'm assuming the hold up probably has something to do with carrier BS.

I have an unlocked flip 4 and this has been driving me crazy too. I thought unlocked was supposed to get updates first but apparently now they don't roll out unlocked updates until all the carriers have sent theirs first and Dish/Boost is still holding everything up. I got done with waiting and just flashed my carrier's update last night, screw it.

 

[The Game 161]

Camera on fold 4 remains very underrated

On my current camera comparison on twitter it's actually leading both 14 pro max and pixel 7 pro after 9 rounds.

 

[Triband]

I have used my Folds 1,2,3 and 4 in KL Malaysia and Thailand all year round and no issues with heat or humidity and screen protector

Only my wifes Flip 1 screen protector bubbled in the middle 10 months in but no issues on her Flips 2,3 or 4

I've used my fold 2 for around 4 months when I saw first bubbles on the screen protector. After that it only got worse.

 

[Triband]

A new F4 would come with a full 12/24 months warranty ? and normally has 2 free screen protector replacement included

No idea how you got nail marks even my wife with hers has seen zip on her Flip 1 to 4 and she taps the screen as if she was conducting an orchestra LOL

I did write earlier that the trade would be for 2 months old fold 4, not the new one. In regards to nail marks: probably happened from intense COD mobile session in the early months. ;-)

 

[Triband]

I switched from a S21U to a Fold 4 back in September. I was initially unsure about the drop in camera quality but now that am use to the screen real estate of the Fold there is zero chance of me going back to a normal slab phone.

I love using the Fold so much I've gone a bit mad with accessories, like turning it into a proper laptop alternative and even a pretty good Steam Deck mimick - but better

Cannot comment on the 2 vs 4, but as a first time Fold owner the 4 feels as 'tough' as my old S21U. Interms of 'excitement' and user experience, its the biggest jump I've experienced since going from a Treo 650 to original iPhone 3G.........am astounded in the European/US markets only Samsung are pushing the folding form factor, for me anyways its the absolute future of phone design.

.....also the camera on a 2013 iPad is really bad by modern day standards

That's a really cool setup actually. I remember when I saw fold 1 first time. It blew my mind when I was holding it. Told myself that it would be my device. Agree with you that it's the the form factor of the future devices.

 

[Triband]

Camera on fold 4 remains very underrated

On my current camera comparison on twitter it's actually leading both 14 pro max and pixel 7 pro after 9 rounds.

I've seen comments before that s22 ultra camera is way better than that on fold 4, but in recent months I've been seeing quite the opposite. remarks on how good main camera on fold 4 is. The only thing it's missing is s22 Ultra macro shots and 10x zoom.

 

[Awesomesince86]

My experience with Samsung cameras in general is that they can hang with Apple and Google in well lit scenes and their zoom is excellent. It’s during more difficult situations where they struggle. For example, when dealing with low light and moving objects in particular. I’m not sure why but they haven’t solved their shutter lag issue even though Google and Apple have managed to eliminate it.

 

[SteveJUAE]

My experience with Samsung cameras in general is that they can hang with Apple and Google in well lit scenes and their zoom is excellent. It’s during more difficult situations where they struggle. For example, when dealing with low light and moving objects in particular. I’m not sure why but they haven’t solved their shutter lag issue even though Google and Apple have managed to eliminate it.

I am not sure this so called shutter lag is actually an accurate description of whats happening

It's not like your taking a snap of a moving bus and its actually out of frame in the photo ie true shutter lag

Too me it's more of a perception of whats shown on the display during the process and maybe IP and Pixel are showing a false image of being ready where Samsung are not and this maybe the reason they are not changing

Of course this all happens in fractions of a second and although the human eye can see something on the screen it may have nothing to do with timing between pressing the button and picture captured and just a perhaps a wrong perception is my guess and is seen more in low light as the true exposure time is longer

 

[Awesomesince86]

I am not sure this so called shutter lag is actually an accurate description of whats happening

It's not like your taking a snap of a moving bus and its actually out of frame in the photo ie true shutter lag

Too me it's more of a perception of whats shown on the display during the process and maybe IP and Pixel are showing a false image of being ready where Samsung are not and this maybe the reason they are not changing

Of course this all happens in fractions of a second and although the human eye can see something on the screen it may have nothing to do with timing between pressing the button and picture captured and just a perhaps a wrong perception is my guess and is seen more in low light as the true exposure time is longer

I disagree. It’s been an issue on Samsung phones for years. The time it takes between shutter button press and actual picture capture is noticeable. It’s probably because Samsung attempts to mimic an actual camera where there’s some exposure time.

Pixels (not sure about iPhones) are taking constant pictures behind the scenes when the camera app is opened. The press of the shutter button doesn’t actually take a picture, it just saves the pictures already being taken at the time when the shutter button was pressed. This allows Google to eliminate shutter lag and let post processing handle lighting. It’s pretty genius. Not sure why Samsung doesn’t just attempt to copy that method.

 

[mjschabow]

I disagree. It’s been an issue on Samsung phones for years. The time it takes between shutter button press and actual picture capture is noticeable. It’s probably because Samsung attempts to mimic an actual camera where there’s some exposure time.

Pixels (not sure about iPhones) are taking constant pictures behind the scenes when the camera app is opened. The press of the shutter button doesn’t actually take a picture, it just saves the pictures already being taken at the time when the shutter button was pressed. This allows Google to eliminate shutter lag and let post processing handle lighting. It’s pretty genius. Not sure why Samsung doesn’t just attempt to copy that method.

Agreed. The Fold is so tempting and I could even live with a little less battery life if the trade off is functionality. But camera is probably the #1 most important feature to me. Between the kids and dogs, I need a reliable camera.

I will say though, the one Samsung feature that people don’t talk about enough is Single Take. Last time I had a Samsung phone, gosh, almost 2 years ago now, that feature actually got me some great results.

 

[The Game 161]

Even with the pixel being superior for moving objects Samsung for me has the better camera between them and google. Too often pixel camera just seems flat. For pets Samsung is king for me. Portraits are the best on a phone

 

[SteveJUAE]

I disagree. It’s been an issue on Samsung phones for years. The time it takes between shutter button press and actual picture capture is noticeable. It’s probably because Samsung attempts to mimic an actual camera where there’s some exposure time.

Pixels (not sure about iPhones) are taking constant pictures behind the scenes when the camera app is opened. The press of the shutter button doesn’t actually take a picture, it just saves the pictures already being taken at the time when the shutter button was pressed. This allows Google to eliminate shutter lag and let post processing handle lighting. It’s pretty genius. Not sure why Samsung doesn’t just attempt to copy that method.

I suggest you try it for yourself with a pendulum I can even do it with my slow spinning ceiling fan at night with minimal lighting 9 out of 10 times I can capture the blade at 6 o'clock position and I get same results with an IP 14 Pro although feels different due to haptic feed back

I have even tried it with navigation lights that blink at regular interval

Its a misinterpretation of perception after the shutter has fired IMO as it happens so quickly

 

[Ludatyk]

Have everyone received OneUI 5.0? Curious to know what people impressions…

 

[The Game 161]

Have everyone received OneUI 5.0? Curious to know what people impressions…

Yeah had mine over a month now. Been happy with it overall. Can’t say it’s made much difference experience wise as I tend to customise via good lock

 

[Ludatyk]

Yeah had mine over a month now. Been happy with it overall. Can’t say it’s made much difference experience wise as I tend to customise via good lock

My sentiments exactly.

I like the minor tweak for the Notification Center (well, the icons are bigger) and the animations are smoother overall, but I’m still waiting for text entry bug to get fixed in Samsung Browser. I like the new changes to Samsung DeX, but I haven’t really been messing around with DeX as much as I used to now that I received a 14” MBP.

 

[The Game 161]

December update is through for me

 

[blairh]

So, I'm an idiot. I said in the Pixel Fold thread that I tried the Fold 4 and returned it. I just looked back at my records and it was the Fold 2 that I had tried 🤦‍♂️. LOL. Time flies I guess.

I ended up pulling the trigger on a 'like new' Fold 3 from Amazon Warehouse (not 3rd party). I had a $500 Amazon gift card so I ended up only paying about $275 total for it. Felt like it was too good to pass up.

I have no idea if I'll like it this time around. It helps that I paid so little this time versus the potential $2000 before tax that the Fold 2 would have cost had I not returned it.

Also, even I do keep it, it will be a bridge device until the Fold 5 or Pixel Fold comes out.

And lastly, to combat the dust resistance, I'll be getting a cheap iPhone to use as a second line for my time at the beach this summer.

I'll report back here this weekend with my thoughts after I've had it for a few days. (Arrives Thursday.)