Samsung folding phone launch: everything you need to know about Galaxy Z Fold4, Flip4

With smaller bodies, better screens, tougher bodies and better cameras, Samsung has launched a folding phone. See how it works and what it offers compared to Apple.

The world’s biggest smartphone maker is betting you’ll buy a folding phone this year, launching two new models with new flexible screens, smaller bodies, and better cameras late on Wednesday.

Samsung unveiled big and small flexing and flipping phones in the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Flip4 at its New York event — its first in-person launch since the pandemic — along with two new smartwatches, including a sporty model to take on fitness brands such as Garmin and Suunto.

Samsung's fourth generation folding phone, the Galaxy Z Fold4, on show at a New York event, features more powerful cameras and adds a taskbar for apps. Picture: Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson

The company’s big launch comes just one month before Apple is tipped to show off new iPhones and Apple Watches, which analysts say could give Samsung a head-start, as long as consumers are willing to accept the price of folding phones.

Samsung Australia mobile vice-president Garry McGregor said the new flagship handsets would be “the first generation of foldables that will see the category become mainstream” when they launched in Australia on September 2.

The Galaxy Z Fold4 will feature a lighter, shorter, slimmed-down body, as well as a bigger front screen, redesigned hinge, and a significant upgrade to its cameras, addressing feedback from earlier models.

The main camera in the Fold4 will jump from 12 to 50 megapixels, alongside telephoto and ultra-wide camera options as in Samsung’s Galaxy S22.

The smaller, clamshell Galaxy Z Flip4 will also have a shorter, narrower body this year, but will pack in a bigger battery and more features on its small front screen.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 comes with a larger battery and smaller body.

Both folding smartphones will also feature tougher exterior screens, IPX8 water-resistance, and be tested to withstand being folded and unfolded 200,000 times.

Mr McGregor said the refinements addressed feedback from existing folding phone users and showed the new technology was finally ready for widespread adoption.

“It’s just human nature to see the first generation or second generation and say ‘I’ll wait on the next one’. I think that moment has arrived,” he said.

“We’ve worked really hard to keep the price the same as we had last year, at least in Australia, to make sure that we can make these devices to appeal to as many people as possible.”

In Australia, the Galaxy Z Fold4 will cost $2499 and the Flip4 $1499 — the same prices as last year. However, two new top models with larger storage will cost $2999 and $1849, making the bigger model $280 more expensive than Apple’s top iPhone.

Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said interest in folding smartphones had skyrocketed in Australia in 2022, with more than one in four consumers interested in buying the technology; up from almost one in 10.

Samsung's fourth generation folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold4, features more powerful cameras, a redesigned hinge and lighter weight.

But he said their higher prices could remain a limiting factor for some consumers.

“Our research has shown that people like the idea of folding a phone out to a tablet but the price is prohibitive to the average smartphone buyer,” he said.

“It’s difficult because the technology is at the bleeding edge and will always carry a premium price tag.”

Kantar Worldpanel insight director Jennifer Chan said some buyers were still overlooking price barriers and economic conditions to invest in high-end technology.

Sales figures from April to June 2022 showed Australian buyers were buying more $1600+ smartphones, with sales up four per cent.

“Despite the current climate, consumers who are in the market to buy, are still willing to trade up to ‘super premium’,” she said.

Pre-orders for Samsung’s Fold4 and Flip4 smartphones will begin on August 11, alongside its Watch5 and Watch5 Pro smartwatches, with the latter adding a much bigger battery and more sports features to suit athletes.

Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson travelled to New York as a guest of Samsung.

Originally published as Samsung folding phone launch: everything you need to know about Galaxy Z Fold4, Flip4