Hands on: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 & Flip4, Watch5 and Buds2Pro
Samsung’s original Galaxy Fold was an unmitigated disaster when it was released in 2019. But now, the Fold4 is the phone/tablet hybrid you didn’t know you needed.
Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A faster foldable smartphone with a flagship camera heads a list of new Samsung devices.
The Korean manufacturer has showcased the fourth generation Galaxy Z Fold4 folding phone and Galaxy Z Flip4 phones, along with new watches and earbuds.
The Fold4 is the star. It fits in your pocket like a phone but opens to offer a tablet computer experience – handy when you’re on a train or needing a larger screen experience when viewing, say, Google Maps.
The Fold has improved immensely. The original Galaxy Fold in 2019 was disastrous as screens broke and screen layers peeled. This was put down to Samsung’s haste to get the Fold to market, a similar behaviour that resulted in Galaxy Note7s exploding three years earlier.
Thankfully this is 2022 and the fourth version of the Fold has more tried and tested technology.
It has a faster Qualcomm 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 processor with 12GB of RAM, while the previous Fold3 had a slower 5nm chip set.
The camera system is now the same as with the Galaxy S22 Ultra; the big winners are the upgrading of the wide camera, from 12MP to 50MP, 8K video shooting at 24 frames per second and a better 10MP selfie camera.
Samsung has marginally increased the width of the Fold4 which means a slightly wider aspect ratio, and it has added a task bar to offer a more PC-oriented experience with the device opened. It’s inward folding with a 7.6-inch inner display and 6.2-inch front display.
Samsung says the tiny on-screen keyboard has been redesigned to make it more difficult to press the wrong key. We will get to try this soon. Currently users choose between a standard and split keyboard.
The device maker has worked to improve the Fold and Flip’s hinges over the four generations, adding tiny nylon brushes and lubricants for longevity and durability, and reducing any noticeable crease in the screen that may develop over time. That’s the promise. The Fold4 opened and closed smoothly at our limited time hands-on trial.
The Flip4 continues Samsung’s foray into flip phones, reminiscent of Nokia clamshells of the 1990s. Instead of hinges and a keyboard, there’s a continuous screen. Your phone is half the length when stored in your pocket. It’s also convenient as a selfie camera and is popular with video bloggers. You can easily swap between the cameras on both sides and frame yourself in selfie shots. Fold it at 90 degrees and the phone is self-supporting on a shelf or even hanging when you take video and stills.
The Flip4 has a faster processor and slightly larger battery with super-fast charging and faster wireless charging, and supports Dolby Atmos sound. I’d describe the upgrade as incremental though.
The Fold4 and Flip4 entry level pricing is the same as the previous model. That’s good news considering inflation, but it also means devices won’t be considerably cheaper. Many had hoped that Fold4 prices would drop further. Fold4 models start at $2499 with 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage variants. Flip4 start at $1499. You can pre-order from today.
The Buds2Pro earbuds, meanwhile, are smaller in a market where size does matter. I find smaller and lighter earbuds are more comfortable and stable to wear. You don’t dig them into your ear holes to keep them in place.
The Buds2Pro has Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, which promises four times the range and eight times the bandwidth, along with 24 bit Hi-Fi and 360 degree audio. The buds will automatically connect to Samsung TVs released from February.
Finally there’s the Galaxy Watch5 from $499 and the larger titanium encased Watch5 Pro from $899. Samsung offers a heart-rate monitor, along with ECG, blood pressure, biometric impedance analysis and continuous Sp02 monitoring.
You can set the watch to return you to the start of your walk and you can set up a walking trek on your phone and have the watch guide you.
A survey by technology research site Telsyte found a growing interest in fold and flip models. Telsyte reported a willingness to pay an average of 16 per cent (flip) and 29 per cent (fold) more than a typical premium smartphone, which it says is close to current offerings.
“Telsyte anticipates a handful of foldables will be released locally this year. Samsung, Motorola, Oppo, Microsoft and other Android vendors are expected to have foldable smartphones in 2022. Telsyte does not anticipate Apple joining the foldable market in 2022.
“Telsyte expects better software support to be a key driver. This includes foldable-optimised mobile apps as well as improvements in the operating system, as promised by Android 12L – a feature update that optimises the user interface to take advantage of larger screens.”
Managing director Foad Fadaghi sees a growing market for premium foldable screen phones. “We think the time is right for foldable phones to make a big impact in the Australian market. They only represented about 6 per cent of Android sales for now.”
He said “experiential products” such as the Flip4 and Fold4 should comprise a considerable share of Samsung’s sales within a couple of years.
More Coverage
Originally published as Hands on: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 & Flip4, Watch5 and Buds2Pro
Whyalla steelworks losing $1m a day but Gupta’s defiant
Sanjeev Gupta says his broader business has been propping up the Whyalla operations to the tune of $1m a day which is a sign of the commitment he has to the South Australian steel town.
Why an Aussie banker landed a key role in this succession drama
This former Melbourne boy and Wall Street boss is now in charge of steering Disney through one of the toughest succession stories in corporate America.
Lessons learnt from mixing business with pleasure
If Richard White had been granted a court suppression order his private life would have stayed private but he didn’t – and the fallout is a lesson for people in positions of power.
Administration the go-to rescue plan for growing number of execs
The number of Australian executives putting their companies into voluntary administration in a bid to turn their flagging fortunes around is growing, ASIC figures show.
‘I know you’re hurting’: Nine’s news boss addresses staff
The head of Nine’s news and current affairs division has sent an after-hours email acknowledging the pain employees are suffering following reports of bullying, sexual harassment and misconduct.
Bacardi boss sees a Tequila sunrise in Australia
Contrary to what some might believe, tequila can be a sophisticated drink – and Bacardi believes it can sell the misunderstood Mexican spirit to Australians.