It is not like a 6.2″ glass slab that you can shirt or trouser pocket.įortunately, most of the work is on the external screen, so you may only have to open it occasionally. It is big and heavy in your pocket at 263g and 155.1 x 67.1 x 15.8-14.2mm folded (before considering a cover). OK, let’s get the weight issue out of the way because the need for a larger screen size supplants that. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 – first Impression – big, heavy – Pass If you are OK with that, the Fold is the ultimate. We must rate this as a Fold and all the benefits/compromises that entails. It is all about the screen, not necessarily substance. You expect a Fold to have a large screen, a reasonably premium set of features, a reasonable camera, decent battery life, and you don’t really care what is under the hood. The conundrum here is that this is a new category. Ditto, if we review it on features, there are phones from under $1000 with similar flagship processors that solidly beat it. If we review it on price, there are a lot of better glass slabs with superb cameras, more power, larger storage, longer battery life, etc. That way, we avoid the trap (as most reviewers fall into) of comparing everything to an uber-expensive iPhone or Galaxy S22 Ultra. When we rate a smartphone, we usually rate it in a category loosely related to price – what we expect from entry-level, mid-range, premium etc. Rating conundrum – what to compare it to? You can click on most images for an enlargement. We occasionally give a Pass(able) rating that is not as good as it should be and a Pass ‘+’ rating to show it is good but does not quite make it to Exceed. We use Fail (below expectations), Pass (meets expectations) and Exceed (surpasses expectations or is the class leader) against many of the items below. It also helps us compare different phones and features. It is now in two parts – a summary and a separate 300+ line database-driven spec, including over 70 tests to back up the findings. They also use unique Australian 5G sub-6Ghz and 5G low-band frequencies, requiring local activation first.ĭo not buy models SM-F936U, SM-F936U1, SM-F936N, SM-F936W/CA. It is easy to identify the Australian version – under Settings, About Phone, and Regulatory Labels, there is an Australian RCM C-tick mark. We strongly advise you to buy a genuine model with Australian firmware. * Grey market – no Australian warranty, and 5G may not work here Samsung online and approved retailers Harvey Norman, Domayne, JB Hi-Fi, Good Guys, Bing Lee, Videopro, Officeworks, Telstra, and Optus. GreyGreen Phantom Black Beige Burgundy (Samsung online only) Glossy frame and matte glass Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, 12/256, Model SM-936B/DS Single or Dual SIM and eSIM WebsiteĬase and S Pen Fold $139 (strongly recommended) If you want a big screen, there is nothing like this – nothing. It is also eminently droppable and demands two-handed use and care when open flat. It is expensive ($2499-2999), heavy (263g), large (155.1 x 67.1 x 15.8-14.2 folded) and has some quirks due to the odd 21.6:8 fold screen (letterbox 16:9 video and a split keyboard). New also is a ‘Windows-like’ bottom taskbar.īut up front, you have to understand that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is not for everyone. The refinements include a wider cover screen, the Qualcomm SD8+ Gen 1 processor, a better 50MP primary camera sensor and a Telephoto 3X Optical/30X Hybrid zoom. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G is the fourth generation Galaxy Z Fold and refines the Fold3, which was pretty good to start with. In every respect, it walks the walk and talks the talk if you can afford it. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G is its uber-fold flagship that offers maximum screen-estate.