Galaxy S25+ vs Galaxy Z Fold4

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, released in February 2025, represents a traditional high-end smartphone experience, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, launched in August 2022, offers a unique foldable design that transforms a standard phone into a tablet-like device. These two Android smartphones cater to different user preferences, primarily distinguished by their form factor and the generational advancements in technology.

The expected practical lifespan and software support differ significantly between these two devices due to their respective release timelines and form factors.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S25 Plus, released in February 2025, benefits from a more recent launch, offering a longer period of manufacturer support compared to the Galaxy Z Fold4, which was released in August 2022.
• Software Longevity: Samsung has committed to providing seven years of OS and security updates for the Galaxy S25 Plus, extending its software support until approximately 2032. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold4 was promised four Android OS upgrades (up to Android 16) and five years of security updates, with support expected to end around 2027.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a conventional slab design with an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering robust protection against everyday wear and tear and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy Z Fold4, while also built with Armor Aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its cover screen and an IPX8 water resistance rating, introduces a complex foldable mechanism. Users of the Z Fold4 have reported concerns regarding the durability of the inner foldable screen and hinge over time, including issues like screen delamination and hinge failure.

Performance capabilities vary between these models, largely influenced by their generational differences in internal components and design.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S25 Plus is equipped with a current-generation processor, enabling it to handle demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy gaming with notable responsiveness and efficiency. The Galaxy Z Fold4 features a processor that, while powerful for its release year, offers robust performance for multitasking and general use, but may show limitations when compared to the newer S25 Plus in highly demanding scenarios.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both devices come with 12GB of RAM, facilitating smooth transitions between multiple open applications. The S25 Plus provides a consistently fluid user experience across the system, benefiting from its optimized software and hardware. The Z Fold4 excels in multitasking due to its large inner display, allowing for multiple apps to be used simultaneously, though some users have noted occasional software glitches or lags.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S25 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, providing substantial power for extended daily use, with tests indicating over 14 hours of video streaming. The Galaxy Z Fold4 has a 4400 mAh battery, which, combined with its dual-screen setup, offers adequate battery life for a foldable device, though heavy use of the large inner screen or high refresh rates can lead to more frequent charging.

The display experience is a primary differentiator, with the S25 Plus offering a singular, high-quality panel and the Z Fold4 providing a versatile dual-screen setup.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S25 Plus has a 6.7-inch display with a high resolution of 3120x1440 pixels, resulting in a sharp and detailed viewing experience. The Galaxy Z Fold4 offers a 6.2-inch cover display and a larger 7.6-inch foldable inner display, both with 120Hz adaptive refresh rates. The inner display's resolution is 2176x1812 pixels, providing an expansive canvas for content.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S25 Plus boasts a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, alongside a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The Z Fold4's displays also feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, contributing to a fluid visual experience, and offer good brightness for various environments.
• Form Factor Impact: The S25 Plus provides a consistent, unblemished viewing area. The Z Fold4's inner display, while offering a tablet-like experience, has a visible crease at the fold, which some users find noticeable. The Z Fold4's cover screen is narrower than a typical smartphone display, which can affect typing and content consumption when folded.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, though the S25 Plus benefits from newer software optimizations and potentially more refined image processing.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, capable of capturing detailed photos and 8K video. The Galaxy Z Fold4 also has a triple-camera system with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, offering strong performance for its generation.
• Photography Performance: The S25 Plus delivers consistent image quality across various lighting conditions, with software enhancements contributing to overall clarity and detail, though some users have noted occasional softness in certain indoor or low-light scenarios. The Z Fold4 provides good photo quality, including features like Nightography for improved low-light shots, but some users have expressed that its camera performance, while flagship-level for its time, does not always match the absolute best conventional smartphones.
• Front Cameras and Video: The S25 Plus includes a 12MP front camera for clear selfies and video calls. The Z Fold4 has a 10MP camera on its cover screen and a 4MP under-display camera on the inner screen, offering flexibility for different usage scenarios. Both devices are capable of high-quality video recording.