Galaxy Z Fold4 vs Galaxy Z Fold5

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 (2022) and Galaxy Z Fold5 (2023) are both Android-based foldable smartphones from Samsung's premium Z series. While they share a similar foundational design, the Galaxy Z Fold5 introduces a more efficient processor, a refined hinge mechanism allowing for a flatter fold, and enhancements to overall durability and display brightness.

When considering the long-term usability of these foldable devices, both models offer substantial software support, though the newer Galaxy Z Fold5 benefits from an extended update timeline.

• Software Support: Both the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Fold5 are committed to receiving four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates. The Z Fold4 launched with Android 12L and is expected to receive updates up to Android 16, while the Z Fold5, starting with Android 13, is anticipated to be supported up to Android 17. This means the Z Fold5 will benefit from one additional year of software longevity.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its cover screen and back panel, with Samsung's Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) protecting the inner foldable display, all encased in an Armor Aluminum frame. The Galaxy Z Fold5 enhances this with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its external surfaces and an improved Ultra-Thin Glass for the inner display. Both devices carry an IPX8 water resistance rating.
• Hinge Design: A notable difference lies in the hinge. The Galaxy Z Fold5 incorporates a new 'Flex Hinge' design that allows the device to fold completely flat, eliminating the wedge-shaped gap present in the Z Fold4 when closed. This design change contributes to the Z Fold5 being slightly thinner and lighter.

Performance is a key area where the generational leap between these two devices becomes apparent, particularly in processing power and overall efficiency.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Fold4 is equipped with a powerful current-generation processor, delivering consistently strong performance for demanding applications and multitasking. The Galaxy Z Fold5, however, features a newer, optimized processor that offers approximately 30% faster performance compared to its predecessor. This newer processor also manages heat more effectively, maintaining consistent performance even during extended use.
• Storage and Responsiveness: Both models come with 12GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking. While both offer storage options up to 1TB, the Galaxy Z Fold5 utilizes a faster storage technology, which can translate to quicker app loading times and overall system responsiveness.
• Battery Performance: Both devices house a 4400mAh battery. Despite the identical battery capacity, the Galaxy Z Fold5's more efficient processor leads to a noticeable improvement in battery longevity, with users reporting an hour and a half longer usage in some tests and up to 30-40% better screen-on time compared to the Z Fold4. The Z Fold4 generally provides good battery life, often lasting a full day of moderate use.

Both the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Fold5 offer expansive and vibrant displays, crucial for their foldable form factor, with the newer model bringing enhancements in brightness.

• Display Technology and Size: Both devices feature a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X inner foldable display and a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen. These displays provide deep blacks and vibrant colors, offering an immersive viewing experience whether unfolded or used as a traditional smartphone.
• Resolution and Clarity: The inner displays on both models have a resolution of 2176 x 1812 pixels, resulting in sharp images and text. The cover screens maintain a resolution of 2316 x 904 pixels, providing clear visuals for everyday interactions.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices feature adaptive 120Hz refresh rates on both their inner and cover displays, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The Galaxy Z Fold5 offers a significant upgrade in brightness, reaching a peak of 1750 nits, compared to the Z Fold4's 1200 nits. This increased brightness improves visibility in bright outdoor conditions.

The camera systems on both the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Fold5 are versatile, designed to capture a range of photos and videos, with the Z Fold5 benefiting from software optimizations.

• Rear Camera System: Both models feature a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Z Fold4's main sensor was a notable improvement over its predecessor, delivering good detail and vibrant colors.
• Photography Performance: While the camera hardware is largely consistent between the two generations, the Galaxy Z Fold5 leverages its newer, more powerful processor for enhanced image processing. This results in slightly improved detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance on the Z Fold5. Both devices offer reliable performance for everyday photography.
• Front-Facing Cameras and Video: Both phones include a 10-megapixel camera on the cover screen and a 4-megapixel under-display camera (UDC) on the inner foldable screen, primarily intended for video calls. For video recording, the Z Fold4 supports up to 8K at 24 frames per second, while the Z Fold5 can record 8K video at 30 frames per second, offering slightly smoother high-resolution footage.