Galaxy Z Fold4 vs iPhone SE (2020)

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, released in August 2022, is a foldable smartphone that transforms from a traditional phone form factor into a larger tablet-like display. In contrast, the Apple iPhone SE 2020, launched in April 2020, is a compact, conventional smartphone. These devices offer distinct user experiences, primarily differing in their design philosophy, screen size, and operating systems, with the Z Fold4 running Android and the iPhone SE 2020 running iOS.

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release date, software support, and physical durability. The Galaxy Z Fold4, being a newer device, generally benefits from a longer period of software updates compared to the iPhone SE 2020.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy Z Fold4 was released in August 2022, while the iPhone SE 2020 was released in April 2020. This two-year difference means the Z Fold4 has a more recent starting point for its lifecycle.
• OS Support: Samsung has committed to providing four Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates for the Z Fold4, extending its support until around 2027. The iPhone SE 2020, initially shipped with iOS 13.4, has received updates to subsequent iOS versions, including iOS 18.x, and typically receives software support for approximately 5-6 years from its release.
• Repairability: The iPhone SE 2020 received a repairability score of 6 out of 10 from iFixit, indicating that common components like the display and battery are relatively straightforward to replace. The Z Fold4, with its complex foldable design, presents a more intricate repair process.
• Durability Features: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE 2020 has an IP67 rating, offering resistance to dust and water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

Performance in both devices is driven by their respective internal components, impacting how smoothly applications run, how quickly tasks are completed, and how efficiently power is managed.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Fold4 handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, offering a responsive experience for gaming and productivity due to its current-generation processor. The iPhone SE 2020 also provides a fluid experience for everyday tasks and many modern games, benefiting from its capable processor at the time of its release.
• Multitasking and RAM: The Z Fold4 comes with 12 GB of RAM, which supports extensive multitasking, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously on its larger display without significant slowdowns. The iPhone SE 2020 features 3 GB of RAM, which is sufficient for typical smartphone usage and app switching, though it offers less headroom for heavy multitasking compared to the Z Fold4.
• Storage Options: The Galaxy Z Fold4 is available with 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB of internal storage. The iPhone SE 2020 offers storage options of 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB. Neither device supports expandable storage via microSD cards.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy Z Fold4 is equipped with a 4400 mAh dual-cell battery, and user reports indicate it can last through a full day of moderate to heavy use, with efficiency improvements contributing to its endurance. The iPhone SE 2020 has an 1821 mAh battery, which typically provides sufficient power for a day of light to moderate use, but heavy users may find themselves needing to recharge more frequently.

The display is a primary point of differentiation between these two smartphones, offering vastly different visual and interactive experiences.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features two Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays: a 7.6-inch foldable inner display and a 6.2-inch external cover display. The inner display offers an immersive viewing area, while the cover screen provides a more traditional smartphone experience when folded. The iPhone SE 2020 has a single 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Z Fold4's main display has a resolution of 2176 x 1812 pixels, providing a sharp and detailed image. The cover display has a resolution of 2316 x 904 pixels. The iPhone SE 2020's display has a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels at 326 pixels per inch, offering clear visuals for its size.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Galaxy Z Fold4's main and cover displays both support an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, contributing to smoother scrolling, animations, and a more responsive feel. The iPhone SE 2020 features a standard 60 Hz refresh rate.
• Brightness: Both devices offer sufficient brightness for indoor use. The Z Fold4's AMOLED panels generally provide excellent contrast and vibrant colors, while the iPhone SE 2020's LCD screen offers good color accuracy and brightness for its class.

The camera systems on the Galaxy Z Fold4 and iPhone SE 2020 cater to different photographic needs and offer varying levels of versatility.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features a versatile triple-camera system on the rear, including a 50 MP wide-angle camera, a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10 MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. This setup allows for a range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed close-ups. The iPhone SE 2020 has a single 12 MP wide-angle rear camera.
• Photography Performance: The Z Fold4's main camera, with its larger sensor, performs well in various lighting conditions, capturing detailed and vibrant images. Its ultra-wide and telephoto lenses add flexibility. The iPhone SE 2020's single camera, while lacking the versatility of multiple lenses, benefits from computational photography features, producing good quality photos in well-lit environments.
• Video Recording: The Galaxy Z Fold4 is capable of recording video at up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second, and also offers slow-motion capabilities. The iPhone SE 2020 supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second.
• Front Cameras: The Z Fold4 has a 10 MP cover camera and a 4 MP under-display camera on the main screen, designed primarily for video calls. The iPhone SE 2020 features a 7 MP front camera for selfies and video calls.