It’s changing into clear that foldable smartphones are Samsung’s reply to the bigger “phablets” of days passed by. The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra was arguably outmoded by Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra, and when the Galaxy S22 Ultra arrived earlier this 12 months wanting much more like a Galaxy Note, the message was clear.

However, it’s the Galaxy Z Fold 4 that’s filling the void for people on the lookout for an much more expansive display screen on their smartphone. Thanks to foldable know-how, it’s lastly doable to hold a tablet-sized gadget in your pocket, that means it could possibly be the go-to telephone for these trying to maximize what they will do with their telephone.

Regardless of obvious similarities, the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 4 fill two very totally different spots on the top-end of Samsung’s smartphone lineup, and whereas the design of the Galaxy S22 Ultra could seem reasonably pedestrian in comparison with the Z Fold 4, it nonetheless has rather a lot going for it. Read on as we have a look at Samsung’s two flagship smartphones in a head-to-head comparability.

Specs

Design and show

There’s little doubt the Galaxy Z Fold 4 feels cool and revolutionary, however there’s additionally one thing to be stated for the tried-and-true basic design of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. After all, smartphone makers have been utilizing variations on the usual rectangular all-glass design for over a decade, so clearly, it’s a mode that works.

It’s additionally price noting that foldable screens include a tradeoff in thickness. The Z Fold 4 could also be refined, but it surely’s something however svelte. The Z Fold 4 is almost twice thick because the Galaxy S22 Ultra, so this isn’t a smartphone you’ll be capable of slip right into a shirt pocket or a pair of slim-fit denims. When unfolded, it’s barely thinner than the S22 Ultra, however you’re not going to hold it round that means.

There’s additionally a tradeoff in display screen sizes. Sure, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 offers you an expansive 7.6-inch essential show when it’s unfolded, however the cowl display screen is a smaller 6.2 inches. Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra has a single 6.8-inch show. The 3088-by-1440-pixel show on the Galaxy S22 Ultra additionally provides the next pixel density, with 500 ppi versus 387 ppi on the Z Fold 4 cowl display screen or 372 ppi on the 2176-by-1812-pixel essential display screen.

Let’s additionally not overlook that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 has extra transferring elements to take care of. While we’re fortunately previous the design flaws of the unique Galaxy Fold, there’s nonetheless a hinge that may break, an issue that some Z Fold 4 customers have already run into.

It’s exhausting to declare a transparent winner right here, as every design has its execs and cons. Which you favor will come down largely to how you intend to make use of your gadget. However, for most folk, the Samsung S22 Ultra is the higher alternative; the Z Fold 4 is price contemplating if you happen to’re particularly on the lookout for a larger-screened foldable smartphone — and keen to dwell with the compromises which are nonetheless inherent in that design.

Winner: Tie

Performance and battery

Samsung doesn’t skimp on the subject of placing the most recent and best processors in its flagship smartphones, so it’s no shock the Galaxy Z Fold 4 has a leg up in efficiency on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, due to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor. The Galaxy S22 Ultra makes use of the sooner Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, not less than on the North American fashions; these in different markets get a model with the Exynos 2200 as an alternative.

Although you most likely received’t discover a lot of a efficiency improve in regular day by day use, the newer Qualcomm chip is designed to offer a pleasant increase in graphics efficiency for demanding video games, together with a brand new picture sign processor (ISP) that ought to translate to some good pictures enhancements.

However, it’s additionally clear the extra highly effective Snapdragon chip is essential to powering the extra sturdy multitasking options of the unfolded Galaxy Z Fold 4. As we famous in our evaluation, the newer smartphone doesn’t skip a beat even when multitasking throughout 4 demanding apps — even a multiperson Teams name.

This level most likely speaks essentially the most in regards to the variations between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Owners of Samsung’s extra conventional smartphone aren’t prone to be placing the identical calls for on their gadget, because it merely doesn’t provide the display screen actual property or multitasking capabilities to make this sort of factor sensible.

Unfortunately, regardless of the higher energy effectivity of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 struggles to dwell as much as its potential for energy customers. The 4,400mAh cell may have a tough time getting you thru a full day if you happen to’re closely utilizing it for issues like video calls and gaming. By distinction, the bigger 5,000mAh battery within the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra can simply get you thru a day of heavy use and even two full days of reasonable use.

Winner: Tie

Cameras

Samsung has given the Galaxy Z Fold 4 one good digicam improve over the reasonably anemic shooters discovered on its predecessor: the first rear digicam will increase to a 50-megapixel (MP) sensor.

That’s a pleasant increase from final 12 months’s 12MP model, however the different cameras stay basically unchanged. The telephoto lens drops to 10MP, though Samsung has elevated the zoom vary to 3X, whereas the ultrawide stays at 12MP. Likewise, the quilt display screen and under-display digicam on the principle display screen are available in on the identical 10MP and 4MP resolutions, respectively.

Nevertheless, the Galaxy S22 Ultra cameras nonetheless go away the Z Fold 4 within the mud, with a 108MP major shooter and a 40MP entrance digicam. These are joined on the rear by a 12MP ultrawide digicam and never one however two 10MP telephoto cameras, considered one of which makes use of a periscope lens to realize a 10x optical zoom.

That’s to not say the cameras on the Z Fold 4 aren’t extraordinarily succesful — they’re superb — but it surely’s clear Samsung is reserving its greatest cameras for the flagship Galaxy S22 Ultra. For most cell photographers, the Z Fold 4 will greater than fulfill, however there’s little doubt the S22 Ultra pulls out all of the stops.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Software and updates

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra launched with Android 12 and Samsung’s OneUI 4.1, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 4 arrives with the extra big-screen-friendly Android 12L and the most recent OneUI 4.1.1 launch, which has additionally come to the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Since each smartphones had been launched in 2022, it’s honest to say that they’ll stay in lockstep on the subject of software program updates. Samsung has promised 4 years of main Android and OneUI updates and 5 years of safety patches for its present crop of smartphones. While the Galaxy Z Fold 4 has a couple of further bells and whistles optimized for its foldable design and superior multitasking capabilities, it provides the identical core Android expertise because the Galaxy S22 Ultra and can probably proceed to take action in Android 13 and past.

Winner: Tie

Special options

Although the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 4 each assist Samsung’s S Pen, the S22 Ultra will get a slight edge in that it provides a built-in slot to carry the pen if you’re not utilizing it. With the Galaxy Z Fold 4, you’re going to must spring for a case if you need a handy technique to maintain your stylus shut at hand.

Of course, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 pulls forward for providing two screens, together with the spacious 7.6-inch AMOLED show — and it does a powerful job of placing that area to good use. Some slick multitasking options set the Z Fold 4 other than every other Samsung smartphone, together with a brand new Taskbar that provides a fast technique to change apps and regulate notifications from these you usually use.

The folding display screen has a couple of different methods up its sleeve, too. Turn it sideways and fold it at an angle, and it successfully turns into its personal stand for watching movies, with loads of room on the opposing display screen for playback controls and different data. Or bounce right into a Microsoft Teams name on the highest half of the display screen whereas browsing the net or reviewing a doc on the underside half.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

Price and availability

Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is well essentially the most highly effective and futuristic smartphone available on the market right now, it nonetheless feels very very like a distinct segment gadget for energy customers — with a price ticket to match. The Z Fold 4 continues to broaden Samsung’s smartphone lineup in some attention-grabbing new methods, but it surely doesn’t push the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra apart.

If you’re a fan of folding smartphones or need the biggest display screen doable with multitasking options for severe work, then the Z Fold 4 is the smartphone you’ve been ready for. There’s little doubt it’s a implausible gadget that demonstrates that foldable smartphones are prepared for prime time, but it surely’s nonetheless for these with particular tastes or necessities.

We suppose most smartphone customers can be higher served by the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra with its extra conventional design, thinner profile, lighter weight, and higher digicam system. The Galaxy S22 Ultra additionally provides longer battery life and quicker charging, a bigger and crisper show than the quilt display screen on the folded Z Fold 4, and a spot to maintain your S Pen.

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