Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Four overview: A match made in Gen Z influencer heaven

Hello, my identify is Cecily, and I am a jaded millennial who feels pushed out of her consolation zone by Samsung‘s newest influencer-friendly folding telephone, the Z Flip 4.

As an “previous” particular person whose first cell phone experiences included painstaking T9 textual content entry, ringback tones, and heaps of snake, I largely simply care a few telephone that is speedy and dependable. However that is each smartphone now, even the funds ones: You get highly effective chips, tons of storage, state-of-the-art cameras, and high-res shows. So all that is left to innovate on are… aesthetics?

From the appears to be like of the Z Flip 4 (and its BTS-focused advertising), that appears to be the case. In contrast to the Z Fold 4 which goals to exchange the pill as a 2-in-1 foldable (and does it effectively!), the Z Flip 4, with its clamshell design harking back to early cellphones, offers an answer to an issue that does not exist. It is innovation by means of nostalgia. And it is cute.

I had numerous enjoyable with the Z Flip Four and I loved enjoying round with capturing and enhancing options, tailored for Gen Z creators, that make posting content material to social media considerably simpler. However with a $999 price ticket, all of it comes down as to if its novelty and flashy colorways attraction to your aesthetic. 

First, here is what you are getting:

• 6.7-inch dynamic AMOLED with 120Hz refresh price; 1.9-inch Tremendous AMOLED cowl show

• Twin-lens 12-megapixel essential and 12-megapixel ultra-wide rear cameras; 10-megapixel selfie digital camera

• 3,700mAh battery with wi-fi charging

• 8GB RAM on all fashions

• 128, 256, 512GB inside storage

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor

Nostalgia is a helluva drug

Collect ‘spherical kids for a story from ye olden days. It was the early 2000s and Paris Hilton was on high of the world in addition to the quilt the US Weekly nearly each week. Completely in her grasp was the cellphone du jour. Typically, it was a sizzling pink Motorola Razr. Different instances, it was a bedazzled LG 8700 Shine. There was even a nifty machine referred to as the T-Cellular Sidekick, which had you flip your telephone horizontally to sort. The message was clear: Telephones had been the brand new standing image. 

And that appears to be the case once more. With the current resurgence of Y2K tendencies, Samsung now has Gen Z, who’re obsessive about this era and the millennials who lived by way of it the primary time, within the palm of its hand. As Mashable tradition editor Crystal Bell famous: “There is a purpose Samsung unveiled the machine with a particular music video starring worldwide superstars BTS.”

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There are some tendencies from the early 2000s — e.g., low-rise denims, chunky highlights, a lot ruching — I would care to not relive. However bringing again colourful flip telephones is sort of pleasant. The Z Flip Four mannequin I examined is outfitted in a playful pastel shade referred to as bora purple, however the machine additionally is available in graphite, pink, gold, and blue. Purple is not actually my shade of alternative, but it surely instantly jogged my memory of the times when Hilton would coordinate her telephone together with her outfit. That is not likely my model, however I respect the dedication to a lewk, so I get the attraction.

From right here, it appears to be like like an everyday telephone… Credit score: Kyle Cobian / Mashable

… however actually it is a vessel for Y2K nostalgia. Credit score: Kyle Cobian / Mashable

The Z Flip 4’s 6.7-inch internal AMOLED folding show, which is identical measurement because the iPhone 13 Professional Max, is not something new — that is now Samsung’s fourth iteration of the Flip. However due to a wider array of helpful cowl show widgets and options plus the power to do extra with the twin display screen kind issue, switching over to the compact Z Flip Four is now a way more compelling alternative.

Paris Hilton by no means met a flip telephone she did not promote. Credit score: Getty Photos

The following section of Y2K nostalgia ought to be bringing again the Sidekick. Credit score: Getty Photos

Once I first acquired the telephone, one of many first issues I did was attempt to snap it shut with one hand. I craved the joys of dramatically ending a name like all of us did within the flip telephone days. However, sadly, the Z Flip Four would not actually enable for that. As a result of its measurement, the Z Flip Four is difficult to shut with one hand. It is not not possible, however it’s a must to sort of bear-claw it on the perimeters to snap it shut.

Hey, Samsung, some unsolicited recommendation: If you are going to lean into the nostalgic flip telephone design, possibly make the Z Flip Four even smaller and extra compact.

You may hold it closed

That being mentioned, a smaller Z Flip Four would in all probability hinder a number of the cowl display screen options, that are amongst my favourite elements of the telephone. The quilt display screen has at all times been a key promoting level of the Flip, however earlier fashions hadn’t fairly perfected it. 

Now, with an choice use the quilt display screen digital camera with true facet ratio and a brand new portrait mode function, it is really a sensible method to shoot photographs and video. It nonetheless has the identical 12-megapixel broad and 12-megapixel ultra-wide rear cameras (in addition to the identical 10-megapixel front-facing digital camera) because the Flip 3. However a greater pixel sensor and enhanced stabilization makes photographs and movies look smoother and crisper. 

The quilt display screen makes taking photographs and video silly enjoyable. Credit score: Cecily Mauran / Mashable

Precise ratio mode is a essential addition for anybody who would not wish to see themselves that shut up. Credit score: Cecily Mauran / Mashable

The Flip Four additionally has enhanced widget options, particularly, the power to entry and reply to messages straight from the quilt display screen utilizing fast recommended replies (which might embody voice messages and emoji.) This may even make some folks examine their telephone much less, by diminishing the necessity to choose up and unfold the telephone. Sometimes, I’ve to place my iPhone face right down to keep away from distracting notifications, however the Z Flip 4’s cowl display screen is sufficiently subtle that I did not get sucked into checking infinite alerts whereas working or grabbing dinner with associates. If it was an necessary message, I might shoot off a fast reply in just a few swipes with out even opening my telephone. 

Missed TikTok opp

With a heavier give attention to Reels and extra video content material, it is no secret Meta is desperately attempting to be extra like TikTok. And to additional that pivot, Instagram head Adam Mosseri made a visitor look at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked earlier this month to announce the app’s compatibility with the Flip 4’s FlexCam, aka hands-free picture and video seize, and Flex Mode, or dual-screen multitasking.

Credit score: Cecily Mauran / Mashable

When both Fb or Instagram are open on the machine, folding the telephone to a 90-degree angle will activate hands-free recording for Tales or Reels. You can too make hands-free video calls with WhatsApp and Messenger, too.

Much like FlexCam, Flex Mode is one other dual-screen function that permits you to use the underside half of the display screen as a touchpad. Basically, this mode turns the Z Flip Four right into a mini-laptop. Flex Mode was already accessible on the Z Flip 3, however the native UX has been improved thanks to raised integration with third-party apps like YouTube and Google Meet, and enhanced touchpad settings. 

FlexCam and Flex Mode are actually revolutionary options that take advantage of the Z Flip 4’s foldable design, but it surely seems like a missed alternative to seize its full potential. For the reason that Z Flip Four is marketed as the final word influencer smartphone, Samsung ought to have pursued a local integration partnership with the present content material king, TikTok, somewhat than the flailing Fb/Instagram. 

Plus, Flex Mode is not totally optimized for TikTok or different apps like Hulu. And it would not even work with Netflix. What’s extra, TikTok is gradual to launch when accessed by way of Flex Mode and all of its icons seem bunched up on the highest display screen, with a few of them so near the crease that it is awkward to maneuver. Among the icons even overlap on the correct facet. In contrast, after I tried Flex Mode with Instagram, the function switched on nearly instantaneously and made excellent use of the accessible display screen area.

Flex Mode on TikTok feels a bit cramped and clunky. Credit score: Cecily Mauran / Mashable

Whereas, Flex Mode on Instagram is totally optimized. Credit score: Cecily Mauran / Mashable

Generally, the Z Flip 4’s dual-screen options work effectively in a pinch in the event you’re a jet-setting influencer who would not have time to edit content material on a laptop computer, but it surely feels a bit of cramped. Nevertheless, in the event you’re available in the market for a real multitasking powerhouse, you are higher off with Samsung’s Z Fold 4, which Mashable’s Alex Perry raved about. 

Like trying in a mirror

Lately, tech corporations have been pushing the concept smartphones are an extension of our our bodies and ought to be personalized as such. We put on jewellery and paint our nails, so why should not our telephones mirror our model and style, too? The newest Pixel 6 line doubled down on this final fall with its eye-catching machine colours and UI palettes to match your wallpaper. Even Apple jumped on the bandwagon this previous spring by saying a customizable lock display screen with iOS 16. 

However Samsung takes the cake for its freedom of expression strategy. With the Z Flip 4, you’ll be able to customise nearly all the things. From the machine’s 4 completely different colorways to customizing your cowl display screen with completely different clock designs, photographs, movies, GIFs, and even your personal AR emoji, Samsung desires to ensure you’re bringing your complete self to your telephone.

Customise your cowl display screen with a bit of animal pal. Credit score: Samsung

Thanks to those cowl display screen widgets, I undoubtedly unfolded the Z Flip Four much less. Credit score: Samsung

There’s even a bespoke program the place customers can customise the Flip 4’s design much more. For an extra $40 you’ll be able to change the Z Flip 4’s body to silver, black, or gold and the physique to yellow, white, navy, khaki, or pink. However, as somebody who struggles with primary selections like what to eat for lunch, this is just too many selections for me.

Do not get me unsuitable, I totally help expressing oneself. However I am undoubtedly questioning if Samsung ought to’ve spent rather less time on the Z Flip 4’s shade customization and a bit of extra time enhancing on the necessities like paring down the crease and enhancing the battery life. In any other case, it simply feels smoke and mirrors.

Concerning the crease and the battery life

To be honest, the crease has gotten a lot better. In comparison with earlier variations of the Z Flip, it is extra refined and fewer noticeable. But it surely’s nonetheless there. It would not trouble me a lot when viewing content material, however I discover it each time scroll and it sends shivers down my backbone, like when one thing brushes up in opposition to your leg within the ocean.

The Z Flip 4’s battery life has additionally gotten higher since earlier variations, however there’s undoubtedly room for enchancment. After two hours of downloading after which shopping Slack, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, I observed the three,700mAh battery had already dwindled from a full cost to 67 p.c. As for a typical full day of utilization, I would usually be left with a few 20 p.c cost at evening. So I used to be finally shocked by its longevity. It is a smaller telephone than the Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely and the iPhone 13 Professional Max, which reportedly final for 16 hours and 18 hours, respectively, so it is sensible. That being mentioned, a battery life that spars with the heavyweights would make the Z Flip Four unstoppable.

The underside line 

Does this imply I am a member of the BTS Military now? Credit score: Kyle Cobian / Mashable

General, the Samsung Z Flip Four seems like essentially the most compelling compact foldable but. For $999, the worth is identical because the iPhone 13 Professional and provides comparable specs (aside from the shorter battery life.) It is also a cut price in comparison with its foldable sibling, the Z Fold 4, which begins at $1,799 and arguably provides far more.

The Z Flip 4’s hands-free tech, helpful cowl show, multitasking options, and customizable all the things are enjoyable and thrilling to discover, however they’re extra of a bonus than a necessity for my humble “geriatric” millennial way of life. Nevertheless that is not a ding in opposition to the Flip 4. Simply because these options do not vastly entice me, it does not imply they woo over numerous different folks. Do not imagine me? Simply ask the 70mm robust BTS Military.