Z Fold 4 vs. Z Fold 5: A Comparison of Samsung's Flagship Foldable Phones

Which fold do you prefer?

Samsung has been at the forefront of foldable smartphone technology, and the Galaxy Z series has been a testament to its commitment to innovation. With the release of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung aims to build upon the success of the Z Fold 4 and offer users even more advanced features and capabilities. Let's compare the two devices and see what sets them apart and if it's a truly substantial upgrade…

1. Design and Build

The Z Fold 4 features a glass front when folded and a plastic front when unfolded. It has an aluminium frame, making it durable and resistant to scratches. The device is IPX8 water-resistant, protecting it from accidental splashes or spills. The Z Fold 5 comes with similar build materials, including a glass front and an aluminium frame. However, it boasts improved toughness with an armour aluminium frame for better drop and scratch resistance. It also retains the IPX8 water resistance for added durability.

2. Display

The Z Fold 4 sports a 7.6in foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. When folded, it has a 6.2-inch cover display with a 120Hz refresh rate as well. The Z Fold 5 maintains the same display sizes as the Z Fold 4. 

3. Hinge

One of the key components that make the Galaxy Z series stand out is the innovative hinge design. Both the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 5 feature a sophisticated hinge mechanism that enables seamless folding and unfolding of the device. This is probably the most substantial change in the new device

The Z Fold 4 incorporates a robust and reliable hinge that enables smooth transitions between phone and tablet modes. Samsung's Flex Hinge technology allows the device to fold and unfold effortlessly while maintaining structural integrity. This hinge design ensures that the foldable display remains protected when the device is closed, reducing the risk of damage and preserving the longevity of the device.

Building upon the success of its predecessor, the Z Fold 5 takes hinge engineering to the next level. The new Flex Hinge on the Z Fold 5 features a dual rail structure that further enhances the device's durability and stability. It diffuses external impacts, making the device more resistant to accidental bumps and falls. Samsung's continuous improvements in hinge technology ensure that users can fold and unfold the Z Fold 5 thousands of times without compromising its performance or form factor.

4. Performance

The Z Fold 4 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, coupled with 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. The Z Fold 5 has taken it a step further with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, offering improved performance. It also comes with 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB, similar to its predecessor.

5. Camera

The Z Fold 4 boasts a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP primary camera, a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The Z Fold 5 retains the same camera setup as the Z Fold 4. Nothing too shocking here!

6. Battery and Charging

Both devices house a 4400mAh non-removable battery and support 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.

7. Software

Both the Z Fold 4 and 5, ship with Android 12L out of the box, upgradable to Android 13, and run on Samsung's One UI 5.1.

8. Price

The Z Fold 4 was priced at ₹154,998, while the Z Fold 5’s Indian pricing is yet to be revealed.

Both the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 5 are unique devices that offer cutting-edge technology and a desired foldable experience. The Z Fold 5 introduces some notable improvements, such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and an armour aluminium frame for added durability and improved hinge design. However, if you already own the Z Fold 4 and are satisfied with its performance, the upgrade to Z Fold 5 may not be necessary. Nevertheless, if you're in the market for a foldable phone with top-of-the-line features, either of these devices would be an excellent choice.