It’s about time for Samsung to launch the Galaxy Z Flip 4 (and Galaxy Z Fold 4), its tentpole releases for the second half of the year. While the company hasn’t announced them by name or even released teasers, there have been enough whispers through the grapevine to paint a picture of a very iterative upgrade. With a similar design and slight specs changes, here’s everything we know about the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Design
The Galaxy Z Flip is a flip phone-styled foldable, so it looks a lot like classic flip phones of the past. Think the Motorola Razr (no, not that one). The upcoming Flip 4 is not expected to deviate significantly from that. Both the live images and renders that have leaked online show a phone that is strikingly similar to the Flip 3. That means we can expect a small outer display, two main cameras, and a larger display on the inside when the Z Flip 4 is opened. If you’ve ever used or seen the Z Flip 3 before, expect another year of that with the Z Flip 4.
When it comes to more precise changes, there’s a slightly larger external screen for notifications and a much smaller crease. According to leaker Jon Prosser, the Flip 4 is coming in Graphite, Bora Purple, Pink Gold, and Blue colorways — aka gray, purple, gold, and blue.
Specifications
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 is an iterative update, so expect to see the usual spec bumps. This means a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor paired with at least 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. We should also get a triple camera setup, consisting of two 12-megapixel cameras on the back and a front-facing 10MP selfie camera.
For more specific changes, Samsung is rumored to be debuting a 1TB option for the Flip 4. You’ll be able to store as many photos as you’d like, with 12GB of RAM backing that up for all of your multitasking needs.
There’s little word on the battery other than an apparent 10-20% improvement. Along with cameras, the battery was the weakest aspect of the Galaxy Z Flip 3. If Samsung manages to address one or both of these weak points, it’ll be a relief for potential buyers.
Software
Samsung is expected to debut the Galaxy Z Flip 4 with a One UI 4 build based on Android 12L, with One UI 5 and Android 13 arriving shortly after. Android 12L is Google’s version of Android 12 that’s more optimized for foldables, though it is unclear which (if any) of its benefits can be realized on this decidedly diminutive device. The dual-pane notification center and new task manager would be more useful on the larger Fold 4, though bug fixes and optimizations would also be welcome.
Release date and price
Simply based on the company’s launch patterns, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is expected to launch at Samsung’s second Unpacked event that’s predicted for this August. “We are currently all hands on deck regarding preparing the new foldable model scheduled for launch in the second half,” Sung-Koo Kim, vice president of Samsung Mobile, confirmed earlier in April.
While Samsung has yet to officially confirm a precise date, the word on the internet rumor mill (courtesy of the somewhat reliable Jon Prosser) is that the launch event will happen on August 10. Samsung typically announces this event as early as a month in advance, so we’re likely to get a confirmation in a matter of weeks. Regardless of Prosser’s reliability, an August launch was the most likely option, with the Flip and Fold lines taking the place of Samsung’s Galaxy Note in 2021.
Price-wise, Samsung may keep the same $1,000 starting point as the Flip 3, or it may lower it as the economies of scale kick in and lower component prices. Ross Young, an analyst at Display Supply Chain Consultants, certainly thinks the latter.
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