Daily Authority: 👏 Flagship foldable revisited

It’s still very good

Some elements of Samsung’s smartphones don’t seem to age, and one of these is the software. This is especially true on the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Currently running One UI 5 on top of Android 13, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 still “feels so intuitive,” according to Scott. “It includes tons of multitasking features, a desktop-like home screen dock, and smooth, easy-to-understand transitions as you open or close the display to varying degrees.” The smart camera controls are a particular favorite. “If you fold the phone halfway, a new camera interface appears that puts the controls on one half and the viewfinder on the other, allowing you to prop the phone on a table for a timer-controlled group selfie.” The camera hardware also still holds up. The 50MP+12MP+10MP combo is the first time Samsung introduced a flagship-level camera experience on one of its modern folders. Finally, the price isn’t too bad either. Yes, it’s one of the most expensive devices you can buy, but C. Scott argues it’s no longer an issue. “Thanks to the rapid depreciation Android phones experience within only a few months of release, it is incredibly easy to get a Galaxy Z Fold 4 at a much, much cheaper price.”

You’ll get a vast display with the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but you’ll also get a large crease down the middle. “This appears in the middle of the phone when it is fully opened, and it’s just as much of an eyesore now as it was in previous generations.” It’s especially jarring when rivals have found ways to minimize the crease impact on their devices. Then there’s the battery life. Samsung didn’t upgrade the battery on the Galaxy Z Fold 4, giving it the same 4,400mAh capacity as its predecessor. Charging also remains notably slow compared to today’s flagships. Just 25W wired and 15W wireless features. Finally, let’s talk about the under-display camera. This is Samsung’s second take on the technology, after the Z Fold 3, but Scott said images taken with this camera were “pretty weak.” At least you have the rear cameras and the smartphone screen’s selfie camera if you want higher quality snaps.

Should you buy one?

Well, do you need a foldable phone right this minute? If yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is still worth it. It remains the best foldable on the market, has great software, and can be had at a relatively low price. However, if you can wait, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (as well as several other foldables) is launching this year.

Monday Meme

Rihanna’s grass-friendly Super Bowl halftime performance was impressive, to say the least, but it also reminded a few people of a certain Nintendo title…