Samsung Launches New Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 Smartphones

[theotherphil]

This is definitely a lie

Is it though?

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=z+fold+screen+issue+

 

[ralph_sws]

I would not risk buying

 

[zach-coleman]

It's funny that the YouTube hands-on videos of the new Samsung phones dropped on YouTube at the same time as their keynote started. Does Samsung have so little faith in their own marketing material?

I noticed this with their M series of monitors, (most recent is M9, I believe) which are a regular 4K panel but crammed with that crappy smart TV adware. I literally couldn't find a review that didn't say they were sponsored by Samsung, and I checked like eight.

 

[Abazigal]

Yep, Innovation these days is "Size of Apple's Bank Account" - "Apple Marketing Spend". Not much else.

There’s innovation, and there’s meaningful innovation, and I guess I simply prefer the latter?

I personally liken the galaxy fold as being more akin to curved displays than phablets. A niche product category that hasn’t really caught on. There may be a small group of users for whom this product makes sense, but by and large, most people continue to be better off with a conventional smartphone form factor.

It’s simply bad design to have a tablet which you are all but expected to unfold (and then fold back) every time you want to use it. And if I am going to use it while folded, then what’s the point really?

This is what I mean about learning to look beyond specs and focus more on the user experience. It doesn’t matter what an impressive piece of tech flexible displays are, or how much engineering went into that centre hinge if they don’t come together to offer a cohesive experience for the customer.

 

[zach-coleman]

I personally liken the galaxy fold as being more akin to curved displays than phablets. A niche product category that hasn’t really caught on. There may be a small group of users for whom this product makes sense, but by and large, most people continue to be better off with a conventional smartphone form factor.

It’s simply bad design to have a tablet which you are all but expected to unfold (and then fold back) every time you want to use it. And if I am going to use it while folded, then what’s the point really?

Personally I find several times a month that I would prefer if my phone could unfold into a larger view vs carrying an iPad, and I really like my iPad. I think there is some gas in the tank for this idea, but you are likely correct about it being niche. I always want more space in Maps when I'm out exploring new places, for example... but don't always want to lug the iPad.

The Z Flip is form over function though, I've seen one of them in person and they're far too tall and narrow when unfolded, and don't really make up for much by being able to become shorter and thicker in the pocket.

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

Apple can’t and wouldn’t risk launching a device with a screen that will break or suffer any number of issues the soft glass-ish folding screens suffer from, especially in the hands of the average (or below) consumer. Apple has been testing folding screen devices at least as long as Samsung has and knows, as does Samsung, that they can’t get past the issues a folding screen faces for volume implementation.

Imagine for a second just how many calls for Apple to be investigated there would be, for launching a product that they knew wouldn’t survive normal life. And even if you simply say that the screen and its issues are what they are, there is the bigger point of what exactly does the folding screen phone do that is worth the tradeoffs it has including extra thickness, cost, and certainly in the case of the larger version, an awkward usability for anyone with normal or smaller hands?

I was simply referencing in a generic context. I was not talking about specific products, please don't take it as a literal.

 

[GuruZac]

And that’s why people are holding on to their older iPhones longer. They are not fooled these days. Apple has been selling pretty much the same phone since 2017. The fact that there are over 240 million iPhones ripe for an upgrade and they are not budging is concerning. Think about those on 11, 12, 13 in the coming years. They are not gonna be rushing out to get 15, 16 and 17.

I am just not exited for the newest iPhone anymore. The magic for me is gone. The coolest stuff Apple is doing is the Mac lineup. The M processors are truly revolutionary. My iPhone 13 Pro doesn’t do anything different than a 7 Plus did 6 years ago, just faster and better pics. I think that is the general state of smartphones though. Other than what Samsung is doing and a few others, smartphones are mature (a la stale) products at this point. Wearables, Macs are the only exciting products left that Apple is making.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I hope the temperature sensor rumors are true and that Apple uses that data for more accurate/new exercise metrics. You aware of any other rumors?

Nope, Apple has been very tight-lipped about the Apple watch. No one really knows the truth until Apple unveils it.

 

[genovelle]

Waiting for Apple to release their folding phone, so we can progress from "nobody needs a folding phone" to "my folding iPhone is great" stage of acceptance on this forum.

That’s usually because these companies spend years testing using the public to say they were first. Apple works to find a use case and implement a solution to create value and desire, beyond first adopters. Samsung is on their 4 generation selling these, but has failed to find the hot button. Apple is developing for the hot button first.

 

[Denzo]

The flip3 is one of the best devices I’ve owned. Beautiful piece of tech. Screen is as good as my iPhone 13PM and although I prefer iOS, android is actually really good now.
But man I prefer that Samsung watch to my Apple Watch 100%.

 

[BootsWalking]

That’s usually because these companies spend years testing using the public to say they were first. Apple works to find a use case and implement a solution to create value and desire, beyond first adopters. Samsung is on their 4 generation selling these, but has failed to find the hot button. Apple is developing for the hot button first.

The same was said about Apple's delay in entering the larger-screen phone market. Caused them to lose billions in sales to inferior Android phones that offered larger screens.

 

[jmgregory1]

I was simply referencing in a generic context. I was not talking about specific products, please don't take it as a literal.

I could fill in the blank with any not fully flushed out product or technology, not just a folding screen device. Apple has so much brand value that they cannot and really never have been a company that will take big risks on unproven technologies. They also, mostly, try to offer solutions that have material or perceived benefits for the user, at least as far as they are weighed against the negative of not changing.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

How come Android supports 24 bits hifi audio and Apple complains about Bluetooth and can’t support it?.

You can't support hifi audio if you remove the jack and are left with bluetooth.

But hey, even mentioning such a blaspheme on this site will earn me 300 dislikes. Funnily enough, if Apple decided to add the jack back, the same robots will vehemently defend the new decision as the most amazing brilliant decision ever.

 

[Patroclus]

Won't be impressed until there is at least a quad flip.

Agree. How about an Oragami Phone so you can fold it in any shape.
$1800 are you serious? For that price I’ll take and Iphone, an Ipad M1 + keyboard and i’ll be much more productive.
I can almost do everything on my Ipad, but prefer my Imac for the larger screen.

 

[travwill]

Have had an iPhone since the 3G.

Been watching these and I’d say the Fold 4 has finally got me to leap off the Apple ecosystem. Going full replacement with Fold 4, Buds Pro 2, Watch 5 Pro, and Samsung ultra portable book 2 pro. The Fold will be great for work travel and ultimate these devices will come down, and the other devices are more affordable than their Apple equivalents.

 

[Feisar]

Being an app developer and owning both iOS and Android devices, I figured I'd take my first dip in Samsung's foldable Z and test out the new Android 12L.

Had a spare S22U 256 that I picked up for $185 back in June (promos and S21U trade-in) and trade it in for the Z Fold 4 plus Watch 5 Pro and Buds 2 Pro.

With $1,879.86 in total savings, I picked up the above bundle for $953 with 36 mo. 0% free financing from Samsung Credit. Not a bad deal at all.

Total savings included: $1K S22U trade-in credit; free upgrade to 512gb storage; $200 reservation credit promo (phone, watch, buds); $100 extra bonus for the 3 device bundle; $100 promo for watching the livestream, free Z Fold 4 with S Pen, $11.15 in Samsung Rewards points.

 

[svish]

The cameras in Fold are good improvements. Overall good updates to the Fold and Flip lineup.

 

[ofarlig]

There’s innovation, and there’s meaningful innovation, and I guess I simply prefer the latter?

I personally liken the galaxy fold as being more akin to curved displays than phablets. A niche product category that hasn’t really caught on. There may be a small group of users for whom this product makes sense, but by and large, most people continue to be better off with a conventional smartphone form factor.

It’s simply bad design to have a tablet which you are all but expected to unfold (and then fold back) every time you want to use it. And if I am going to use it while folded, then what’s the point really?

This is what I mean about learning to look beyond specs and focus more on the user experience. It doesn’t matter what an impressive piece of tech flexible displays are, or how much engineering went into that centre hinge if they don’t come together to offer a cohesive experience for the customer.

The question isn’t really if a conventional phone form factor is is better because it clearly is. The question is it is less of a hassle to fit an iPhone 13 Pro Max and an iPad Mini in your pants pocket than a foldable phone which it clearly isn’t.

People seem to like tablets so a lot of people would clearly benefit by always having their tablet with them opposed to it being a device that lives on the couch table.

 

[_Spinn_]

Samsung really seems to be the only phone manufacturer that tries to go toe to toe with Apple.

 

[steve09090]

It's funny that the YouTube hands-on videos of the new Samsung phones dropped on YouTube at the same time as their keynote started. Does Samsung have so little faith in their own marketing material?

They have no Apple Ad to parody. That’s the extent of their marketing department #alwayscopyingapple

 

[liketom]

Well, you’re gonna be waiting for years cuz no one has made a better M1 except Apple.

I agree M1 is good, but LumaFusion reports excellent performance on other chipsets too so I am not really waiting for others to catch up at all just one Developer.

Do not worry I am not jumping ship, I have been an Apple user since early 2000's and would not dream of changing my laptop & desktops OS's. When I am travelling and filming for my YT channel I would like to have 1 device that can edit my videos on the road, currently my options are iPhone + iPad! this could be replaced nicely with a Fold hybrid device like what Sammy is offering.

 

[ofarlig]

Just preordered the Fold 4 but yeah I definitely like the Apple ecosystem integration. Kinda disappointing that Samsung discontinued Dex on Mac but I’m trying out Microsoft Edge for some browser integration across devices. For file transfer stuff I’ll just stick with OneDrive or Google Drive since Apple won’t release an Android client.

Otherwise with an iPhone 12 Pro Max I didn’t see a strong reason to wait for the 14. Next iPhone I buy will probably be the 15 if it has USB C.

Yeah I am still in the fence but thinking about going all in Android and getting rid of all Apple devices just to be able to support the Fold properly. I like my iPads and like using tablets but their usefulness is limited since they are can’t come with me unless on actual trips, so it is a device that more or less only sees use on the coach at home. The Fold solves that problem for me since I’d actually have it with me.

 

[steve09090]

Yeah I am still in the fence but thinking about going all in Android and getting rid of all Apple devices just to be able to support the Fold properly. I like my iPads and like using tablets but their usefulness is limited since they are can’t come with me unless on actual trips, so it is a device that more or less only sees use on the coach at home. The Fold solves that problem for me since I’d actually have it with me.

It would be an interesting thing to do. I couldn’t do it, as I really really enjoy the way Apple devices work together. Tapping the HomePod with my iPhone to change where my music is playing. Copying text on my Macbook and pasting in my iPad. Even just going to a new location and putting in the wifi, and someone else comes along with an idevice and I can immediately share it. There are just too many benefits being all in with the Apple Ecosystem. But I applaud you if you can do it.

 

[ofarlig]

It would be an interesting thing to do. I couldn’t do it, as I really really enjoy the way Apple devices work together. Tapping the HomePod with my iPhone to change where my music is playing. Copying text on my Macbook and pasting in my iPad. Even just going to a new location and putting in the wifi, and someone else comes along with an idevice and I can immediately share it. There are just too many benefits being all in with the Apple Ecosystem. But I applaud you if you can do it.

Yeah I’ve never gone full Android so I’ve always gone back to iOS after a while because my other Apple units got worse when getting rid of my iPhone. But maybe it will work out better if I full send it instead.

It’s a bigger decision though so I have to think it through properly, as you say there are some nice things you get with the Apple ecosystem. Especially over here where most Poole I text with use iMessage.

One big draw of the Fold would actually be having a smaller tablet that doesn’t have an awful display as my iPad Mini 6 does.

 

[Ashbash75]

Yeah I’ve never gone full Android so I’ve always gone back to iOS after a while because my other Apple units got worse when getting rid of my iPhone. But maybe it will work out better if I full send it instead.

It’s a bigger decision though so I have to think it through properly, as you say there are some nice things you get with the Apple ecosystem. Especially over here where most Poole I text with use iMessage.

One big draw of the Fold would actually be having a smaller tablet that doesn’t have an awful display as my iPad Mini 6 does.

Sorry, I could not resist 🤣🤣🤣🤣 (Android is no better or worse than IOS)