We have come a long way from ‘why foldable phones are a bad idea’ to ‘we in the era of foldables’. We are roughly a month away from one of the most important tech events of the year — the next generation of foldable phones. Though Samsung has not confirmed what the July-end event is going to be about, but all fingers point to the next fold and flip devices.
At the moment we are at Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4, meaning there have been quite a few versions of these devices. Samsung is dominating the segment globally because of the effort that has gone in over the past many years. There has been a misstep in the past but the recovery has been impressive.
How much can things change this year? One thing we are sure of: The loyal base of foldable phones will hit a very successful mark, just like it once did for Galaxy Note devices.
It’s important to remember that we are in an era when there’s nothing really most affordable Android phones can’t do that a flagship can; it’s just that flagships do a few things better. So to make a foldable phone appear on the shopping list, Samsung needs to offer features that users don’t already have access to or use cases that are practical.
In the last few years, the Samsung foldable has had the best hardware but competition is catching up. For example, there is Oppo and Huawei. But Samsung has been a few steps ahead because of the way it has come up with software tricks to make apps usable on a folding phone. That should get better this year.
The biggest problem holding back the category has been Google’s commitment to Android on larger screens. The many problems of the OS show up while using foldable phones. Now that Pixel Fold is a reality, Google is taking the foldable category seriously or at least has made a commitment. One of Google’s biggest partners for many years has been Samsung. So, we are almost sure to see plenty of features that bring out the best of Android on the next Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip.
A phone for all seasons
Meanwhile, where does the current Galaxy Z Fold4 stand? I have been using it for almost 10 months. Before the foldable phone arrived, there was a need to carry a phone as well as a laptop or tablet. That has changed to a great extent. Most of the work I do on the move can be done on the Z Fold4, except when I need to use a VPN tunnel to enter my office network, which requires a laptop. While travelling on assignments, this is the all-in-one device, from a computer on which I can key in articles to the phone I use to capture video and pictures.
One of the biggest advantages of using the Galaxy Z Fold4 involves updates, be it OS or security. The Google Pixel does a fantastic job pushing out updates. Besides the Pixel, Samsung is the best Android company when it comes to software updates. Updates arrive often and on time. This is happening not just on foldable phones but on all Samsung devices. Only with updates can you hold on to an Android phone for years. Apple has been doing it for ages and has created a loyal base.
Over the months, updates have been pushed out to make battery usage better, there is a lot more in the Gallery app, resizing Windows has become easier and there have been some background changes in the camera app. The biggest improvement I have seen is the reduction in colour shift while moving from the main camera to the ultra-wide. Even white balance has improved a lot.
Overall, there is plenty to enjoy about the camera on the Fold4 because the viewfinder is large and allows you take a close look at details in a photograph. Editing photos has also become easier.
A larger screen is handy while shooting videos for two reasons. First, more details are available on the screen. Second, you can hold the phone better and there is better stablisation while shooting because there is a better grip on the device. Taking the theme of camera stability a step further, the phone can act like a tripod. You can fold it in half and keep on a flat surface while shooting a video. The obvious question is whether the camera is better than on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. These are two very different categories. The Galaxy Z Fold4 is meant to be a device for productivity while Galaxy S23 is more of a lifestyle device. In case you don’t want to carry a laptop or tablet but want a bigger screen on which you can do most of your work, it’s the Fold that matters. The S23 Ultra is perfect for capturing content.
Sure, the S23 Ultra comes with the S Pen and so does the Z Fold4 but you can use the pen differently in the two devices. The change I would like to see on the Fold is a silo for the S Pen.
Should you wait for the next Z Fold?
It will be worth the wait. The gap between the two halves when the phone is folded will certainly be less if not almost gone. The slight crease on the screen is expected to be even less. More apps for productivity. Better battery life. The phone already offers a great experience while gaming and it can only get better with a newer chipset. I think there is immense potential for the foldable phone. So here comes the special month for the king of foldable phones and all eyes are on Samsung to deliver again.
Mathures Paul
Things we want in the next Galaxy Z Fold
More software features
Thinner design
A silo for the S Pen
A less noticeable crease
More variations and price points
A range of colour options
