Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 vs Galaxy S23: The Ultimate Showdown

Samsung offers a diverse range of smartphones, and the Z Flip4 and S23 represent two distinct philosophies: foldable innovation versus flagship refinement. Choosing between them can be tough. This comprehensive comparison breaks down every aspect to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy S23 emerges as the overall winner, boasting superior performance, a brighter display, and a slightly better battery life. However, the Z Flip4's unique foldable design and compact form factor make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing style and portability.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 Samsung Galaxy S23
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE (6CA), 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, August 102023, February 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, August 25Available. Released 2023, February 17
Body
BuildPlastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm Folded: 84.9 x 71.9 x 15.9-17.1 mm146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight187 g (6.60 oz)168 g (5.93 oz)
 IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 2640 pixels (~426 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 101.5 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 Cover display: Super AMOLED, 1.9 inches, 260 x 512 pixels (Gorilla Glass Victus+)Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 - 128GB only UFS 4.0
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single-12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/240fps, HDR10+8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, HDR10+
Single10 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging25W wired, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 3700 mAhLi-Ion 3900 mAh
Misc
ColorsBora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, Blue, Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki, RedPhantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
ModelsSM-F721B, SM-F721B/DS, SM-F721N, SM-F721U, SM-F721U1, SM-F721W, SM-F7210SM-S911B, SM-S911B/DS, SM-S911U, SM-S911U1, SM-S911W, SM-S911N, SM-S9110, SM-S911E, SM-S911E/DS
Price$ 214.99 / C$ 334.00 / £ 219.00 / € 284.00 / ₹ 40,999$ 237.95 / C$ 336.75 / £ 255.00 / € 322.41 / ₹ 49,990
SAR1.02 W/kg (head)     0.94 W/kg (body)0.95 W/kg (head)     0.88 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.15 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)0.96 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 92h Endurance rating 101h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.5 LUFS (Good) -27.0 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 685754 (v8) | 800001 (v9) GeekBench: 3913 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 1231075 (v9) GeekBench: 4950 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

  • Unique foldable design
  • Compact and pocketable
  • Stylish and eye-catching
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Lower performance than S23
  • Shorter battery life
  • More fragile than traditional phones
  • Crease in the display

Samsung Galaxy S23

  • Superior performance
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Better battery life
  • Excellent camera system
  • More durable design

  • Less unique design
  • Larger size
  • No foldable functionality
  • Pricey

Display Comparison

The Galaxy S23 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 1198 nits compared to the Z Flip4's 919 nits. Both offer excellent contrast (infinite nominal), but the S23's higher brightness provides better visibility in direct sunlight. The Z Flip4's flexible display is a novelty, but the S23's panel is simply more refined.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the S23 generally produces better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The S23's image processing is more refined, resulting in more natural-looking photos and videos. The Z Flip4's camera is perfectly adequate for everyday use, but the S23 offers more versatility and detail.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Z Flip4. The S23's CPU architecture and improved efficiency translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. While the Z Flip4 is still capable, the S23 is in a different league.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S23 demonstrates slightly better battery endurance, with an endurance rating of 101h compared to the Z Flip4's 75h. While both phones offer 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, the S23's more efficient processor contributes to its longer battery life.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is ideal for fashion-conscious users who want a head-turning, pocketable device and don't need top-tier performance. The Galaxy S23 is perfect for power users, photographers, and anyone seeking a premium, reliable flagship experience with excellent all-around capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Z Flip4 worth it if I like foldable phones?
Absolutely! The Z Flip4 is a fantastic foldable phone with a unique design and compact form factor. However, be aware of its limitations in performance and durability compared to traditional smartphones.
❓ Which phone has the better camera for social media?
The Galaxy S23 generally produces higher-quality photos and videos, making it a better choice for social media. Its improved image processing and versatility give it an edge.