Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G vs Galaxy Z Fold4: The Ultimate Foldable Showdown

Samsung's foldable revolution continues with the Z Fold series. The Z Fold2 5G made waves, but the Z Fold4 refines the formula. This comparison dives deep into both devices, examining their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which foldable deserves your investment.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy Z Fold4 is the clear winner, offering a brighter display, significantly improved performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and better battery life. While the Z Fold2 remains a capable device, the Z Fold4’s upgrades make it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - SM-F916BHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - SM-F916B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 Sub6 - SM-F916B1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-F916U1CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, August 052022, August 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, September 18Available. Released 2022, August 25
Body
BuildGlass front (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 159.2 x 128.2 x 6.9 mmFolded: 159.2 x 68 x 13.8-16.8 mmUnfolded: 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mmFolded: 155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8 mm
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight282 g (9.95 oz)263 g (9.28 oz)
 -IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus support
Display
Resolution1768 x 2208 pixels (~373 ppi density)1812 x 2176 pixels (~373 ppi density)
Size7.6 inches, 180.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)7.6 inches, 183.2 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
 Cover display: Super AMOLED, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 6.23 inches, 816 x 2260 pixels, 25:9 ratioCover display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ 6.2 inches, 904 x 2316 pixels, 23.1:9 ratio
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 730
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1.1Android 12L, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 66mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps (gyro-EIS), HDR10+8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm Cover camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm4 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 2.0µm, under display Cover camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
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
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2USB 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportBixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging25W wired 11W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless25W wired, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4400 mAh
Misc
ColorsMystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Thom Browne Edition, Aston Martin Racing EditionGraygreen, Phantom Black, Beige, Burgundy
ModelsSM-F916B, SM-F916U, SM-F916U1, SM-F916N, SM-F9160, SM-F916W, SCG05SM-F936B, SM-F936B/DS, SM-F936U, SM-F936U1, SM-F936N, SM-F936W, SM-F9360
PriceAbout 960 EUR$ 457.00 / € 511.80 / £ 485.00 / ₹ 73,899
SAR-0.96 W/kg (head)     0.92 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.86 W/kg (head)     1.45 W/kg (body)1.30 W/kg (head)     1.51 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 81h Endurance rating 101h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.2 LUFS (Very good) -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 564907 (v8) GeekBench: 12607 (v4.4), 2715 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 964530 (v9) GeekBench: 3981 (v5.1) GFXBench: 43fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G

  • More affordable
  • Still a capable foldable
  • Good display quality
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Older chipset
  • Lower brightness display
  • Shorter battery life
  • Less refined hinge

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

  • Brighter display
  • Significantly faster performance
  • Improved battery life
  • Refined hinge design
  • Better camera

  • Higher price
  • Still relatively bulky
  • Fragile screen (like all foldables)

Display Comparison

The Z Fold4 boasts a substantial upgrade in display brightness, reaching 1000 nits compared to the Z Fold2's 714 nits. This makes the Z Fold4 significantly easier to view outdoors. Both offer excellent color accuracy and vibrant visuals, but the Z Fold4's improved brightness provides a noticeable edge. The Z Fold4 also has a theoretically infinite contrast ratio, enhancing image depth.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable camera systems, the Z Fold4 features improvements in image processing and low-light performance. The Z Fold4's main sensor is generally considered to produce more detailed and vibrant images. Both offer versatile shooting options thanks to their multiple lenses.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Z Fold4 delivers a significant performance leap over the Snapdragon 865 5G+ in the Z Fold2. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the Z Fold4. The newer chip's 4nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Z Fold4 demonstrates a noticeable improvement in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 101h compared to the Z Fold2's 81h. This translates to longer usage times between charges, a crucial factor for a device with a larger screen and more demanding hardware.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G? Those on a tighter budget who still want a taste of the foldable experience. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4? Power users, photographers, and anyone seeking the latest and greatest in foldable technology and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Z Fold4 worth upgrading from the Z Fold2?
Yes, if you prioritize performance, battery life, and a brighter display. The Z Fold4 offers substantial improvements across the board.
❓ Are foldable phones durable?
Foldable phones are more delicate than traditional smartphones. While Samsung has improved durability, they still require careful handling and a screen protector is highly recommended.
❓ What is the difference in hinge design between the Z Fold2 and Z Fold4?
The Z Fold4 features a redesigned hinge that is slimmer and more durable than the Z Fold2's hinge, contributing to a slightly lighter and more compact design.