Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 vs Galaxy S22 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

Samsung consistently pushes the boundaries of mobile technology, and the Galaxy Z Fold4 and S22 Ultra are prime examples. The Z Fold4 offers a unique foldable experience, while the S22 Ultra delivers top-tier flagship features. But which one deserves your money?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The S22 Ultra offers a more refined, traditional flagship experience with a brighter display and slightly better battery life. The Z Fold4's foldable form factor provides unparalleled multitasking capabilities and a tablet-like experience, making it ideal for productivity-focused users. It's a trade-off between versatility and polish.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
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, 66 - International1, 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, August 102022, February 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, August 25Available. Released 2022, February 25
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mmFolded: 155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8 mm163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight263 g (9.28 oz)228 g / 229 g (mmWave) (8.04 oz)
 IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus supportIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1812 x 2176 pixels (~373 ppi density)1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Size7.6 inches, 183.2 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak)
 Cover display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ 6.2 inches, 904 x 2316 pixels, 23.1:9 ratioAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - EuropeOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - ROW
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROW
GPUAdreno 730Xclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROW
OSAndroid 12L, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-108 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Triple50 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-
Video8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), HDR10+8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single4 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", 1.22µm40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.82", 0.7µm, PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@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, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, 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 (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportSamsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging25W wired, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4400 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGraygreen, Phantom Black, Beige, BurgundyPhantom Black, White, Burgundy, Green, Graphite, Red, Sky Blue, Bora Purple
ModelsSM-F936B, SM-F936B/DS, SM-F936U, SM-F936U1, SM-F936N, SM-F936W, SM-F9360SM-S908B, SM-S908B/DS, SM-S908U, SM-S908U1, SM-S908W, SM-S908N, SM-S9080, SM-S908E, SM-S908E/DS
Price$ 457.00 / € 511.80 / £ 485.00 / ₹ 73,899€ 397.07 / $ 269.98 / £ 304.99 / ₹ 63,899
SAR0.96 W/kg (head)     0.92 W/kg (body)1.18 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.30 W/kg (head)     1.51 W/kg (body)1.05 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 101h Endurance rating 108h
Camera Photo / VideoPhoto / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.3 LUFS (Average) -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 964530 (v9) GeekBench: 3981 (v5.1) GFXBench: 43fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)AnTuTu: 968359 (v9) GeekBench: 3657 (v5.1) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

  • Unique foldable design
  • Excellent multitasking capabilities
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Crease in the folding screen
  • Less refined display compared to S22 Ultra
  • Cameras not as impressive as S22 Ultra
  • Higher price

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G

  • Brighter and more refined display
  • Superior camera system with excellent zoom
  • Slightly better battery life
  • More conventional and durable design

  • No foldable form factor
  • Exynos variant may have slightly lower performance
  • High price

Display Comparison

The S22 Ultra boasts a brighter display (1266 nits vs 1000 nits) offering better outdoor visibility. Both have excellent contrast ratios (Infinite nominal). The Z Fold4's folding screen is a novelty, but it introduces a crease and potential durability concerns. The S22 Ultra's display is arguably more refined.

Camera Comparison

The S22 Ultra's camera system is generally considered superior, particularly its zoom capabilities. While the Z Fold4's cameras are capable, they don't match the S22 Ultra's versatility and image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The S22 Ultra's 108MP main sensor provides more detail.

Performance

Both phones are powerful, but the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Z Fold4 generally edges out the Exynos 2200 (Europe) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (ROW) in the S22 Ultra in sustained performance and efficiency. However, real-world usage will likely feel very similar for most users. The Z Fold4's CPU has a slightly higher peak clock speed on the Cortex-X2.

Battery Life

The S22 Ultra has a slight edge in battery life, with an endurance rating of 108h compared to the Z Fold4's 101h. Both offer decent battery performance, but the S22 Ultra's larger battery capacity contributes to its longer runtime.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4? Users prioritizing multitasking, productivity, and a unique foldable design. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G? Users seeking a top-tier camera, brighter display, and a more conventional, polished flagship experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Z Fold4 durable?
The Z Fold4 is more durable than previous generations, but the folding screen remains a potential point of failure. Careful handling is recommended.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones are capable of handling demanding games. The Z Fold4's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 might offer a slight edge in sustained performance, but the S22 Ultra's display is arguably better for gaming visuals.