ZTE nubia Flip vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: Which Foldable Reigns Supreme?

The foldable phone market is maturing, offering more choices at varying price points. The ZTE nubia Flip enters the arena as a more affordable alternative to established players like Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip4. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two compact foldables, focusing on performance, battery life, and display quality to determine which offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 remains the superior choice due to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and longer battery life (92h endurance vs 75h). However, the nubia Flip presents a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers willing to trade raw power for a lower price.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Flip Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
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, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (6CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2024, February 262022, August 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 23Available. Released 2022, August 25
Body
BuildAluminum alloy frame, glass backPlastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 170 x 75.5 x 7.0 mmFolded: 87.6 x 75.5 x 15 mmUnfolded: 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm Folded: 84.9 x 71.9 x 15.9-17.1 mm
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight214 g (7.55 oz)187 g (6.60 oz)
 -IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
Resolution1188 x 2790 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~439 ppi density)1080 x 2640 pixels (~426 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 110.7 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 101.5 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 120HzFoldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
 -Cover display: Super AMOLED, 1.9 inches, 260 x 512 pixels (Gorilla Glass Victus+)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 644Adreno 730
OSAndroid 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens12 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, HDR, panorama
Video4K, 1080p4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/240fps, HDR10+
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, (wide)10 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4+, 50% in 18 min25W wired, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless
Type4310 mAhLi-Po 3700 mAh
Misc
ColorsSunshine Gold, Cosmic Black, Flowering LilacBora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, Blue, Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki, Red
Models-SM-F721B, SM-F721B/DS, SM-F721N, SM-F721U, SM-F721U1, SM-F721W, SM-F7210
Price€ 249.00 / £ 299.00$ 214.99 / C$ 334.00 / £ 219.00 / € 284.00 / ₹ 40,999
SAR-1.02 W/kg (head)     0.94 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.15 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 92h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 685754 (v8) | 800001 (v9) GeekBench: 3913 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE nubia Flip

  • More affordable price point
  • Faster 33W wired charging
  • Unique and eye-catching design

  • Significantly less powerful processor
  • Shorter battery life
  • Limited camera details

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

  • Flagship-level Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
  • Superior battery life (92h endurance)
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Higher price tag
  • Slower 25W wired charging compared to nubia Flip
  • Potential for software bloat (Samsung Experience)

Display Comparison

The Galaxy Z Flip4 boasts a measured peak brightness of 919 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even outdoors. While the nubia Flip’s brightness isn’t specified, Samsung’s panel technology and higher peak brightness provide a more vibrant and usable experience in bright conditions. Both utilize foldable displays, but Samsung’s experience in this space likely translates to greater durability and refined hinge mechanisms. Contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal) for the Flip4, suggesting deep blacks and vivid colors. The absence of PWM frequency data for the nubia Flip raises potential concerns for users sensitive to screen flicker, a detail Samsung typically addresses in its displays.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the nubia Flip. The Galaxy Z Flip4 likely benefits from Samsung’s established camera processing pipeline and potentially larger sensor sizes. While the nubia Flip may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting, the Flip4’s superior processing power and potentially better optics will result in more detailed and dynamic photos, especially in challenging conditions. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the nubia Flip suggests it may struggle with low-light photography and video stabilization compared to the Flip4.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Galaxy Z Flip4’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) significantly outperforms the nubia Flip’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm). The 8+ Gen 1 features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz, compared to the nubia Flip’s Cortex-A710 at 2.4 GHz. This translates to a noticeable advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. While both are built on a 4nm process, the architectural improvements in the 8+ Gen 1 deliver superior performance and thermal efficiency. The Flip4’s LPDDR5 RAM (speed unspecified) further contributes to smoother multitasking, while the nubia Flip’s RAM configuration remains unknown. The nubia Flip will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the Flip4 is the clear winner for power users.

Battery Life

The Galaxy Z Flip4’s endurance rating of 92 hours significantly surpasses the nubia Flip’s 75 hours, indicating a substantial advantage in battery life. While the nubia Flip offers faster wired charging at 33W (50% in 18 minutes), the Flip4’s 25W charging (50% in 30 minutes) is offset by its larger battery capacity and more efficient chipset. The Flip4 also adds the convenience of 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the nubia Flip. The combination of battery capacity and chipset efficiency makes the Flip4 the clear winner for users who prioritize all-day battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Flip if you prioritize affordability and a unique aesthetic without needing top-tier performance for demanding tasks. It's ideal for social media users and those who value portability above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 if you demand flagship-level performance for gaming and multitasking, require longer battery life, and appreciate Samsung's refined software experience and broader ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the nubia Flip struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is a mid-range chipset and will likely struggle to maintain high frame rates in demanding games like Genshin Impact, even with reduced graphics settings. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Galaxy Z Flip4’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a far smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How does the hinge durability compare between the ZTE nubia Flip and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4?
Samsung has a significant lead in foldable phone hinge technology, having released multiple generations of foldable devices. The Galaxy Z Flip4’s hinge is known for its robustness and smooth operation. While the nubia Flip’s hinge appears well-built, its long-term durability remains unproven compared to Samsung’s more established design. Samsung also offers a more refined folding experience.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the nubia Flip a significant advantage over the 25W charging on the Flip4?
While 33W is faster than 25W, the difference in charging speed is less impactful due to the Flip4’s larger battery capacity and more efficient power management. The nubia Flip reaches 50% in 18 minutes, while the Flip4 takes 30 minutes. However, the Flip4’s overall battery life means you won’t need to charge it as frequently.