Adam Kos One of the benefits of technology editors is that they get access to many devices that they don't need to buy. In this way, we can look under the hood of the competition, and it actually only costs us the time we invest in testing. In this way, not only new iPhones, but also flexible Samsung phones will reach our editorial office. And here's our honest take on them.
If we look at the current portfolio of iPhones, it has clear competition with regard to the production of Android phones. The basic models compete with, for example, the Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ series or the Google Pixel 7. The 14 Pro models are directly opposed by the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra or the Google Pixel 7 Pro and, of course, other premium phones with a price tag above CZK 20 and currently the highest possible equipment. With regard to Samsung, there are still two models that do not actually have any serious competition on the world market. We are talking about the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 models.
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Of course, the meaning of their construction is to blame. With a narrow eye, you could say that the Z Flip4 is a regular phone with a flexible display, since its equipment is rather basic due to the limitation of the body size, even if it has the best chip from Qualcomm at the moment. It loses mainly in the field of cameras, when the better ones just don't fit. Fold4 is in a completely different league. This device for 44 CZK actually has competition only in an iPhone in combination with an iPad.
Galaxy z flip4
But the task of this article is rather to look at whether Apple users somehow lose out because Apple has not yet provided them with a foldable iPhone. The answer is not completely clear, because here we have two very different devices, which also need to be approached differently. In one case it can be said that rather no, but in the other it is rather yes.
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The first is the Galaxy Z Flip4. To be honest, compared to the iPhone 14 (Plus), it actually scores points only in the design, everything else is offered by the Galaxy S22, for example, which has better cameras (in our case, the Flip4 has the advantage that it has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip compared to the controversial Exynos 2200). The sense of use is a little different and a little retro, so opening and closing the main display will not stop entertaining you even after a month. In addition, the external display, which is small but useful, can be matched with the Galaxy Watch, which is also fun. But this does not contradict the fact that you can have the same look of iPhone and Apple Watch.
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The Flex mode is not bad either, although it stands out more on the Fold, because here, by dividing the screen in two, you only get two small ones. The Galaxy from Flip4 is therefore compact, handsome, and has ideal equipment for its more lifestyle-oriented target, but few Apple users will have a reason to exchange it for their iPhone. Except that he would still be so bored with the same look of the iPhone that he would want something diametrically different, as far as the meaning of the method of use is concerned. So no, even though we've seen many concepts of a clamshell iPhone, you can live without this one.
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Galaxy z fold4
It's different with the Fold, because it doesn't just want to be a smartphone, but also a tablet. When it's closed it's a regular Samsung phone, once you open it up it's a regular little Samsung tablet. But it has a great superstructure of Android 12 presented by the manufacturer, which is labeled One UI 4.1.1 and provides you with more of the potential for the mobile conditions of the huge display.
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So the internal display tries to give you intuitive multitasking and it must be acknowledged that it succeeds. You only need one device without having to carry two or deal with which one you reach for (battery life). You have an external display for common things, an internal one for more demanding ones. Let's get rid of the technical limitations in the form of a foil and a groove, whether Apple manages to debug these biggest ailments in its solution or not. Z Fold4 makes sense.
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Not everyone who has an iPhone needs an iPad. But if you had an iPhone with the ability to expand it to an iPad, you'd be thrilled. In addition, you can bite the thickness just fine, because it is better to have a thick and narrow device than a thin but wide one. At the same time, the Fold's equipment is almost without compromises, which also works in its favor.
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So no and yes
The Flip4 is fun to use and easy to like, but that's about it. The Fold4 is a multimedia machine that will please every Android technology enthusiast, Apple fans will try it and then just dryly state that it has Android and is therefore unusable, which is of course just a blind opinion.
If Apple introduced an iPhone Flip with entry-level equipment, I would have no reason to prefer it over the Pro line just because of the design, if I want the highest equipment. Which does not mean that it would not satisfy less demanding users. But if Apple introduced the iPhone Fold, I'd be the first in line for it, also because I still consider the iPad to be a rather useless device if you own an iPhone and a Mac. But I still like the convenience of opening an iPhone and having an iPad from it, and I would really like to see how Apple would handle this concept. So yes, there would really be something to stand for here and it's a shame that Apple still doesn't offer us its solution.
For example, you can buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 here
I have an iPhone (actually two, because of work), an iPad mini, an iPad Pro and a 16” Macbook Pro (in max configuration). Surprisingly, the least used is the Macbook. That I would want to exchange any of the two tablets (with one of the iPhones) for the Fold, I certainly don't. What would I do with a square display? But if I gave in, I would only trade it for a pair of iPad minis and the weaker of the two iPhones. But honestly - I prefer to carry and use iPhone separately and iPad separately. A "two-in-one" device would be just an unpleasant compromise, because the disadvantages of both devices would be combined into one.
Well, if you have it like this, if you had a Fold, you can only have one thing. I have more of the same as you. The most used one, by the way – I program, so obviously a Macbook for work, but I also have a lot of mobile phones in my hand. I use a tablet with an apple pencil quite often - drawings, notes. However, I often find myself not wanting to take out my iPad and I am unnecessarily uncomfortable doing a lot of things on my mobile phone. I would probably use the fold. If it also had stylus support and could function as a desktop when connected to a monitor and keyboard, it might be an ideal device for many people. For 50k, you can actually have 3 things with you. It's not like a bad idea.