Left:Galaxy Z Fold 3Right:Galaxy Z Fold 4
Jason Cipriani/ZDNetSamsung's wrapping up a big week where the smartphone giant announced two new foldable phones -- theGalaxy Z Fold 4 and theGalaxy Z Flip 4 -- along with theGalaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro and theGalaxy Buds 2 Pro . All of these are currently availableforpreorder, with shipments and in-store availability kicking off on Aug. 26.
Samsung leads the pack with a number of models and variations.
Read nowIf you're just warming up to the idea of a foldable phone and you have your mind set on a Z Fold, you're left with a tough decision: Do you go with the shiny new Galaxy Z Fold 4? Or do you pick up the older, but still impressive Galaxy Z Fold 3?
There isn't a wrong answer, as both phones are great. To help take some of the hard work of deciding off of your back, below I break down which phone you should get and why.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 | |
Display (main screen) | 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with LTPO (1-120Hz refresh rate) | 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with LTPO (1-120Hz refresh rate) |
Display (cover screen) | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with LTPO (1-120Hz refresh rate) | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with LTPO (1-120Hz refresh rate) |
Dimensions (unfolded) | 130.1 x 155.1 x 6.3mm | 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4mm |
Weight | 263g | 271g |
Cameras | 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto, 4MP front (inner), 10MP front (outer) | 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto, 10MP front (outer), 4MP front (inner) |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 | Snapdragon 888 5G |
Memory and storage | 12GB RAM with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 12GB RAM with 256GB, 512GB |
Battery | 4,400mAh | 4,400mAh |
Durability | IPX8 | IPX8 |
Software | One UI 4.1.1 over Android 12L | One UI 4.1 over Android 12 |
Colors | Phantom Black, Beige, Graygreen, Burgundy | Phantom Silver, Phantom Green, Phantom Black |
Price | Starting at$1,799 | $1,499 |
With the Galaxy Z Fold 4 being the newest Fold in the lineup, naturally it's stacked with all of the latest and greatest tech that's currently available, from Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor to a completely redesigned hinge that's smoother and supposed to be sturdier than what was used in the Z Fold 3. It also appears that Samsung is getting better at making displays foldable and dealing with the subsequent crease that it creates.
Also: Does the Z Fold 4 still have a crease? Yes, but we have good news
Arguably one of the biggest updates to the Z Fold 4 over the Z Fold 3 is to the rear-facing cameras. The Z Fold 3 has three rear-facing cameras, all of which are 12-megapixel. The cameras are good, but not great. That's actually been one of the loudest complaints over the years about the Z Fold lineup. This year, however, Samsung has given the Fold 4 a nearly identical camera system to what's found inGalaxy S22 Plus . That means it still has three rear-facing cameras but now they're a 50-megapixel wide, a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera. I haven't used the Z Fold 4's cameras yet, but I can say with confidence that I avoided using the Z Fold 3's cameras. They just weren't good, at all.
Left: Galaxy Z Fold 3 Right: Galaxy Z Fold 4
Jason Cipriani/ZDNetThe specification sheets for the Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 4 list the displays as being the same size, but there's a slight difference that may end up mattering when it comes to your buying decision. The inside display is actually 3mm larger on the Z Fold 4 than its predecessors, while the cover display is 2.7mm bigger. Again, I admit that's not a huge difference. But looking at the two phones side by side, the difference is noticeable -- especially on the front display.
Foldable phones are pricey. In fact, Samsung currently has the Galaxy Z Fold 3 on its own website listed at the same exact price as the shiny new Galaxy Z Fold 4. But there's no reason to pay the launch price for a phone that was revealed a year ago. If you shop around you can find a good, if not great, deal. For example, Amazon has ablack unlocked Galaxy Z Fold 3 with 256GB of storage for $1,499. You should certainly also check with your carrier for any deals that require a trade-in of your current phone. Oftentimes that's the best way to lower the overall cost. Finally, if you don't mind a used or even a like-new Z Fold 3, make sure to check Swappa for good deals. Unlocked used models currently start at$745. Not bad!
Left: Galaxy Z Fold 3 Right: Galaxy Z Fold 4
Jason Cipriani/ZDNetEven though the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a year old, it's no slouch. I have owned a Z Fold 3 for nearly a year now, and it continues to receive timely updates that fix bugs and provide security patches, and also add new features. And Samsung told9to5Googlethat Android 12L, which is what the Z Fold 4 is launching with complete with an app dock at the bottom, will eventually make its way to the Z Fold 3. Unfortunately, there's no word on timing.
Personally, I'm on the fence about whether or not I should upgrade my Galaxy Z Fold 3. The core updates of the Z Fold 4 -- new processor, better cameras, slightly larger display -- are good, but not... great. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 still does exactly what it's supposed to do, and mine has yet to show any signs of its age or wear. And, as I covered above, if you're willing to shop around, you can find a good deal on a Z Fold 3. In the end, you'll get nearly the same exact experience for less money. Hopefully by the time the Z Fold 5 is real, Samsung will have some competition that will force the company to do more with future updates.