The first foldable smartphones were still very sensitive and expensive. How practical is the latest generation?
The basic idea of folding smartphones is impressive: they offer a large screen area, although the device itself is compact and fits well in your pocket. As early as 2018, the Chinese manufacturer Royole presented the Flexpai, the first smartphone with a foldable screen. When Samsung and Huawei launched their devices in 2019, the disadvantages quickly became apparent: the folding mechanism proved to be a major weakness. Hinges and other moving parts could easily be damaged.
The fourth generation of collapsible and folding devices is now available. The manufacturers promise that the teething problems should be over for them. We carried out a practical test with three models to check how well you can get along with a smartphone that folds or folds up in everyday life and whether the premium price for the so-called foldables is worth it.
Three candidates on the test bench
We tested the folding smartphones Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Fold 4, as well as the Motorola Razr 2022. The Flip 4 and Razr are so-called clamshell models. They fold horizontally and are only unfolded to form a normal-sized smartphone.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, on the other hand, is already a fully-fledged smartphone when it is closed. Opened like a book, the area increases from the usual form factor to tablet format.
The following applies to all candidates: You no longer have to worry too much about the mechanical stability of the hinge. Unlike the folding devices of the first generation, the complicated mechanism is no longer fragile, but is enclosed in a stable metal frame. The display crease is clearly visible, but after a while you no longer notice it.
Also interesting: Reports about “iPhone Fold” – when will the foldable Apple cell phone come out?
Dive or rain shower?
Samsung has given its current folding smartphones an IPX8 certification. This means that you can submerge up to a depth of two meters. This is made possible by sealing all internal components, even if water gets under the display. But beware: the “X” in the certification indicates that there is no protection against dust, as is the case with most other smartphones.
Motorola, on the other hand, only gives its new Razr an IP52 certification. That means it will survive a rain shower. However, you should not drop the Razr 2022 in water. However, the smartphone is protected from dust – which is also good.
Samsung hasn’t managed to get rid of the wedge-shaped gap that appears when you fold the foldables together in either the Flip 4 or the Fold 4. Huawei or Oppo can do this more inconspicuously with their folding smartphones. But these devices are difficult to get in Europe anyway.
In a direct comparison of the clamshell smartphones, the Razr 2022 with the larger external display can set itself apart from the Flip 4 a little. With a 1.9-inch screen diagonal and 260 to 512 pixels, the touchscreen of the Samsung device is very small. The Motorola, on the other hand, is 2.7 inches tall and offers 800 by 573 pixels.
The smaller external displays are practical on both devices: They show incoming calls and messages as well as the time and charge level. And you can access the most important functions of the smartphone and, for example, start calls or control smart home devices without having to open the smartphone. Unfortunately, both external displays are fingerprint magnets.
No top-of-the-line cameras on the clamshell phones
If you are looking for the best smartphone for taking photos, you should not necessarily buy a Razr 2022 or Flip 4. In good lighting conditions, they produce pictures that are worth seeing. But as soon as it gets darker, they can no longer keep up with the top class.
Samsung’s larger Fold 4 has three lenses on the back (main camera, ultra wide-angle and triple telephoto). There is also a lens on the outer display and a selfie camera on the inside. With a modest maximum resolution of 4 megapixels (MP), this is technically no longer up to date. One of the reasons for this is that the camera is below the screen and therefore practically disappears when not in use. The display only switches off here when it is used. Nevertheless, the selfies from the front display camera simply look better.
The main camera of the Fold 4 takes very nice pictures with up to 50 MP. Image dynamics, sharpness and details are particularly convincing here. If you find the very colorful photos typical of Samsung too gaudy, you can turn this back later using image editing software. With a threefold optical zoom, the Fold still plays in the class of the new iPhone 14 for telephoto shots.
Conclusion: folding smartphones are ready for everyday use
Samsung and Motorola’s foldable devices have overcome their teething problems. Even if they wouldn’t withstand tough outdoor use: You no longer have to treat them like raw eggs, but can use them in everyday life as full-fledged smartphones.
With Flip 4 and Razr 2022, the handy format is convincing. But you have to make slight compromises with the built-in cameras. But the best camera is the one you have with you at the right moment. And with the ultra-compact form factor, the two folding smartphones can be accommodated in even the tightest pocket.
The Galaxy Fold 4 likes the huge display. There is nothing to complain about in terms of the working speed or the quality of the cameras. When folded, however, it is quite bulky and then no longer fits in a tight trouser pocket.
The fact that neither the two Samsung folding smartphones nor the Razr 2022 from Motorola are at the top of the sales hit parades is probably mainly due to the fact that they are significantly more expensive than non-foldable devices.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 rips the biggest hole in the cash register, which costs between almost 1800 euros (256 GB) and 2160 euros (1 TB) depending on the storage equipment. The Motorola Razr is available with 256 GB of memory for just under 1200 euros. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 also costs between just under 1100 euros (128 GB) and 1280 euros (512 GB), but is often available for significantly less money.