How Durable Is The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G?
December 29, 2022When Samsung first introduced the original Galaxy Flip, it represented a novel idea of using bendable screens to overcome present limitations. However, early gremlins in its construction left a lot to be desired. But thankfully, the company learned quickly from its mistakes, and with each new iteration of the phone, made it just that much better.
Fast forward to 2022, and the Flip, now in its fourth iteration, happens to be a great alternative to a traditional flagship smartphone. For starters, it’s blessed with flagship hardware: Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 and 8GB RAM. This makes it an absolute powerhouse when it comes to getting work done, regardless of what tasks are involved.
Unlike traditional smartphones, the Flip4 has two screens: Main Screen (6.7-inch AMOLED) and Cover Screen (1.9-inch AMOLED) that’s housed on the front, upper portion of the body. It’s placed alongside both camera sensors, the 12MP wide and 12MP ultrawide.
The Cover Screen along with the phone’s glass-covered outer body is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+. Said material should provide decent protection against light bumps and scrapes. However, it would be prudent to use a silicone case to limit damage if dropped from an elevated position.
The Main Screen’s bendable display consists of a thin layer of glass that Samsung claims is 45% stronger than that of its predecessor. This is made possible by the specially designed, optimized layer structure that reduces the chance of damage due to external shocks. It’s also protected by a PET screen protective film for an extra layer of protection.
Bureau Veritas, a leader in testing, inspection and certification services has confirmed that the display can be folded and unfolded more than 200,000 times without any problems. This equates to several years of use without inflicting any damage on the phone’s display.
Screen durability is an important aspect of Flip4 because of the Flexcam feature. Activated when folding the phone halfway (L shape position), it splits the display into two sections with the top half showing the actual content while the bottom prioritizes the controls of the respective app.
Compared to last year’s Flip3, the new phone has a slimmer hinge that feels far more sophisticated than the mechanism it replaces. For starters, when pressure is applied to fold or unfold, said hinge moves incrementally forward or backward in order to achieve your desired angle. Older generation Flips’ hinges moved in a more linear fashion.
Comparatively, the Flip4’s movement feels more purposeful and easier to control, which provides more confidence to users who are afraid of damaging the internal components. A sweeper is also embedded into the mechanism to block debris which includes dust or other particulates from getting inside.
It acts as a shield that prevents foreign particles from compromising the hinge movement. That said, it’s advisable that you wipe away food crumbs, dust or similar debris from the screen surface before folding the phone. This practice, though it borders on the extreme, can help prolong the longevity of said hinge.
Another nice upgrade compared to older Flip models is the water resistance rating. The Flip4 and Fold4 are IPX8 water-resistant. This means that they can withstand being submerged into freshwater at a depth of 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes without incurring any damage.
However, this is an extreme that shouldn’t be tested often, because it’s meant to prove the maximum punishment that the device can endure without failing. Basically, what it boils down to is that you can take the Flip4 anywhere, which includes the gym or social activities and not worry about getting it slightly wet.
But that isn’t the end of the story. The hinge and the phone’s frame are reinforced with armor aluminum. According to Samsung, it’s the strongest form of said metal that’s used in modern smartphones. If said claims hold true, you wouldn’t need to exercise caution when handling your Flip4.
The following video depicts the process each phone is subjected to during the testing procedure. Said stress and water resistance tests, which includes being submerged in a body of water shows the lengths to which Samsung has gone to, in order to prove how durable the Flip4 can be for regular consumers.
Despite these “strengthening” measures, the Flip4 is narrower and more compact than the phone it replaces. It also has a much larger battery at 3,700mAh as opposed to the Flip3’s 3,300mAh one, which allows it to last much longer on a single charge. The phone also charges faster and more efficiently thanks to more efficient componentry.
Having used both the Flip3 and Flip4 for several months, I can say with absolute certainty that the latter, despite being the spitting image of the former, is a superior device. A few minutes of comparing the two, side by side, will allow most people to arrive at the same conclusion.
If Samsung continues to follow this pattern of “continuous self-improvement”, we might be on the verge of getting a Flip5 that could render traditional smartphones obsolete.
Take a look at the following articles to learn more about Samsung’s Flip4 5G:
Samsung Galaxy Flip4 5G Review: The Best Foldable For Everyone
Samsung Galaxy Flip 4 5G: Unboxing & First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Flip4 & Fold4: What You Need To Know
How To Improve Battery Life On The Galaxy Flip4 5G Or Other Samsung Phones
What Can You Do With FlexCam On The Samsung Galaxy Flip4 5G?
