As an “old” guy whose first mobile phone experiences involved laborious T9 text input, ringtones and lots of snakes, I’m mostly interested in a phone that’s fast and reliable. But that’s every smartphone now, even the budget ones: You get powerful chips, tons of storage, state-of-the-art cameras and high-resolution displays. So all that’s left to innovate on is… aesthetics? From the looks of the Z Flip 4 (and BTS-focused marketing), that seems to be the case. Unlike the Z Fold 4 which aims to replace the tablet as a foldable 2-in-1 (and does it well!), the Z Flip 4, with its clamshell design reminiscent of early cell phones, provides a solution to a problem which do not exist. It’s novelty due to nostalgia. And it’s adorable. SEE ALSO: Here’s Everything Samsung Revealed in Galaxy Unpacked 2022 I had a lot of fun with the Z Flip 4 and enjoyed playing with shooting and editing features tailored to the needs of Gen Z creators that make posting content to social media a lot easier. But with a price tag of $999, it all depends on whether its novelty and flashy colors appeal to your aesthetic.
First, here’s what you get:
6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED with 120 Hz refresh rate. 1.9 inch Super AMOLED cover display Dual 12-megapixel rear cameras and 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. 10 megapixel selfie camera 3,700mAh battery with wireless charging 8 GB RAM on all models 128, 256, 512 GB internal storage Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
Nostalgia is a stupid drug
The Z Flip 4 made me think back to Paris Hilton’s heyday. Credit: Kyle Cobian/Mashable Get the kids together for a story from your old days. It was the early 2000s and Paris Hilton was on top of the world as well as the cover of US Weekly almost every week. Permanently in her hands it was the mobile phone du jour. Sometimes, it was a hot pink Motorola Razr. Other times, it was an impressive LG 8700 Shine. There was even a smart device called the T-Mobile Sidekick that made you turn your phone horizontally to type. The message was clear: Phones were the new status symbol. And this seems to be happening again. With the latest resurgence of Y2K trends, Samsung now has Gen Z in the palm of its hand, obsessed with this period and the millennials who experienced it the first time. As Mashable’s culture editor Crystal Bell noted: “There’s a reason Samsung introduced the device with a special music video starring international superstars BTS.” Tweet may have been deleted (opens in new tab) There are some trends from the early 2000s — ie, low-rise jeans, chunky highlights, so much fuss — I’d like to never relive. But the return of colorful flip phones is kind of nice. The Z Flip 4 model I tested comes in a playful pastel shade called bora purple, but the device is also available in graphite, pink, gold and blue. Purple isn’t really my color of choice, but it instantly reminded me of the days when Hilton coordinated her phone with her outfit. That’s not really my style, but I respect the commitment to a pit, so I have the appeal. From here, it looks like a normal phone… Credit: Kyle Cobian / Mashable … but really it’s a container for Y2K nostalgia. Credit: Kyle Cobian/Mashable The Z Flip 4’s internal 6.7-inch foldable AMOLED display, which is the same size as the iPhone 13 Pro Max, is nothing new – this is now Samsung’s fourth iteration of the Flip. But thanks to a wider range of useful widgets and screen cover features plus the ability to do more with the dual-screen form factor, moving to the compact Z Flip 4 is now a much more compelling option. Paris Hilton never met a flip phone she didn’t promote. Credit: Getty Images The next phase of Y2K nostalgia should be the return of the Sidekick. Credit: Getty Images When I first got the phone, one of the first things I did was try to close it with one hand. I craved the thrill of dramatically ending a call, like we all did in the flip phone days. But, unfortunately, the Z Flip 4 doesn’t really allow that. Due to its size, the Z Flip 4 is difficult to close with one hand. It’s not impossible, but you have to squeeze the sides to close it. Hey Samsung, some unsolicited advice: If you’re going to stick with the nostalgic flip phone design, maybe make the Z Flip 4 even smaller and more compact.
You can keep it closed
That said, a smaller Z Flip 4 would probably hinder some of the flip screen functionality, which is one of my favorite aspects of the phone. The cover has always been a key selling point of the Flip, but previous models haven’t perfected it enough. Now, with the option to use the true aspect ratio screen cover camera and a new portrait mode, it’s actually a practical way to take photos and videos. It still has the same 12-megapixel wide and 12-megapixel ultra-wide rear cameras (as well as the same 10-megapixel front-facing camera) as the Flip 3. But a better pixel sensor and improved stabilization make photos and videos look smoother and crisper. The flip-up screen makes taking photos and videos silly fun. Credit: Cecily Mauran / Mashable The true ratio feature is a crucial addition for anyone who doesn’t want to see themselves that close. Credit: Cecily Mauran / Mashable Flip 4 also has improved widget features, namely the ability to access and reply to messages directly from the cover screen using quick suggested replies (which can include voice messages and emojis.) This may even make some people less in control of their phone. reducing the need to pick up and unfold the phone. Usually, I have to put my iPhone face down to avoid distracting notifications, but the Z Flip 4’s cover display is slim enough that I’m not drawn to checking endless notifications while working or eating dinner with friends. If it was an important message, I could quickly reply with a few taps without even opening my phone.
You missed TikTok up
With more focus on the wheels and more video content, it’s no secret that Meta is desperately trying to be more like TikTok. And to expand on that axis, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri made a guest appearance at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked earlier this month. announce the app’s compatibility with Flip 4’s FlexCam, hands-free photo and video capture, and Flex Mode or dual-screen multitasking. Credit: Cecily Mauran / Mashable When either Facebook or Instagram is open on the device, flipping the phone to a 90-degree angle will enable hands-free recording for Stories or Reels. You can also make hands-free video calls with WhatsApp and Messenger. Similar to FlexCam, Flex Mode is another dual-screen feature that lets you use the bottom half of the screen as a touchpad. Essentially, this feature turns the Z Flip 4 into a mini laptop. Flex mode was already available on the Z Flip 3, but the native UX has been improved thanks to better integration with third-party apps like YouTube and Google Meet and improved touchpad settings. FlexCam and Flex Mode are really innovative features that make the most of the Z Flip 4’s foldable design, but it feels like a missed opportunity to get the most out of it. Since the Z Flip 4 is being marketed as the ultimate influencer smartphone, Samsung should have gone for a native integration partnership with the current content king, TikTok, rather than the feeble Facebook/Instagram. Additionally, Flex mode is not fully optimized for TikTok or other apps like Hulu. And it doesn’t even work with Netflix. Additionally, TikTok is slow to launch when accessed via Flex Mode, and all of its icons appear crammed together on the top screen, with some of them so close to the crease that it’s hard to maneuver. Some of the icons even overlap on the right side. In contrast, when I tested Flex mode with Instagram, the feature activated almost instantly and made perfect use of the available screen space. The flex mode feature on TikTok is a bit limited and boring. Credit: Cecily Mauran / Mashable Whereas, the Flex feature on Instagram is fully optimized. Credit: Cecily Mauran / Mashable Overall, the Z Flip 4’s dual-screen features work well if you’re a jet-setting influencer who doesn’t have time to edit content on a laptop, but feels a little cramped. However, if you’re in the market for a true multitasking powerhouse, you’re better off with Samsung’s Z Fold 4, which Mashable’s Alex Perry distraught.
Like looking in a mirror
Recently, tech companies have been promoting the idea that smartphones are an extension of our bodies and should be adapted as such. We wear jewelry and paint our nails, so why shouldn’t our phones reflect our style and taste? The last Pixel 6 line doubled down last fall with stunning device colors and UI palettes to match your wallpaper. Even Apple jumped on the bandwagon last spring by announcing a customizable lock screen with iOS 16. But Samsung takes the cake for its approach to freedom of expression. With the Z Flip 4, you can customize almost everything. From the device’s four different colors to customizing your cover screen with different clock designs, photos, videos, GIFs, or even your own AR emoji, Samsung wants to make sure you bring your whole self to your phone. Customize your cover screen with a little animal lover. Credit: Samsung Thanks to these screen cover widgets, I definitely unwrapped my Z Flip 4 less. Credit: Samsung There’s even a custom program where users can further customize the Flip 4’s design. For an extra $40 you can change the Z Flip 4’s frame to silver, black, or gold, and the body to yellow, white, navy, khaki, or Red. But, as someone who struggles with basic decisions like what to eat for lunch, this is just too much…
