Galaxy S22+ 5G vs Galaxy Z Fold4

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, released in February 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, launched in August 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design. While both operate on the Android platform, the S22 Plus offers a traditional, flat smartphone experience, whereas the Z Fold4 introduces a foldable design, transforming from a compact device into a larger tablet-like display. This fundamental difference in form factor drives most of their unique features and user experiences.

When considering the longevity of these devices, both the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G and the Galaxy Z Fold4 benefit from Samsung's commitment to software support, though their physical designs present different durability considerations.

• Software Updates: Both models were promised four years of major Android OS updates and five years of security updates from their respective launch dates. This means both devices are expected to receive updates up to Android 16 and security patches until 2027.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a traditional glass sandwich design with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, offering robust protection against drops and scratches, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy Z Fold4, with its foldable screen, introduces a different set of durability factors. While it also uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ for its cover screen and back, the main foldable display is more delicate. It carries an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion but lacks official dust resistance. User reports suggest improvements in the Z Fold4's hinge and screen protector adhesion compared to earlier foldable generations, though the internal screen remains more susceptible to damage than a traditional display.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S22 series received a low repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, primarily due to the extensive use of strong adhesive for components like the battery and glass panels, making disassembly challenging. While specific scores for the Z Fold4 are not as widely published, foldable devices generally present more complex repair challenges due to their intricate hinge mechanisms and specialized displays. However, Samsung has made efforts to make repairs for the Z Fold4 more accessible, particularly for screen replacements under certain service plans.

The performance of both the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G and the Galaxy Z Fold4 is designed to handle demanding tasks, though the Z Fold4 benefits from a slightly newer generation of internal components and more RAM.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 Plus is equipped with a powerful processor that delivers smooth performance for everyday applications, multitasking, and mobile gaming. The Galaxy Z Fold4 features a more advanced processor, which provides a marginal but noticeable improvement in overall speed and efficiency, particularly when running multiple applications simultaneously or engaging in graphically intensive tasks on its larger display.
• Multitasking and RAM: The S22 Plus typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most users to switch between apps without significant slowdowns. The Z Fold4, however, offers 12GB of RAM, providing more headroom for extensive multitasking, especially when utilizing the larger internal screen with multiple windows open.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 Plus houses a 4500 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of use for many users, though heavy usage can lead to more frequent charging. The Galaxy Z Fold4 has a slightly smaller 4400 mAh battery. Despite the larger screen area to power, user experiences suggest it can still last a comfortable day with regular use, partly due to the efficiency of its processor and adaptive refresh rates.

The display experience is a primary differentiator between these two devices, offering distinct advantages based on user preferences for form factor and screen real estate.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The Galaxy S22 Plus has a 6.6-inch flat display with a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), providing a sharp and clear viewing experience for traditional smartphone use. The Galaxy Z Fold4 offers a dual-screen setup: a 6.2-inch cover display and a large 7.6-inch foldable main display. The main display has a higher resolution (2176 x 1812 pixels), offering a more expansive and immersive canvas.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices feature adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The Galaxy S22 Plus can reach a peak brightness of 1750 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The Z Fold4's displays reach up to 1200 nits peak brightness, which is still very bright and suitable for most environments, though slightly less than the S22 Plus.
• Viewing Experience: The S22 Plus provides a premium, conventional smartphone display ideal for one-handed use and media consumption. The Z Fold4's main display, when unfolded, offers a tablet-like experience, enhancing productivity for tasks like document editing, multi-window multitasking, and immersive media viewing. The crease on the foldable screen is present but often becomes less noticeable during use.

Both the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G and the Galaxy Z Fold4 offer versatile camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, sharing many core specifications.

• Rear Camera System: Both devices feature a triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50 MP wide-angle main sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This configuration allows for a range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed zoomed-in shots. User feedback indicates that both phones produce vibrant and detailed images, with good performance in various lighting conditions.
• Low-Light and Video Performance: Both models show improvements in low-light photography, capturing brighter images with reduced noise. Video recording capabilities are also strong, with both supporting up to 8K resolution at 24fps and 4K at 60fps.
• Front Cameras and Unique Features: The S22 Plus has a 10 MP front camera for selfies and video calls. The Z Fold4 features a 10 MP camera on its cover screen and a 4 MP under-display camera on the main foldable screen. The under-display camera is primarily suited for video calls, while the cover screen camera offers better quality for selfies. The Z Fold4's foldable design also enables unique camera functionalities, such as using the main rear cameras for high-quality selfies by viewing the preview on the cover screen, or using Flex Mode for stable hands-free shooting.