As you're likely aware as a Galaxy Z Flip 4 owner yourself, many people who use the 2022 foldable flip phone to this day are somewhat split between wanting the pure flip phone experience enabled by a smaller cover screen and wishing for a newer Z Flip with better specs and features.
Unfortunately, there really isn't any middle ground. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 was the last Samsung flip phone with a small cover screen, and many people continue using it because of that trait.
The thinking is that once you switch to a newer model with better specifications, you will be exposed to the larger cover screen and all the user experience changes it implies. At least, that's the theory, and there is some truth to it.
However, we think that, in the end, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the newer Galaxy Z Flip 6 strike a fine balance. They don't rely too much on the cover screen — not as much as the Fold series — and all things considered, the trade-off is probably worth it in 2024, even if you don't like big cover screens. The upgrades introduced by the Galaxy Z Flip 6 are too good to ignore for long.
Now's the time to refresh your cool Flip
Even as the Z Flip cover screen became larger, Samsung was clever enough to have some restraint on what the external screen could and should do. Samsung didn't want to cram the standard One UI experience onto a small 3.4-inch panel. And we think this was a very wise move.
Samsung understands flip phone fans and knows there's no good reason to create a sub-par One UI experience on a small screen other than to feed the marketing machine. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. In the end, and as you all probably know, the company settled on developing special widgets exclusive to the Flip's external display rather than compromising both One UI and the cover screen.
Is the Galaxy Z Flip 6 cover screen experience as simple and straightforward as it is on your Galaxy Z Flip 4? Well, not quite. But all things considered, we think Samsung pulled it off or at least found a good balance. And if you're starting to feel like you're ready to retire your Galaxy Z Flip 4, now's one of the best times to enter the cover screen widget era and enjoy not only significant upgrades across the board but also a fair trade-in discount (in applicable markets).
For example, right now, you can trade the Galaxy Z Flip 4 for $550 and pick the online exclusive White or Peach color for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 for an extra $100 discount. Just like that, you can save $650 and upgrade from your Galaxy Z Flip 4 to the 256GB Galaxy Z Flip 6 for only $449.
More importantly, what you get from the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a better IP48 rating and superior build quality with a newer hinge, a significantly brighter main foldable display that peaks at 2,600 nits, a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, 12GB of RAM as standard, an upgraded 50MP primary camera, better connectivity, and a bigger battery.
All this in a package that boasts an enhanced armor aluminum frame, the same weight of 187 grams, and an even thinner 14.9mm profile when folded. To top it all off, Samsung says it will support the Galaxy Z Flip 6 with seven major OS upgrades.
The story continues after the video
On the other hand, your Galaxy Z Flip 4 should receive two more major Android upgrades, and yes, it will be eligible for One UI 7.0 next year.
If you want to keep the experience as traditional as possible and live the Flip life without a larger cover screen for as long as possible, there's really no need to replace your favorite flip phone just yet. Assuming you don't have any durability concerns.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 still remains the best in its class, and if durability is not an issue for your device, you should be covered on the software side for up to three more years. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 will get two more Android OS upgrades and three years of security patches. Galaxy AI tools are also available for the Galaxy Z Flip 4, and the One UI 6.1.1 update is rolling out more widely.
So, what will it be? Do you think it's time for you to upgrade? Or will you keep using your Galaxy Z Flip 4 and enjoy the pure — albeit now underpowered — flip phone experience for as long as possible?
