new software capabilities
The foldable designs of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 set them unique from the majority of smartphones. However, the hardware and software must catch up.In this aspect, Samsung is off to a good start. The Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip both offer a feature called Flex Mode that, when folded halfway, reorients and adjusts some apps to fit the device's screen. For instance, Flex Mode displays navigation and playback controls on the bottom half of the screen while moving some compatible apps to the top half of the screen.My favorite application of this setting is in the camera app of the Galaxy Z Flip. The shutter button, photo settings, and other controls are located on the bottom half of the screen, while the top half of the screen serves as a viewfinder when the device is propped open halfway. The Z Flip makes a fantastic camera-tripod combination thanks to Flex Mode and its ability to remain open on its own.The Galaxy Z Fold can run multiple apps at once in addition to Flex Mode to make the most of its tablet-sized screen.Although these are excellent additions, Samsung still has a lot of room to grow. When it should be the other way around, it feels like the software is adjusting to the hardware. Flex Mode and the Z Fold's multitasking capabilities are a great place to start, but they're not compelling enough to convince you to buy a foldable phone on their own.Samsung should create more interesting software features, in my opinion. Although I wouldn't advise purchasing the Surface Duo 2 because to how poorly it functions as a regular phone, I believe Microsoft is on to something with regard to software.
It almost seems like you're using an app altogether differently when using the Surface Duo 2's method of dividing compatible apps between screens. The Duo can be turned into a mini-laptop with Outlook's split-screen view, a digital book with the Amazon Kindle app, and a handheld gaming system similar to the Nintendo 3DS with Xbox GamePass. Foldables hold a lot of potential, and I hope Samsung discovers additional ways to capitalize on it.
Increased battery life
One of the most crucial features of any phone, even foldable phones, is battery life. Unfortunately, the battery life of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 was not impressive. The 4,400 mAh battery of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 was barely enough for my coworker Patrick Holland to make it through the day. Only about 11 hours were available on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 before it needed to be recharged.
On the following revisions of the Z Fold and Z Flip, I'm hoping Samsung will increase the battery life or create fresh solutions to get around it. To "get around it," Samsung might increase the devices' fast charging rates or enhance their power saving features. Both the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Z Flip 3 have average charging speeds of up to 25 watts and 15 watts, respectively. For instance, the Galaxy S22 Plus and S22 Ultra both have a 45-watt charging rate.
Better cameras
When it comes to the features that matter the most in a phone, camera quality is right up there with battery life. Although the cameras on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 are nice, they might be better. The 12-megapixel wide and 12-megapixel ultrawide main camera system on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 are "the equivalent of the shooters you'd find on a $700 phone," as my colleague put it in his review. In addition to the 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide lenses, the triple camera system on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 also includes a 12-megapixel telephoto lens.Most folks are comfortable with these cameras. Obviously, the display is what everybody who has thought about purchasing one of these phones is most interested in, not the cameras. I would prefer to see camera quality that at least equals, if not surpasses, that of Samsung's top non-folding phones at the price, though. The Z Fold 3 boasts B+ cameras at an A+ pricing, to quote my colleague Patrick. This is especially true with the Galaxy Z Fold 3's under-display camera, which serves as the phone's selfie camera when it is used as a tablet.
Fortunately, speculations indicate that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 will include significant camera upgrades that will enable it to compete with the Galaxy S22 range.
