Samsung Galaxy S22 revisited: Keeping the dream of compact phones alive!

I have a confession to make: I am not really into compact phones. The last one I used was the Samsung Galaxy S10e. Remember that cute little phone that was made available in a bunch of fun colorways like Canary Yellow and Flamingo Pink? Even that didn’t impress me enough to keep it around in my pocket. I am not a fan of compact phones because I think they’re underpowered compared to their “regular” variants or they’re often too small to even handle the basic phone stuff.

However, I’d be lying if I said I don’t enjoy using the Galaxy S22. It’s almost like this phone is tricking me into liking compact phones. I say that because I keep coming back to it after using comparatively bigger and more powerful devices like the OnePlus 10T, for instance. The Galaxy S22 is not a perfect phone, and it doesn’t top our best Android phones list either. But it’s just a good choice for most people who don’t want to spend a lot of money. That sounds like a backhanded compliment, so allow me to tell you that it’s also one of the few devices out there to keep the dream of compact phones alive.

I’ve been using the Galaxy S22 for the better part of the last five months and I am here to tell you that while it may not be the cream of the crop, it’s not as bad as you probably think it is. That’s also largely true for all the compact phones in general, so hear me out.

Samsung Galaxy S22

The Galaxy S22 is one of the best bang-for-your-buck smartphones available right now, especially given the extended software support.

Features:

Pros: Cons:

Buy from Samsung

About this longer-term review: This review was written after using the Galaxy S22 extensively for over five months. Samsung India provided us with the review unit for testing, but the company didn’t have any input on the content of this article.

The Galaxy S22 has held up surprisingly well

Foldable phones are getting all the attention right now, but there’s no denying that they’re no match to your typical flagship-class slab made out of glass and aluminum when it comes to durability. There are fewer moving parts to worry about and these are hence more durable. I’ve been using the Galaxy S22 without a case or a screen protector for the last five months, and I have to admit that it has held up surprisingly well. I did accidentally drop the phone a couple of times but I’ve managed to keep it intact with no visible scratches or cracks. Here, take a look at some photos of the phone in its current condition, so you don’t have to take my word for it:

I've been using the Galaxy S22 without a case or a screen protector for the last five months, and I have to admit that it has held up surprisingly well.

The compact dimensions of the Galaxy S22 also make it very easy to handle on a day-to-day basis. Despite the smooth finish, I never felt like I was going to drop the phone, something which I experienced with other devices like the OPPO Reno 8 Pro or even the OnePlus 10T. I’ve been using the Phantom Black variant of the Galaxy S22, which I think does a great job of hiding fingerprints and smudges. The phone, as you can see, looks just as pristine as it did the day I took it out of the box. Even with relatively big hands which are used to handling bigger phones like the Galaxy S22 Ultra, I love how the Galaxy S22 feels confident in hand without the case.

The buttons on the right-hand side of the phone are easy to reach and have a satisfying click to them. The in-display fingerprint scanner is fast and responsive, and the speakers sound good enough for when I don’t feel like using my TWS earbuds. Overall, the Galaxy S22 has held up surprisingly well, and it’s everything I expected a compact phone to be. It’s downright petite in comparison to many other phones on my desk right now, but somehow it feels solid in hand and has an understated design. It’s a phone I’d recommend in a heartbeat purely for its design and in-hand feel.

The display is big enough for an adequate experience

One of the best things about the Galaxy S22’s display — besides the size, of course — is the fact that it is a flat panel. I’ve used plenty of phones with curved edges, and I can’t put it in words how refreshing it feels to use a phone with a flat panel. No accidental touches to worry about, nor any need to adjust your grip to avoid covering the sides of the display with your fingers. And the fact that the Galaxy S22 has symmetrical — and very thin — bezels around the display makes it that much better to look at. The punch-hole selfie cutout doesn’t bother me as much either. All this paves the way for an immersive experience while watching movies or playing some games.

The Galaxy S22 is a phone I'd recommend in a heartbeat purely for its design and in-hand feel.

The Galaxy S22, in case you’re wondering, has a Full HD+ AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Yes, it’s not QHD+, but it’s frankly not an issue especially given the smaller footprint of the phone. The AMOLED panel has great contrast ratios for inky blacks and vibrant colors. It also gets bright enough to be visible under direct sunlight. I was recently out on a vacation, roaming around and sitting by the beach on bright sunny days, and I was able to comfortably use the phone to snap photos, browse social media, and even navigate the streets under direct sunlight. The variable refresh rate, on top of everything else, ensures the battery life isn’t taking a significant hit, though more on the battery life in the sections below.

Performance continues to be great, as expected from a flagship

The performance of the Galaxy S22 is mostly on par with what you’d expect from a flagship smartphone in 2022. Thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, the phone can handle everything very smoothly. I am yet to experience any jitters or lags while navigating the UI or using the phone for my day-to-day activities. This, mind you, is after five months of constant use. I have hundreds of applications installed on this phone right now, and I constantly juggle between a lot of them at any given point. I consider myself a heavy user, so the fact that it has managed to keep up with my usage speaks about the phone’s reliability over time. It’s a flagship chip and it continues to work like a flagship chip.

That said, I am not a huge mobile gamer, so your experience may vary based on the type of games you like to play. The only “resource-intensive” game I’ve played on this phone so far is Apex Legends Mobile, which it was able to handle very well. The phone does get quite warm, so that’s something worth keeping in mind. I noticed that the phone tends to get warm to touch even when I am just, say, taking photos or using it at peak brightness for navigation, etc. The performance of the phone, however, never took a significant hit. You can learn more about the Galaxy S22’s performance in detail in our full review that’s linked earlier in this article. The general performance overall has been excellent. It does get surprisingly warm with moderate and heavy tasks but I didn’t face any performance throttling as a result, so that’s good.

It does get surprisingly warm with moderate and heavy tasks but I didn't face any performance throttling as a result.

I must also point out how Samsung offers the best support among Android device makers in 2022. The Galaxy S22 is eligible to receive up to four major Android OS updates. That’s even better than what Google promises for its Pixel phones. Notably, the Galaxy S22 will also receive security updates for the next five years, meaning it’s perfect for those who want to keep their phones around for a long time. Samsung has also been very consistent at pushing updates to its phones. My Galaxy S22, for instance, is currently on the latest build with the August 2022 security patch level. And based on my experience so far, I can put money on the Galaxy S22 being one of the first in line to receive the next security patch level and all the other updates in the future.

A lot of the software issues that we highlighted in our original review have mostly been ironed out. The device, however, ships with a decent amount of bloatware so you’ll have to do a little bit of cleaning before getting started. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a simple tutorial explaining how to remove bloatware from the Galaxy S22 without root access, so be sure to check it out.

But that battery life…..

Now to the part that’s bothered me the most throughout my time with the phone — the battery life. The Galaxy S22 gets a small 3,700 mAh battery, which drains at an alarming rate. In a day of typical use, the Galaxy S22 will drop down to 50-percent or sometimes even less by 3-4 PM. It’s alarming because this is without even trying to push the phone to its limits. I spend a lot of time using messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, and browsing social media apps like Instagram and Twitter for the most part. I don’t watch a lot of videos or play games on my phone on a daily basis, so the stamina here is definitely weak.

If you are a heavy user who constantly uses the phone to record videos, make a lot of video calls, or use GPS a lot, then the Galaxy S22 is not for you. If you are like me, who can’t stand seeing a lower number on the battery level indicator, then you’ll have to carry a portable charger. I found myself relying a lot on a portable power bank during my recent vacation when I was constantly moving around with GPS, taking a lot of photos, etc. The phone would go down to, say, 20-percent even before I could see the sunset during these days.

The battery life of the Galaxy S22 is a bit problematic and there's no other way to put it, really.

It’s also been quite disappointing to see others rocking phones with significantly faster-charging speeds while I was stuck with 25W charging. You may initially brush it off thinking it’s just a number on the specs sheet but these things start to bother you as you use the phone and compare it with others over some time. The battery life of the Galaxy S22 is a bit problematic and there’s no other way to put it, really. My advice would be to keep a charger or a portable power bank handy at all times.

Cameras are reliable in all conditions

Just to give you a quick refresher on the camera specifications, the Galaxy S22 sports a triple camera setup at the back, and they’re housed inside a chic contour cutout. You get a 50MP f/1.8 main camera along with a 12MP ultrawide camera and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. There’s also a 10MP camera on the front to handle selfies and video calling. You’ve probably seen a lot of Galaxy S22 camera samples already but allow me to use this space as an Instagram feed to show off some stunning photos that I was able to capture during my time off recently. Here, take a look:

Everything we talked about the cameras in our original Galaxy S22 review still stands true. The photos look nice and sharp with enough details to pixel peep. I was particularly impressed to see how the portrait shots turned out. A lot of the samples I was able to capture using the Galaxy S22 were almost on par with the ones taken on a Galaxy S22 Ultra. Of course, the Galaxy S22 Ultra still has an edge with its versatile camera system, but you’re not missing out on a whole lot with the Galaxy S22. I also recorded a lot of stunning videos using the Galaxy S22 over the last few months. But upon comparing similar footage captured using an iPhone 13, I can confidently say that you are better off buying one of the newer iPhones if you shoot a lot of videos.

Closing thoughts: What’s next after the Galaxy S22?

This Galaxy S22 unit, as mentioned earlier, is a review sample that was shared with us for testing. It essentially means Samsung can collect it from me any time they need to, forcing me to switch to a different — and hopefully — a better phone. So what’s next for me after the Galaxy S22? Which phone do I turn to after using this pocket-friendly device for so long?

Well, allow me to advise on some alternatives you can consider over the Galaxy S22. The first and perhaps the most obvious alternative seems like the new Asus Zenfone 9. It’s the only compact phone that has managed to grab my attention since, say, the Galaxy S10e. XDA’s Senior Editor Ben has some really good things to say about Asus’ new compact powerhouse, so you might want to check out his Zenfone 9 review before making a purchase decision.

The next choice is Samsung’s new clamshell — the Galaxy Z Flip 4. It unfolds into a full-fledged smartphone, thanks to a foldable display. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is fun to use and it’ll fit inside the pocket, but it’s not quite the compact or the small phone of my dreams. Unlike the new Moto Razr or even Samsung’s own Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 doesn’t have a cover display that’s big enough to let you do anything on it. This means nine out of 10 times you actually have to open it, at which point it just becomes a bigger phone to handle. Not to mention, it also adds the step of having to open the phone, which can be quite the task if you have your hands full. Sure, you can always flick to open it as the cool kids do, but it turns out I am not as reckless when it comes to handling a $1,000 phone. I can think of a lot of other reasons why the Galaxy Z Flip 4 isn’t a solid alternative to the Galaxy S22, but I think it warrants a separate discussion altogether.

There’s also the iPhone 13 Mini which qualifies as a compact phone. However, it runs on Apple’s iOS which is a different software altogether, so keep that in mind.

The fact that the Galaxy Z Flip 4 isn’t the perfect alternative, and the Asus Zenfone 9 isn’t readily available across all smartphone markets, makes me really hopeful about another compact Galaxy S series flagship next year. While I don’t roam around wearing a T-shirt that reads “Compact phones FTW”, I have to admit that I enjoyed keeping my pockets free of bulk these past months. That’s especially true if the “compact phone” I am carrying can handle my day-to-day workloads, albeit not as elegantly as the Galaxy S22 Ultra or the Galaxy Z Fold 4 would.

Samsung Galaxy S22

The Galaxy S22 is one of the best bang-for-your-buck smartphones available right now, especially given the extended software support.

Buy from Samsung

Despite the potential alternatives reaching the market, the Galaxy S22 continues to remain the phone that’s capable of handling just about any task you throw at it. It also has top-notch cameras and arguably the best software support in the Android space. I hate that I have to adjust my phone usage to compensate for particularly weak battery life, but that’s the only qualm I have with using what is — in my opinion — one of the best Samsung flagships in years.

Long story short, the Galaxy S22 is still one of the best compact phones that you can readily buy in most markets across the globe. It’s the device that’s keeping the dream of compact phones alive for me, and I am excited to see what the next Galaxy S series flagship has in store for us.

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How to install Python on Windows, Linux, and macOS

If you want to get into development, one of my favorite programming languages that I’ve learned is Python. It’s a multi-paradigm language, supporting imperative, functional, procedural, and object-oriented programming. It’s wide open and can be used for practically anything, and is a go-to language for many when working in artificial intelligence or machine learning. I use it for a lot of automation, and it’s even the language that some of the testing tools that we’ve used are written in.

Python is a powerful language, and if you want to get started with it, this guide will teach you the basics. Not only will you need to install the Python binaries and ensure that it’s in your PATH, but you’ll also need something to actually write code in. You could use a full-fledged IDE (Integrated Development Environment) like PyCharm, or you could lean towards a text editor such as the pre-installed IDLE or Sublime Text 3. There are a lot of options, but this guide should kick-start you on the basics.

Installing Python

On Windows and macOS

Installing Python is the easy part, and you’ll need to decide whether you’re installing Python 2.7 or Python 3.x. Python 2.7 is often used for legacy projects, but if you’re writing your own software, then you should install Python 3.x.

To install on Windows or Mac, do the following:

• Go to the official Python site, and navigate to the most recent release. At the time of writing, that is 3.10.6.
• Download the binary for your platform.
• Execute the binary.

You don’t need to select any options aside from adding Python to your PATH, as the default installer has everything that you need. Simply clicking “Install” is all you need to do. On Mac, this will be done by default in the dmg installer.

Installing Python on Linux

If you use Linux, though, then it will depend on the distribution that you’re using. Debian-based distributions (such as Ubuntu) can use the apt package installer in Terminal by executing the following command:

• apt-get install python3.6

Other distributions may have it already pre-installed, and if not, you’ll need to use the package manager in your distribution. For example, on CentOS, you would execute “yum install -y python3”.

Verify Installation

You can verify your install is active, by running the “python” command in PowerShell, command prompt, or your Terminal.

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Choose your Python IDE

You’ll need an IDE or text editor to write code effectively, and there are a few options. Python comes with IDLE pre-installed, and while it works well, it’s not great for larger files that may be more complicated. Here are some of the IDEs that I’ve used for Python over the years, both in university and in my own projects. All of these IDEs are cross-platform, meaning you can run them on Windows, Linux, or macOS.

PyCharm

If you’re familiar with Android Studio or IntelliJ, then you’re already familiar with PyCharm. It’s from the same developers, and you can even enable the exact same functionality in IntelliJ by installing the Python plugin. The difference is that PyCharm is built from the ground up purely just for Python, and packs all of the features you’d expect of any modern IDE. That includes built in version control, syntax highlighting, window splitting, debugging features, and more.

Download PyCharm

Spyder

If you’re a data scientist (or are going to be using Python for data science purposes), then you need to install Spyder. It’s an IDE that packs in some of the most popular data analysis packages for Python already. These include matplotlib, numpy, scipy, and pandas. If you want to get into data analysis, data plotting, and other scientific investigation, then Spyder is 100% what you need to install. Spyder even has Jupyter Notebooks built in, which can be used to explore and plot data really easily.

Download Spyder

Sublime Text 3

Sublime Text 3 is one of my go-to text editors, simply thanks to its simplicity. It’s super versatile, though barebones, and more suited towards smaller projects. If you’re only working with a few hundred lines of code in a program that you’re writing, then Sublime Text 3 is probably the best way to go. I once wrote a web scraper in Python that would read local renting sites and email me and some friends a link to new listings just using Sublime Text 3 and Python. It’s a perfectly capable development environment and one that I think most people should be familiar with.

Download Sublime Text 3

Visual Studio Code (VSCode)

Visual Studio Code (or VSCode) is one of the most versatile development environments out there. It’s entirely customizable, with a massive repository of plugins that you can access from within. It’s not compatible with Python straight away, but you can install a Python plugin from within that will enable syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, Jupyter Notebooks, debugging, unit testing, and other features. I love Visual Studio Code, and it’s actually the IDE that I use the most when I’m working on something complex.

Download Visual Studio Code

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What next

If you want to get started with development, there are loads of tutorials online that will teach you the basics. Between the likes of CodeAcademy and w3schools, there are lots of options. There are even Python interpreters on Android that you can use to write on your phone, and the best way to learn is by doing. If you’re doing anything resource-intensive that may use a lot of machine learning models or artificial intelligence, you might need one of the best laptops to handle it, though.

The best way that I learned was by realizing a problem or other difficulty I had and trying to figure out a way to automate the solution to it. That’s why I had the idea of writing a program that would scrape renting sites for me, and I’m sure there are other reasons you may find that you want to use Python, too.

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What satellite navigation systems does the Google Pixel 6a support?

Google revealed the Pixel 6a during its annual I/O conference. This mid-range phone packs a decent camera, Google’s Tensor chip, and the fluid Android experience you know and love. For $449 only, you can buy a Pixel 6a and get your hands on Google’s hardware and software — without leaving a hole in your pocket. Now, if you plan on getting your hands on a Google Pixel 6a, you must be wondering — what satellite navigation systems does it support? Here’s what you need to know about this particular matter.

Satellite navigation systems are invaluable nowadays. Thanks to digital maps, we now get to use apps for locating nearby restaurants and other places of interest. The lists are continuously updated, and you get to view relevant information like businesses’ phone numbers, email addresses, opening hours, etc. There are several systems available out there, and the Google Pixel 6a supports a handful of them.

The Google Pixel 6a supports the following satellite navigation systems — GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS. Through these, you get to navigate around, share your precise location with others, and do more!

Google Pixel 6a

The Pixel 6a is a middle-range phone from Google. It packs the Tensor chip and runs Android 12.

View on Best Buy

The Google Pixel 6a is a great device for those who want the pure Google experience without spending too much on the higher-end models of this phone. It’s not the best-performing smartphone out there. However, it still comes with decent offerings — while missing out on other ones. For example, you get a great FHD+ AMOLED display that lacks 120Hz support. Nonetheless, average users likely wouldn’t care about the difference between the Pixel 6a and the higher-end Pixel phones. If you go for it, don’t forget to protect it with a case because it’s always better to be safe than sorry. A case not only provides protection but also acts as a cosmetic accessory. It refreshes the appearance of your phone and prevents it from becoming mundane.

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How to change the voice and accent Siri uses on your iPhone

Siri is the virtual assistant that lives in some of the greatest iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Despite it not being as smart or helpful as Google Assistant, it still can come in handy for basic tasks and questions. Depending on your iPhone model, you can either trigger it by pressing and holding on the Side or Home buttons. Of course, you also get to enable the Hey Siri voice command for a hands-free experience. When you first set up your iPhone, iOS asks you to choose a voice for Siri. However, sometimes we get bored of or annoyed by our past decisions. Fortunately for all of us, you can indeed change the voice and accent Siri uses on your iPhone. Here are the detailed steps you need to follow to change these settings on iOS.

Changing the voice and accent Siri uses on iOS

• Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.

• Scroll down, and click on the Siri & Search section.

• Choose the Siri Voice section.

• There you will find two main sections — Variety and Voice. Variety includes the available accents, while Voice refers to the actual voice tone. Try them out one by one and select the pair you like the most. Do note that the available voice and variety options vary depending on the chosen language. For English, you get five voices and six varieties:
  • American
  • Australian
  • British
  • Indian
  • Irish
  • South African

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Once you set the Siri Voice and Variety, they should sync to all of your compatible iCloud devices automatically. This means you won’t need to tweak your Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac settings to get the same voice you’ve chosen on your iPhone.

Do you actively use Siri to get tasks done? If so, which Voice and Variety pair will you go for? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun confirms a global release for the 12 S Ultra successor

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun declared via Twitter that Xiaomi would be available in global markets. More specifically, Jun was talking about the next iteration of the Xiaomi 12 S Ultra. It is unclear whether Jun was talking about a true successor to the Xiaomi 12 S Ultra, or a 12 S Ultra that will be made specifically for the global market.

Xiaomi has been around for a little over a decade and sold its first smartphone in 2011. A few years later it would dominate its local region having the largest marketshare in China. For the most part, Xiaomi’s main business lies in China, but it has expanded to other regions like India and Europe. The one market that it has not managed to enter is the United States. While it has never formally entered the market, it did previously experience some unpleasantness with the US government. Thankfully, the issues were later resolved.

The next iteration of Ultra will be available in our global markets! https://t.co/TgdDWq8724

— leijun (@leijun) August 27, 2022

Xiaomi going after global consumers is an important step, not only for the company but also for consumers. Despite there being a wealth of options for Android devices, the push forward to create something special has stagnated. Our own Adam Conway discussed this for mid-range devices, but it applies to flagship models too. Samsung has long had a stranglehold on the U.S. market and because of this, it has erred on the side of caution and continued to deliver iterative updates to its smartphones. With more competition, companies like Samsung would be forced to push hard and deliver more innovation.

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a perfect example of what happens when a company pushes the envelope. You end up with a smartphone that has an alluring design that is supported by top specifications, and has an amazing camera. Furthermore, pricing for the 12S Ultra is in line with other flagships, which is great. While Xiaomi has enforced a sales strategy in its home territory, it will be interesting to see how much it invests into the global market going forward. Unfortunately for now, there isn’t a timeline of when its devices will begin to arrive to the global market.

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Source: Lei Jun (Twitter)

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Review: It’s a lifestyle

Like last year’s Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is still the best at what it’s supposed to be, that being a foldable flip phone and a lifestyle device. It’s a delightful phone to carry around, and it’s just plain fun to use. It will bring you back to a nostalgic era, while still being functional for the modern age.

It’s not the best smartphone that you can get for its price though. Traditional form factor devices have been refined over the last 15 years, and if you’re spending the same amount of money, you’ll still find a better camera and better performance on a traditional smartphone. That’s just how it is, and how it will be for the foreseeable future.

Ultimately, if you’re thinking about buying the Galaxy Z Flip 4, what you have to decide is if you want the form factor. That should be the driving force behind your decision. It will fit better in small pockets or handbags, and if that’s practical for you, then this could be the device for you. If you just think it looks cool, you should consider how this will benefit you.

The Flip 4 is the best at what it does, and that is flipping in half. Samsung is really nailing the foldable market in the U.S., with almost no viable competition, and it’s exciting.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is Samsung's latest foldable flip phone, now upgraded with a better camera, better battery life, and a new chipset.

Features:

Pros: Cons:

See at Samsung

Navigate this review:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Pricing and availability
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Specs
• Design: You need to want a flip phone
• The Cover Screen: It’s too limited, but there are options
• Flex Mode is neat for something I’ll never use
• Camera: It’s good, but with zero bells and whistles
• Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Plus is great, as expected
• Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4?

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Pricing and Availability

• The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is now available, and it starts at $999
• As usual, there are lots of deals available, with trade-ins bringing the price down significantly

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the same price that the Z Flip 3 was. It starts at $999. As you’d expect, it’s available from all major retailers – like Samsung.com and Best Buy – and it’s available at all major carriers, like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

It’s available now, coming in Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, and Blue, and there’s also a Bespoke Edition that will let you choose a frame and colors for the panels. It comes in three configurations – all of which have 8GB RAM – with storage amounts of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB.

While the starting price point is already low for a foldable, that’s not even the best you can do. Samsung is always pushing some serious deals around devices like the Z Flip 4, and you’re bound to find deals at your local carrier as well.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Specs

Specification	Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Build	Armor Aluminum Frame Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ IPX8 water resistance
Dimensions & Weight	Folded: 71.9 x 84.9 x 15.9-17.1mm Unfolded: 71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9mm 187g
Display	Cover: 1.9-inch Super AMOLED 260 x 512p resolution Main: 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 2640 x 1080p resolution 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate (1-120Hz)
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
RAM & Storage	8GB RAM + 128GB storage 8GB + 256GB 8GB + 512GB
Battery & Charging	3,700mAh 25W Wired fast charging (up to 50% charge in 30 minutes) Wireless charging support Wireless PowerShare
Security	Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
Audio	Dual stereo speakers
Rear Camera(s)	Primary: 12MP f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel AF, 1.8µm pixel size (0.4µm bigger than Z Flip 3) Ultra-wide: 12MP f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size, 123-degree FoV
Front Camera(s)	10MP f/2.4, 1.22µm pixel size, 80-degree FoV
Port(s)	USB Type-C
Connectivity	5G 4G LTE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.2 NFC
Software	One UI 4.1.1 based on Android 12
Colors	Standard colors: Graphite Bora Purple Pink Gold Blue Bespoke Edition customizations Front and back panel Butter Yellow/Bespoke Yellow Brick Red Khaki Green Navy White Hinge and frame Black (matte finish) Silver Gold

About this review: Samsung US sent us a Galaxy Z Flip 4 for review. This review is written after using the device for more than two weeks. Samsung had no input in the contents of this review.

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Design: You need to want a flip phone

• It comes in four colors: Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, and Blue
• It fits nicely in small pockets, even if it’s a bit thick

I almost look at the Galaxy Z Flip 4 like I would a smartwatch, at least in terms of whether someone should buy it. Basically, you should be able to know if you want it before you turn it on. The Z Flip 4, like a smartwatch, is a personal device; it’s a lifestyle. You have to want this, because if you don’t, you’re really paying a lot of money for something that doesn’t make sense for you.

Samsung makes two kinds of foldables. The Galaxy Z Fold series is all about having a somewhat regularly sized phone that unfolds into something larger, and the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the latest release within it. The Galaxy Z Flip series is all about having a somewhat regularly sized phone that folds into something smaller, and for the next year, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 will be handling all duties of this lineup.

Yes, the Z Flip 4 is a modern take on a flip phone, which means that it has a smaller footprint. It fits more comfortably into smaller pockets and handbags. It’s also cool and stylish. Samsung sent me the Bora Purple model, which has purple panels on both sides, along with a metallic frame and hinge. If you’re looking at it from the front, there’s also a Cover Screen, a small display that lets you do a selection of tasks without opening the device.

This form factor is not for everyone. If you’ve ever had a hot dog in one hand and pulled your phone out of your pocket to scroll through Instagram with the other, I can tell you that you might face some challenges with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. In general, you’ll need two hands to open it, or else you risk dropping the device.

This is by design. Even during the launch event, Samsung pointed out that when you’re with a group of friends and you close your Galaxy Z Flip 4, you’re signaling to them that you’re present and distraction-free. And if you open it, you have to consciously do so. It’s quite a different experience from what we’re used to with slate phones. Engagement with the phone is a conscious and deliberate act here, and that might also appeal to people who want to try and wean themselves off very high phone usage.

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the best at what it's supposed to be.

There’s a single USB Type-C port on the bottom, and only two buttons: a power button and a volume rocker. I personally find it hard to really settle into that muscle memory where I automatically know where the buttons are. Since they’re both on the top half of the device, they’re in a different order depending on whether you have the device folded or unfolded.

Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the best at what it does. Motorola has made a couple of Razr phones, and most recently, it released one in China. The Lenovo-owned company, while owning nostalgia for its old flip phone, really can’t hold a candle to the Z Flip series. Samsung puts out the best product, and it does so at a lower price point.

The internal display comes in at 6.7 inches with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Just as you’d expect from Samsung, the display is beautiful, but be warned, there is a crease. I also want to be clear that I could not care less about the crease, and I suspect that you won’t care either. It doesn’t get in the way of anything, and it’s not even an annoyance. In short, yes there’s a crease, and no it doesn’t matter.

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The Cover Screen: It’s too limited, but there are options

• The Cover Screen lets you use the camera, access widgets, and toggle quick settings
• CoverScreen OS lets you do a lot more

There’s a lot that you can do with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 that doesn’t require you to open the device. To start, you’ll see the time, date, and battery percentage on the main Cover Screen. Naturally, you can customize it with your own imagery. There’s also an always-on display option, which is turned off by default, but given the nature of the Z Flip, which wants you to open it to use it, turning on the always-on display to see the time with no extra steps was something that had to be done.

If you swipe in from the left, you’ll see notifications, and from the right, you’ll see widgets. If you swipe down from the top, you’ll get quick settings.

All of this stuff is pretty limited. There are a selection of widgets to choose from, such as media controls and calendar, but the quick settings can’t be customized. In fact, the lack of customization for quick settings was a real pain point for me. If there was just one thing I’d want, it’s the ability to quickly put the phone on do not disturb when I go to bed, but that’s not an option.

But then I discovered CoverScreen OS for the Galaxy Z Flip 4. I don’t normally shout out third-party utilities in reviews, but this fixed all of my pain points. It not only gave me the customizable quick settings that I wanted, but it also lets you run pretty much any app on the coverscreen. There’s a full app drawer, and if the app can properly adapt to the small screen, it will run. WW

The other key task you can execute from the Cover Screen is access the camera. You’ll get some of the best selfies that you can with the device by using the main camera. And also, you can take selfies with the ultra-wide sensor by doing this.

I had a few issues with this, such as a bug where it was way too easy to take an upside-down selfie. Basically, if you launch the camera with the sensors facing up, the picture is upside-down. On the other hand, if you launch it with the sensors on the bottom and then turn it over, the orientation is fine.

The Cover Screen camera will get you the best selfies you can get.

One thing that’s a bit jarring is that when the Cover Screen is horizontal, you get a vertical photo or video. And when the Cover Screen is vertical, you get a horizontal image or video. While jarring, it’s actually a fantastic way to keep yourself centered in your horizontal media.

The Cover Screen camera is one of my favorite features of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. It’s a neat way to take a picture, and it actually leaves you with some of the best selfies you can get. Having a proper ultra-wide lens means that you can take great group photos as well. You’ll be the coolest one at the party when you take this thing out of your pocket to take a group photo of 10 people.

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Flex Mode is neat for something I’ll never use

• Flex Mode lets you set the device at a 90-degree angle, and the display is optimized for it

One of the key features of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is called Flex mode. If you fold the device at a 90-degree angle, certain apps will be optimized for it. For example, in the Camera app, the viewfinder will be in the top half of the display, with controls on the bottom. Ever tried to balance your phone in a way that will take a picture on a timer? Now, there’s a good solution.

The same thing goes for apps like Google Duo, where you’ll see the video feed on top with controls on the bottom. YouTube is another app that’s optimized for this.

To me, Flex Mode is just not practical enough, except in very specific use cases like what I just said about balancing your phone. If I’m on my phone and I’m on a video call, it’s probably because I’m mobile. If I wasn’t, I’d be taking it on my PC. It’s also just an awkward angle if you’re sitting and looking down at the camera; take it from a guy who’s reviewed laptops with webcams below the display. I think we’ve learned over the past two and a half years that cameras should be eye-level.

Also, most apps don’t support Flex Mode. That’s probably the biggest reason I wouldn’t use it, because you don’t know it’s there until you try. And if most apps don’t support it, no one is going to sit there trying to see if apps are optimized for it.

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Camera: It’s good, but with zero bells and whistles

• There are dual 12MP sensors, and the main camera has been improved for better low-light performance
• The front camera is the same 10MP sensor

The camera on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is good…but also, it depends on what you’d define as good. There’s one key thing that I want to lay right on the table. Any standard slate phone that comes in at a similar price point has a better camera. That’s why this is a lifestyle phone. It absolutely makes compromises in favor of the form factor.

There are two 12MP sensors (f/1.8 and f/2.2 ultra-wide), and there’s no telephoto lens. If you’re familiar with smartphone photography, then you probably know what this thing is capable of. You’d be correct, as there are no surprises here. The two lenses are good; the main sensor is larger with larger pixels than its predecessor, meaning it has better low-light performance.

The camera is much improved, but there's no zoom lens.

But again, it’s really just for snapping pictures. Once you start to pinch to zoom, you’ll rapidly lose quality. There’s no telephoto lens, and the main sensor doesn’t have a high enough resolution for any decent digital zoom to be happening. If you’re used to using a thousand-dollar phone like an iPhone 13 Pro or a Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus, then you’re already used to a bit of lossless zoom. This was something that I had to adjust to in my time with the Galaxy Z Flip 4.

This is the device where you take group selfies from the Cover Screen, not the device where you take epic photos in all kinds of tricky situations.

As you can see from the images, the colors look great, there’s a natural bokeh effect, and the low-light performance is solid. I barely even had to use night mode, although it does suggest it in those situations. Beyond that though, there’s not much to say about camera quality

There’s also the ability to shoot 720p 960fps slow motion video, which I wouldn’t normally test, but I was at a ballgame.

There’s also a 10MP f/2.4 front camera, which is fine. As I said, you’ll always get a better selfie out of the main camera, which you can access from the Cover Screen. The front camera supports the bells and whistles you’d expect, such as 4K 60fps video capture.

That’s about it though. The front camera is what it is. I think that for a device like this, you’ll find yourself using the Cover Screen camera features more.

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Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Plus is great, as expected

• The Galaxy Z Flip 4 includes a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and 8GB RAM

You should probably skip this section. I really don’t think of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 as the type of device that you buy for performance, just like you shouldn’t buy it if you’re looking for the camera. When you start to classify something as a lifestyle device, style matters a lot more, and the features that matter are a lot different. It’s more about experiences.

It does have a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, the latest and greatest from Qualcomm. For RAM, you’ll get 8GB, which is going to be fine for any use case. These are still considered top-tier specifications.

Running Geekbench 5, I got an average single-core score of 1,275 and an average multi-core score of 3,731. For comparison, the Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1) scored 1,252 and 3,278, the OnePlus 10 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1) scored 986 and 3,453, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (Snapdragon 888) scored 559 and 2,164.

Running CPU Throttling Test, it throttled down to 64% of its maximum performance, which isn’t great. For comparison, the Galaxy S22 Ultra throttled to 84%, the OnePlus 10 Pro throttled to 78%, and the Galaxy Z Fold 3 throttled to 56%.

I also ran some GFXBench tests, and the results are about what you’d expect. FHD Aztec Ruins tests came in at over 60fps, while 4K tests barely topped 15fps. If that means nothing to you, you just might be the right person for this device.

Battery life was pretty great. Throughout the two-week span that I used the device, it was never below 40% when I put it on the charger. The routine I used was charging it to 100% before going to sleep, and then using it throughout the day. I never found myself even close to having to charge it during the day, so that was actually pretty nice. Battery life was an afterthought.

Something you would want to note though: charging the device remains unimpressive. You also do not get any chargers in the box, so you will have to make use of any older ones you have laying around, or consider purchasing a new charger separately.

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Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4?

Samsung has done a lot to democratize foldable phones with the Z Flip series. At a starting price of $999 and absolutely incredible trade-in deals, the device is as accessible as it’s ever been. But it’s definitely not for everyone.

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 if:

• You’re looking for a device with a small footprint, that fits in small pockets or handbags
• You wanted that mini iPhone 14 that Apple isn’t going to make
• You want a device that’s cool, sleek, and stylish first, while remaining functional

You should not buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 if:

• You want the best camera
• You want the best performance

Like I’ve said, this is not the phone that you get if you want the best overall experience. Ultimately, the standard slate form factor is something that’s been refined for 15 years now. We know what works and what doesn’t. This flipping phone is something that’s still somewhat new, so yes, slate phones at the same price will have better cameras, and in many cases, better performance.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is Samsung's latest foldable flip phone, now upgraded with a better camera, better battery life, and a new chipset.

Features:

Pros: Cons:

See at Samsung

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The Asus Zenfone 9 is what the Google Pixel 6 should have been

The Asus Zenfone 9 has been making waves thanks to its small form factor while also pulling no punches in terms of features. It’s the smoothest Android phone I have used in a long time, and it has a lot of excellent features in the system that are all genuinely useful. It’s not packed full of features like, say, One UI or ColorOS, but that sounds familiar, doesn’t it? The Asus Zenfone 9 is the most “Pixel”-like phone that I have used that wasn’t a Pixel, and to be honest, I think it’s what the Google Pixel 6 should have been.

It’s a hot take, I know, but let me explain. The Google Pixel series is supposed to represent the pinnacle of Android. It’s the iPhone of the Android world in that sense, and the iPhone sets a pretty high bar for a lot of things. I think many people would argue that the Pixel 6 series (inclusive of the Pixel 6 Pro), doesn’t quite achieve that though thanks to Tensor. Between performance issues, thermal problems, and signal strength, it’s a subpar experience that I don’t think I would recommend to an iPhone user if they wanted to make the switch.

The Asus Zenfone 9 is different, though, and there are only a couple of things I’d take from the Pixel 6 and apply to it. Is it a perfect phone? Absolutely not. Would I recommend it to an iPhone user looking to make the switch? No (unless they want a small phone). Is it a closer baseline to what an Android representative should be? Almost certainly.

About this article: Google and Asus both sent me the Google Pixel 6 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 9 for review respectively. Neither company had any input into the contents of this article.

Downsides of the Asus Zenfone 9

Before getting into why I feel that the Asus Zenfone 9 is a good baseline for what the Pixel series should be, it’s important to acknowledge the very real downsides that it has. For starters, software support is much worse from Asus, and good software support is a big part of owning a Pixel. Not only does Asus offer a much shorter window (two years of major updates), but it’s also going to be a lot slower to arrive onto the device. Asus is good at software, but it doesn’t update its devices all that frequently.

On top of that, the camera takes a major hit, too. The Zenfone 9 camera is good, and in videography, I think it’s definitely better than the Pixel 6a, but I’m unsure if it’s really all that much better than the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro. There are genuine, tangible reasons why a Pixel phone might suit you better, depending on what you value.

However, if you’re a normal consumer and neither of those things bother you, then the Asus Zenfone 9 is possibly the phone for you.

Why I think the Asus Zenfone 9 works as a Pixel

Disregarding the software update situation and the camera, what else is a Pixel known for? Is it the software features? Is it a smooth performance? The Asus Zenfone 9 adds genuinely useful features, and the performance is the smoothest I have experienced on any modern Android smartphone that wasn’t a Pixel.

The Asus Zenfone 9 nails every fundamental solidly. It’s not necessarily the best in every category, and that’s evident even from the spec sheet. The smaller screen alone is obviously not something most consumers want, nor does it have the best cameras. However, all of these reasons are why it works better as a Pixel 6, rather than a Pixel 6 Pro.

Even when looking at Tensor, it’s a flagship chipset that admittedly has its own issues. Nevertheless, if Tensor had greater efficiency (more in line with a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, for example), imagine the Zenfone 9 with all of the Pixel’s ambient computing features. Now Playing, natural Google Assistant integration, faster voice typing… I know I’d be interested.

Specifically the Pixel 6, and not the Pixel 6 Pro

The Asus Zenfone 9 is a good, clean phone, and that’s all that a Pixel needs to be. It doesn’t need to be the best, really, it just needs to be a good representation of the Android experience. Asus definitely sticks the landing in that department, and it’s just the long-term support that it needs to bring up. If the Zenfone 9 had a five-year support window, I would argue that it would become one of the best ambassadors of the Android brand.

That’s not to say the Zenfone 9 is the best phone out there. In fact, far from it. However, it has good and clean software, amazing and smooth performance, and a good, unique design that’s comfortable to use for long periods of time. It’s a page taken right out of the Pixel playbook.

On the flip side, what we got with the Pixel 6 was a great phone that was hampered by a chipset with thermal issues. It’s not the worst, but it’s certainly one with problems. The issue here is that smartphones often boil down to their chipsets one way or another: a phone can have the best camera, best software, and best display, but if you have a terrible chipset at the heart of it all, then none of that will matter. That’s not to say Tensor is terrible, but it has and will put people off for sure.

All in all, the Asus Zenfone 9 would have made a great Pixel 6. Not a Pixel 6 Pro mind you, but I think there’s a world where some of the best features of the Pixel 6 could have slotted into the Zenfone 9, and you would have had something that still felt like a Pixel, and with all of the software features and camera processing to boot.

Asus Zenfone 9

The Asus Zenfone 9 is a small phone that packs a powerful flagship chip and a gimbal camera system that works.

View at Asus

Google Pixel 6 Pro

The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the latest and greatest flagship smartphone from Google, and it has a lot to love. It's not perfect, but it's the best Google phone yet for sure.

Pre-order from Amazon

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