I have been using Galaxy Fold 4 for the last six weeks and can confidently say that this is the best productivity device for people on the move. It significantly reduces reliance on laptops and eliminates the need for a tablet. It’s an excellent phone and media device with good cameras and long battery life. I found the grip far better than large screen phones, and the foldable display’s crease is not an issue. Not to mention the curious and admiring looks I get when I unfold it and start working wherever I am.
If you are a busy executive looking to maximize your productivity, balancing work, life, and play, can live with a tad bit thicker and heavier phone, and afford the higher sticker price, look no further. This is your phone. And, of course, the pleasure of being at the bleeding edge of technology is priceless.
New bold form factor
During the time that Smartphones have become boring, with newer models bringing only incremental improvements, foldables are a breath of fresh air. They are not technology for technology’s sake but bring a bold new look and experiences. Galaxy Fold 4, being the 4th generation, is the best foldable phone out there. Once you use it, you will never go back.
There are reports that even Apple is working on its foldable. That illustrates Samsung’s thought and design leadership.
Larger display that reduces laptop reliance and eliminates tablet usage
Many people ask me why I need such a large display on the phone. Being a busy executive, always on the move, I have to be productive wherever I am. My work involves creating and reviewing lots of documents and presentations, sifting through large spreadsheets, running extended Twitter and LinkedIn sessions covering live events, and constantly multitasking. I am sure most executives are involved in most, if not all, such activities. Phone screens are usually not big enough to conveniently manage such detailed tasks. So, I constantly fire up my laptop. That meant always carrying the laptop and needing a good place and enough time to use it. But with Galaxy Fold 4 and its large 7.6-inch display, it’s just a matter of unfolding it. I am productive no matter where and how much time I have. I am sure my laptop is missing me!
The split, wide keyboard makes typing a pleasure for somebody like me who hates typing on smartphones. Last week, I exclusively used Fold 4 to live-tweet the 5G Americas Analyst event. It replaced my typical setup of a laptop (typing), smartphone (pictures), and Windows Phone Link/Link to Windows app (to connect the two).
Paired with a small Bluetooth keyboard, I don’t need to take the laptop, its bulky charger, or even a tablet for meetings and short business trips.
Good camera, bright displays, and long battery life
Galaxy Fold 4’s main three-camera system is excellent. It can take pretty good pictures and videos. Its low-light performance is comparable to that of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. This is perfect for average consumer or productivity use unless you are a pro photographer requiring RAW files or 100x zoom. Here are some pictures in low-light conditions from my backyard.
Another critical benefit of Fold 4 for productivity is its bright displays with vivid colors. Both are pretty bright, emitting 1000 nits. You can use both in bright sunlit outdoors. That makes Fold 4 perfect for uses such as checking content (diagrams, plans, websites) outdoors. Also, the viewing experience of the flexible folding display was similar to that of the traditional outer display.
Fold 4’s battery life largely depends on the usage of its folding display. I consistently got one full working day when the large folding display was used for a few hours. Recharging was required if it was always open and continuously used.
Better grip and perfect width for narrow pockets
Large-display phones have become increasingly popular. I particularly like them because of the relative ease of typing and multitasking. But wider phones are usually tricky to use with one hand. They typically don’t have a good grip, feel awkward to hold, and are hard to type. They also usually don’t fit well in tight/narrow pockets.
Since Fold 4 is narrow when folded (2.64 in), it provides a perfect grip and can be operated with only one hand. It can also fit narrow pockets. It feels like the Candy bar phones of yester years.
Perfect for multitasking
Galaxy Fold 4 is a multitasking champion. I usually work on multiple apps at a time and exchange information between them. For example, I use TweetDeck to check out the latest trends, my personal Twitter account to post tweets based on those trends, and the Parallel app with the company’s Twitter account to comment on those tweets. I often move content between the three. Fold 4’s multi-screen is perfect for that.
On other phones, you could do all this with split screens, but it feels natural and more manageable when you have them on two screens next to each other. This is useful for Outlook, where you can check your mailbox while keeping emails open for a laptop-like experience and convenience. Similar is the case with Messaging, Whatsapp, and other apps.
My experience with frequently cited concerns
During my review, I talked to a few previous Fold users and industry observers and heard their experiences and concerns. Here are some of them:
Crease – The biggest concern was “How’s the crease?” My answer always has been, “What crease? You can notice it on a blank dark screen, but hardly visible when doing any work or watching content. Some previous Fold owners have warned me that it will worsen over time. It hasn’t changed much in the last six weeks. I will report how it holds up in the future on my Twitter and LinkedIn accounts.
Thickness – Fold indeed is thicker than standard smartphones. But surprisingly, its total thickness, when folded, is only 1.6 times than, say, Galaxy S22 Ultra (14.2mm vs. 8.9mm). But more importantly, its thickness is almost identical to phones with card holder cases. Here is a side-by-side picture comparing Fold 4 and Galaxy S21 in a case. Since such cases are popular, I imagine the thickness wouldn’t be an issue.
Folding screen vs. Split screen – Since devices with split screens, such as Microsoft Surface Duo, are coming, some even questioned, “Why take the risk with a foldable screen?” Well, the difference in experience between the two is similar to watching movies on an IMAX screen vs. many smaller displays stacked together. Split display works for multitasking but not as a replacement for tablets and laptops.
Weight – Galaxy Fold 4 is slightly heavier than large display phones (263g compared to 228g of S22 Ultra). It is a tradeoff one has to make for a larger display. However, the phone can still fit in men’s back pockets or women’s purses.
Some shortcomings
I realize the OS and apps for foldables are still evolving. However, a few things can make the Fold 4 experience even better and more productive. If the home screen has two pages, it still shows it as such when unfolded, displaying an empty second-half screen. I think that can be easily fixed. Since Fold 4 runs regular smartphone apps, they lack full functionality that can better utilize the larger displays. For many things, I use the browser in desktop mode.
Also, the outer display might look slightly narrow, and the keyboard might feel squeezed when folded. It might be clumsy to type, requiring unfolding to type even shorter messages. That might eat into the battery life. Additionally, weight and thickness might make it hard to fit into the pockets of skinny jeans. It might feel a bit heavy when using with one hand, and may even fall off.
Galaxy Fold 4 is expensive. That is because it costs more to make, and Samsung is targeting it to its top-tier customers. Many operator deals bring its overall price down to flagship smartphone pricing, but it is pricey, no matter what.
In conclusion
Galaxy Fold 4 is an excellent productivity tool with bold looks and impressive features. It will substantially increase productivity allowing users to work anywhere, anytime, reducing reliance on laptops and tablets. It is ideal for executives who are on the move and appreciate being at the bleeding edge of technology.
Samsung has already addressed the lingering concerns, such as display crease and reliability. If you are sitting on the fence about owning a foldable, and can afford one, Galaxy Fold 4 is your best bet, and I highly recommend you take the plunge.
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