Samsung has enjoyed the limelight when it comes to folding smartphones for about four years, ever since the launch of its first
Oppo Find N2 Flip vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Daylight main camera samples (Tap to see full size)
Oppo Find N2 Flip vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Ultra-wide camera samples (Tap to see full size)
Oppo’s colour processing and shot-to-shot consistency was not very reliable as some photos looked quite saturated at times. Samsung managed better resolved detail in all kinds of lighting conditions with slightly sharper images compared to the Find N2 Flip.
Selfies captured from the front-facing camera on the inner displays also appeared sharper, more detailed and well exposed on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
Oppo Find N2 Flip vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Low-light camera samples (Tap to see full size)
Coming to video, Samsung comes out on top once again. It offers 4K 60fps video recording on both front and rear cameras. Oppo’s Find N2 Flip maxes out at 4K 30fps with the rear camera and is limited to 1080p 30fps when using the front facing cameras.
Basically, if I had to pick one smartphone before heading out on a vacation and I had just these two foldables to choose from, I would pick Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Verdict
Clamshell folding smartphones are indeed the go-to choice for buyers looking for something exciting in their next smartphone. They check all the right boxes from a novelty standpoint, as there’s a second display to fidget with apart from the ability to open and shut it, thereby adding a mechanical element to the user experience. In 2023, more than ever, we are expecting more vertical folding smartphones to join the party as Motorola also seems to be bringing its Razr back to India. For now, it’s between the Oppo Find N2 Flip and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4.
In my opinion, Oppo’s Find N2 Flip nails the clamshell foldable experience. Its hinge mechanism and implementation is very refined and feels closer to the flip phone experience from back in the day, because it’s so much easier to open and close. Its larger outer display is also a delight to use and Oppo seems committed to adding more functionality with new updates. However, I found the durability of Oppo’s inner folding display or at least the protective layer over it to be a bit questionable, even though it does offers better touch sensitivity for gaming.
Samsung’s head-start with foldables is clearly evident in the Galaxy Z Flip 4. The phone offers a rigid hinge, an IP rating, a more compact form factor (which some may prefer), and wireless charging. Its outer display probably needs one more iteration (Galaxy Z Flip 5?) till it gains some true utility. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 offers a better camera system and software experience between the two, and this makes it a better choice in my books, both in terms of overall performance and value.
