Clearly 90% of users never actually tried upscaling and customized the keyboard, you can have it almost to a good typing experience. It's the same width as the iPhone 13 Mini, and I don't see much complaining about the typing experience on that phone. Most never really understood Samsung's vision around the Z Fold concept. It's supposed to be a one handed friendly user experience and a pretty big inner display when needed. If the outer screen got more wide, the inner screen would be a 1:1 ratio (perfect square) and that's not good at all, unless you take Google's way, and make the outer screen super wide, but then you loose the "one handed friendly user experience". It could be better, the phone needs to be no more than 230grs, and not more than 12mm thick when folded, so it doesn't feel as a fat heavy brick. The only cases you can use without ending up with a 16/17mm thick and heavy phone are the Latercase or Pitaka (aramid carbon fiber). I tried the S Pen case, it's unusable.
I had the first mini and didn't like the typing experience (though battery life was the main reason I returned it). The typing experience on the fold 4 is usable, but for me, the experience is not as good as it is on wider candybar phones. I do agree that if it was wider, it would be even bigger and heavier. Compromises had to be made. 👍
I have had mine for a few months and really been enjoying it ..first one i bought had dead pixels..You are right about texting on the front screen its awful ha
Good overview. Concerning the keyboard and problems, I could advice the Gboard instead of the one from Samsung. For me it works much better in both front screen and the inside screen.
Thanks Giovanni. Gboard is the keyboard I've used since the start. I didn't like Samsung's. I tried a few others from the play store, but kept coming back to gboard 👍
Good overview of your experience with the fold 4. I also had one for a few months and also purchased it from CeX. However I just couldn’t live with the aspect ratio of the front screen. I was finding that I was using the front screen most of the time despite its compromises for convenience sake really and I didn’t really enjoy a lot of the tablet software features. Don’t get me wrong though, there were times I loved using it. After a few weeks I realised that I would have preferred a much shorter and wider aspect ratio which the new pixel fold seems to have gone for. I will be paying close attention to that when it eventually gets here in the uk. However google do not have great trade in values so it may be more expensive to get than the fold 4 was. Currently I am using the Samsung Galaxy s23 ultra which I am mostly happy with but do miss the tablet functionality of a folding phone at times.
Thanks Freddy. It's good to hear from others who bought the fold 4. I'm glad I'm not the only one who found the front screen to be a bit frustrating. Out of interest, did you sell the fold 4 back to CEX? David Harry mentioned he bought the S23 Ultra too. I've always been an admirer of the note range and then the ultra range. How do you find the ultra in comparison from a size and weight perspective?
@@KevinMuldoon Hi again. As Samsung offered fantastic trade in deals for the ultra 23 I traded my fold 4 to them! Cex couldn't come close to the value I was going to get with Samsung. I took to the ultra straight away but do find it a bit bulky sometimes which is ironic given the fact I also found the fold 4 chunky. However it fits fit into pockets much better.
@freddyboy37 Nice one. I'll need to look into that. I'll need to check their trade in prices. At this point of the year, it may be worth waiting to trade for either the new flip or new fold. So how does their trade system work? Did you have to send your phone to them first before they shipped yours?
@@KevinMuldoon you basically wait until they launch their new device in the UK website and query their trade in offers. Best offers are the pre order ones. They can include promotional discounts of up to £100 on top of your trade in which is nice plus some extra goodies too. Once you have decided on the one you want you just order it after agreeing to trade in your old phone and they ask you to send your old phone after your new one is delivered. You have about 14 days cooling off period as well.
@fredglaser That's fantastic. I can see why people use that. I recall @davidharry talking about the trade in program, but I didn't know the logistics of how it worked.
Thanks. I'm replying to you on the phone now 😁 It's a great phone, but you do need to work around it's aspect ratio quirks. I suspect most folding phones require some sacrifice in this regard.
Yes. I would. I think the form factor is really good and we should see folding phones getting lighter over time. I'm still keen to test a flip phone, such as the Samsung flip 5.
@@KevinMuldooncool. After being a Note user for 4 years, I bought a Flip4 last year and I do like it, however the Flip5 would be so much more useful with the full cover screen.
you can very easily make the inner screens keyboard smaller and change whatever you want about it. i made it a bit wider than a regular phones keyboard and added some emoji and other stuff i regularly use on the sides so i have a better typing experience than on a slab phone
Hello dear friend Kevin 😊 It's great sharing Thanks for sharing this with us giving another a big Big like thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍👍 See you again take care Keep intouch ❤️ God bless 🙏🙏🙏🙏🕊️
Will give it a try again. I experimented with many keyboards when I first got it and still with Google Keyboard. Will use Samsung's Keyboard next time I'm using tablet mode.
Had mine since November and it took a while I settled with the Google split keyboard and love it. Hang in there, it's the best phone, tablet, laptop you can get.😊
Alright, Kevin. I fancied the Fold 4 but just couldn’t get my head around the aspect ratio of the screens. As you pointed out, the front screen can be a bit odd with certain apps but for me personally the main screen is more problematic. For a tablet experience I much prefer a wide aspect ratio and although I use iPads, I still much prefer the aspect ratio of the Samsung Tabs. That said, I’ve got a Flip 4 and think it’s great. Although, the thing I like about that phone is it’s folded size. Yes, it’s still a “chunked monkey” 😂 However, I really like its footprint when folded as it’s super convenient but I’m not a fan of its screen aspect ratio, for similar reasons you’ve said about the front screen on the Fold. As for the cameras, WOW, I just love them. I’ve got the S23 Ultra and the cameras are brilliant and the best thing is that you’ve basically got a very good camera that’s always with you. As for the internal mics, amazing, there’s nothing out there such as GoPros or any video cameras that can touch these Samsung phones for the built in microphones. In fact, I’ve just shot a video about “are phones now good enough to replace your video camera” which I should have up in a couple of days. In that video the picture quality looks great, however, my dialogue quality is amazing and even beats some of the external mic combinations I use with the GoPro. Anyway, great user experience video 👍 Cheers, Dave.
Hi Dave. I can definitely understand your reasoning as both screens have compromising. The tablet screen is great for multitasking, but for netflix and UA-cam, you do have to work with large borders. Plus, annoyingly, some apps like Netflix just won't work with Samsung's multi app windows. So you're forced to watch it exclusively (which is annoying when you just want to reply to a quick message). The flip probably has less compromises when opened as you're getting standard phone aspect ratio. I'll definitely consider this year's Samsung flip phone. Looking forward to your video. For shorts, it's not worth me setting up a camera and mic rig as my phone is good enough out of the box.
Alright, Kevin. Just a quick one. I think that the next versions of all these Samsung Fold, Flip and S phones are going to be great for the cameras. Although I’ll probably buy the next GoPro, only because I am a fanboy inspite of my criticisms. If I didn’t use GoPros I would have absolutely no problem using these Samsung phones for a fair bit of the video stuff I do. Anyway, I can’t wait to see what Samsung do next. Cheers, Dave.
@@DavidHarry I need to use my GoPro more. I was happy with it, but just been too busy lately to use it. Tempted to use it like a dashcam in my car temporarily. Could always take it with me on holiday. The second half of the year will be interesting as there will be new Samsung phones, new iPhones and a new GoPro.
@@KevinMuldoon what about swipe? I know it's an elementary suggestion for the front but I'm genuinely intrigued because I'm sincerely looking at going from my p7Pro to the 4, 5 or potentially the other foldables
Samsung has two options. That's to either please, 5% of users who wants larger front display or continue with 70 of users who understands that slim front screen is beneficial because it's encouraging one hand usage and quick access to notifications. Fold 4 is hybrid it's not for everyone. We should understand this plainly. What I would suggest is in build pen storage and making the inner screen more durable. Otherwise camera, battery and OS can slowlily be upgraded in subsequent releases/generations
I've attempted one hand usage with the keyboard, but still make mistakes. I've tried several different keyboards, but still hoping I can find a better solution than GBoard.
I bought used fold 4 and exactly in 1 day the internal screen damaged! issue with loose hinges pins underneath which is not visible and not covered with warranty.... sold the phone as is with big loss and worst experience with mobiles ever!
Folks, the true purpose of the device is to used "unfolded " 90% percent of the time. Clearly Samsung has the means to make a wide one like the Pxel Fold and other foldables. Samsung made that clear. If it had been wide as people requested, I bet my bottom dollar that no one would use the front screen not nearly as much as they should and that would defeat the purpose.
It just isn't practical for everyone to use it unfolded 90% of the time. I use it unfolded at home when on the couch or lying in bed, but I rarely use it unfolded when travelling, at work etc.
![AVOID A MISTAKE!? Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Z Fold 4 vs Z Fold 3 [Full Comparison]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7uEBmKyF8kw/mqdefault.jpg)
![AVOID A MISTAKE!? Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Z Fold 4 vs Z Fold 3 [Full Comparison]](/img/tr.png)
Clearly 90% of users never actually tried upscaling and customized the keyboard, you can have it almost to a good typing experience. It's the same width as the iPhone 13 Mini, and I don't see much complaining about the typing experience on that phone. Most never really understood Samsung's vision around the Z Fold concept. It's supposed to be a one handed friendly user experience and a pretty big inner display when needed.
If the outer screen got more wide, the inner screen would be a 1:1 ratio (perfect square) and that's not good at all, unless you take Google's way, and make the outer screen super wide, but then you loose the "one handed friendly user experience". It could be better, the phone needs to be no more than 230grs, and not more than 12mm thick when folded, so it doesn't feel as a fat heavy brick. The only cases you can use without ending up with a 16/17mm thick and heavy phone are the Latercase or Pitaka (aramid carbon fiber). I tried the S Pen case, it's unusable.
I had the first mini and didn't like the typing experience (though battery life was the main reason I returned it).
The typing experience on the fold 4 is usable, but for me, the experience is not as good as it is on wider candybar phones.
I do agree that if it was wider, it would be even bigger and heavier. Compromises had to be made. 👍
Good and honest review of the product.
Thanks Michel.
Great long term review!
Thank you.
Great review
Thanks Nick.
Well said
I have the phone. Its perfect nothing wrong. My preference would be to fix the front screen if they can but ill get use to it... And optimized apps
Yeah some apps seem to struggle with the aspect ratio and look a little weird.
Nice video❤
I have had mine for a few months and really been enjoying it ..first one i bought had dead pixels..You are right about texting on the front screen its awful ha
Haha yeah it's frustrating. I do still make mistakes when typing as it's so squashed.
You can also remove the black borders when the fold is opened up. In settings.
Which settings page is that on? I have used zoom on UA-cam videos, but I normally keep the video aspect ratio with borders.
Good overview. Concerning the keyboard and problems, I could advice the Gboard instead of the one from Samsung. For me it works much better in both front screen and the inside screen.
Thanks Giovanni.
Gboard is the keyboard I've used since the start. I didn't like Samsung's. I tried a few others from the play store, but kept coming back to gboard 👍
Good overview of your experience with the fold 4. I also had one for a few months and also purchased it from CeX. However I just couldn’t live with the aspect ratio of the front screen. I was finding that I was using the front screen most of the time despite its compromises for convenience sake really and I didn’t really enjoy a lot of the tablet software features. Don’t get me wrong though, there were times I loved using it. After a few weeks I realised that I would have preferred a much shorter and wider aspect ratio which the new pixel fold seems to have gone for. I will be paying close attention to that when it eventually gets here in the uk. However google do not have great trade in values so it may be more expensive to get than the fold 4 was. Currently I am using the Samsung Galaxy s23 ultra which I am mostly happy with but do miss the tablet functionality of a folding phone at times.
Thanks Freddy. It's good to hear from others who bought the fold 4. I'm glad I'm not the only one who found the front screen to be a bit frustrating.
Out of interest, did you sell the fold 4 back to CEX?
David Harry mentioned he bought the S23 Ultra too. I've always been an admirer of the note range and then the ultra range. How do you find the ultra in comparison from a size and weight perspective?
@@KevinMuldoon Hi again. As Samsung offered fantastic trade in deals for the ultra 23 I traded my fold 4 to them! Cex couldn't come close to the value I was going to get with Samsung. I took to the ultra straight away but do find it a bit bulky sometimes which is ironic given the fact I also found the fold 4 chunky. However it fits fit into pockets much better.
@freddyboy37 Nice one. I'll need to look into that. I'll need to check their trade in prices.
At this point of the year, it may be worth waiting to trade for either the new flip or new fold.
So how does their trade system work? Did you have to send your phone to them first before they shipped yours?
@@KevinMuldoon you basically wait until they launch their new device in the UK website and query their trade in offers. Best offers are the pre order ones. They can include promotional discounts of up to £100 on top of your trade in which is nice plus some extra goodies too. Once you have decided on the one you want you just order it after agreeing to trade in your old phone and they ask you to send your old phone after your new one is delivered. You have about 14 days cooling off period as well.
@fredglaser That's fantastic. I can see why people use that.
I recall @davidharry talking about the trade in program, but I didn't know the logistics of how it worked.
Thanks. More useful vid than many same-y reviews. I am teetering. £200 pound off at samsung ends tomorrow. Decision time. 😮
Thanks. I'm replying to you on the phone now 😁
It's a great phone, but you do need to work around it's aspect ratio quirks. I suspect most folding phones require some sacrifice in this regard.
Don’t text on the front screen…use voice texting. One push of a button.
That's rarely practical for me as I'm usually surrounded by family or working or something.
I hate voice to text it never picks up my voice properly. I just use swipe texting
Type with One hand easy
If it were a wee bit wider and not so slippy, would you like it enough to get another Fold 5 or 6 eventually?
Yes. I would. I think the form factor is really good and we should see folding phones getting lighter over time.
I'm still keen to test a flip phone, such as the Samsung flip 5.
@@KevinMuldooncool. After being a Note user for 4 years, I bought a Flip4 last year and I do like it, however the Flip5 would be so much more useful with the full cover screen.
@@RigiLiquid945 Yeah it looks quality. I was really impressed when I played around with it.
you can very easily make the inner screens keyboard smaller and change whatever you want about it. i made it a bit wider than a regular phones keyboard and added some emoji and other stuff i regularly use on the sides so i have a better typing experience than on a slab phone
Are you using the Samsung keyboard? I've tried several keyboard options, but keep returning to GBoard.
@@KevinMuldoon i use the keys cafe addon for goodlock it has everything i need
@@KevinMuldoontry Microsoft swift keyboard, it's amazing for typing, using it right now on fold 5
I have that too. Definitely one of the better ones.
Hello dear friend Kevin 😊
It's great sharing
Thanks for sharing this with us giving another a big Big like thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍👍
See you again take care
Keep intouch ❤️
God bless 🙏🙏🙏🙏🕊️
Wide screen typing is awesome, put the regular keyboard on.
Will give it a try again. I experimented with many keyboards when I first got it and still with Google Keyboard. Will use Samsung's Keyboard next time I'm using tablet mode.
Had mine since November and it took a while I settled with the Google split keyboard and love it. Hang in there, it's the best phone, tablet, laptop you can get.😊
Do you only use the split keyboard when in tablet mode?
You can make a keyboard little bigger and you will find it more easy on cover screen
I've tried many different sizes and variations. I'll perhaps do a follow up in the future that discusses keyboards more :)
Alright, Kevin. I fancied the Fold 4 but just couldn’t get my head around the aspect ratio of the screens. As you pointed out, the front screen can be a bit odd with certain apps but for me personally the main screen is more problematic. For a tablet experience I much prefer a wide aspect ratio and although I use iPads, I still much prefer the aspect ratio of the Samsung Tabs. That said, I’ve got a Flip 4 and think it’s great. Although, the thing I like about that phone is it’s folded size. Yes, it’s still a “chunked monkey” 😂 However, I really like its footprint when folded as it’s super convenient but I’m not a fan of its screen aspect ratio, for similar reasons you’ve said about the front screen on the Fold. As for the cameras, WOW, I just love them. I’ve got the S23 Ultra and the cameras are brilliant and the best thing is that you’ve basically got a very good camera that’s always with you. As for the internal mics, amazing, there’s nothing out there such as GoPros or any video cameras that can touch these Samsung phones for the built in microphones. In fact, I’ve just shot a video about “are phones now good enough to replace your video camera” which I should have up in a couple of days. In that video the picture quality looks great, however, my dialogue quality is amazing and even beats some of the external mic combinations I use with the GoPro. Anyway, great user experience video 👍 Cheers, Dave.
Hi Dave.
I can definitely understand your reasoning as both screens have compromising. The tablet screen is great for multitasking, but for netflix and UA-cam, you do have to work with large borders. Plus, annoyingly, some apps like Netflix just won't work with Samsung's multi app windows. So you're forced to watch it exclusively (which is annoying when you just want to reply to a quick message).
The flip probably has less compromises when opened as you're getting standard phone aspect ratio. I'll definitely consider this year's Samsung flip phone.
Looking forward to your video. For shorts, it's not worth me setting up a camera and mic rig as my phone is good enough out of the box.
Alright, Kevin. Just a quick one. I think that the next versions of all these Samsung Fold, Flip and S phones are going to be great for the cameras. Although I’ll probably buy the next GoPro, only because I am a fanboy inspite of my criticisms. If I didn’t use GoPros I would have absolutely no problem using these Samsung phones for a fair bit of the video stuff I do. Anyway, I can’t wait to see what Samsung do next. Cheers, Dave.
@@DavidHarry I need to use my GoPro more. I was happy with it, but just been too busy lately to use it. Tempted to use it like a dashcam in my car temporarily.
Could always take it with me on holiday.
The second half of the year will be interesting as there will be new Samsung phones, new iPhones and a new GoPro.
Change the keyboard to gboard. I struggled for a while with the samsung keyboard. Gboard is alot more forgiving
That's what I use already👍
@@KevinMuldoon what about swipe? I know it's an elementary suggestion for the front but I'm genuinely intrigued because I'm sincerely looking at going from my p7Pro to the 4, 5 or potentially the other foldables
I've not tried swipe yet.
Typing isn't great, but it shouldn't be a deal breaker for you. If in doubt, I recommend trying it out in a smartphone shop.
Samsung has two options. That's to either please, 5% of users who wants larger front display or continue with 70 of users who understands that slim front screen is beneficial because it's encouraging one hand usage and quick access to notifications. Fold 4 is hybrid it's not for everyone. We should understand this plainly.
What I would suggest is in build pen storage and making the inner screen more durable. Otherwise camera, battery and OS can slowlily be upgraded in subsequent releases/generations
I've attempted one hand usage with the keyboard, but still make mistakes. I've tried several different keyboards, but still hoping I can find a better solution than GBoard.
@@KevinMuldoon Okay
I bought used fold 4 and exactly in 1 day the internal screen damaged! issue with loose hinges pins underneath which is not visible and not covered with warranty.... sold the phone as is with big loss and worst experience with mobiles ever!
That's unfortunate.
I was lucky that line was still under warranty. Did you buy from eBay?
Am,happy to swap you for 23 ultra lol
Haha I traded it in when a return was sent 😁
Folks, the true purpose of the device is to used "unfolded " 90% percent of the time. Clearly Samsung has the means to make a wide one like the Pxel Fold and other foldables. Samsung made that clear. If it had been wide as people requested, I bet my bottom dollar that no one would use the front screen not nearly as much as they should and that would defeat the purpose.
It just isn't practical for everyone to use it unfolded 90% of the time.
I use it unfolded at home when on the couch or lying in bed, but I rarely use it unfolded when travelling, at work etc.
That case is dreadful
Yeah the case didn't live up to expectations, especially considering the cost of it. The stand is useful, but broke quickly as it's so weak.