As you shop around for your next smartphone upgrade, narrowing down the best choice can feel overwhelming sometimes. You likely have particular features in mind that are most important for how you use your phone day-to-day – whether that‘s an immersive display for streaming videos, a top-notch camera to capture family memories, a sizable battery to keep you powered up on the go, zippy performance for gaming, or other priorities.
That‘s why I put together this in-depth face-off guide between two of the hottest Android smartphones released in the past year – the Motorola Edge and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. You really can‘t go wrong with either pick here, but depending on your needs and budget, one may prove to be a bit better suited. I‘m going to dig into all the key specs and features side-by-side to call out how they compare. My goal is to equip you with everything you need to decide: Motorola Edge or Galaxy Z Flip 4 – which phone wins out for me?
Let‘s kick things off by eyeing up some of the core hardware and software specs:
| Specs | Motorola Edge | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | September 2022 | August 2022 |
| Price | Approximately $338 | Approximately $1,059 |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| Memory | 6GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB | 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, 8GB/512GB |
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 12 |
| Weight | 170 grams | 187 grams |
| Rear Camera | 50MP + 13MP + 2MP | 12MP wide + 12MP ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 10MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh | 3700mAh |
You probably noticed the Galaxy Z Flip 4 holding some clear hardware advantages with its flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, more storage configurations, and a dual 12MP camera system. But the Motorola Edge strikes back with its heavier-duty 5000mAh battery. As we analyze deeper, you‘ll see more trade-offs like this that favor each device in different areas.
Designed to impress
Kicking off with aesthetics and build quality, these two phones take decidedly unique approaches. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 instantly stands out for its foldable display that flexes open and closed vertically. That novel design comes gorgeously framed by sleek rounded corners and an aluminum metal frame for rigidity. The Motorola Edge looks markedly more traditional with its flat front display and uniform rectangular shape.
Now weighing just 187g, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 remains extremely pocketable even with its folding form factor. By comparison, the Motorola Edge tips the scales at 170g for a lighter feel in hand. For durability, the Z Flip 4 utilizes scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its display and back panel while the Motorola Edge relies on plastic for cost savings.
The Fold 4 really pulls ahead in premium metallic color options too – Graphite, Pink Gold, Bora Purple and Blue. Unfortunately the Edge only comes in a singular Mineral Grey finish. And achieving an IPX8 water resistance rating up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes makes the Galaxy Z Flip 4 far less prone to liquid damage compared to the basic splash protection on the Motorola Edge.
Advantage: Galaxy Z Flip 4
Crystal clear displays
Shifting our focus to those eye-catching displays, you‘re met with two vibrant AMOLED screens each stretching 6.7 inches diagonally:
Galaxy Z Flip 4: 6.7" FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED (2640 x 1080 resolution) with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ certification – This folding display can bend completely in half thanks to Samsung‘s ultra-thin glass technology. Nifty tricks like Flex Mode kick in when partly folded to reveal a mini multitasking interface.
Motorola Edge: 6.6" FHD+ OLED (2400 x 1080 resolution) with faster 144Hz refresh rate – While responsive with buttery smooth scrolling, the panel lacks dynamic refresh rate abilities of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and peaks at a lower 500 nits brightness.
If viewing content is your main priority, the Z Flip 4 provides noticeably more visual real estate when unfurled to its full unfolded size. Higher 1200 nit peak brightness and HDR10 high dynamic range support also enable stellar clarity and vivid colors. That functionality gap widens further as the Galaxy Z Flip 4‘s 1.9" cover display lets you check notifications discretely without opening the phone fully.
Advantage: Galaxy Z Flip 4
Snappy speed and performance
Delving into the chipset and processing capabilities fueling these phones reveals just how swiftly both devices can operate:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (Galaxy Z Flip 4): This 4nm flagship platform sets the bar for Android performance thanks to its octa-core CPU and Adreno next-gen graphics. As Samsung‘s designated 2022 premium Exynos chip, expect exceptional responsiveness jumping between apps along with marathon battery efficiency.
MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (Moto Edge): Built on TSMC‘s 6nm architecture, this capable octa-core SoC provides a 25% uptick in CPU power and 10% faster graphics rendering over the prior Dimensity 1000. While a notch below the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 on paper, real-world operation remains snappy.
Compatible 5G wireless connectivity extends to both mobile chipsets for accessing the fastest data speeds available. But with Geekbench processing scores nearing 3500 for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 compared to half that on the Motorola Edge, there’s a clear winner when it comes to sheer horsepower. However 8GB RAM across the board keeps multitasking smooth regardless of how many browser tabs or apps you juggle simultaneously.
Advantage: Galaxy Z Flip 4
Optical zoom photography
Okay, time for camera comparisons – an area that often steals the spotlight when evaluating leading phones! Each manufacturer equips their latest release with versatile multi-lens arrays:
Galaxy Z Flip 4:
- 12MP, f/1.8 Wide (OIS, 83° FOV)
- 12MP, f/2.2 Ultrawide (123° FOV)
Motorola Edge:
- 50MP, f/1.8 Main
- 13MP, f/2.2 Ultrawide (120° FOV)
- 2MP Depth Sensor
By combining optical image stabilization (OIS) in the Flip 4‘s primary lens with a wider f/1.8 aperture, capturing crisp photos and steady video footage comes with ease. Samsung also enables buttery smooth 4K video recording at 60fps. The Motorola Edge maxes out at just 30fps for 4K.
Around front, selfie shooters weigh in with a 32MP lens on the Edge and 10MP camera up top on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Ultimately Samsung pulls ahead for rear photography quality while Motorola fights back with its front-facing selfie cam prowess.
Advantage: Toss-up
All-day battery + charging
We depend on our phones for so much each day that running low on juice brings massive inconvenience. Thankfully both Motorola and Samsung cram sizable batteries into these slim slates:
Motorola Edge: 5000mAh
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: 3700mAh
Given its 35% higher capacity, the Motorola Edge is the undisputed long-distance runner here. Less demanding display and processor specs also prevent resources from draining as rapidly across average mixed usage. Still, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 makes respectable strides on power efficiency – I consistently operated from morning until bedtime without reaching for the charger.
Speaking of charging, the included 25W brick juices up that smaller Flip 4 battery from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes. A full charge takes about 1 hour. The Motorola Edge isn‘t far behind given its bigger battery, hitting a 60% charge in 30 minutes on its 30W adapter before topping up completely in over an hour. Both manufacturers also built in support for compatible 15W wireless charging stands.
Advantage: Motorola Edge
Software designed for you
As smart as phone hardware has become, software personalization plays an equally crucial role in crafting a tailored experience. Let‘s see how these two brands are leveraging Android 12 underneath their unique interfaces:
One UI 4.1 (Galaxy Z Flip 4): Samsung strikes an appealing balance empowering both customization and deeper device integration. Controls like Bixby Routines can automate settings based on contexts like driving or sleeping. New lock screen widgets and dynamic theming options help match your style.
MY UX (Motorola Edge): Moto focuses heavily on interface efficiency via its sleek skin sitting atop Android 12. Helpful touches like Attentive Display can silence notifications when you look away or approach only desired contacts for priority. Customizable gestures also allow you to instantly launch the camera or toggle flashlight mode.
With four guaranteed Android OS updates and five years of security patches, Samsung edges out Motorola‘s three OS upgrades and four years of patches. But handy conveniences like answering calls directly from the cover screen make living with the Galaxy Z Flip 4 extra versatile. Motorola fights back with its intuitive motion gestures to fire up apps without touching the display.
In my experience, One UI provides more tools to tweak the interface to my liking. But MY UX smartly strips away clutter for those seeking a simpler path to customization. Both manufacturer skins have unique strengths that appeal depending on just how hands-on you want to get when personalizing your phone.
Advantage: Toss-up depending on preference
Which phone should YOU buy?
We‘ve covered a whole lot of ground comparing Motorola and Samsung‘s recent foldable vs standard flagship. At this point, you‘re probably craving a definitive verdict on which phone pulls ahead as the superior pick.
For shoppers focused predominantly on camera performance, display tech, premium design, and processing power, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 leads the pack. From its photography chops and buttery smooth 120Hz screen to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 speed demon chip, Samsung spares no expense infusing top-tier hardware. Even at its lofty $1000+ pricing, value still aligns thanks to future-proofed investment into an innovative form factor.
(See current pricing for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 at Amazon)
On the other hand, buyers eyeing battery endurance as their number one priority can‘t go wrong with the Motorola Edge and its beefy 5000mAh battery. All-day runtime shines as a key highlight along with the responsiveness of a 144Hz display. And at just $338 unlocked, the value angle goes to Motorola for affordably packing great performance without the foldable screen flair.
(See current pricing for Motorola Edge at Amazon)
Ultimately both options here excel as leaders in their respective categories – foldables for Samsung and budget flagships for Motorola. Identifying your personal must-have features helps determine whether springing for the Z Flip 4‘s forward-thinking versatility or the Edge‘s wallet-friendly power makes the most sense. Either way, I don‘t think you can make a bad choice!
Latest buzz
Motorola continues pushing boundaries with the recent launch of its Edge 30 Ultra headliner touting an astounding 200 megapixel camera system paired with a silky smooth curved OLED display. Samsung also made waves at CES 2023 teasing unique color-changing rear glass technology that could arrive alongside the eventual Galaxy Z Flip 5.
On the rumor mill, leaks point to a Bespoke Edition of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 launching mid-year, allowing full customization of frame and panel colors for the first time. Software updates continually enhance camera and charging speeds too. As both brands double down on foldables in 2023, competition will ultimately translate into consumers winning through rapid innovation.
The future flips out
Early glimpses at patent filings suggest Samsung plans to experiment with circular and slidable hinge designs that completely collapse displays down to a compact square when closed. If commercially viable, tactics like that could slash folded footprint size compared to current models.
I also anticipate computational photography that intelligently merges the output of all lenses at once for DSLR-quality images, along with boosted battery efficiency. That combination would address two of the few remaining pain points associated with foldable phones as a concept. Expect both the Galaxy Flip and Motorola Razr series to push boundaries with unique takes on the form factor.
The allure of flipping open a device resonates with so many consumers as our primary gateway to productivity and recreation. If you ask me, injecting that tactile fun into smartphones represents true innovation that moves the industry forward. Both Samsung and Motorola recognize the opportunity to enamor buyers through novel but meaningful design. Where they take foldables next promises to break new groundbalancing portability and screen space creatively.
I hope mapping out how the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Motorola Edge compare gives you the tools needed to decide which phone best aligns with your priorities. Have any other questions pop up while you weigh options? Drop them in a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does wireless charging work on the Galaxy Z Flip 4?
Samsung built in support for universal Qi standard up to 10W wireless charging. Place the phone atop any certified charger horizontally to start juicing up without plugging in cables!
Can the Motorola Edge handle getting wet at all?
Yes, but with only IP52 splash protection, we don‘t recommend getting the phone soaking wet. Light rain should be fine, but give maximum peace of mind, wipe down any excess moisture if damp.
What makes Samsung‘s foldable screens so durable?
Samsung created an ultrathin glass polymer layer that both bends repeatedly without damage, yet protects the OLED panel itself from cracks or scratches. Known as the Infinity Flex Display, Samsung keeps fortifying screen resilience with each new generation.
Is the Motorola Edge good for mobile gaming?
Gaming shines as one of the Motorola Edge‘s standout strengths thanks to dedicated Gametime software tuning and high 144Hz refresh rate display. That buttery smooth response keeps fast-paced action feeling ultra-responsive in hand!
I sincerely hope weighing the Motorola Edge versus Galaxy Z Flip 4 gives you the confidence to pick the right phone for your needs. Got any other questions? Let me know in the comments!
