The Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 both offer unique takes on the modern smartphone, with the ThinkPhone prioritizing ruggedness and security for business use and the Z Flip 4 featuring an innovative foldable display for sleek style and enhanced content creation. This in-depth comparison looks at how these two premium phones stack up across a range of key factors.
Displays
The displays on the ThinkPhone and Z Flip 4 share some similarities but also differ in meaningful ways:
Size: Very close in size with the ThinkPhone just slightly smaller at 6.6” diagonal vs. 6.7” for the Z Flip 4
Display Type: ThinkPhone uses pOLED panel, Z Flip 4 uses AMOLED
Resolution: Both feature 1080p Full HD native resolution
Refresh Rate: ThinkPhone edges out the Z Flip 4 with 144Hz vs. 120Hz; smoother scrolling and motion
Peak Brightness: Equally matched at 1,000 nits max brightness
HDR Support: Both phones support HDR10+ high dynamic range video content
Design: Z Flip 4 features unique horizontal foldable display; ThinkPhone has standard candybar design
While the Z Flip 4 certainly wins on visual flair with its foldable screen, the ThinkPhone counters with a higher 144Hz refresh rate for added smoothness and responsiveness. Both deliver excellent quality though.
Design & Build
The ThinkPhone channels the aesthetic of Lenovo’s iconic ThinkPad laptops with its matte black finish and boxy, rugged styling while the Z Flip 4 opts for a more stylish, consumer-oriented look.
Some key design differences:
- Foldable Display – The Z Flip 4 wows with its unique top-to-bottom foldable screen enabled by an improved, thinner hinge. Folds to a compact size when closed.
- Rugged Construction – The ThinkPhone uses aircraft grade aluminum alloy frame with MIL-STD 810H durability rating for extreme toughness. Can survive 5-foot drops.
- Customization – Z Flip 4 available in a variety of stylish color options unlike the singular black finish of the ThinkPhone.
- Cover Screen – Closed Z Flip 4 sports a 1.9-inch external display for notifications, widgets and more. No second screen on ThinkPhone.
The Z Flip 4 certainly brings more flair, the ThinkPhone more function. Comes down to personal taste and use case.
Hardware & Performance
With their top-of-the-line chipsets and ample memory, both phones deliver exceptional performance:
- Processor – Both powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, Qualcomm’s most powerful mobile chip yet with improved efficiency. Expect extremely fast speeds.
- RAM – 8GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM on both models ensures smooth multi-tasking capabilities
- Storage – Plenty of built-in storage, but Z Flip 4 offers more at up to 512GB (ThinkPhone maxes out at 256GB)
- Cameras – ThinkPhone wins on camera specs with its 50MP main + 32MP selfie shooters (Z Flip 4 has 12MP cameras). Expect excellent image quality from both though.
These two phones are nearly unmatched in raw hardware muscle and benchmarks. The ThinkPhone pulls ahead slightly on camera megapixels while the Z Flip 4 offers more internal storage capacity options. Both blazing fast.
Battery Life & Charging
With their large batteries and fast charging, you can be assured of all-day battery on both phones. But differences exist:
- Battery Size – ThinkPhone has a higher capacity 5,000 mAh battery compared to 3,595 mAh on the Z Flip 4
- Battery Life – Accordingly, the ThinkPhone is estimated to last around 36 hours per charge while the Z Flip 4 promises about 24 hours
- Charging Speed – ThinkPhone charges from 0% to 85% in just 30 minutes. Z Flip 4 hits 50% in the same time frame.
The ThinkPhone clearly wins when it comes to battery capacity and charging rates. You can expect noticeably longer runtime along with quicker charging compared to the Z Flip 4.
Unique Features
The ThinkPhone and Z Flip 4 differentiate themselves from the competition with these specialized software features:
ThinkPhone Unique Features
- ThinkShield Security – Robust enterprise-grade security platform safeguards sensitive data
- Moto KeySafe – Isolates passwords, encryption keys and other vital info in a secure zone
- Remote management – Allows easy device management and control by corporate IT teams
- ThinkPad Integration – Tight integration with Lenovo’s ThinkPad laptops for seamless workflow
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Unique Features
- Flex Mode – Takes advantage of foldable display for dual-screen multitasking
- Flip 4 Cover Screen – Interact with widgets, apps and more on external 1.9” display when phone closed
- Optimized Apps – Enhanced versions of Instagram, YouTube and other apps designed for Z Flip foldable format
It‘s clear each phone zeros in on a specific demographic – business users for the ThinkPhone and social media mavens for the Z Flip 4. Their tailored features cater to those audiences.
Durability
With their metal and glass builds, neither phone would fare well from serious drops or accidents. However, the ThinkPhone is made to take more abuse thanks to these enhancements:
- MIL-STD 810H rating – Can withstand extreme temperatures, shock from 5-foot drops, blowing rain and other harsh conditions
- IP68 water/dust resistance – Can handle immersion in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes
The Z Flip 4 may feature a newer design but that folding screen is still prone to cracking. The ThinkPhone can clearly take more of a beating while keeping dust and water out better. Important factors for business customers.
Pricing
As flagship phones filled with top-end features and specs, neither device comes cheap. Here’s how their pricing shakes out:
- ThinkPhone Price – $999 in the US for the lone 8GB/256GB model
- Z Flip 4 Price – Starts at $999 for 8GB/128GB version. Up to $1,199 for 8GB/512GB model
- Value Comparison – Z Flip 4 offers more storage tiers while ThinkPhone includes some premium features like better camera sensors. Generally equal value.
There’s no getting around the fact that these are very expensive devices. But their impressive capabilities and performance help justify the price tags. The ThinkPhone and Z Flip 4 offer comparable value but cater to different audiences.
Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkPhone and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 both represent the cutting edge of smartphone technology and performance – albeit focused on very different users. Business customers who want maximum security, seamless enterprise integration and rugged dependability will flock to the ThinkPhone. Social media mavens, influencers and style-conscious buyers will find the Z Flip 4‘s foldable pizzazz hard to resist.
Ultimately your preference comes down to your priorities – hardcore durability or standout style, enterprise security or content creation features, the choice is yours! Either way you get an incredibly advanced smartphone packed with innovations you won‘t find elsewhere.