The Galaxy Z Flip 4 has started receiving the One UI 5.1.1 update, bringing some useful new features and improvements to Samsung’s latest foldable phone. This update comes just a few months after the phone’s initial launch with One UI 5 based on Android 13, showing Samsung’s commitment to keeping the Z Flip 4 up-to-date.

Introduction

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 was launched in August 2022 and quickly became one of Samsung’s most popular foldable phones, thanks to its compact and stylish design. The phone shipped with One UI 5 based on Android 13 out of the box, bringing features like improved customization, privacy controls, and connectivity.

Now, just a few months later, Samsung has started rolling out the One UI 5.1.1 update for the Z Flip 4 and other recent Galaxy devices. This update fine-tunes the One UI 5 experience and adds some helpful new capabilities to the foldable phone.

Key Features and Improvements

Here are some of the most notable changes and additions coming to the Galaxy Z Flip 4 with One UI 5.1.1:

Enhanced Camera Features

• The camera app gets several upgrades for better photography and videography. There are improvements to Auto Framing for smoother and more stable video calls and recordings. Portrait mode has also been enhanced with the ability to adjust blur intensity even after capturing a photo.
• Object Eraser, a handy tool for removing unwanted objects or people from photos, is now more precise for cleaner results.
• Photo Remaster, which can restore and enhance old or low-quality photos, sees algorithm improvements for more realistic remastering.

Upgraded Media Experience

• Watching videos on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 gets better with One UI 5.1.1. The phone can now automatically adjust the frame rate based on the content being played for smoother playback.
• Multi View mode, which lets you view multiple apps on the screen at once, is now supported on the Z Flip 4’s cover screen. This means you can quickly check notifications, messages, media controls, and more without unfolding the phone.

Enhanced Routines and Modes

• One UI 5.1.1 brings faster and more responsive Goodnight Mode and Bedtime Mode to optimize sleeping. Routines can be triggered more reliably when charging or connecting to devices.
• Maintenance Mode allows selectively limiting access and notifications when you need to stay focused. Privacy options are also enhanced.
• Driving Mode is now able to automatically turn on when connected to the car’s Bluetooth or when driving is detected. More apps can be used seamlessly in Driving Mode.

Stackable Home Screen Widgets

• The latest One UI lets you stack widgets of the same size on top of each other on your home screens. This provides more information at a glance while taking up less space.
• You can stack up to 5 widgets and easily scroll through them by swiping. This works with first and third-party widgets of multiple types.

Improved Samsung Keyboard

• Samsung Keyboard gets better autocorrection and prediction thanks to enhanced AI. There are also new Multilingual Typing options for seamlessly switching between languages while typing.
• Keyboard themes can be personalized with custom colors, backgrounds, and styles. An adjustable floating keyboard mode provides more flexibility.
• Several new emoji have been added along with more diverse emoji stickers featuring multiple skin tones.

Better Accessibility

• One UI 5.1.1 introduces new accessibility features that make the phone more usable. There are more options for customizing interaction and accessibility controls.
• The new bedtime mode offers blue light reduction and screen reader support for comfortable use at night. Read Aloud has natural language processing for more accurate reading.
• New sign language features allow storing custom gestures and converting text to sign language for video calls. Direct audio output is also supported.

Rollout Timeline

Samsung has started rolling out the One UI 5.1.1 update over-the-air for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 globally including in the US. However, the update is being released in phases, so it may take some time to reach all units out there depending on region, carrier, and other factors.

You can manually check for the update by going into Settings > Software Update and tapping Download and Install if available. Make sure to have sufficient battery charge and a stable Wi-Fi connection before installing the update.

What Users Can Expect

The One UI 5.1.1 update brings meaningful refinements and handy new capabilities to the Galaxy Z Flip 4 without drastically changing its core software experience. Users can expect a smoother device with improved customization and smarter features.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the upgrades to the camera app. The ability to adjust blur intensity in Portrait shots and erase unwanted objects with better precision provides more creative flexibility. Video recording and playback also sees enhancements.

Foldable phone owners will like being able to take advantage of Multi View on the cover screen for quick access to info. Faster and more intelligent Goodnight and Bedtime modes make the Z Flip 4 an even better daily driver.

Overall, One UI 5.1.1 builds upon the strong foundation laid by One UI 5 and Android 13. It fine-tunes the software to better leverage the Z Flip 4’s unique foldable form factor. The update shows Samsung’s commitment to improving the device over time.

Future Software Support

The One UI 5.1.1 update is just the start of Samsung’s long-term software support plans for the Galaxy Z Flip 4. As a 2022 premium flagship, it is guaranteed to receive four years of major OS upgrades and five years of security updates.

This means that the Z Flip 4 is assured to get up to Android 17 in the future. It will also keep receiving monthly or quarterly security updates with fixes and patches till 2027. This prolonged software lifespan makes the Galaxy Z Flip 4 a solid long-term investment.

Samsung has really improved its update game in recent years. Timely updates like One UI 5.1.1 show that the company is committed to supporting devices well beyond launch. Galaxy Z Flip 4 users can look forward to regularly getting new capabilities and optimizations delivered directly to their phones.

Conclusion

The One UI 5.1.1 update for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 brings helpful refinements and features to Samsung’s premium foldable phone just months after its release. Upgrades like enhanced camera tools, smarter routines and modes, stackable widgets, and keyboard improvements make the Flip 4 even more powerful and customizable.

Samsung’s timely update rollout demonstrates its improved commitment to delivering the latest software experiences to customers. Galaxy Z Flip 4 owners can expect the phone to keep getting new features and support for years to come. Overall, the One UI 5.1.1 update is great news for Flip 4 users looking to get the most out of their foldable investment.

Introduction to the Galaxy Z Flip 4

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the latest iteration of Samsung’s popular flip style foldable smartphone line. Launched in August 2022, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 builds upon the success of previous Flip models to offer an improved folding experience with enhanced durability, performance, and customizability.

Some key highlights of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 include:

• Compact clamshell design with seamless folding experience
• Flex Mode functionality for hands-free use at multiple angles
• Large customizable cover screen for shortcuts and notifications
• Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor for fast performance
• Dual camera setup with 10MP selfie camera
• 3700mAh battery with super-fast charging support
• IPX8 water resistance rating
• 128GB/256GB/512GB storage and 8GB RAM options
• Android 12L OS with One UI 4.1.1

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 sports a premium glass-and-metal body featuring Samsung’s toughest foldable display yet. The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED foldable screen offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for immersive viewing and gaming. Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, the Z Flip 4 delivers excellent all-round performance for work and play.

Let’s take a deeper look at the key features and specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 foldable phone.

Design and Display

The defining feature of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is its flip phone-style folding form factor. When closed, the phone is a compact square that easily fits in pockets and small bags. The two halves seamlessly fold together using Samsung’s improved hide-away hinge.

Unfolding the phone reveals the tall 6.7-inch inner screen with barely-there bezels and no notch or cutouts. The hinge allows positioning the screen at multiple angles for hands-free Flex mode use. The Z Flip 4 retains a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that’s easy to reach when folded.

The Dynamic AMOLED 2X inner display features a 2640×1080 resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and 1200 nits peak brightness. The advanced panel enables immersive HDR10+ content viewing and smooth scrolling and animations. There’s also a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen for quick information access when folded.

Available in Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, and Blue finishes, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 has an attractive glass back that feels premium. The foldable phone weighs just 187 grams and unfolded measures 71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9 mm. For durability, the display has a new protective film while the hinge and body are armored aluminum.

Camera Performance

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 has a dual rear camera setup consisting of a 12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide lens. Photographic features include Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), up to 8x digital zoom, HDR, panorama, portrait mode, night mode, pro mode, and 4K video recording. The rear camera setup provides great versatility for everyday shots.

Selfies and video calls are handled by the 10MP punch-hole front camera. It offers auto-framing and portrait mode capabilities. Overall, the Galaxy Flip 4 delivers good image quality and camera performance for a foldable. But it lacks high-end camera hardware and zoom capabilities seen on flagship Galaxy S models.

Hardware and Performance

Samsung’s 2022 foldable lineup is among the first to utilize the newest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform. This upgraded 4nm chip delivers over 10% faster CPU and GPU performance versus the previous Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 couples this processor with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It offers excellent overall performance whether gaming, multitasking, or using camera-intensive apps. The phone also has a large vapor chamber and AI-powered cooling system for sustained performance.

With a 3700mAh battery, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 sees slight capacity gains over its predecessor. It supports 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. While the battery life is decent, it’s not as long-lasting as non-foldable flagships. However, the compact form factor limits room for a larger battery.

Software and Special Features

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 ships with the latest Android 12L OS specially optimized for foldables and large-screen devices. It features Samsung’s One UI 4.1.1 skin with customizations like Flex Mode to leverage the folding screen. Exclusive cover screen widgets and dual preview for taking selfies with the rear camera add more utility.

Special software features include App Pair for launching apps in split-screen mode. Quick Shot lets you take selfies without unfolding the phone. Features like Samsung Pay, Bixby, SmartThings, and more are also supported. And Samsung promises up to 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates.

Compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 3, the Flip 4 also brings improvements like a slimmer hinge, louder stereo speakers, flexible glass display, IPX8 water resistance, and main screen with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+.

Pricing and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is available globally including in the USA starting August 2022. Pricing starts at $999 USD for the 128GB model. The 256GB and 512GB variants are priced at $1059 and $1119 respectively.

Available colors at launch are Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, and Blue. Samsung is offering attractive launch offers like free Memory Upgrades. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 can be purchased directly from Samsung, as well as from leading carriers and retailers like AT&T, T-Mobile, BestBuy, and Amazon.

The Z Flip 4 provides an attractive folding phone option that’s more affordable than the higher-end Galaxy Z Fold models. With this latest iteration, Samsung has refined the Z Flip formula for its best clamshell foldable yet.

Galaxy Z Flip 4 Key Specifications

Here are the key specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 foldable smartphone:

Display:

• Main Screen: 6.7 inches FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2640 x 1080 pixels resolution, 425 ppi, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 1200 nits peak brightness, HDR10+
• Cover Screen: 1.9 inches Super AMOLED, 512 x 260 pixels resolution, 302 ppi

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

Memory & Storage:

• 8GB RAM
• 128GB/256GB/512GB internal storage

Rear Camera:

• 12MP main wide camera, f/1.8 aperture, OIS
• 12MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.2 aperture

Front Camera: 10MP, f/2.4 aperture

Battery: 3700mAh

Charging: 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging

OS: Android 12L with One UI 4.1.1

Security: Side fingerprint sensor, Face recognition

Durability: IPX8 water resistant, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ (main screen)

Network Compatibility: 5G (sub-6 and mmWave), LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Dimensions & Weight:

• Folded: 71.9 x 84.9 x 17.1 mm, 187 grams
• Unfolded: 71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9 mm

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 combines a compact folding design with powerful performance thanks to cutting-edge hardware like the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and 8GB RAM. The phone also introduces upgrades like an improved hinge mechanism and splash resistance.

Hands-on Review of the Galaxy Z Flip 4

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 refines Samsung’s fun flip phone formula into an appealing everyday foldable. Here is a hands-on review of the key features and real-world usage experience.

Striking Compact Design

Closed shut, the Z Flip 4 is truly pocketable with a satisfying flip opening/closing action. The new hinge allows splitting the screen between 50-120 degrees, enabling more use cases. However, the tall shape isn’t the most natural for reading or typing when propped 90 degrees on a table.

The Armor Aluminum frame looks great visually but attracts fingerprints. The glass rear remains prone to smudges too despite the new ‘matte’ finish. But overall, the high-quality materials and striking color options give the Z Flip 4 a luxe appeal.

Vibrant Foldable Display

The 6.7-inch inner screen is simply stunning. Everything from videos to webpages and games pops with color thanks to the bright OLED panel and smooth 120Hz refresh rate. There’s barely any visibility of the center crease. And usability is aided by new customizable Flex Mode panels.

The petite 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen effectively shows notifications and widgets for at-a-glance info without opening the phone. You can even reply to messages directly from the cover display. However, it lacks an always-on-display feature found on main screens.

Excellent All-round Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and 8GB RAM, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 delivers speedy responsiveness whether gaming, multi-app use, or camera shooting. The phone remains fast and fluid even with over 10 apps open. Warming is minimal during intensive use thanks to the new vapor chamber cooling.

With UFS 3.1 storage, app load times are swift. The phone handled demanding games like Genshin Impact smoothly with consistent frame rates. Overall performance is a noticeable upgrade over the last generation Flip.

Decent Battery Life

The Galaxy Z Flip 4’s 3,700mAh battery lasts through a full day of mixed use with around 4-5 hours of screen time. With the 120Hz display enabled, heavy use can require a late evening top-up. The larger Z Fold 4 and S22 Ultra last longer, but the Flip 4’s battery life is respectable for its size.

Charging speed is fast with 25W wired charging. However, there’s no charger included in the box. Wireless charging works decently quick with a compatible 15W charging pad.

Good Not Great Cameras

The dual 12MP camera setup on the Z Flip 4 captures nice photos with pleasing colors and hdr in daylight. But zoom and low-light photos show more noise and lack detail versus Samsung’s S22 series. The unique FlexCam mode is useful for capturing hands-free selfies and group shots.

Portrait mode delivers good subject separation and bokeh. The 10MP selfie camera also takes decent self-portraits but struggles in low light situations. Overall camera performance is serviceable for casual users but a bit underwhelming for the premium price.

Smooth User Experience

One UI 4.1 on top of Android 12L provides a polished interface experience on the Z Flip 4. Features like Flex Mode panel and App Pair are useful on the folding screen. Customization options are extensive. And the interface feels well optimized for the cover display with widgets and quick controls.

Handy software touches like Quick Shot for selfies with a double press of the power button improve usability. Plus Samsung promises 4 years of OS updates for the Z Flip 4, which is among the best support policies. Overall, both hardware and software deliver a cohesive user experience.

Conclusion

With a striking design, powerful performance, vibrant inner screen, and more durable build, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 meaningfully improves

The newly launched Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 foldable phone is undoubtedly sleek and futuristic. But looking beyond the flashy design reveals some compromises and downsides that buyers should consider. While the Z Flip 4 refines some aspects of earlier Flip models, it fails to address other pain points.

The most glaring weakness of the Z Flip 4 is its mediocre camera performance. The dual 12MP sensor setup simply lacks the hardware to compete with flagship phone cameras today in terms of advanced lenses, image processing, and video capture capabilities. Photos in anything but perfect lighting come out disappointingly grainy and lacking in detail.

Battery life is another area where the Z Flip 4 falls short. Its small 3,700 mAh battery is barely adequate for a full day’s mixed usage. The phone needs more frequent top-ups compared to the largest screen flagships. The charging speed is also slower at just 25W wired. So heavy users will find the battery life very limiting.