The Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 are exciting because they’re boring

Foldables, once relied on to save smartphone enthusiasts from the spec bump treadmill of annual releases, have quickly fallen into that rut themselves. No devices exemplify this more than the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Both are very good pieces of hardware, but both are also evolutionary takes on what’s come before.

If you’ve used a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, you’ve basically had 95% of the experience of the Z Fold 4 — and the same holds true for the Z Flip 4. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all.

Setting the foldable standard

There’s been a lot of criticism lobbed at standard smartphones for being, well, standard. Now that foldables are going down that same path, it’s time to examine whether that’s actually a bad thing.

After all, it’s not just that foldables are just being spec bumped; it’s also that foldables have been standardized rather quickly.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4.Joe Maring/Digital Trends

In the first year when foldables were a thing, there was much debate about what the ideal form factor for a foldable was. That discussion is over. There are now two standard types: the folding one and the flipping one.

Now, we’re in the spec bump stage. On the one hand, we have the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, the Mi Mix Fold, and the Oppo Find N. Each one is a variation on the same theme.

There’s a smaller outer screen with a hole punch camera that can unfold to reveal a tablet-sized display with all the bells and whistles you could expect. On the flip side, there’s the Galaxy Z Flip, Huawei P50 Pocket, and Moto Razrs of the world, which combine the retro flip phones of yesteryear with the sensibilities of today. Each update to each individual form factor has simply built on what’s come before.

The wheel isn’t being reinvented. For the last two years, each type of foldable has simply gotten a little better at doing what it set out to do from the outset.

Why boring is a good thing

At the same time, I must come out strongly in defense of boredom. There’s a reason “may you live in interesting times” is regarded not as a blessing, but as a curse.

Boring is simple, stable, and reliable. If Samsung’s foldables have reached that level quite fast, all the better. It means that you’re getting a device that’s stable, that’s reliable, that’s tried-and-true.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.Joe Maring/Digital Trends

There’s also an argument to be made that “boring” and “fun” are not useful terms when it comes to assessing tools.

Sure, they may be a useful lens for writers to peer through when thinking and writing about phones (let’s face it, iterative updates do not stroke the little gray cells), but it’s not a great way to think about usefulness. Consider the fork. Is the best fork an interesting or a boring one?

Perhaps a spork, one that combines being fork with being a spoon, is interesting. Maybe a fork with flashing lights that measured the temperature of your food. At the end of the day, when you’re hungry, all these decisions fade away into nothing as you consider the best fork to be simply the best one that gets food to your mouth. The best way to judge a product should not be by how novel it is, but by how good it is at being what it wants to be.

this is an excellent video that paints a full picture of the foldable scene: not just what's new with the Fold/Flip 4, but also the reality that Samsung is coasting a bit in terms of really pushing innovation due to lack of global competition, plus a long term fold 3 review. ? https://t.co/9huwXqJasr

— ben (@bencsin) August 11, 2022

Maybe the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 are boring, but do they make foldables better at being foldables? Looking at the more comfortable form factor, better batteries, and improved software, they almost certainly do.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.Andrew Martonik/Digital Trends

There’s an argument to be made that foldables are still the same as they ever were, with their weaknesses being their indecisiveness and in-between form factor. There’s a counter that the very indecisiveness of that form factor allows one to use the advantages of multiple devices with relatively little downside.

There’s little point in rehashing it here. At this point, if you’re on board, you’re on board. If you’re not, you’re not.

That’s precisely what the Fold 4 and Flip 4 are doing. They don’t reinvent the wheel at the expense of breaking things along the way. They keep what worked last generation, fix what didn’t, and call it a day.

Boredom isn’t an insult when it comes to tools, and for many people, the Fold 4 and Flip 4 will be a tool.

Even with foldables, boredom should be nothing if not the highest of compliments.

Editors’ Recommendations

Tags:

alamo listed on couponmatrix.ukbannatyne-health-club listed on couponmatrix.ukcrucial listed on couponmatrix.ukdormeo listed on couponmatrix.ukhampergifts-co-uk listed on couponmatrix.uktwo-wests-and-elliott listed on couponmatrix.uk
alamo listed on couponmatrix.ukAlamo have been pioneers of the car rental industry since 1973 and were the first to introduce a variety of car hire extras we now take for granted including Unlimited Free Mileage, the Waiver Saver collision damage waiver and real-time online booking. With an Alamo discount code, you can easily hire a car which is fun, new and high quality, without the high costs in a huge number of locations worldwide. So, whether you’re running around the city, need a comfortable SUV for a cross-country road trip or a minibus for a getaway with friends, Alamo has the perfect car for you.
bannatyne-health-club listed on couponmatrix.ukPut your health and wellbeing first with Bannatynes. The health club is more than just a gym - with state of the art equipment and swimming pools, a great range of fitness classes and relaxing spa facilities, it’s the perfect destination for both toning up and winding down. With our Bannatynes promo code you can save on a membership and discover a new level of health - why not check out your local club today?
crucial listed on couponmatrix.ukPart of the Micron Technology global corporation, Crucial is the leading supplier of computer system storage and memory in the world, delivering outstanding products and services to the hundreds and thousands of us out there who rely on computer technology. With over 35 years’ experience, Crucial has remained at the top of their game, unlike many other memory manufacturers who have fallen by the way side. Head on over to the Crucial website and use your crucial promo code to bring more memory into your technological world.
dormeo listed on couponmatrix.ukGet the 40 winks you’ve always wanted with Dormeo, the bed brand that offers super high-quality mattresses and bedding without super high prices! With a Dormeo discount code from us in hand, you’ll be able to bring down that price of a brand spanking new bed to an all-time low, letting you have sweet dreams for less. If you’re looking for some sleepspiration then be sure to check out the Dormeo Sleep Blog for decoration ideas and more.
hampergifts-co-uk listed on couponmatrix.ukLooking for a truly indulgent gift to send a faraway friend? Go the distance with a luxury hamper from Hampergifts and send your special someone a smile. From chocolate and cheese parcels to wine and beer packages, there's a hamper to celebrate every occasion. Find the perfect fit for less with a Hampergifts discount code and enjoy fast and reliable delivery across the UK. Hampergift's handmade creations feature only the finest artisan delicacies, so you can show your loved one how much you truly care.
two-wests-and-elliott listed on couponmatrix.ukTurn your garden into your own Eden with Two Wests & Elliott, the brand that provides equipment and advice on all things gardening. Whether you want a gardening apron to keep the dirt at bay or a new shed to house your growing collection of tools, a Two Wests & Elliot discount code is all that’s required to guarantee a great deal on top quality gardening gear. So next time your outdoors beckon, give it the deluxe treatment with Two Wests & Elliott. At Groupon, we understand that your garden is important to you. That's why we work hard to find the best Two Wests discount codes and deals, so you can get the gear you need to make it your own Eden. Whether you're looking for a new shed or just a gardening apron, we've got you covered. So next time your outdoors beckon, give them the deluxe treatment with Two Wests – and don't forget to use a Groupon discount code to save even more. Give your plants a welcome place to grow with a Two West greenhouse. Expect designs in all shapes and sizes to suit gardens both big and small, with a Two West voucher code ensuring you get the perfect fit for a fraction of the price. Pick your preferred material – be it glass, fabric or mesh – and then opt for either a permanent or pop-up model to suit your lifestyle, then sit back and watch your sprouts form into full-fledged fauna.