New York: The overwhelming majority of Australians don't own nor have probably seen a folding smartphone apart from some TV ads and billboards.
But Samsung's aggressive ownership of this new smartphone generation continues in 2022 with the fourth-generation Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip and I've gone hands on in New York to get a look at these just-launched devices.
Personally, I was expecting something vastly different from Samsung this year.
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From the first to third generation, there are some big changes but none of them are fundamental to the device's overall form factor.
In 2022, the fourth generation at a glance could easily be confused for a generation two.
But in the hand, the difference is immediately evident.
It's ever-so-slightly lighter, and the new front and back glass does have a different feel – almost a matte finish feel.
Edges are squared off somewhat and the hinge doesn't protrude as much – all simple refinements to an overall well-put-together design.
What is less obvious is the wider but not as tall front screen and the same on the inside – it's just incrementally bigger.
On the inside, the pixels that cover the front-facing camera are now more dense, making it a touch harder to spot.
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Of course, there are new colour options too and under the hood, it's more powerful and the software is dramatically improved for the larger inside screen – with a PC-like app dock on the bottom of the screen.
Around the back is the biggest change.
The triple-lens camera array stands out – as it should.
It was perhaps the biggest area of consumer feedback and for a company with outstanding smartphone cameras already in the market, it seemed an easy win.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 gets the same camera as the Samsung Galaxy S22, complete with "Space Zoom" up to 30 times, which looks fantastic.
Of the two smartphones launched and available for pre-order today, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the most expensive, though it maintains last year's $2499 price tag.
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Likewise, the smaller Galaxy Z Flip 4 comes in again at $1499 and while it looks remarkably similar, it's gained some width – a much wider shape which still feels comfortable in the hand, and ever-so-slightly thinner too.
Some tweaks on the front cover screen on the Flip 4 allow for photos, videos and even animated GIFs to be used as your cover screen.
Neither phone folds "flat" with a more wedge-like shape to the gap in the screen when closed – no change there.
A tougher screen technology is on board, though you're noticing that on your first look in-store.
Importantly, bespoke colours are available from Samsung, while a huge range of accessories for both phones seem to be ready for launch.
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Samsung and the big telcos in Australia are pushing for trade-ins on old phones as an incentive for new buyers, with the somewhat trendy-looking Galaxy Z Flip 4 – looking like a normal smartphone but folding shut like an old-school flip phone – being the one that is most likely to attract users from other phone brands over to Samsung.
The two new smartwatches launched today look great in-person, with the Galaxy Watch 5 appearing to be a well-refined update on the previous generation, while the Watch 5 Pro is much larger – a big change – and aims at the Garmin and Suunto active watches of the world.
Samsung's new Galaxy Buds Pro 2 look smaller, but I'll have to test them out over a longer period before I share my thoughts.
All the new devices are available to pre-order from today, and go on sale September 2.
Trevor Long travelled to New York as a guest of Samsung Australia.
