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Does the Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 still have a crease? Yes, but we have good news
Samsung today took the wraps off of its latest foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold 4, showing off a new and improved camera system, enhanced productivity features, and a series of dashing colors. If you've been following the foldable market, though, there may have been a question or two in particular lingering in your mind as the virtual keynote flashed promotional videos left and right: Does the Galaxy Z Fold still have a crease? And if so, is it noticeable?
The controversial crease has been a point of concern for foldable shoppers, particularly with Samsung's Z Fold and Z Flip lines, whose hinges create a tight enough bend at the center to present a visual and textural interference. Hold either Galaxy foldable at an angle and you'll immediately notice a stream of shadow and light refracting from the centerline of the devices. For some, this aspect of the design can be shrugged off. For others, it may as well be a deal-breaker.
More: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2022
Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 have a crease?
Yes, the fourth-generation Fold and Flip still have a crease, but it's not as noticeable as in the past. Here's a shot of the Galaxy Z Fold 4. I used a white image to give a better idea of where and how light bounces from the inner 7.6-inch panel. Can you discern the crease running down the middle?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4's crease is less noticeable than the Z Fold 3's.
Courtesy of ZDNet's Jason Cipriani, here's an image of last year's Galaxy Z Fold 3, which had the same display size and resolution the Z Fold 4 does. Under similar lighting and with a white screen, you can see that the crease is more apparent. The verdict on whether Samsung lessened the bump on the newer foldable is clear.
That's not to say that the new hinge-crease design is forgivable. As I tap and swipe away on my review unit, there's a soft dent that serves as a constant reminder of Samsung's unpolished framework. Should it be a cause for concern if you're in the market for a Z Fold? Probably not. At least, that's what Samsung believes.
Pricing and availability
Crease or not, there's still a lot to look forward to with the new Galaxy Z Fold 4. For the starting price of $1,799, you'll get a smartphone geared with 12GB of RAM, the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, Android 12L, and a camera system that rivals that of Samsung's Galaxy S22 Plus.
Should you be ready to buy, the Samsung store is currently bundling a complimentary memory upgrade, double your storage configuration at no cost, a year's worth of Samsung Care Plus, up to $1,000 off in trade-in credit, a Standing Cover with Pen case, and $100 worth of Samsung store credit. It's quite a deal for early-bird buyers.