Apple iPhone XS vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
The Verdict
iPhone XS delivers a refined flagship experience with excellent build quality, reliable A12 Bionic performance, and a vibrant 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display, though its 60Hz refresh rate and modest 2658 mAh battery feel dated. Galaxy Z Fold 4 represents cutting-edge innovation with a transformative 7.6-inch foldable display, superior 120Hz refresh rates on both screens, considerably more RAM (12GB vs 4GB), and a larger 4400 mAh battery supporting 25W charging. Camera systems favor the Z Fold 4's 50MP main sensor and 8K video capability over the XS's 12MP setup. However, the Z Fold 4 costs nearly double at $1799 and carries durability concerns inherent to folding technology. For users prioritizing reliability and proven performance, the iPhone XS remains solid at $999. Conversely, early adopters seeking revolutionary form factor and cutting-edge specs should choose the Z Fold 4, provided budget permits.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XS if…
- →First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- →eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- →Excellent Super Retina OLED display
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 if…
- →Refined hinge is slimmer and lighter than Fold 3
- →Taskbar for PC-like multitasking
- →Improved cameras over Fold 3
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone XS
Pros
- First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- Excellent Super Retina OLED display
- Improved Face ID speed over iPhone X
- Premium stainless steel build
Cons
- Small battery at 2658 mAh
- No ultrawide camera
- 5W charger in the box
- Minimal upgrade over iPhone X
- No Night mode for camera
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Pros
- Refined hinge is slimmer and lighter than Fold 3
- Taskbar for PC-like multitasking
- Improved cameras over Fold 3
- IPX8 water resistance
- Flex mode for hands-free use
Cons
- Still very expensive at $1799
- Heavy at 263 g
- Visible crease on inner display
- Under-display camera quality is poor
- Slow 25W charging
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone XS | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 12L, One UI 4.1.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 177 g | 263 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| IP rating | IP68 | IPX8 |
| Dimensions | 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm | 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm (unfolded) |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP (cover), 4 MP under-display (inner) |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2658 mAh | 4400 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.8 inches | 7.6 inches (inner), 6.2 inches (cover) |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, foldable |
| Resolution | 2436 x 1125 | 2176 x 1812 (inner), 2316 x 904 (cover) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz (both) |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz + 3x2.75 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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