Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: Early teardown video highlights various changes, including a larger main camera module and new batteries

PBKreviews has disassembled the Galaxy Z Flip4, one of two foldable smartphones that Samsung has released this month. To recap, the Galaxy Z Flip4 has IPX8 certification, meaning that there is no data available for its dust resistance but that it will withstand being immersed in at least 1 metre of water for 30 minutes or more. As such, PBKreviews needed to use heat and plastic pry tools to remove the device's glass back panels.

Removing these reveals how similar the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Flip4 are internally, not just externally. As the image above shows, the pair only differ in certain areas, such as the primary camera modules. Specifically, this year's 12 MP camera has a larger package, presumably to account for its 1.8 µm pixel size, 0.4-µm wider than its predecessor. Predictably, the Galaxy Z Flip4's larger batteries command more space, which appears to have necessitated Samsung moving the orientation of certain cables.

Unfortunately, repairing the Galaxy Z Flip4 remains difficult in some cases. For example, Samsung glues the device's 10 MP front-facing camera into place, rendering it improbable to remove without somehow damaging the smartphone. Conversely, Samsung has contained the USB Type-C port within a daughter board, allowing this to be replaced without requiring a new motherboard. Additionally, Samsung makes it easy to replace the wireless charging coil and speakers if they ever fail. Overall, PBKreviews has awarded the Galaxy Z Flip4 a 4/10 for repairability, principally because the batteries and display are trickier to replace than in conventional candybar smartphones.

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