Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4: New folding smartphones launching Aug. 26

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Is this the year smartphone consumers finally bend toward devices with folding screens?

On Wednesday, Samsung introduced its latest foldable smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4. Both devices are available to pre-order, and will formally launch Aug. 26.

The Galaxy Z Flip4, which resembles the classic clamshell designs on earlier cellphones, starts at $999.99. The Galaxy Z Fold4, which looks like a standard smartphone, but folds out to provide a tabletlike viewing experience, starts at $1,799.99.

"Created in collaboration with our world-class partners, the next foldable devices offer unparalleled mobile experiences that meet the needs of our most dynamic users,” said Dr. TM Roh, president and head of the mobile eXperience business at Samsung

Electronics, in a statement.

The devices, along with a new smartphone and wireless earbuds, were revealed during Samsung's Unpacked event, streamed Wednesday.

Here's a breakdown of everything they announced.

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

The Galaxy Z Flip4 has a 6.7-inch screen when fully open. When in its closed clamshell form, it has a smaller but still functional 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display.

When closed, owners can still take calls, answer texts, take pictures and even unlock their cars with supported digital keys.

As with previous models, users can also use a flex mode for viewing different apps depending on how the phone is positioned. For example, if the phone is partially opened, it will split the full screen into two displays, one for a video view and the second for touch controls.

New this year is better integration with the phone's FlexCam, which uses the front-facing camera while in flex mode, and apps from Meta, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

The phone also includes a slimmer hinge where the screen bends to open and close, as well as straightened edges. It will be available in four colors: bora purple, graphite, pink gold, and blue.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

When it's closed, the Z Fold4 looks like a standard smartphone, with a 6.2 inch screen, but customers can open the device for a larger 7.6-inch display, similar to a small tablet.

This year, the Z Fold4 is adding a taskbar similar to what you might see on a computer, so users can get quick access to favorite or recent apps. The phone also adds new swiping gestures to multitask, such as using two apps simultaneously in a split-screen view.

The Z Fold4 also has its own flex mode where users can visit apps while the phone is partially open.

Samsung said it also working more closely with Google and Microsoft to ensure their services, including Gmail and Outlook, are more user-friendly on the Z Fold4.

There are other new touches as well, including improved cameras, a brighter display and a less-visible under-display camera. It also has a slimmer hinge like the Flip4, and is lighter compared with last year's Fold device.

Is there a market for foldable phones?

The big question is whether consumers are finally ready to consider smartphones with a folding screen.

Last year, global shipments of foldable phones reached 7.1 million units, according to research firm IDC. The company projects market value for foldable devices will hit $29 billion by 2025.

"Samsung has proven that there is consumer demand for foldable phones once they hit the right price and feature a more stable build," said Anthony Scarsella, a research manager with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, in February.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Samsung Unpacked 2022: Galaxy Z Flip4, Galaxy Z Fold4 folding phones

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