Samsung Galaxy A13 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date December 3, 2021 August 25, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 110.74 cm³ 127.12 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.33 "/g 2.89 "/g
Weight 195 g 263 g
Height 164.5 mm 155.1 mm
Width 76.5 mm 130.1 mm
Thickness 8.8 mm 6.3 mm
Foldable Design No Yes
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Phantom Black
  • Burgundy
  • Graygreen
  • Beige

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 7.6 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1812 x 2176
Aspect Ratio 20:9 16:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.1 % 90.8 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 373 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 76.18 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.15 mAh/cm³ 34.61 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4400 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Mali-G57 MC2 Adreno 730

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 3.2, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 12
Maximum OS Version 14 16

Comparison Summary

Okay, let's break down the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G and the Z Fold4. These phones are worlds apart in terms of price and intended use, so it's a fascinating comparison. I’ll focus on what matters most to you, the user.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a detailed look at the key specifications, and what they mean for real-world use:

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A13 5GSamsung Galaxy Z Fold4Real-World Implications
Design
Form FactorStandardFoldableZ Fold4 offers a unique, larger display when unfolded, changing how you interact with content. A13 5G is a traditional smartphone.
Dimensions164.5 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm (unfolded)Z Fold4 is wider and thinner when unfolded, much larger when fully extended but smaller when folded. A13 5G is taller and thicker.
Weight195g263gA13 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. The Z Fold4 is noticeably heavier due to its foldable design and advanced tech.
Display
Size6.5"7.6" (unfolded)Z Fold4 offers a much larger display for immersive viewing, gaming, and productivity. A13 5G is a typical smartphone size.
Resolution720x16001812x2176Z Fold4's screen is significantly sharper and clearer, with more detail due to the higher pixel density.
PPI (Pixel Density)270373Z Fold4 offers much better clarity, especially for text and images.
TechnologyPLS LCD(Dynamic AMOLED)A13 5G uses a standard LCD panel. The Z Fold4 uses AMOLED for better colors and deep blacks, but that's not specified here.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzZ Fold4 offers smoother scrolling and animations.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth phones seem to have a problem with brightness in the specs. But it's important to note that this spec isn't accurate. Z Fold 4 is much brighter.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Z Fold4's chipset is significantly faster, offering much better overall performance, gaming capabilities, and responsiveness.
AnTuTu Score389,3001,232,800Z Fold4 is a high-end device with more processing power, better multitasking, and will be significantly faster overall.
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 730Z Fold4 is capable of handling complex graphics and games due to the superior GPU, while A13 5G will struggle.
Camera
Main Camera50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76"50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57"Z Fold4 has a larger sensor, allowing it to capture more light and detail, resulting in better low-light photos.
Selfie Camera5MP, f/1.910MP, f/2.2Z Fold4 has a higher resolution front camera, resulting in better selfies.
Additional Lenses2MP Depth, 2MP Macro10MP Telephoto, 13MP Wide-AngleZ Fold4 offers more versatile photography with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, while the A13 5G has basic depth and macro lenses.
Video Recording1080p@30fpsUp to 8K@24fpsZ Fold4 can record much higher quality video, offering more professional options.
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh4400mAhA13 5G has a larger battery, likely offering better battery life on a single charge.
Charging15W Fast Charging, Li-Ion25W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless, Li-PolymerZ Fold4 charges faster, has wireless charging, and offers reverse wireless charging for accessories, a major plus for convenience.
Other
OSAndroid 11 (Upgradable to 14)Android 12 (Upgradable to 16)Z Fold4 has a newer OS and longer software support.
Storage64GB or 128GB256GB, 512GB, or 1024GBZ Fold4 has considerably more storage, which is vital for power users.
RAM4GB12GBZ Fold4 has significantly more RAM, making it much smoother for multitasking and handling complex apps.
SecuritySide-Mounted Fingerprint SensorSide-Mounted Fingerprint SensorBoth offer fingerprint sensors, a basic security feature.
AudioBasic AudioDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersZ Fold4 offers a superior audio experience with immersive sound.
Build ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+Z Fold4 has better screen protection.

2. Key Insights

  • Samsung Galaxy A13 5G: This phone is built for affordability and basic smartphone functions. Its strengths include its large battery, decent screen for everyday use, and 5G connectivity at a lower price point. It excels in providing essential smartphone functions at an affordable price.

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: This is a high-end, foldable smartphone designed for productivity and entertainment. Its key advantages include its large, high-resolution foldable screen, powerful performance, versatile camera system, and advanced features like wireless charging and Dolby Atmos. It’s a premium device for power users who want a tablet-like experience.

Trade-Offs:

  • The A13 5G sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera versatility for affordability.
  • The Z Fold4 is significantly more expensive and heavier than the A13 5G, making it less practical for some users.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Samsung Galaxy A13 5G:

    • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need basic smartphone functionalities, such as calling, texting, browsing, and social media.
    • Use Case: Perfect for students, elderly individuals, or anyone needing a reliable phone for daily use without breaking the bank.
    • Value Proposition: Offers a decent screen, large battery life, and essential features at a budget-friendly price.
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4:

    • Ideal User: Power users, professionals, and tech enthusiasts who want maximum productivity, entertainment, and photography.
    • Use Case: Great for multitasking, gaming, creative work, and anyone who wants a portable device that can replace both a phone and tablet.
    • Value Proposition: Provides top-tier performance, a unique foldable design, excellent camera quality, and a suite of premium features.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three questions to guide your decision:

  1. What is your budget? If you're looking for the most affordable option, the A13 5G is the clear choice. If money isn't a major constraint, the Z Fold4 is a serious contender.

  2. How important is multitasking and performance? If you need a device for demanding tasks and smooth multitasking, the Z Fold4 is significantly better. The A13 5G is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with heavier workloads.

  3. How important is a premium display and camera experience? If you value high-resolution displays and a versatile camera system, the Z Fold4 will provide a significantly better experience than the A13 5G.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Student/Budget User: Go for the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G. It's affordable, has long battery life, and covers all the basics.
  • Scenario 2: Casual Social Media User: The A13 5G can also do the trick here. It’s suitable for occasional photography and scrolling, making it a good, budget-friendly option.
  • Scenario 3: Professional/Productivity User: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is the best choice. It provides a large screen, powerful processing, and features for multitasking and content creation.
  • Scenario 4: Gamer/Multimedia Enthusiast: Again, the Z Fold4 is the better option here. The high-resolution display, powerful chipset, and superior audio quality make it the superior choice for consuming media and gaming.
  • Scenario 5: Photographer/Video Creator: Once more, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 with its superior camera system and video capabilities, is better suited for more advanced photography and video recording needs than the A13 5G.

My Choice

If I were to choose, and money was not the biggest issue, I’d go with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. It's a powerhouse of features and performance. The foldable design is not just a novelty; it fundamentally changes how you interact with the device, making multitasking and content consumption far superior to any standard phone. The improved camera system, faster chipset, and premium build justify the higher price tag for someone who wants the best of the best. The A13 5G is a respectable budget phone, but the Fold4's innovative approach and cutting-edge technology are too compelling to ignore for a tech enthusiast like me.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.