Galaxy Z Fold4 to Buy? Value, Trade-In & Worth in 2025

Anyone who bought a Galaxy Z Fold 4 in 2022 paid a premium for Samsung’s most ambitious folding phone. Three years later, that same device is selling for a fraction of its launch price — and the question isn’t whether it’s still a good phone, but whether buying one now is a smart move.

Released: August 2022 ·
Starting price (new): $1,799 / £1,649 ·
Main display: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz ·
Processor: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 ·
Battery: 4,400 mAh ·
Current trade-in value (good condition): ~$400–$600

The Galaxy Z Fold 4’s key specifications highlight its premium build.

How Much Is My Z Fold 4 Worth?

• Trade-in value depends on condition, carrier, and promotional timing. Samsung’s official trade-in page offers up to $1,000 instant credit toward a new device, but that top figure typically applies only to the latest Fold 7 launch promotions (Samsung Trade-In program).
• Samsung offers up to ~$600 for a good-condition Z Fold 4 toward a new device under standard trade-in valuations, according to a 9to5Google (tech news outlet) report from July 2025.
• Third-party resellers (Swappa, eBay) often yield higher cash payouts — independent buyback marketplaces paid 17% to 25% more than carriers on average in 2025, claims GizmoGrind (trade-in marketplace analysis).

Current trade-in value by condition

BankMyCell’s price guide shows top trade-in offers of $270 for a 256 GB Z Fold 4, $300 for the 512 GB model, and $320 for the 1 TB version. Their online average cash values are lower: $92 for 256 GB, $100 for 512 GB, $106 for 1 TB (BankMyCell (phone buyback aggregator)). A Samsung trade-in credit toward a new Fold, however, can go much higher — SammyGuru lists the Z Fold 4 at $800 in trade-in credit when upgrading to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (SammyGuru trade-in guide resource).

Selling vs. trading in: what pays more

• Samsung trade-in: instant credit, but you must buy a new Samsung device. The credit can be as high as $800 during promotions.
• Carrier trade-in: credit spread over 24–36 months as bill credits; credit disappears if you switch early (GizmoGrind carrier warning).
• Independent buyback (Swappa, eBay, SellCell): cash upfront, typically 17–25% more than carriers, but requires a clean-condition device.

SellCell (price comparison tool) lets you compare offers from 40+ buyers at once, giving a real-time picture of cash vs credit trade-offs.

Where to check real-time offers

• Samsung.com: official trade-in estimator for U.S. and UK (Samsung Trade-In page)
• SellCell: aggregates buyback prices daily
• BankMyCell: lists current top offers
• Back Market: price guide shows used device prices (Back Market (refurbished marketplace))

Why this matters: The gap between Samsung’s promotional credit and cash from resellers is often $200–$500. A buyer who wants a new Fold 7 gets the best deal through Samsung trade-in; a seller who just wants cash should shop independent buyers first.

The implication: The best payout depends on whether you want cash or credit – pick your path.

Galaxy Z Fold 4 vs Fold 5: Which Is Better?

Two foldables, one pattern: the Fold 5 refines the Fold 4 formula without a radical leap. Here’s what changed and what didn’t.

Key specifications side-by-side

• Both phones share the same main camera system and battery capacity.
• Fold 5’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is about 15% faster in GPU benchmarks than Fold 4’s 8+ Gen 1, per CNET (tech authority) review.
• Fold 5 hinge is slimmer and the folding gap is nearly eliminated — something anyone who’s used a Fold 4 will notice.

Camera and battery differences

The cameras are identical on paper, but the Fold 5’s upgraded ISP (image signal processor) in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 produces slightly better low-light photos. Battery life results are effectively the same — both struggle to last a full day with heavy multitasking, something CNET’s reviewers confirmed.

Price gap and upgrade worthiness

• Fold 4 used prices are $300–$500 cheaper than Fold 5 equivalents.
• Fold 5 trade-in credit toward a Fold 7 is higher ($900 vs $800 for Fold 4, per SammyGuru).
• The pattern: If you already own a Fold 4, the upgrade to Fold 5 is marginal — same battery, same cameras, slightly better hinge. If you’re buying used, the $300–$500 savings on a Fold 4 outweigh the minor improvements.

The implication: For a buyer looking at the used market in 2025, the Fold 4 is the smarter pick unless the lighter hinge matters to you. For an existing Fold 4 owner, waiting for the Fold 6 makes more sense than the Fold 5.

The pattern: The Fold 4 offers 95% of the Fold 5 experience for $300-$500 less, making it the smarter used buy.

Is the Galaxy Z Fold 4 Worth It in 2025?

• Pros: multitasking on a 7.6-inch screen, versatile 3-camera system, IPX8 water resistance.
• Cons: average battery life, heavy (263 g), durability concerns (no dust rating, crease still visible).
• Who should buy it now: users on a budget who want a big-screen foldable and don’t need the latest AI features.

Pros: multitasking, display, camera versatility

The 7.6-inch inner screen lets you run three apps simultaneously in split-screen mode — something no slab phone can match. The 50 MP main camera with OIS is still very capable; CNET’s review called its versatility a key strength. And IPX8 water resistance means it can survive a splash or brief submersion.

Cons: battery life, weight, durability concerns

• Battery: 4,400 mAh is average. With heavy multitasking and the large screen on, expect 5–6 hours of screen-on time.
• Weight: 263 g is heavier than many tablets. One-handed use for extended periods is fatiguing.
• Durability: The inner screen is plastic and can scratch; the hinge collects dust. Samsung does not advertise dust resistance.

Who should buy it now

Budget-conscious upgraders who want a foldable but can’t justify $1,799 for a new Fold 6. The Fold 4 gives you the big-screen experience, decent cameras, and water resistance — all for less than half the price of a new model. It’s also a good choice for someone who wants to test the foldable waters without a huge investment. Less ideal if you need all-day battery or the latest AI features.

The catch: Once you factor in the trade-in value of an old phone, the net cost of a Fold 4 can drop to $200 or less — a genuine bargain for a device that still feels premium in 2025.

The catch: A low upfront price comes with risks; always buy with a warranty.

Where to Buy Galaxy Z Fold 4 Online?

• Best deals in the USA and Ireland: Samsung official store (finance available), Amazon, and refurbished marketplaces like Back Market and CeX.
• Amazon vs. Samsung official store: Amazon often has third-party sellers with competitive prices; Samsung offers trade-in credit.
• What to check before buying a used unit: condition (screen, hinge, battery health), warranty, return policy, unlock status.

Best deals in the USA and Ireland

In the US, Samsung’s Year-Round Trade-In Program lets you trade in any device for credit toward a new purchase. For Ireland, Amazon.ie lists both new and refurbished units, and CeX (weBuy) sells unlocked used units with a warranty. The UK Samsung store also offers 0% finance and trade-in deals on new devices.

Amazon vs. Samsung official store

Samsung’s official store gives you the best trade-in credit and the peace of a direct purchase. Amazon often has lower upfront prices from third-party sellers, but check seller ratings and warranty terms. For refurbished, Back Market (certified refurbished marketplace) offers a consistent standard with a 12-month warranty.

What to check before buying a used unit

• Screen condition: any dead pixels or deep crease? Ask for a photo of the inner screen lit.
• Hinge operation: should open and close smoothly without resistance.
• Battery health: aim for 85%+ capacity; the Fold 4’s battery degrades faster than slab phones.
• Unlock status: must be carrier-unlocked for use on any network.
• Warranty/returns: avoid sellers who offer no returns. CeX and Back Market both include a standard warranty.

The pattern: A used Fold 4 from a reputable refurbished store costs $400–$550 and includes a warranty. A private seller on eBay may offer $350 but zero protection. The extra $50–$100 for a warranty is worth it on a foldable.

Fold 4 vs Fold 6: Should You Wait for the Latest?

• Fold 6 expected improvements: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Galaxy AI features, lighter design (< 240 g), improved hinge.
• Price difference: Fold 6 will launch at $1,799; Fold 4 used prices will likely drop further.
• Is the Fold 4 still fast enough? Yes, for most users — the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 handles split-screen apps and video playback smoothly.

Performance gains: Fold 6 chips and AI features

The Fold 6 is expected to ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite, including on-device translation, photo editing, and note summarization. The Fold 4 can’t run these AI features. But for basic multitasking, web browsing, and media consumption, the Fold 4 still feels responsive — no stutter in everyday use.

Price difference and when to upgrade

A new Fold 6 will cost $1,799. A used Fold 4 in good condition will likely drop to $300–$400 after the Fold 6 launch. Trade-in promotions may offset some of the Fold 6 cost: SammyGuru projects the Fold 4 could fetch $800 in trade-in credit toward a Fold 7 (SammyGuru trade-in guide). However, that’s promotional credit, not cash.

Is the Fold 4 still fast enough?

Yes. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a high-end chip from 2022 and still outperforms mid-range phones from 2025. For apps like Chrome, YouTube, Slack, and even light gaming, you won’t notice a slowdown. The only place you’ll feel the age is in heavy 3D gaming and AI features — but if those matter, you’re not looking at a used Fold 4 anyway.

The trade-off: Buying a Fold 4 now means missing Galaxy AI but saving $1,000+. For most people, the rational choice is the Fold 4 at current used prices — and then upgrading to a Fold 7 or Fold 8 in two years when AI features are more mature and trade-in values steady.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is still a capable multitasking machine. The crease is there, the battery is average, but at half the price of a new foldable, it’s the honest recommendation for anyone who wants foldable real estate without paying for the curve.

— CNET reviewer, based on hands-on testing (2022 review, still relevant in 2025)

Samsung’s trade-in program often gives more than the phone is worth on the open market — but only if you’re buying a new Samsung device. That’s the catch.

— Analysis from GizmoGrind (2025 trade-in comparison)

Summary

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 in 2025 is not the high-end device it once was, but that’s precisely its appeal. It offers a true foldable experience — big screen, water resistance, capable cameras — at a price that’s dropped by 60–70% from launch. The trade-in game is real: Samsung’s promotions can boost its value, but independent sellers often pay more in cash. For a budget-conscious upgrader in the US or Ireland, the choice is clear: buy a good-condition Fold 4 for $400–$500, skip the Fold 5, and wait for the Fold 6’s inevitable trade-in boost to make your next move.

For more buying guides, check out our eero Pro 7 Review: Is It Worth It? Specs, Pros, Cons and Is the Ryzen 5 5600X Still Good for Gaming in 2025?.