Technologies

Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Cases

Samsung’s latest flagship foldable phone is on sale at many retailers. Here are the best cases for protecting your Galaxy Z Fold 4.

The new era of smartphones is upon us. With foldable smartphones going mainstream, especially in Europe and China, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Galaxy Z Flip 4 are arguably the best foldable phones available to buy in the US. These are expensive phones, even if you do take advantage of some of the best Galaxy Z Fold 4 deals, so if you’re going to drop the money on something like this, you’ll want to protect it. That means the next thing on your shopping list should be a good Galaxy Z Fold 4 case.

We haven’t had the chance to test all the cases on this list just yet, but we can draw on our experiences with Z Fold 3 cases from some of the same brands, even if those Z Fold 3 cases won’t fit the new model. As more Galaxy Z Fold 4 cases hit the market, we’ll be checking them out and updating this collection accordingly.

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Standing Cover with S Pen

Best Samsung case

$90 at Samsung $47 at Amazon $72 at Best Buy

Go straight to the source for Galaxy Z Fold 4 case with Samsung’s Fold 4 Standing Cover with S Pen. This case not only protects the back and sides of your phone but can also serve as a kickstand and comes with a detachable S Pen slot.

$90 at Samsung $47 at Amazon $72 at Best Buy

Spigen

Spigen Air Skin

Best clear case

$25 at Amazon

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Spigen’s crystal clear Air Skin lets your Galaxy Z Fold 4’s color shine through while protecting its back and edges. It adds just enough protection without being bulky thanks to its form-fitting and lightweight design. Wireless charging works uninterrupted and there are cutouts for buttons and speakers. It also comes in black if you don’t want a clear case.

$25 at Amazon

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Ringke

Ringke Slim

Best slim case

$19 at Amazon

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If you want to add a layer of protection with minimal bulk, Ringke’s Slim Case is a top choice. At just 1.2mm thick, it protects the back and sides of your device from scuffs and scrapes without weighing the whole thing down and makes use of adhesive to stay in place. It is available in black, clear or frosted finishes.

$19 at Amazon

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UAG

UAG Civilian Series

Best rugged case

$30 at Walmart $30 at Amazon

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Combining a hard shell and an impact resistant soft core, UAG’s Civilian case offers military-grade protection against drops for your Galaxy Z Fold 4. Its raised edges protect the display glass and its grippy material should help your phone remain in hand so you don’t actually have to test out its drop test rating. It’s still thin enough to allow for wireless and reverse wireless charging.

$30 at Walmart $30 at Amazon

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Fyton

Fyton Wallet Case with Kickstand

Best wallet case

$34 at Amazon

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If you like to store your cards and ID alongside your phone, you’ll be glad to know that Galaxy Z Fold 4 wallet cases exist. This Fyton case can keep a couple of cards handy and easy to access and the wallet portion of the case also does double duty as a convenient kickstand. A variety of colors and finishes are available.

$34 at Amazon

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Spigen

Spigen Thin Fit P

Best case with S Pen storage

$55 at Amazon

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If you’re planning on using the S Pen with your Galaxy Z Fold 4, you’re going to need somewhere to store it when it’s not in your hand. Spigen’s Thin Fit P is designed with a dedicated cutout on the side for the S Pen when it’s not in use. It doesn’t add a ton of bulk or an odd lump on the back of your device like you get with Samsung’s first-party option. You can save $10 at Amazon by activating the instant coupon on the product page.

$55 at Amazon

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Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Leather Cover

Leather option

$80 at Samsung $48 at Amazon $80 at Best Buy

If you want to wrap your Galaxy Z Fold 4 in a leather case, Samsung offers a first-party option. It protects the back and sides of your device though the choice of colors is a little disappointing with just black or moss gray options to choose between.

$80 at Samsung $48 at Amazon $80 at Best Buy

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Silicone Grip Cover

Security strap

$50 at Samsung $34 at Amazon $50 at Best Buy

If you’re a little worried about dropping your $1,800 phone, Samsung’s Silicone Grip Case is worth checking out. Thanks to its built-in security strap, you can slide your hand around the phone and under the strap for a little extra peace of mind. As well as adding some utility, the strap also offers a unique design flourish that you might find attractive depending on your tastes. It comes in two colors (white or black) as standard, but additional interchangeable straps are sold separately if you want one that better fits your personal style.

$50 at Samsung $34 at Amazon $50 at Best Buy

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Slim Standing Cover

Slim case with kickstand

$37 at Amazon $40 at Best Buy

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If you don’t need the S Pen storage but would still like your Z Fold 4 case to do double duty as a stand, you ought to check out Samsung’s Slim Standing Cover. It offers a soft, matte finish, protecting the back and edges of your device, and can be used to prop up your unfolded Z Fold 4 for hands-free viewing.

$37 at Amazon $40 at Best Buy

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Technologies

iOS 17 Cheat Sheet: Your Questions on the iPhone Update Answered

Here’s what you need to know about new features and upcoming updates for your iPhone.

Apple’s iOS 17 was released in September, shortly after the company held its Wonderlust event, where the tech giant announced the new iPhone 15 lineup, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. We put together this cheat sheet to help you learn about and use the new features in iOS 17. It’ll also help you keep track of the subsequent iOS 17 updates.

iOS 17 updates

Using iOS 17

Getting started with iOS 17

Make sure to check back periodically for more iOS 17 tips and how to use new features as Apple releases more updates.

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

+15 More

See all photos

Technologies

Get Ready for a Striking Aurora That Could Also Disrupt Radio Communications

Don’t expect the storm to cause a lingering problem, though.

A geomagnetic storm is threatening radio communications Monday night, but that doesn’t mean you should be concerned. In fact, it may be an opportunity to see a colorful aurora in the night sky.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a geomagnetic storm watch after witnessing a coronal mass ejection from the sun on Saturday. The watch, which was issued over the weekend and will expire after Monday, said the onset of the storm passing over Earth on Sunday night represented a «moderate» threat to communications. As the storm continues to pass through, it could deliver a «strong» threat on Monday night that could cause radio communications to be temporarily disrupted during the worst of it.

Even so, NOAA said, «the general public should not be concerned.»

A coronal mass ejection occurs when magnetic field and plasma mass are violently expelled from the sun’s corona, or the outermost portion of the sun’s atmosphere. In the vast majority of cases, the ejection occurs with no real threat to Earth. However, in the event the ejection happens in the planet’s direction, a geomagnetic storm occurs, and the Earth’s magnetic field is temporarily affected.

In most cases, geomagnetic storms cause little to no disruption on Earth, with radio communications and satellites affected most often. In extreme cases, a geomagnetic storm can cause significant and potentially life-threatening power outages — a prospect that, luckily, the planet hasn’t faced.

Switching poles

Every 11 years, the sun’s magnetic poles switch, with the north pole and south pole swapping positions. During those cycles, the sun’s activity ramps up as it gets closer to pole-switching time. The height of its activity is called solar maximum, and scientists believe we either may be entering the solar maximum or may be already in it.

During periods of heightened solar activity, sunspots increase on the sun and there’s an increase in coronal mass ejections, among other phenomena. According to NOAA, solar maximum could extend into October of this year before the sun’s activity calms and it works towards its less-active phase, solar minimum.

Even when geomagnetic storms hit Earth and disrupt communications, the effects are usually short-lived. Those most affected, including power grid operators and pilots and air traffic controllers communicating over long distances, have fail-safe technologies and backup communications to ensure operational continuity.

But geomagnetic storms aren’t only about radios. In most cases, they also present unique opportunities to see auroras in the night sky. When the storms hit, the plasma they carry creates a jaw-dropping aurora, illuminating the night sky with brilliant colors. Those auroras can be especially pronounced during the most intense phases of the storm, making for nice stargazing.

If you’re interested in seeing the aurora, you’ll need to be ready. The NOAA said the «brunt of the storm has passed» and even if it lingers into Tuesday, there won’t be much to see after Monday night.

Technologies

Last Total Solar Eclipse for 20 Years Is Coming: How to See and Photograph It

It’s your last chance until 2044.

Get your eclipse glasses ready, Skygazers: the Great American Eclipse is on its way. On April 8, there’ll be a total eclipse over North America, the last one until 2044.

A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun and turning an otherwise sunny day to darkness for a short period of time. Depending on the angle at which you’re viewing the eclipse, you may see the sun completely shrouded by the moon (called totality) or some variation of it. The more off-angle you are and the further you are from the path of the eclipse, the less likely you’ll be to see the totality.

The 2024 total solar eclipse will happen on Monday, April 8. The Great American Eclipse will reach the Mexican Pacific coast at 11:07 a.m. PT (2:07 p.m. ET), and then traverse the US in a northeasterly direction from Texas to Maine, and on into easternmost Canada. If you want a good look at it, but don’t live in the path of totality, you shouldn’t wait much longer to book accommodation and travel to a spot on the path.

Or how about booking a seat in the sky? Delta Airlines made headlines for offering a flight that allows you to see the entire path of totality. Its first eclipse flight, from Austin, Texas, to Detroit sold out quickly. But as of Monday, Delta has added a second flight from Dallas to Detroit, which also covers the path of totality. The airline also has five flights that will offer prime eclipse viewing.

Not everyone can get on one of those elusive eclipse-viewing flights. Here’s a look at other options to nab a chance to see this rare sight and what to know about it.

Total solar eclipse path

The eclipse will cross over the Pacific coast of Mexico and head northeast over mainland Mexico. The eclipse will then make its way over San Antonio at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET on April 8 and move through Texas, over the southeastern part of Oklahoma and northern Arkansas by 2:50 p.m. ET.

By 3 p.m. ET, the eclipse will be over southern Illinois, and just 5 minutes later, will be traveling over Indianapolis. Folks in northwestern Ohio will be treated to the eclipse by 3:15 p.m. ET, and it will then travel over Lake Erie and Buffalo, New York, by 3:20 p.m. ET. Over the next 10 minutes, the eclipse will be seen over northern New York state, then over Vermont. By 3:35 p.m. ET, the eclipse will work its way into Canada and off the Eastern coast of North America.

Best places to watch the Great American Eclipse

When evaluating the best places to watch this year’s total eclipse, you’ll first want to determine where you’ll have the best angle to see the totality. The farther off-angle you are — in other words, the farther north or south of the eclipse’s path — the less of an impact you can expect.

Therefore, if you want to have the best chance of experiencing the eclipse, you’ll want to be in its path. As of this writing, most of the cities in the eclipse’s path have some hotel availability, but recent reports have suggested that rooms are booking up. And as more rooms are booked, prices are going up.

So if you want to be in the eclipse’s path, and need a hotel to do it, move fast. And Delta’s eclipse-viewing flight from Dallas to Detroit has just four seats left at the time of publication.

Eclipse eye safety and photography

As with any solar eclipse, it’s critical you keep eye safety in mind.

During the eclipse, and especially during the periods before and after totality, don’t look directly at the sun without special eye protection. Also, be sure not to look at the sun through a camera (including the camera on your phone), binoculars, a telescope or any other viewing device. This could cause serious eye injury. Sunglasses aren’t enough to protect your eyes from damage.

If you want to view the eclipse, you’ll instead need solar viewing glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Anything that doesn’t meet that standard or greater won’t be dark enough to protect your eyes. Want to get them for free? If you’ve got a Warby Parker eyeglasses store nearby, the company is giving away free, ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses at all of its stores from April 1 until the eclipse, while supplies last.

If you don’t have eclipse viewing glasses handy, you can instead use indirect methods for viewing the eclipse, like a pinhole projector.

Read more: A Photographer’s Adventure With the Eclipse

In the event you want to take pictures of the eclipse, attach a certified solar filter to your camera. Doing so will protect your eyes and allow you to take photos while you view the eclipse through your lens.

There’s also a new app to help you both protect your eyes and take better photos of the eclipse on your phone. Solar Snap, designed by a former Hubble Space Telescope astronomer, comes with a Solar Snap camera filter that attaches to the back of an iPhone or Android phone, along with solar eclipse glasses for protecting your eyesight during the event. After you attach the filter to your phone, you can use the free Solar Snap Eclipse app to zoom in on the eclipse, adjust exposure and other camera settings, and ultimately take better shots of the eclipse.

2024 eclipse compared to 2017

The last total solar eclipse occurred in 2017, and many Americans had a great view. Although there are plenty of similarities between the 2017 total solar eclipse and the one coming April 8, there are a handful of differences. Mainly, the 2024 eclipse is going to cover more land and last longer.

The 2017 eclipse started over the northwest US and moved southeast. Additionally, that eclipse’s path was up to 71 miles wide, compared with a maximum width of 122 miles for this year’s eclipse. Perhaps most importantly, the moon completely covered the sun for just 2 minutes, 40 seconds in 2017. This year, maximum totality will last for nearly four-and-a-half minutes.