They say that measurement would not matter, however with the brand new Galaxy Z Flip 5, it appears Samsung would disagree, and actually, I’d too. With different clamshell foldables launching with ever-increasing cowl screens in 2023, it was time Samsung gave its Flip sequence some like to sustain with the competitors.The new Galaxy Z Flip 5 has in all probability seen probably the most change from Samsung’s newest lineup of units, due to the big exterior display that takes up a lot of the telephone’s cowl panel. The firm follows after the likes of Motorola and OPPO, giving customers extra methods to make use of their telephones with out truly opening their telephones.Samsung has upgraded the Z Flip 5 in different methods, with a refined design and new chipset, however except for the improved cowl display expertise, the telephone appears kind of like a Galaxy Z Flip 4 Plus, if something. That’s not essentially a foul factor, because the upgrades it did make are pretty important, however I am unable to assist however really feel like Samsung may have executed extra with the Flip to make it extra aggressive in a market filling up with extra spectacular foldable telephones.So, must you purchase the Galaxy Z Flip 5? Well, regardless of some reservations, I’m inclined to say you need to, and I’ll inform you why.Today’s greatest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 dealsAbout this assessmentI’ve been utilizing the Lavender colorway of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 since July 26, 2023, on the T-Mobile community in Seattle, Washington.Since beginning the assessment, there have been no updates to the software program. My assessment Z Flip 5 was working Samsung One UI 5.1.1 (constructed on Android 13) with the July 2023 safety patch.Samsung supplied the Z Flip 5 assessment unit to Android Central.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Price and availability(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip 5 on July 26, 2023, after which it instantly turned obtainable for preorder. Galaxy Z Flip 5 gross sales start on August 11.The telephone begins at $999 unlocked for the bottom mannequin with 256GB of storage. It could be bought immediately from Samsung, by carriers, and at retailers reminiscent of Amazon and Best Buy. There are additionally numerous Galaxy Z Flip 5 offers that you may benefit from whereas preorders are nonetheless open.The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is offered in a number of completely different colorways, together with Mint, Graphite, Cream, and Lavender. Availability could range between carriers, retailers, and areas. Additional colours could be bought completely by Samsung, together with Gray, Blue, Green, and Yellow.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Design(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)If you are acquainted with the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and even its predecessor, then you definately will not discover any drastic modifications to the Galaxy Z Flip 5 when it comes to its general design. Aside from the duvet panel that sports activities a reasonably bigger show, the telephone retains its design modifications pretty minimal, which is not actually a foul factor. I’m not an enormous fan of the boxy design and squared-off edges, however the Flip seems to be reasonably elegant. I like the best way that mild bounces off the shiny aluminum body of my reasonably pastel Lavender unit.Despite the identical boxy design, the Z Flip 5 does have one profit over its predecessors; a brand new hinge. Thanks to Samsung lastly adopting a waterdrop-style hinge design that different OEMs have lengthy used, the corporate is lastly capable of make the Z Flip 5 shut kind of fully flat and with out an unpleasant hole. This makes the telephone general thinner than its predecessor, and at 15.1mm, it is as skinny because the Motorola Razr Plus. This ought to make it simpler to keep away from getting mud and whatnot within the show, which might result in some costly repairs.And regardless of the brand new hinge, Samsung was capable of retain Flex Mode, which helps you to maintain the telephone open at numerous angles for video calls, selfies, watching movies, and extra. That mentioned, the disadvantage is that the telephone takes a little bit of effort to get open with one hand, to the purpose that I generally discover myself dangerously flicking it open.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)The Z Flip 5 can also be fairly hefty at 189g. It’s protected by a reasonably sturdy Armor Aluminum body and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, so that you should not have to fret an excessive amount of about drops. I not too long ago had fairly the scare after I virtually actually flung the telephone off a desk and onto my condo’s laborious flooring. Thankfully, there aren’t any cracks or scratches, and I used to be solely left with the reminder that I must be utilizing a Galaxy Z Flip 5 case to guard this $1000 telephone.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Lastly, you will discover the same old bells and whistles across the body of the telephone. Volume rocker, energy button/fingerprint sensor, mics, USB-C port, speaker grille, and SIM tray. On the duvet panel, the one protrusion is the twin digicam sensors, which I’ll get to later.Overall, the Z Flip 5 is a nice-looking telephone that may certainly stand out. I am unable to inform you what number of instances I’ve had individuals come as much as me to ask about it.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Display and canopy display(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Among the issues, Samsung saved the identical is the first show. Measuring at 6.7-inches, it is the identical measurement as its predecessor, with the identical 120Hz refresh price and the identical Full HD+ decision. Nothing notably incorrect right here, as that is kind of par for the course relating to lots of the greatest Android telephones. It’s pretty much as good of an OLED show as you’d count on from Samsung.That mentioned, it will be good to see Samsung flirt with larger refresh charges just like the 165Hz panel on the Razr Plus and even the 144Hz panel on the cheaper Razr (2023), however I digress. It’s a pleasant show.Part of what makes it good is the bump in peak brightness, which has been elevated to 1750 nits. While you will not actually see this degree of brightness typically, the display is loads seen in numerous environments, even outdoor. That mentioned, the PET display protector that comes pre-installed on the telephone is a bit reflective, which might make it tough to see in direct daylight, however more often than not, I’ve no drawback viewing content material when out and about.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)What I am unable to actually communicate on is the PWM sensitivity that my colleague Nick Sutrich has been coping with. It’s not one thing that bothers me in any respect, however I perceive he’s delicate to the sorts of show dimming Samsung makes use of, which he factors out in his Galaxy Z Fold 5 assessment. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is probably going utilizing the identical kind of dimming, so simply be cautious if you happen to’re somebody who’s delicate to that.PWM sensitivity is not one thing I take care of, however it could possibly trigger issues for others.With the brand new hinge design, I anticipated the show to characteristic a reasonably minimal crease. Unfortunately, that is not likely the case. The crease may be very a lot current, each bodily and visually, and to a degree that surprises me fairly a bit. It’s needed to miss when wanting on the show, even if you happen to’re viewing content material on it, as it could possibly barely warp what’s on the display. It would not smash the expertise however simply be ready.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)As for the duvet display, which Samsung lovingly calls “Flex Window,” I discover myself at odds. On the one hand, it is nice that Samsung is lastly giving us a bigger and extra purposeful exterior show, and there is a lot to love about it. However, as I beforehand identified, the duvet display feels held again by Samsung’s software program, and for completely no motive.Samsung nonetheless focuses on the widget expertise, which might be one of the best a part of the duvet display. The widgets really feel contemporary, informative, they usually animate effectively. There’s additionally a cool pinching gesture to see all of your obtainable widgets without delay. Customization choices are additionally fairly good, with numerous cowl display dwelling layouts to select from, in addition to completely different clock types for the always-on show.The decision is probably not as excessive as you will discover on different cowl screens, nevertheless it’s extremely brilliant, with a peak brightness of 1600 nits, so it is simple to see regardless of the reasonably reflective glass panel over the show. You additionally get a full keyboard to reply to messages, which is sort of helpful. And just like the Razr Plus, Samsung has a collection of GameSnacks video games like Stack Bounce which might be enjoyable time-wasters.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)However, the positives largely finish there, as Samsung’s software program limits or hides a lot of what you possibly can truly do on the show. For instance, Samsung limits the total app expertise to just some apps like YouTube, Google Messages, and Netflix, however you need to activate these in Samsung’s Labs (Settings > Advanced options).However, if you need to have the ability to open practically another app in your telephone, you need to undergo a separate course of with Good Lock, which requires extra steps than it ought to, solely to restrict the expertise nonetheless (cannot open Google Wallet) and place these apps in a separate widget from the opposite apps activated through Labs. It’s messy. And in all probability probably the most irritating factor about it’s that you may’t activate the latest apps view to modify between open apps. Swiping up from the duvet display notch solely closes/minimizes apps.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Fortunately, when you lastly get issues up and working, the precise expertise of working apps on the bigger show is fairly good. Apps are pretty simple to navigate on the comparatively smaller display, which means you possibly can accomplish quite a bit with out opening the telephone. It could be good if Samsung took that cool widget view and enabled that for precise apps, however I suppose that is asking for an excessive amount of.I may go on, however the gist of it’s that the duvet display expertise feels half-assed. The stuff that is good is nice, however the expertise is muddied by Samsung’s incapacity to commit. All the items are there; Samsung simply must put them collectively as a result of the duvet display has a lot potential.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Specs and efficiency(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Aside from the bigger cowl show, Samsung gave the Galaxy Z Flip 5 a brand new flagship processor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a step up in comparison with the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 present in different clamshell foldables launched this yr, though our testing did not reveal an enormous leap in efficiency. Still, that makes the Z Flip 5 probably probably the most highly effective flip telephone in the marketplace proper now.Samsung {couples} the chip with 8GB of RAM, which I’ve no issues with. The telephone handles duties and juggles apps with out problem or overheating. Even when taking part in graphically intensive video games like Honkai: Star Rail or Neverland on the highest settings, the telephone solely will get mildly heat, and it is often confined to the highest half.Aside from one second when the telephone randomly restarted itself, the telephone performs reasonably admirably. No notes.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5Display6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, LTPO (1-120Hz), 2640 x 1080 decision, 22:9 facet ratio, 1,750 nits peak brightnessCover display3.4-inch AMOLED, 60Hz, 720 x 748, 306 ppi, 1600 nits peak brightnessOperating SystemAndroid 13 (One UI 5.1.1)ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxyRAM8GBStorage256GB or 512GBBattery3,700mAhCharging25W wired charging, 10-15W quick wi-fi charging 2.0, 4.5W reverse wi-fi chargingWeight187gDimensions (folded)3.35 x 2.83 x 0.59 in.Dimensions (unfolded)6.5 x 2.83 x 0.27 in.SafetyArmor Aluminum body, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (cowl show), PET display protector (inside show), IPX8 water and mud resistanceColorsMint, Graphite, Cream, LavenderSamsung.com unique coloursGray, Blue, Green, YellowWhile there aren’t many inner modifications in addition to the brand new chipset, I do admire that Samsung is bumping the bottom mannequin to 256GB as a substitute of preserving it at 128GB. This means you get double the storage of final yr’s base mannequin for a similar worth. Since microSD card help is not actually a factor on most flagship Android telephones, having extra storage is all the time an excellent factor, particularly when you do not have to pay extra for it.I’ll say that that is the primary Samsung telephone the place I truly actually benefit from the audio expertise. The Z Flip 5 has twin stereo audio system with Dolby Atmos help, and usually I like to depart this characteristic off, nevertheless it’s a reasonably good deal with for my ears when listening through the audio system or my earbuds. Even with the setting off, the Z Flip 5 nonetheless manages to sound fuller than what I’ve skilled on different Galaxy telephones.In phrases of battery life and charging, the specs stay unchanged, which is unlucky. Depending in your use, the 3700mAh battery can possibly get you thru a lot of the day on a single cost, however I discover that I can possibly get to the tip of a piece day earlier than the Z Flip 5 is on its final legs. I common about 5 hours of screen-on time at most, which is not nice.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Unfortunately, sub-par battery life is widespread for clamshell foldables since OEMs must squeeze two batteries between each halves of the telephone. Still, after seeing a 4200mAh battery get squeezed into the OPPO Find N2 Flip, I am unable to assist however really feel like Samsung may have given us a bit of extra juice to make up for the bigger cowl display that the telephone now has to account for.Charging sits at 25W, which is not horrible by foldable requirements. I’m additionally happy with the 15W wi-fi charging and reverse wi-fi charging help, though I by no means use the latter.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Software(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip 5 with One UI 5.1.1. To be trustworthy, if you happen to’re acquainted with One UI 5 (and, by extension, One UI 5.1), then you definately will not be blown away by the brand new software program bump. In truth, I’ve been hard-pressed to essentially discover something price mentioning with the brand new software program, which appears to largely profit Samsung’s different units just like the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Tab S9.Still, regardless of the hate I obtain from my colleagues ( who you’re), I truly actually like One UI. I really feel that, for probably the most half, Samsung makes excellent use of area and does an excellent job of minimizing or condensing UI parts, so they are not taking on extra space than they need to. It’s not excellent, and Samsung nonetheless bogs issues down by pushing its personal apps on you, however I really feel that Google can be taught quite a bit from One UI, notably concerning foldables.With the Z Flip 5, Samsung has quite a lot of thrives that benefit from the smaller foldable kind issue. No, you will not discover a taskbar like on the Fold 5, however once you’re in an app and fold the gadget midway, the app will shift as much as the highest half whereas the underside half opens to numerous choices for interacting with mentioned app. With the Flex Panel, you should utilize the underside half as a touchpad to work together with the highest half, modify quantity, change brightness, open split-screen mode, and extra. It can turn out to be useful for issues like media and video calls, that are aided by the power to prop the telephone up by itself(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)With media apps like YouTube and YouTube Music, the underside half will open to a scrubber and numerous media toggles like quick forwarding and rewinding. Dismissing the Flex Panel when watching a YouTube video will depart the video on the highest half whilst you can scroll by feedback and suggestions on the underside. It’s little thrives like this that set clamshell foldables other than the extra conventional telephone, and it is clear that Samsung has polished the expertise by its years of constructing foldables.But past the little software program touches added with the newest model of One UI, Samsung retains its spectacular software program help. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 will obtain 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of safety updates, which may be very good, even when Android 14 is already on the best way to take up a type of upgrades.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Cameras(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)The unlucky facet about clamshell foldables is that area is restricted, so digicam {hardware} tends to take a backseat. Thus, you will not discover probably the most spectacular set of cameras on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, however then once more, that is not likely the purpose.Phones just like the Z Flip 5 are largely focused extra at youthful generations preferring to spend their time studying the newest TikTookay dance, and the cameras on this telephone are completely fitted to that. The 12MP main sensor is able to 4K video at 60 fps, so your social media posts ought to come out wanting crisp, particularly since you should utilize the telephone’s Flex Mode to set the telephone down and seize your video whereas previewing it on the big exterior show (one other advantage of the elevated measurement).Swipe to scroll horizontallyCamerasSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5Rear Camera 112MP broad, ƒ/1.8, 1.8μm, 83° FoV, OIS, Dual Pixel AFRear Camera 212MP ultrawide, ƒ/2.2, 1.12μm, 123° FoVSelfie Camera10MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.22μm, 85° FOVYou also can maintain the telephone like a camcorder whereas it is bent in half, which supplies you a fairly good grip when capturing pictures or movies. And whilst you can take some fairly respectable selfies and movies with the first sensors due to the duvet display, you may also activate the duvet display preview when capturing a picture of another person to allow them to higher orient themselves for the proper image. (Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)The specs of the Z Flip 5 cameras are similar to final yr’s mannequin, however Samsung says the brand new chipset ought to allow higher processing for enhanced low-light seize. In my expertise, the telephone’s cameras take completely satisfactory photographs with sufficient element, coloration, and dynamic vary that they’re going to require little or no enhancing earlier than throwing them up on Instagram.Even the telephone’s shutter lag appears to have improved, which is one thing we observed with the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s digicam. The Flip does a good job of capturing a really lively canine having fun with herself in a lake, whereas this could usually be tough for different Samsung telephones I’ve used, just like the Galaxy S22.Image 1 of 10(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Low-light seize is fairly respectable on each sensors, though the ultrawide digicam would not fairly impress me as a lot general. I’m additionally not blown away by the telephone’s zoom, nevertheless it’s additionally not horrible if you happen to do not push it too far. Still, a telephoto digicam would’ve been good.The Flip additionally takes respectable portrait pictures and does an excellent job of separating the topic from the background.Compared to the Motorola Razr Plus, photographs from the Galaxy Z Flip 5 are way more balanced. I really feel just like the Razr does a greater job in low-light due to the bigger aperture, however the Flip can maintain its personal due to bigger pixels. In the daytime, nonetheless, photographs from the Razr are typically too brilliant, and colours get washed out, in contrast to the Flip.Overall, you will not discover one of the best pair of cameras on the Flip, which is unlucky given how a lot you are paying for the telephone. That mentioned, picture and video high quality is completely high quality for what you get, and Samsung does an excellent job of creating one of the best out of a restricted {hardware} scenario.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Competition(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Motorola Razr Plus is probably the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s largest competitors, notably within the United States. The telephone has practically similar {hardware} however sports activities a bigger cowl display that gives a greater app expertise out of the field. It additionally comes with larger refresh price shows and even has a vegan leather-based possibility to interrupt up the monotony of glass.That mentioned, the Razr Plus has a barely older and never as highly effective chipset, and its battery life is inferior to the Z Flip 5. Motorola additionally has a shoddy popularity relating to software program help, and help for the Razr Plus already cannot examine to Samsung’s software program promise. Imaging additionally is not fairly pretty much as good on the Razr Plus, though low-light is sort of very good.Outside the United States, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 has to cope with foldables from the likes of Huawei, OPPO, and even Vivo with the X Flip, all of which have fairly spectacular choices in areas like Europe and Asia. Not to say, Motorola additionally has a less expensive Razr obtainable in different markets on the best way to the United States.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)You can buy this if…You choose smaller flip-style foldable telephones.You like Samsung’s One UI software program.You’re coming from an older Galaxy Z Flip mannequin.You incessantly publish on social media apps like TikTookay and Instagram.You should not purchase this if…You need one of the best cameras you will get on a smartphone.You need multi-day battery life.You’re not but positive about foldable telephones.You’re not a fan of Samsung’s Android pores and skin.Clamshell foldable telephones are all the fad in 2023, and whereas Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip lineup has sat on the prime for years, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 feels prefer it’s taking part in catch-up. It would not assist that it launched later within the yr behind some fairly spectacular foldables from Motorola, OPPO, Vivo, and others, however Samsung tried to distinguish it by giving the Z Flip 5 a top-notch Snapdragon processor and a extra refined design.Are the modifications actually sufficient? For the typical client, in all probability. Aside from the helpful but confusingly carried out cowl display, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a superb telephone that does quite a lot of issues effectively and appears good doing them. And frankly, there is not sufficient competitors, not less than within the United States, to essentially get in Samsung’s manner.For probably the most half, the Z Flip 5 is a pleasure to make use of, and I am unable to think about anybody being disenchanted that they purchased this telephone. After all, Samsung has years of expertise below its belt, and whereas that could be extra noticeable on its bigger units, generally it is the small particulars that make all of the distinction on a smaller telephone like this.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a step up from its predecessors, due to the big cowl display that allows you to do way more with out even opening the telephone. From responding to textual content to taking selfies and even opening your favourite apps, the Z Flip 5 is sort of like having two telephones in a single.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Price Comparison