8.6 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Like
Big cowl display screen is enjoyable to make use of
New hinge eliminates the hole when closed
Solid battery life
More storage in base mannequin
Don’t like
Expensive
Not all apps work on the duvet display screen natively
Apps do not transition from fundamental display screen to cowl display screen
Minimal digital camera updates
A month in the past, I used to be satisfied that Motorola’s Razr Plus was the perfect flip telephone cash might purchase. But after two weeks utilizing the brand new Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5, which additionally begins at $1,000 (£1,049, AU$1,649), I modified my thoughts.
This story is a part of Samsung Event, CNET’s assortment of stories, suggestions and recommendation round Samsung’s hottest merchandise.
Samsung’s new flip telephone, which matches on sale Friday, now has a much bigger cowl display screen that just about occupies your entire entrance of the machine when closed. That won’t sound like an enormous deal, nevertheless it goes a good distance in making the Z Flip extra helpful with out having to open it. Foldable telephones have beforehand felt like a solution to a nonexistent downside. That nonetheless could also be true, however having the choice to ship messages, snap photographs and reply to notifications on a tool that matches within the palm of my hand provides a level of comfort that is exhausting to know except you’ve got tried it. Watch this: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Review: Flip Phones Are Cool Again
07:45 Motorola’s new Razr Plus raised the bar for what a flip telephone needs to be in 2023, and it deserves credit score for that. But there are just a few elements that make the Z Flip 5 the superior selection for many consumers concerned about a flip telephone. The design and construct high quality really feel sturdier, the software program is extra polished and the telephone will get a further yr of Android model assist in comparison with what Motorola presents. I used the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s cowl display screen to reply to WhatsApp messages typically. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThat does not imply Samsung will get every part proper. At $1,000, the Z Flip 5 nonetheless calls for a excessive worth for a telephone that does not have a telephoto digital camera. Like earlier Z Flips, you are paying for the comfort of getting a tool that may slot in your pocket extra simply. While portability continues to be the driving issue behind the Z Flip’s attraction, the Flip 5 represents Samsung’s try at giving customers one more reason to contemplate giving foldables an opportunity. And it is off to an awesome begin. Galaxy Z Flip 5’s smaller display screen will get an enormous improve The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a a lot greater cowl display screen than the Z Flip 4. Amy Kim/CNETThe Galaxy Z Flip 5’s bigger new entrance display screen, which Samsung calls the Flex Window, is difficult to overlook. It measures 3.4 inches, making it a lot greater than the miniscule 1.9-inch display screen on the entrance of the Galaxy Z Flip 4, however smaller than the Razr Plus. 3.6-inch cowl show.That extra spacious entrance display screen means there’s much more I used to be capable of do with the Z Flip 5 closed. As I wrote in my first impressions story, the small display screen’s interface is primarily designed to run widgets reasonably than full apps. Widgets present the kind of data you’d count on to see on a small display screen, such because the climate, your calendar, alarms and pinned apps and contacts. From the principle lock display screen, I can swipe from proper to left to cycle by means of numerous widgets, whereas swiping from left to proper will present my notifications. There’s a small dot situated on the left aspect of the display screen to point whether or not you might have any unchecked notifications, which feels very smartwatch-esque. The climate widget being proven on the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s cowl display screen. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThe Z Flip 5 additionally has a intelligent pinching gesture for displaying thumbnails of all my widgets on display screen directly, which may be useful for shortly leaping to a selected display screen with out swiping a number of instances. It feels very Apple-like, and it is a good instance of how Samsung is considering navigation and consumer interface design in another way on a show this small.But Samsung solely permits sure apps on the duvet display screen natively, whereas nearly each app I’ve used on the Razr Plus was supported on its outer show with out a lot additional fuss. On the Z Flip 5, I needed to set up the Good Lock app from the Galaxy Store to realize entry to a broader number of apps on the duvet display screen. Still, the Z Flip 5 natively helps lots of the apps that make sense for the duvet display screen, equivalent to Google Maps, the digital camera app, and messaging apps like WhatsApp. Even although Spotify would not present up as a appropriate app, I used to be capable of entry album artwork and playback controls from the Z Flip 5’s entrance display screen once I performed music with the telephone open.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 Looks Chic With Its New Cover Display
See all photographs I spent most of my time utilizing the Galaxy Z Flip 5 whereas vacationing in South Korea, and there have been just a few apps that might have been very helpful on the entrance show whereas touring round Seoul. Google Translate is an enormous one which involves thoughts. Being capable of shortly pull up the app from the duvet display screen might have made a few of my interactions go a bit smoother. Quickly searching by means of information headlines or social media feeds with the machine closed whereas using the Seoul Metro additionally would have been good contemplating I used to be normally utilizing one hand to grip the subway handles. The Galaxy Z Flip 5’s new cowl display screen makes it rather more helpful when closed. Rich Peterson/CNETIt wasn’t till I returned from my journey that I used the Good Lock app to convey apps like Google, Google Translate and Slack to the duvet display screen. Even although these apps technically aren’t optimized for the duvet display screen, they ran surprisingly nicely. My solely gripe is that they seem on a separate widget, which means I’ve to swipe between two separate widgets on the duvet display screen to entry my apps. It’s additionally price mentioning that apps on the Z Flip 5’s fundamental display screen additionally do not seamlessly transition to the duvet display screen when closing the telephone as they do on the Razr Plus. Instead, it solely works the opposite method round, with apps shifting from the duvet display screen to the principle display screen after opening the machine.Regardless, Samsung’s execution of the Flex Window is a promising begin. It’s clear and intuitive, and there is a number of potential for Samsung to increase its capabilities. Galaxy Z Flip 5 will get a brand new hinge The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a brand new hinge that permits the telephone to fold utterly shut. Amy Kim/CNETSamsung’s new foldable telephone additionally has an upgraded hinge that permits the machine to shut utterly with no hole when shut. This is one other space the place Samsung is enjoying catch-up; Motorola and Google each launched foldable telephones in June that haven’t any hole when closed. Samsung additionally says the brand new hinge ought to make the Z Flip 5 extra sturdy because it has fewer shifting components, and the hinge’s construction also needs to enhance shock absorption. There’s nonetheless a visual crease working throughout the telephone’s 6.7-inch fundamental show, nevertheless it feels a barely flatter to the contact in comparison with the Z Flip 4.Motorola’s Razr Plus appears thinner than the Z Flip 5, however Samsung’s telephone has a sturdier really feel. I’ve solely used the Razr Plus for a few weeks, however I already discover that it would not all the time unfold utterly straight. I have never used the Z Flip 5 for very lengthy but, so it is not possible to know the way it will maintain up over time. That additionally raises a bigger query about long-term sturdiness for foldable telephones. Although foldable telephone designs have improved over the past 4 years, it is price remembering that these gadgets include the next danger of injury in comparison with conventional smartphones. They’re additionally not dust-resistant like customary, non-folding gadgets. Both the Z Flip 5 and Z Flip 4 have an IPX8 ingress safety score, which means they’re waterproof however not dust-resistant. Galaxy Z Flip 5’s digital camera is barely higher than the Z Flip 4 The Galaxy Z Flip 5 largely has the identical digital camera {hardware} because the Z Flip 4. But the brand new chip brings some picture processing enhancements. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETIt’s clear that Samsung targeted most of its sources on the Z Flip 5’s cowl display screen and hinge. The Galaxy Z Flip 5’s digital camera is basically the identical as final yr’s mannequin, besides it has a brand new coating that ought to cut back lens flare. That means the Z Flip 5 has 12-megapixel extensive and ultrawide cameras, and a 10-megapixel selfie digital camera.Instead of upgrading the digital camera sensor, Samsung is counting on the machine’s new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip to do the heavy lifting on the subject of bettering picture high quality. It’s considerably disappointing to not see an improve in digital camera {hardware} contemplating Samsung has been positioning the Z Flip as being superb for snapping photographs because of its flexibility. But photographs taken on the Z Flip 5 are sharp and colourful sufficient to fulfill most individuals. And you may definitely inform the distinction when evaluating photographs alongside these taken on the Z Flip 4. I noticed that colours look bolder and particulars are crisper in photographs taken with the Z Flip 5 versus the Z Flip 4.When it involves the Razr Plus and Galaxy Z Flip 5, outcomes differ relying on the state of affairs. There had been instances when the Razr’s photographs felt drab and missing in coloration in comparison with the Z Flip 5’s.Take a take a look at the photographs beneath to see how the Z Flip 5’s digital camera compares to the Razr’s and Z Flip 4’s beneath. The variations could also be exhausting to identify, however they’re extra distinguished when viewing these photographs at their full measurement on a laptop-sized display screen. Galaxy Z Flip 5 A photograph of vanilla ice cream and frozen melon taken on the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGalaxy Z Flip 4 A photograph of vanilla ice cream and frozen melon taken on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETMotorola Razr Plus A photograph of vanilla ice cream and frozen melon taken on the Motorola Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGalaxy Z Flip 5 A photograph of the busy buying district of Myeongdong in Seoul taken on the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGalaxy Z Flip 4 A photograph of Seoul’s bustling buying district Myeongdong taken on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETMotorola Razr Plus A photograph of Seoul’s bustling buying district Myeongdong taken on the Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGalaxy Z Flip 5 A photograph of my husband taken on the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGalaxy Z Flip 4 A photograph of my husband taken on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETMotorola Razr Plus A portrait of my husband taken with the Moto Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETBut there have been additionally instances when Motorola’s telephone succeeded in sure areas over Samsung’s. In the photograph beneath of a scrumptious boiling pan of tteokbokki, a Korean road meals staple that normally consists of sentimental chewy rice truffles and different components soaked in crimson pepper sauce, Samsung did a greater job at capturing the effervescent sauce’s orange coloration extra precisely. But Motorola’s photograph is noticeably sharper.Galaxy Z Flip 5 A photograph of the Korean meals staple tteokbokki taken on the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETMotorola Razr Plus A photograph of simmering tteokbokki, a well-liked Korean dish, taken on the Motorola Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETAs was the case with earlier generations of the Z Flip, you should not count on to get the identical top-notch digital camera high quality you’d discover on a telephone just like the Galaxy S23 Ultra or Google Pixel 7 Pro. But I’m impressed with the enhancements I’ve seen to date. While the Z Flip 5 would not assist the identical zoom vary or the supply choice to seize tremendous high-resolution photographs like S23 Ultra, its cameras are a lot able to documenting meals and journey for Instagram. And that is precisely what I did whereas testing it in Seoul.Check out the gallery beneath to see the photographs I took everywhere in the metropolis, from cultural landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace, unimaginable views from the bottom of Namsan Seoul Tower and nightlife hotspots like Hongdae. And in fact, I’ve included photographs of the scrumptious meals I ate whereas in Seoul, too.
See the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s Camera in Action All Over Seoul
See all photographs On a telephone just like the Z Flip 5, it is not nearly picture high quality. The machine’s foldable design additionally helps you to seize photographs in several methods. I can, for instance, open the telephone midway and relaxation it on a floor to seize a photograph hands-free.The cowl display screen additionally permits you to seize selfies with the principle rear cameras reasonably than the decrease decision inner selfie digital camera. The entrance display screen can present previews of photographs being captured with the principle cameras earlier than hitting the shutter button, permitting the topic to see a reside preview. However, this requires urgent a selected button inside Samsung’s digital camera app whereas taking pictures, whereas Motorola’s telephone does this robotically. And I appreciated having a a lot bigger viewfinder for capturing selfies on the Z Flip 5 in comparison with the Z Flip 4.Galaxy Z Flip 5: Main 12MP digital camera A selfie taken with the Z Flip 5’s fundamental rear digital camera. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGalaxy Z Flip 5: Inner 10MP digital camera A selfie taken with the Z Flip 5’s inner digital camera. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGalaxy Z Flip 5 software program, efficiency and battery life The Galaxy Z Flip 5. Rich Peterson/CNETA foldable design does not imply a lot with out helpful software program options. Samsung’s reply to that is Flex Mode, which shifts apps to the highest portion of the show when the machine is positioned half open like a laptop computer. There is not a lot new with Flex Mode this yr, nevertheless it’s nonetheless extra purposeful than Motorola’s equal function for the Razr Plus, which solely labored within the digital camera app for me. Performance on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is what’s anticipated from a telephone at this worth. Apps launch shortly, I did not discover any lag or stuttering, and supported apps seamlessly change from the duvet display screen to the principle show.I additionally ran benchmark assessments meant to judge common computing efficiency and graphics energy. Geekbench 6, the final computing check, assesses how the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip contained in the Z Flip 5 performs at each the single-core and multicore stage. 3DMark Wild Life Extreme assessments graphics by simulating gaming environments. Take a take a look at the chart beneath to see how the Galaxy Z Flip 5 compares towards final yr’s Z Flip 4 and the Motorola Razr Plus in these assessments.Galaxy Z Flip 5 Performance Comparison Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 1,999 5,116 3,512Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 1483 3976 2669Motorola Razr Plus 1,756 4,318 1,687
Geekbench 6 (Single Core)
Geekbench 6 (Multicore)
3DMark Wild Life
Note: Higher rating are higher.
Battery life on the Z Flip 5 is lengthy sufficient to make it by means of a busy day of wandering round Seoul snapping photographs, wanting up instructions and discovering close by factors of curiosity. I sometimes took my telephone off its charger within the late morning, between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., and nonetheless had 25 to 30% of my battery left between midnight and 1:30 a.m.During CNET’s 45-minute battery endurance check, which includes performing on a regular basis duties like streaming YouTube, making a video name, enjoying video games and scrolling by means of social media, the Z Flip 5’s battery dropped from 100% to 90%. That’s higher than final yr’s Z Flip 4 and about on par with the Galaxy S23. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 additionally carried out about the identical because the Galaxy S23 in a three-hour battery check that concerned constantly streaming YouTube with the brightness cranked to the max. The Z Flip 5 had 80% of its battery left after three hours of streaming, whereas the S23 had 81%. These enhancements are largely because of the Z Flip 5’s new processor. It has the identical battery capability as final yr’s Z Flip 4 however there’s extra native storage on the base stage. The $1,000 Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes with 256GB of storage, which means you get double the house for similar beginning worth as its predecessor.Galaxy Z Flip 5 exhibits foldables are bettering The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a 6.7-inch display screen identical to its predecessor. Amy Kim/CNETThe Galaxy Z Flip 5 additional proves that phone-makers are getting nearer to answering the query of why foldable telephones are helpful within the first place. The new cowl display screen goes a good distance in reaching that objective.As I wrote when reviewing the Motorola Razr Plus, the larger exterior show exhibits that flip telephones are about extra than simply portability. Having a tool that is straightforward to navigate with one hand and may unfold to a full-sized telephone makes the Z Flip 5 and different comparable telephones extra versatile than the telephones most individuals carry at this time. Companies like Samsung and Motorola are beginning to understand that the so-called “killer app” for foldables might come right down to the advantages of getting two screens that work collectively, reasonably than focusing totally on how the principle display screen behaves when folded and unfolded.Galaxy Z Flip 5 Specs Compared Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5Motorola Razr PlusSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 5G Display measurement, tech, decision, refresh fee, brightness Cover: 3.4-inch AMOLED (728 x 720 pixels); inner: 6.7-inch AMOLED (2,640 x 1,080 pixels), 1-120HzCover: 3.6-inch OLED (1,066 x 1,056 pixels); inner: 6.9-inch (2,640 pixels x 1,080)Cover: 1.9-inch AMOLED (512 x 260 pixels); inner: 6.7-inch (2,640 x 1,080 pixels) Pixel density Cover: 306 ppi, Internal: 425 ppiCover: 413 ppi, inner: 413ppiCover: 302 ppi, inner: 425 ppi Dimensions (inches) Open: 6.5 x 2.83 x 0.27 in; closed: 3.35 x 2.83 x 0.59 inOpen: 2.91 x 6.73 x 0.28 in; closed: 2.91 x 3.48 x 0.59 inOpen: 2.83 x 3.3 x 0.67 in; closed: 2.83 x 6.5 x 0.27 in; hinge: 0.59 in (sagging)Dimensions (millimeters) Open: 71.88 x 165.1 x 6.89 mm; closed: 71.88 x 85.09 x 14.99 mmOpen: 73.95 x 170.83 x 6.99 mm; closed: 73.95 x 88.42 x 15.1 mmOpen: 71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9 mm; closed: 71.9 x 84.9 x 17.1 mm; hinge: 15.9 mm (sagging); Weight (grams, ounces) 187 g (6.6 oz)189 g (6.64 oz)187 g (6.59 oz)Mobile software program (at launch) Android 13Android 13Android 12Camera 12-megapixel (fundamental), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (fundamental), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (fundamental), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)Front-facing digital camera 10-megapixel32-megapixel10-megapixel Video seize 4K 4K4KProcessor Snapdragon 8 Gen 2Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1RAM/storage 8GB + 256GB/512GB 8GB + 256GB8GB+ 128GB/256GB/512GBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneBattery 3,700 mAh (dual-battery)3,800 mAh3,700 mAhFingerprint sensor SideSideSideConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoneSpecial options 5G-enabled, IPX8 water resistance, 25W wired charging, wi-fi charging, wi-fi energy share, twin SIMIP52, 5G-enabled, foldable show, 30W wired charging, wi-fi chargingIPX8, 5G enabled, foldable show, wi-fi charging, 25W quick chargingUS worth off-contract $1,000$1,000$1,000UK worth £1,049Converts to £780£1,000Australia worth AU$1,649Converts to AU$1,475AU$1,499