Should You Upgrade to the Galaxy Z Flip 5? How It Compares to Older Flips

The Galaxy Z Flip 5, which launched Aug. 11, is the most important step ahead that Samsung’s flip cellphone has taken in years. That’s largely due to the brand new cowl display on the surface of the cellphone, which is considerably bigger than in years previous. The new outer display makes it attainable to make use of apps and ship textual content messages with out opening the Z Flip, doubtlessly boosting its enchantment to first-time consumers of a foldable.However, for individuals who already personal an older Galaxy Z Flip, is it value upgrading? The reply largely depends upon your funds, priorities and the situation of your cellphone. The new cowl display makes utilizing the Galaxy Z Flip 5 significantly completely different from earlier fashions, even in contrast with final yr’s Z Flip 4. But beginning at $1,000, Samsung’s flip telephones do not come low cost. If you got a Galaxy Z Flip 4 final yr and it is nonetheless in good situation, you may be ok with hanging onto it for an additional yr or two. However, with carriers primarily freely giving the Galaxy Z Flip 5 by means of trade-in presents, upgrading to Samsung’s new flip cellphone additionally is not a foul concept.Here’s a have a look at how the Galaxy Z Flip 5 compares to earlier generations, that can assist you determine whether or not it is well worth the improve. If you do determine to improve, make sure to see in the event you qualify for a trade-in provide. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile are all providing massive trade-in reductions, which may allow you to snag a Z Flip 5 at no cost.  Watch this: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Review: Flip Phones Are Cool Again
07:45 Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4 The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4’s outer show is just below 2 inches. Patrick Holland/CNETThe largest distinction between the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the brand new mannequin’s cowl display. The Z Flip 5’s exterior show measures 3.4 inches, making it virtually the scale of the iPhone 4’s display, whereas the Z Flip 4’s outer show is 1.9 inches. The Z Flip 5’s cowl display dramatically expands what you are able to do on the Z Flip with out opening it. Though you may nonetheless see notifications and verify the time or your calendar on the Z Flip 4’s cowl display, the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s show is large enough for typing texts, watching YouTube and looking out up instructions on Google Maps. You’ll possible need to open the cellphone for many duties, however having the choice to learn a notification or ship a message simply with one hand is surprisingly helpful.It seems like a center floor between a smartwatch and a smartphone. The display is bigger and simpler to see than the wrist-size show on a watch, nevertheless it nonetheless matches within the palm of your hand, not like an ordinary cellphone. The different main change within the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is its new processor. Samsung’s newest flip cellphone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, the identical chip that powers the Galaxy S23 lineup. This brings refined enhancements to the picture processing, leading to higher images, and it additionally helps battery life. And you will get extra storage on the base degree, which may very well be vital to think about in the event you’re at the moment utilizing a 128GB Galaxy Z Flip 4. Samsung has additionally improved the Z Flip’s design with the most recent technology by giving it a hinge that lets it fold fully flat when shut. So, there is no longer a niche close to the hinge when the gadget is closed, making it really feel extra compact.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 Looks Chic With Its New Cover Display
See all images The backside line: Annual cellphone upgrades often aren’t very dramatic, however the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s greater cowl display makes it the uncommon exception. This, mixed with the extra storage within the cheaper mannequin, the brand new hinge, and the minor enhancements to digicam and battery life, truly make it a compelling year-over-year improve. But in the event you aren’t speeding to embrace an even bigger exterior display, do not qualify for a trade-in deal, and your Z Flip 4 is in good situation, I’d suggest ready. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 ought to nonetheless have loads of life in it, because it’s solely a yr previous.Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 3 Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 runs on a processor that is now about two years previous. Sarah Tew/CNETSamsung’s 2-year-old Flip cellphone has lots in widespread with the Z Flip 4. But for the reason that Galaxy Z Flip 3 runs on an older processor and has a smaller battery than the Z Flip 4, you will have lots to achieve by upgrading to the Z Flip 5. Not solely are you getting that considerably bigger cowl display, however you must also see notable positive factors in battery life, due to the Z Flip 5’s new chip and bigger battery (3,700 mAh capability versus 3,300 mAh on the Z Flip 3). Plus, the brand new hinge makes the Z Flip 5 really feel sleeker than the Z Flip 3 when closed.Samsung hasn’t noticeably modified different elements of the Galaxy Z Flip lately. The latest mannequin nonetheless has a 12-megapixel principal digicam, a 12-megapixel ultrawide digicam and a 10-megapixel selfie digicam. But the brand new processor ought to carry some enhancements to picture processing, particularly now that the Z Flip 3’s chip is about two years previous. Still, in the event you’re completely happy together with your Z Flip 3 and do not qualify for a trade-in provide, you will be secure holding onto it for an additional yr. Samsung offers 5 years of safety updates and 4 generations of Android model updates, so your gadget should not really feel old-fashioned simply but. Since the Z Flip 3 got here out in 2021, it ought to get new Android model updates till 2025.The backside line: When it comes as to whether it’s best to improve, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 falls proper within the center. The modifications within the Galaxy Z Flip 5 are important sufficient to justify upgrading. But Samsung’s third-generation Flip additionally is not so previous that you simply’re lacking out on staple options, like water resistance, Android model upgrades or 5G. Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs. 2020 Galaxy Z Flip (unique and 5G mannequin) The unique Galaxy Z Flip could also be beginning to really feel a bit of poky. Andrew Hoyle/CNETSamsung launched two Galaxy Z Flip fashions in 2020. There’s the unique model, which debuted in February, and a second mannequin with 5G and a more recent chip that got here out only a few months later, in August. If you will have both of those Z Flips, you may be ok with upgrading. Both telephones are roughly three years previous, that means they could be beginning to really feel sluggish, and the battery life possible is not what it was once. Beyond the fundamentals, like higher efficiency and battery life, there’s lots to achieve from upgrading. The Z Flip 5’s cowl display will really feel much more important, for the reason that first two fashions had an excellent smaller outer show than the Z Flip 3 and Z Flip 4. The tiny display on the surface of the primary two Z Flips measured 1.1 inches, making it simply barely giant sufficient to see the time and battery degree. Both telephones even have smaller batteries than the Z Flip 5 and lack water resistance. And keep in mind, the mannequin that launched in February does not even assist 5G. If they have not already, these telephones are additionally prone to cease receiving Android model updates quickly. Samsung prolonged its software program replace coverage to incorporate 4 generations of Android updates in 2021, that means the primary Z Flips have been solely assured to get three generations of upgrades.The backside line: If you will have a 2020-era Galaxy Z Flip, it is time to improve. Just about all the things on the Z Flip 5 will really feel new, from the large cowl display to the longer battery life to the improved design. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs. Older Z Flips Galaxy Z Flip 5Galaxy Z Flip 4Galaxy Z Flip 3Galaxy Z Flip 5GGalaxy Z FlipDisplay measurement, tech, decision, refresh price, brightness Cover: 3.4-inch AMOLED (728 x 720 pixels); inside: 6.7-inch AMOLED (2,640 x 1,080 pixels), 1-120HzCover: 1.9-inch AMOLED (512 x 260 pixels); inside: 6.7-inch AMOLED (2,640 x 1,080 pixels), 1-120Hz Cover: 1.9-inch AMOLED (512 x 260 pixels); inside: 6.7-inch AMOLED (2,640 x 1,080 pixels), 1-120HzCover: 1.1-inch AMOLED (300 x 112 pixels); inside: 6.7-inch AMOLED (2,636 x 1,080 pixels)Cover: 1.1-inch AMOLED (300 x 112 pixels); inside: 6.7-inch AMOLED (2,636 x 1,080 pixels)Dimensions (inches) Open: 6.5 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches; closed: 3.35 x 2.83 x 0.59 inchesOpen: 2.8 x 6.5 x 0.3 inches; closed: 2.8 x 3.3 x 0.67 inchesOpen: 2.8 x 6.5 x 0.27 inches; closed: 2.8 x 3.4 x 0.67 inchesOpen: 2.9 x 6.6 x 0.3 inches; closed: 3 x 3.4 x 0.7 inchesOpen: 2.9 x 6.6 x 0.3 inches; closed: 3 x 3.4 x 0.7 inchesDimensions (millimeters) Open: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9mm; closed: 85.1 x 71.9 x 15.1mmOpen: 71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9mm; closed: 71.9 x 84.9 x 17.1mmOpen: 72.2 x 166 x 6.9mm; closed: 72.2 x 86.4 x 17.1mmOpen: 73.6 x 167.3 x 7.2mm; closed: 73.6 x 87.4 x 17.4mmOpen: 73.6 x 167.3 x 7.2mm; closed: 73.6 x 87.4 x 17.3mmWeight (grams, ounces) 187 g (6.6 oz)187 g (6.6 oz)183 g (6.5 oz)183 g (6.5 oz)183 g (6.5 oz)Mobile software program (at launch) Android 13Android 12Android 11Android 10Android 10Digital camera 12-megapixel (principal), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (principal), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (principal), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (principal), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (principal), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)Front-facing digicam 10-megapixel10-megapixel 10-megapixel10-megapixel10-megapixelVideo seize 4K4K4K4K4KProcessor Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxySnapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1Snapdragon 888 5GSnapdragon 865 PlusSnapdragon 855 PlusRAM/storage 8GB + 256GB/512GB 8GB+ 128GB/256GB/512GB8GB + 128GB/256GB8GB + 256GB8GB + 256GBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneNoneNoneBattery 3,700 mAh 3,700 mAh3,300 mAh3,300 mAh3,300 mAhFingerprint sensor SideSideSideSideSideConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoneNoneNoneOther options 5G, IPX8 water resistance, 25-watt wired charging, wi-fi charging, wi-fi energy share, twin SIM, Flex Mode, cowl display apps and widgets, gapless design5G, IPX8 water resistance, 25-watt wired charging, wi-fi charging, wi-fi energy share, twin SIM, Flex Mode5G, IPX8 water resistance, 15-watt wired charging, wi-fi charging, wi-fi energy share, twin SIM, Flex Mode5G, wi-fi charging, wi-fi energy share, twin SIM, Flex ModeWi-fi charging, wi-fi energy share, twin SIM, Flex Mode