In the world of mobile technology, few devices have captured the imagination of consumers quite like foldable smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the latest iteration of Samsung’s highly successful foldable lineup, pushing the envelope even further in terms of design, functionality, and user experience. With its improved form factor, enhanced features, and cutting-edge design, the Z Flip 5 represents a bold new step in mobile innovation.
But how does it compare to its predecessors and its competitors in the rapidly growing foldable market? In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Galaxy Z Flip 5, its key upgrades, and how it stacks up against other foldables in 2024.
1. Design: A Sleek, Refined Foldable Form Factor
One of the standout features of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is its design. When Samsung first launched the Z Flip series, it was widely praised for bringing back the clamshell form factor in a modern, foldable design. The Z Flip 5 takes that concept and refines it even further, making it sleeker, more durable, and more aesthetically pleasing.
Larger Cover Display
- Z Flip 5 introduces a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover display that is significantly larger than the 1.9-inch display found on the Z Flip 4. This is a game-changer, as it enables users to interact with notifications, messages, and even access widgets without having to unfold the device. This larger display offers more functionality and convenience, making the Z Flip 5 feel less like a “gimmick” and more like a practical, everyday device.
- The design improvements don’t stop at the screen size. Samsung has minimized the gap between the two halves when the phone is folded, giving the Z Flip 5 a more seamless appearance and enhancing the feel of the device when it’s closed. The hinge mechanism is smoother and feels more robust, offering a premium folding experience.
Build Quality and Durability
- The Z Flip 5 is built with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back panels, providing enhanced durability against drops and scratches. The device also features an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in water for up to 30 minutes—a significant step forward in terms of durability for foldable devices.
- Hinge durability has also been improved. While the first few generations of foldable phones struggled with concerns over hinge wear and tear, the Z Flip 5 uses an upgraded hinge system that is stronger, more refined, and built to withstand more than 200,000 folds.
2. Display: Vibrant, Dynamic, and Practical
The main internal display of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. This display is bright, vibrant, and sharp, offering excellent color accuracy and fluid scrolling. Whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or browsing, the Z Flip 5’s internal screen is one of the best in the foldable market.
The Unfolding Experience
- The foldable design allows the phone to fold into a compact, pocketable size, while unfolding to reveal a large, immersive screen when needed. This makes the Z Flip 5 an incredibly versatile device, combining the convenience of a small phone with the functionality of a full-size smartphone.
- The crease in the middle of the screen remains noticeable when the display is off, but when turned on, the crease is much less obvious and doesn’t distract from the viewing experience. Samsung has made significant strides in reducing the prominence of the crease, though it still remains a characteristic of foldable phones in general.
3. Performance: Fast, Efficient, and Future-Proof
Under the hood, the Z Flip 5 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which offers substantial performance improvements over previous generations. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the Z Flip 5 handles multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications with ease.
Software Experience
- The One UI 6 operating system, based on Android 14, provides a smooth, intuitive user experience with several foldable-friendly features. Samsung has continued to refine its multitasking capabilities, allowing users to open apps in floating windows, split the screen, and even use the Flex Mode to use the device at different angles for hands-free video calls or media consumption.
- The Z Flip 5 also supports Samsung DeX, enabling a desktop-like experience when connected to a monitor, turning your foldable into a productive powerhouse. These features make the Z Flip 5 not just a phone for everyday use, but a multifunctional device.
Battery Life
- The 3,700mAh battery of the Z Flip 5 provides decent endurance, especially considering the phone’s small form factor. The battery can last through a day of moderate use, but if you’re a heavy user, you might need to charge it before the day is over. 25W fast charging allows you to charge the phone up to 50% in 30 minutes, though it’s still not as fast as some competitors that offer faster charging speeds.
4. Camera: Versatile and Reliable
The Z Flip 5 features a dual-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide camera. While this camera array is not the most advanced on the market, it’s perfectly adequate for most users and offers a solid photography experience.
Key Camera Features
- The Flex Mode is particularly useful for photography, as you can fold the Z Flip 5 at various angles to take unique shots, such as selfies with the rear camera. The cover screen allows you to frame your shots easily without opening the phone.
- Samsung’s camera software is packed with features, such as Night Mode, Super Steady video, and various portrait modes, giving users plenty of options for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
While the camera performance of the Z Flip 5 is good, it’s not the standout feature of the device. For photography enthusiasts, Samsung’s Galaxy S series or Google Pixel devices would be better options. However, for everyday users who appreciate convenience, the Z Flip 5’s camera setup is more than capable.
5. Competitors: How Does the Z Flip 5 Compare?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 faces competition from both Samsung’s own lineup and other manufacturers entering the foldable market. Let’s take a quick look at how it stacks up against some of the main competitors.
Galaxy Z Flip 4
- Compared to the Z Flip 4, the Z Flip 5 has a larger cover display, improved hinge design, and better overall durability. The performance is also boosted by the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, providing faster speeds and more efficient power consumption.
Motorola Razr+ (2024)
- The Motorola Razr+ is one of the closest competitors to the Z Flip 5, offering a similar clamshell design and foldable form factor. The Razr+ features a 3.6-inch outer display, which is slightly larger than the Z Flip 5’s cover screen, but the Z Flip 5’s display is more functional with more integration with apps and widgets. Both devices are similarly priced, but Samsung’s brand reliability and software optimizations give the Z Flip 5 an edge.
Huawei Mate X3
- Huawei’s Mate X3 offers a different foldable design, with a larger outward-folding screen. However, the Mate X3 is limited by the lack of Google services and is not widely available outside of China. The Z Flip 5’s compact design and more accessible ecosystem make it a more practical choice for most users.
Conclusion: A Bold Step Forward in Foldable Innovation
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a significant leap forward for the foldable phone category. With its larger cover screen, improved durability, powerful performance, and refined design, it addresses many of the concerns that have plagued earlier foldables. While the camera may not be the best in its class and battery life could be better, the Z Flip 5 is a stylish, compact, and versatile device that offers a premium foldable experience.
For anyone looking for a device that combines the best of both worlds—pocket-sized portability and a large screen experience when unfolded—the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is an excellent choice. Its innovative design and cutting-edge technology make it one of the most exciting foldable phones of 2024 and a worthy successor to the Z Flip series. If you’re considering joining the foldable revolution, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of the best options on the market.
