Everything You Need to Know About Galaxy Z Flip 5
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is an iterative upgrade over its predecessor, the Z Flip 4, with several notable improvements. The review highlights the following pros:
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Larger and more usable outer screen : The Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes with a bigger external display, which enhances the user experience when the phone is folded.
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Gapless design : The phone features a gapless design, which likely means a more seamless folding experience without any noticeable gaps in the hinge.
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Increased base storage : The base model of the Z Flip 5 offers double the storage compared to the previous version, providing users with more space for their apps and files.
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Improved camera features : The device boasts better night mode and 10x zoom capabilities, which can enhance photography in low-light conditions and enable users to capture distant subjects more clearly.
On the downside, the review mentions the following cons:
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No bespoke edition : It appears that there might not be a special edition variant of the Z Flip 5, which could disappoint some users who prefer unique designs or collaborations.
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Limited full apps with cover screen : The outer cover screen’s functionality might be limited in terms of running full apps, which could be a drawback for those hoping for more extensive usability in this mode.
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Lack of a telephoto lens : The Z Flip 5 does not have a telephoto lens, which might be a drawback for users who value optical zoom capabilities for photography.
The review emphasizes that the Z Flip 5 is an incremental upgrade, rather than a revolutionary one. It aims to address some of the shortcomings of the previous model and compete with rival devices like the Motorola Razr+. The ultimate question remains whether the improvements are enough to make the Z Flip 5 a top contender in the foldable phone market.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : SPECS
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes with the following specifications:
- Starting price: $999 / £1,049
- Inner Display: 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a resolution of 2640 x 1080 pixels and an aspect ratio of 22:9.
- Outer Display: 3.4-inch Super AMOLED with a resolution of 720 x 748 pixels.
- Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz for the inner display and 60Hz for the outer display.
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (likely referring to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 series processor, but the specific model is not mentioned).
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage options: 256GB/512GB
- Rear cameras: Dual-camera setup with a 12MP f/1.8 main lens with an 83° field of view and a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens with a 123° field of view.
- Selfie camera: 10MP with an f/2.2 aperture and an 85° field of view.
- Battery capacity: 3,700 mAh
- Size: When folded, the dimensions are approximately 3.35 x 2.83 x 0.59 inches, and when unfolded, it measures around 6.5 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches.
- Weight: 6.6 ounces (187 grams)
- Colors: Mint, Graphite, Cream, Lavender, Gray, Blue, Green, Yellow
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : PRICE
Despite not experiencing a price drop, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 remains at the same price point as its predecessor, starting at $999 for the base model. However, the exciting news is that the base model now comes with a substantial storage boost, offering 256GB compared to the previous year’s 128GB. This doubling of storage capacity demonstrates Samsung’s generosity in providing users with more space for their content. For those requiring even more storage, there’s also the option of a 512GB model. Pre-orders have begun today, and consumers can expect the general availability of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 to commence on August 11, 2023.
The device comes in an appealing array of colors, including mint, graphite, cream, lavender, gray, blue, green, and yellow, offering customers a wide variety to choose from. However, it’s worth noting that Samsung has made a curious decision this time around, as they’ve announced that there won’t be a Bespoke edition of the foldable. This omission could potentially be attributed to the larger size of the outer display on the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Unfortunately, this means customers won’t have the opportunity to customize the design of the device, which might be disappointing for those who enjoyed that feature in previous iterations.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : DESIGN AND DISPLAY
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 boasts a refined design with a gapless hinge, a feature that was not particularly bothersome in its predecessor, the Z Flip 4, but still a noteworthy improvement. The new gapless design aligns the Galaxy Z Flip 5 with its key competitors like the Motorola Razr+ and Oppo Find N2 Flip, both of which had already introduced similar designs. While the phone retains its slim 0.27-inch profile, some may argue that it doesn’t surpass the aesthetic appeal of the Razr+.
The build quality of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 feels solid, and the new hinge mechanism provides a satisfying snap shut closure. The device maintains its water-resistant rating (IPX8), making it one of the leaders in this aspect among foldable phones.
One significant design change is the much larger outer cover screen, a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED display. Despite its lower resolution of 720 x 748 pixels, the screen still impresses with vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. Unlike the previous model, the expanded outer display now offers more utility, allowing users access to full app experiences in addition to the usual widgets and notifications. However, it’s worth noting that only select apps currently support this feature. While the full YouTube app experience is available on the outer display, the number of apps with full support is limited to Google Maps, Messages, Netflix, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Samsung appears to be the one dictating which apps can provide this full experience, and it’s possible that developers will need to optimize their apps to qualify. This limitation is in contrast to the Motorola Razr+, which allows all apps to run on its external display.
As for the primary display, the 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X remains largely unchanged from the previous model. It delivers detailed visuals, wide viewing angles, and vibrant colors. The 22:9 aspect ratio is easy to navigate, although reaching the top corners of the screen may require some finger stretching.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : CAMERA
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 retains a dual-camera setup similar to its predecessor, consisting of a 12-megapixel f/1.8 main camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle f/2.2 camera. While the camera specifications are not drastically different from the previous model, Samsung claims that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 utilizes AI-powered image signal processing (ISP) algorithms to enhance photo quality, especially in low-light conditions. This improvement is expected to set a new standard for clamshell foldable smartphones if the enhancements prove to be significant.
One area where the Galaxy Z Flip 5 shows notable improvements is in capturing selfies. The larger cover screen provides a better preview for framing shots, and when recording videos, there is no cropping, ensuring users can see the entire preview of what they are capturing. This enhancement helps users achieve the right composition and improves the overall selfie experience compared to its predecessor.
For videographers who use smartphones as B-cameras on professional shoots, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 continues to be an attractive option, thanks to its manual video controls. Samsung has maintained this feature, setting it apart from some competitors that do not offer similar capabilities. Having manual video controls provides users with more creative freedom and flexibility when shooting videos.
Although the Galaxy Z Flip 5 lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, Samsung has worked on improving image quality for photos taken with the 10x digital zoom. This enhancement aims to deliver better results when zooming in on subjects, and users will be eager to test and evaluate this improvement in real-world scenarios.
Overall, while the Galaxy Z Flip 5 may not have introduced a telephoto lens, it appears to offer several improvements in camera performance, particularly in low-light conditions and selfie capturing. The AI-powered ISP algorithms and enhancements in digital zoom capabilities could potentially make the Galaxy Z Flip 5 a strong contender in the clamshell foldable smartphone market.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : SOFTWARE
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 offers a familiar experience with its OneUI software, and there aren’t many noticeable changes apart from the increased utility of the cover screen. Samsung has retained the useful features of Flex Mode and FlexCam, optimizing certain apps like YouTube when the phone is folded halfway to provide a more seamless experience.
Powering the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which ensures smooth navigation throughout the user interface. The main display’s 120Hz refresh rate contributes to the device’s overall responsiveness, making interactions with the phone feel fluid and seamless. The device handles tasks with ease, and its performance is expected to remain smooth even when running graphically intensive games.
In summary, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 maintains the familiarity of Samsung’s OneUI and the convenience of features like Flex Mode and FlexCam. With the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and a 120Hz refresh rate on the main display, users can expect a smooth and responsive experience while using the device for various tasks, including demanding applications and gaming.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 : BATTERY
Many people were anticipating a larger battery in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, especially considering that its predecessor, the Z Flip 4, scored close to 9 hours on battery benchmark tests. The good news is that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is equipped with the more battery-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which should contribute to longer-lasting battery life. Samsung fans are hopeful that the device will surpass the Motorola Razr+’s battery performance of 10 hours and 9 minutes.
However, disappointing news comes in the form of charging capabilities. There has been no improvement in this aspect, with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 still featuring underwhelming 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. Many users were likely expecting faster charging speeds, but unfortunately, the device retains the same charging specifications as its predecessor.
