Everything We know about Samsung’s next big foldable
Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to take center stage at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. With fierce competition in the foldables market, Samsung aims to retain its position as a leader in this technology, leveraging its experience as one of the earliest players in the foldable phone arena.
Although some rumors may not suggest groundbreaking changes for the Galaxy Z Fold 5, its maturity compared to newer rivals like the Google Pixel Fold should still position it as a strong contender in the market.
To maintain its competitive edge, Samsung is rumored to introduce several key updates with the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Notably, a new waterdrop hinge design could reduce the crease on the flexible display, enhancing the overall user experience. Additionally, the phone is expected to feature a lighter build, making it more portable and user-friendly.
Performance improvements are also anticipated, with a faster processor, possibly the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, expected to power the device, ensuring smoother and more efficient operation.
Moreover, camera upgrades are speculated, hinting at enhanced photography capabilities for users seeking top-notch imaging from their smartphones.
As the Galaxy Unpacked event approaches, anticipation grows for the official unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. Samsung’s commitment to innovation is sure to impress, and users eagerly await confirmation of the device’s features and design enhancements. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is poised to continue Samsung’s legacy as a leading force in the foldable market.
SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 5: BIGGEST EXPECTED UPGRADES
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is generating significant excitement with numerous rumored upgrades that could elevate it to new heights in the foldables market:
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Hinge Redesign: A new hinge design is anticipated to minimize or even eliminate the crease on the foldable display, providing a more seamless and immersive user experience.
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Slimmer and More Durable: The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is rumored to feature a slimmer and more robust design, making it easier to handle while enhancing its durability and overall build quality.
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Enhanced Camera: Samsung may equip the Galaxy Z Fold 5 with an impressive 108MP camera resolution, promising exceptional photo and video capabilities for users who prioritize top-tier imaging performance.
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Dust Resistance: The Z Fold 5 could potentially become the first Samsung foldable phone with dust resistance, ensuring better protection against particles and improving the device’s overall longevity.
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Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to deliver boosted performance and improved battery life, providing users with a smooth and efficient experience.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 specs
| Starting price | $1,799/£1,649/AU$2,499 |
| Inner Display | 7.6-inches |
| Outer Display | 6.2-inches |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz (inner display) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto |
| Selfie camera | N/A |
| Battery | 4,400 mAh |
| Size | 6.1 x 5.11 x 0.25 inches (open), 6.1 x 2.64 x 0.53-inches (closed) |
| Weight | N/A |
| Colors | blue, platinum, beige, black and light blue |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Expected price
Samsung’s highly anticipated new foldables, including the Galaxy Z Flip 5, are slated to hit stores on August 11.
While the release date is confirmed, pricing details for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 remain elusive. However, speculations indicate that it could be priced similarly to its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 4, at $1,799/£1,649/AU$2,499. There is some hope for a potential price reduction from one source, but others suggest the possibility of a price increase, particularly in Europe.
Considering the growing popularity of foldable phones, many believe that Samsung should consider offering a more affordable full-size foldable to entice a larger audience towards adopting this cutting-edge technology.
With eager anticipation, consumers and tech enthusiasts eagerly await further announcements from Samsung to learn more about the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s features and pricing as the launch date approaches.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 design and displays
Reputable tech leakers, Ice Universe, and Steve Hemmerstoffer were right in predicting that the new foldable would have a slimmer and more compact design, making it the thinnest Galaxy Z Fold handset yet. The device’s dimensions are 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.3mm when unfolded, and 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.5mm when closed, a significant improvement from its predecessor.
One of the most intriguing changes is the rumored “dumbbell” type hinge design, aiming to eliminate the crease on the inner display and enhance the foldable’s durability. The hinge will also contribute to making the Galaxy Z Fold 5 IP58 water and dust resistant, an upgrade from the previous model. However, there are conflicting reports about whether the hinge design fully eradicates the crease.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 retains its impressive 120Hz refresh rate and OLED panels on the 6.2-inch outer display and 7.6-inch inner display. Additionally, the S Pen case accessory comes in a slimmer design and various colors for added convenience.
While the Galaxy Z Fold 5 might not feature a complete redesign, it still brings notable improvements that will undoubtedly excite foldable phone enthusiasts. For those looking for even more upgrades, rumors about the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with a wider cover display and new aspect ratio are already circulating.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cameras
The camera setup on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 was well-received, bringing it in line with Samsung’s older flagship devices like the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus. It featured a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, 12MP 3x zoom telephoto camera, a 10MP outer selfie camera, and a 4MP under-display inner camera. However, according to leaker Yogesh Brar, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to retain the same camera specifications (50MP + 12MP + 10MP). So, don’t anticipate a whopping 200MP main camera akin to the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The silver lining is that the phone might come equipped with new image sensors, promising improved image quality. While one previous leak suggested an upgrade to a 108MP main camera, another leak contradicted this, claiming no changes from the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s camera configuration.
One aspect many users hope for is the removal of the under-display inner camera. Although it allows for an uninterrupted display experience, the picture quality it produces falls short for anything beyond video calls. Unfortunately, there are no concrete rumors supporting this hope, so it’s uncertain whether Samsung will make this change.
As the launch date approaches, more details regarding the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s camera specifications will likely emerge, providing a clearer picture of the device’s photography capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 performance
The most likely chipset for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or a similarly enhanced version. Qualcomm is expected to announce this silicon soon, which will likely power the majority of Android phones in 2023. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 utilized the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, providing improved performance and power efficiency compared to the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 found in earlier devices like the Galaxy S22 series.
While there were concerns about the Z Fold 5’s chipset, alleged benchmarks have shown that it offers a significant performance boost over the Galaxy S23 series, despite using the same chipset.
With the Z Fold 5’s unique foldable design, Samsung is likely to introduce specific One UI updates tailored for the inner display. Just as they added a taskbar to the Z Fold 4’s interface, the company aims to optimize software for the 4:3 inner display. This should improve the overall user experience and enhance app compatibility for the large folding screen, especially when gaming, where current apps are still primarily designed for rectangular displays. As the launch date approaches, more details about the chipset and software updates for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 are expected to be unveiled, generating more excitement among users and tech enthusiasts.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 battery perfomance
Improving battery life and charging capabilities is indeed a critical area of focus for Samsung in the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Given its limited internal space and the demand of powering two displays, it might be challenging for the Z Fold 5 to outperform regular smartphones in terms of battery efficiency. However, users are eager to see the Z Fold series lasting longer than the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s 8 hours and 20 minutes and getting closer to the 10-hour mark achieved by most normal smartphones.
Similarly, while the Galaxy Z Fold 4 introduced faster charging at up to 25W, other Android phone makers are already offering charging speeds that are twice as fast or even quicker. There’s a hope that Samsung will prioritize upgraded charging for its Galaxy S series first before extending it to the Galaxy Z series. If the Galaxy S23 doesn’t showcase improved charging speeds, it might be less likely to appear on the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Balancing battery life, charging speed, and the unique demands of a foldable device remains a challenge, but it’s an essential aspect for Samsung to address in order to offer a more competitive and compelling user experience with the Galaxy Z Fold 5. As technology advances, users can expect to see improvements in these areas over time, making foldable phones more convenient and efficient for everyday use.
Top Features We Hope to See in Z Fold 5
Integrated S Pen Storage: Despite two years of S Pen compatibility with Galaxy Z models, Samsung has yet to incorporate dedicated S Pen storage within the phone’s design. Including a built-in slot or compartment for the S Pen, similar to the convenience offered by the Galaxy S22 Ultra, would enhance the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s versatility and provide added value for its premium price.
Competing Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy Z Fold 5 should not be an afterthought when it comes to camera performance. To justify its position as Samsung’s flagship foldable device, it should rival the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s top-notch camera capabilities. This can be achieved by equipping the new foldable with a more detailed main sensor and stronger zoom capabilities, appealing to photography enthusiasts who seek both innovation and exceptional image quality.
Enhanced Battery Life: A crucial quality-of-life improvement for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is an extended battery life. Achieving this may require a more efficient chipset, as internal space is limited in foldable devices. By optimizing power consumption, users can enjoy prolonged usage of both displays without the need for frequent charging.
Minimized Display Crease: Addressing the display crease is another key area of focus. Reducing or eliminating the crease on the inner screen would lead to a more immersive visual experience, free of distractions. Potential users, who prioritize a flatter tablet-like display, would be drawn to a sleeker and more seamless foldable device, showcasing Samsung’s commitment to innovation and design advancements.
