Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 review foldable smartphone

By: Megan van der Wagt and Rob Coenraads

Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Flip5 and the Galaxy Z Fold5, two foldable Android devices, on July 26, 2023. In this article we discuss the vertically folding Galaxy Z Flip5 and also compare it on a number of points with its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip4.

Design: cover screen
One of the biggest differences with the Flip4 is the larger screen on the outside. On the Flip4 the size of this screen was 1.9 inches, on the Flip5 it is now 3.4 inches and that really makes a difference. For me, the screen is now large enough that I cannot open it when notifications come in, for example.
On this display, also called a cover screen, you have direct access to functions and widgets: you do not have to open the smartphone to operate this second screen. You can view the agenda via widgets on the cover screen, receive and/or answer notifications and calls, look at the weather report and your emails. You can also set five apps via Samsung Labs that you can use on the cover screen, for example messages (from Google or Samsung), Google Maps, WhatsApp, YouTube and Netflix. Unfortunately, there are not very many yet, but Samsung has indicated that it will eventually add more apps to the cover screen. By the way, you can use a trick to reveal more apps on the cover screen if you download and use the Good Lock app from the Galaxy Store.

Design: hinge
A second important improvement is the new hinge. The previous Z Flip phones all had the same problem: the gap that the hinge left on the phone. This opening mainly contained a lot of sand and dust, which is not nice since the Z Flip phones have been tested for an IPX8 value. The 8 indicates that the device is waterproof, but the X instead indicates that the device has not been tested for dirt resistance. Now the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 has a new hinge: the zero gap hinge. This hinge ensures that both sides can now lie against each other.
This not only makes the Flip5 look more beautiful and stylish, but it also gives a more reliable and less vulnerable feeling. In any case, opening and closing the Galaxy Z Flip5 is smooth and we quickly got used to it. It also fits comfortably in the hand.
Folded, the dimensions of the Flip5 are 71.9 x 85.1 x 15.1 mm, while unfolded it measures 71.9 x 165.1 x 6.9 mm. The weight is 187 grams.

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Screen
The fifth generation of these Samsung foldables is equipped with a 6.7-inch Dynamix AMOLED 120Hz FHD+ screen with 2640 x 1080 pixels and an aspect ratio of 22:9. The small screen is a 3.4-inch AMOLED 60Hz cover screen with 720 x 748 pixels. The large screen of the device has a maximum brightness of 1200 nits, making the phone usable in bright sunlight. With a 120Hz refresh rate, it performs better than the cover screen, which nevertheless has a refresh rate of 60 Hz.
Processor, memory and connections
The Flip5 has the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which allows Samsung to achieve better results in photos and videos, among other things, with the same components. Images are nice and smooth and we encountered no problems. In terms of RAM, just like the Flip4, it has 8 GB of RAM and 256 or 512 GB of storage memory. Compared to the Flip4, there is no longer a version with 128GB of storage memory; As with the previous model, you cannot expand the memory because a micro SD slot is missing.
The SIM card can be placed on the left side of the device, the volume keys and the on/off button are on the right side. This last button also functions as a fingerprint scanner that works fine

Cameras
There are two camera lenses above the cover screen, but unlike the vertically placed lenses, these are now placed horizontally due to the larger cover screen. Both are 12-megapixel lenses and one is the main camera and the other is for taking wide-angle photos. A nice advantage of the Flip5 is that you can place it down and rotate the top half 90 degrees. With Flexcam you can simply take photos and videos and also easily use long(er) shutter speeds. The front camera is a 10MP selfie camera.
With many Samsung smartphones (such as the Galaxy S23 series) we are spoiled with nice, sharp photos with good colors. The Flip5 also shows this, but sometimes contrast is compromised.

Software and updates
This Galaxy Z Flip5 is equipped with Android 13 and the Samsung shell One UI 5.1.1. Fortunately, Samsung guarantees Android updates for no less than 4 years and monthly security updates for 5 years, the latter of which you will then receive once every 3 months.

Batteries, communications and more
The Flip5’s battery life has improved by about an hour compared to the Flip4, despite both having a 3700 mAh battery. This is mainly due to the more economical processor. Wired charging with a (not included 25W power adapter) to 50% takes about half an hour. You can also charge this Flip5 quickly wirelessly thanks to Wireless Powershare and WPC Qi.
As expected, you can make good calls with the Flip5: the call quality is good. And as mentioned above, you can store one (nano) SIM card on the left side, so a second one will have to be an e-SIM card.
This Flip5 also has 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, all kinds of sensors such as an accelerometer and barometer, Samsung Knox with Samsung Knox Vault and NFC.

Conclusion
We are positive about this Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. The larger cover screen is really an improvement: because you can receive notifications on this cover screen, you do not have to constantly open the phone to view them. And since you can determine the background and fonts yourself, it gives it a very personal twist. The cover screen also has a handy facial recognition and you can use the finger scan to use the screen. Moreover, it is of course a very practical format. When you unfold the phone, it is quite long, which is nice for watching movies or series. And this foldable model fits easily in your pocket or in a bag.
The new hinge and improved internal hardware are also nice. All in all, a great smartphone with many improvements, but it is on the pricey side.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5

Recommended retail price: €1319.00

+ large cover screen
+ new hinge

– pricey
– battery life