The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 should be a perfect folding flip phone . Why ? The pitch from Samsung is a fairly simple one . It kept everything that worked so well for last twelvemonth ’s Flip , made the covering fire screen much more useful , add together a new processor , and created a hinge that lets the Flip 5 fold wholly flat when it ’s shut . And , yes , the terms is incisively the same .
So , is the Z Flip 5 staring ? It’sreallyclose , but not quite . This is the best Galaxy Z Flip Samsung has ever made , and it ’s probably the fold flip phone most hoi polloi should corrupt . It ’s also a phone I ’ve exhaustively enjoyed using — even if a couple of things about it have been a bit frustrating along the way .
About our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review
This review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 was first issue on August 3 , 2023 , after I ( Joe Maring ) used the phone for a week in the U.S. , connected to T - Mobile ’s 5 G connection . It was update on August 12 to answer for for the Galaxy Z Flip 5 becoming wide available for purchase .
Revisiting the Galaxy Z Flip 5
Ibought a Galaxy Z Flip 5 over a Galaxy zed Fold 5because I felt there was more reason to do so in full term of technological advancement and creation . The bigger , more utile blanket screen was the elemental reason , and I have n’t been disappointed by it at all — but I also have n’t found it to be transformative . It ’s very useful for certain apps , but not for all , despite there being a way touse much any app on it . It ’s perfect for message apps and seafaring , but I ’m never go to follow YouTube on it .
That ’s how I felt in October 2023 , but things contain an unexpected turn when I went back to the Z Flip 5 again in 2024.I found using the extinct screen too fiddlyand time - consuming , even for the basics , and I simply leave the phone open when it was n’t in my pocket or bag . Essentially , I used the Z Flip 5 as if it did n’t “ riff ” at all , ignoring the one thing that makes the phone special . Despite this , I still like the convenienceof a grapple fold sound , and it ’s refreshing not to really observe that I ’m carrying around a 6.7 - inch headphone .
I ’ve continued to obtain the battery a disappointment , though . With moderate use ( approximately three hour of concealment time per Clarence Day ) , plus a little gaming , the barrage fire is down to around 25 % by late eventide . It ca n’t manage two days of usance at all , and even idle use in 2024 sees the electric battery finished by the middle of the second twenty-four hour period . The Z Flip 5 retardation behind non - folding headphone of a standardized size of it and monetary value , specially with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 test so efficient . Regarding the camera , I found itdoes perform adept than the one on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 , and I do like the photo it takes , However , it does lack an ocular rapid climb , which is becoming more commonplace , and I do miss it .
The build timbre is great , plus the hinge remains quiet and smooth after many months . Ichose one of Samsung ’s exclusive color — matte blue — which disappointed me by unexpectedly include effectual text on the back and has then gone on to pick up an unsightly scuff as well . I ’d advocate just buying one of the standard colors , which do n’t have legal text on the back . The showy finish should avoid cacography and scuffs considerably , too . That tell , I ’m still pleased I went for the Z Flip 5 over the Z Fold 5 , mostly due to how easy it is to live with from both a carrying into action and gismo view .
Our original followup of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 continues below .
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: design and hinge
Yes , the cover screen on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a big deal , but there ’s another of import update that ’s not quite as obvious — and that ’s Samsung ’s new flexible joint . Samsung calls it the “ Flex Hinge , ” and compare to hinge on previous Z Flips , the Flip 5 is able to turn up whole flat when it ’s folded shut , so no more unsightly gap . Not only is it more esthetically pleasing , but it also makes the Flip 5 a bit thinner than the Flip 4 when keep out — going from 17.1 millimeter at its thickest to just 15.1 mm .
Although the gap on theGalaxy Z Flip 4never bothered me personally , having the Flip 5 eliminate it is still great to see . It make the telephone set feel a bit more consummate , and while a departure of 2 mm in thickness does n’t sound drastic , it does make the zee Flip feel more pocket-size than ever before . It also stops dust and lint from collecting underneath the two fold department quite so easy .
There ’s something else you ’ll acknowledge about the Galaxy Z Flip 5 ’s flexible joint , and that ’s how it feel a bit wanton compare to previous generations;Samsung admits as much on its website ! But do n’t take this to be a bad affair . The Z Flip 4 always felt a chip stiff to open , even after week of function . The Galaxy Z Flip 5 feelsmuchsmoother from day one , and even without the gap , I rule the speech sound very easy to open and close . And the in force part is that the smoother movement does n’t make the flexible joint feel any less sturdy . ( you could still shore the hinge up at virtually any slant . )
It ’s also worth mentioning that the Z Flip 5 ’s hinge feel observably better designed than the one on theMotorola Razr Plus . Motorola ’s impudent sound makes more noise when being opened , and if you lightly rub the two half together when closed , you’re able to feel and hear them move against each other . The Galaxy Z Flip 5 exhibits no such quirks , and while it remains to be see how either phone holds up after calendar month of regular usage , I would n’t be surprised if Samsung ’s phone withstands the test of fourth dimension more reliably .
There are so many small thing that just palpate advantageously on the Z Flip 5 .
That consensus also moil down to the rest of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 ’s intent . Coming from the Razr Plus , there are so many small things that just finger good on the Z Flip 5 . The big businessman and volume button are hardy and do n’t wiggle when you push on them . The vibration motor ( while not incredible ) feel nice and does n’t make an unpleasant audio . The speakers fathom louder and fuller . The IPX8 military rank , while not utilitarian for rubble - proofing , permit the Z Flip 5 to survive water splashes and immersion just as well as theSamsung Galaxy S23 UltraoriPhone 15 professional .
These are all little affair on their own , but when you add together them all up — combined with Samsung ’s outstanding new flexible joint — it results in the Galaxy Z Flip 5 being the most well - constructed flip phone foldable I ’ve used to day of the month .
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: cover screen
Okay , okay — nowwe can peach about the Z Flip 5 ’s cover screen . The short story is that it ’s a very big rise and can do just about anything you ’d like . The longer story is … well , it ’s a routine more complicated . Specs - heady , the Z Flip 5 ’s cover screen is a Super AMOLED panel and measures 3.4 inch . The resolution is 720 x 748 , it has a 60Hz refresh rate , and it ’s cover with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 .
On a technical level , it pales in comparison to the 1056 x 1066 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate of the Razr Plus cover screen . The Z Flip 5 still looks sharp enough to my eyes , and I do n’t notice the 60Hz refresh pace as much as I thought I would . I would n’t say I ’ve been unhappy with the quality of the cover screen ( it ’s extremely colourful and getssuperbright ) , but Samsung certainly could have done a lot more here . expert stuff away , the meat of the conversation lies in the software of the Z Flip 5 ’s covering CRT screen .
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 ’s cover silver screen begins with your clock face . There are six class of face to choose from , including Featured , Gallery , Informative , Graphical , Simple , and Colors . There are multiple panache for each class , and each one can be customized to your precise liking . I ’ve been using one of the Informative styles , which demonstrate me the fourth dimension , conditions , day of the month , battery , and notification icons all at once — it ’s fantastical .
From there , you have a few main way of life to interact with the cover filmdom :
If this sounds like to how you interact with a Samsung Galaxy Watch , that ’s on purpose . Samsung wanted the Flip 5 ’s cover screen to mimic how you utilize its smartwatches , and I think that was the right call . This interface is unclouded , simple , and really well-off to grasp after just a few bit of lift around .
doodad are a core part of the Z Flip 5 ’s cover screen . There ’s a lot to choose from right out of the box , including a calendar , conditions forecast , timer , alarum , stopwatch , late calls , direct telephone dial , footstep , daily activity , and a finance watchlist . It ’s a larger selection than the “ panels ” you get on the Motorola Razr Plus , and they ’re much better designed , too — showing more information and knead more dependably , at least in my experience .
Samsung also smartly utilizes the lowly section of the showing that extends further into the bottom - left box . If you have a timer , stopwatch , or audio ongoing , you ’ll see it as a little pop - up there . But we still have n’t talked about one critical matter : apps on the covering screen . It’spossible touse apps on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 cover screen , but getting everything to work how you require to is a chore . You basically have two ways of using apps on the Flip 5 ’s cover blind :
The easy way : solicit a on-off switch in theLabssection of the configurations app , and you get access to six applications Samsung has curated for the cover screenland . These let in Google Messages , Samsung Messages , WhatsApp , Google Maps , YouTube , and Netflix .
The hard way : If you want to be given any app installed on the Flip 5 on the blanket sieve , you need toinstall the Good Lock app from the Galaxy Store . Then you have to open Good Lock and install something call up “ MultiStar ” . Then you have to open MultiStar . And thenyou have to tap three other button and select which apps you need to utilize on the screening screen before it in reality work .
Good Lock is an prescribed Samsung diligence and not some random third - political party garbage , but it is horribly designed . Samsung also does n’t clearly explicate this process anywhere when pose up the Z Flip 5 — you just have to know precisely what to download and where to face . It ’s not exploiter - friendly , not visceral , and way more complicated than it want to be .
The top side ? After you go through all of this hassle , apps pass quite well on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 ’s cover silver screen . Once Good Lock is set up and configured , you get a “ Launcher ” widget that register all of the apps you ’ve selected to expend on the cover charge screen .
I use apps on the Z Flip 5 for the same things I use the Razr Plus ’s cover screen for — replying to Telegram messages , scan my Starbucks barcode when prescribe coffee , catching up on emails in Outlook , etc . Things areslightlymore condensed on the Z Flip 5 ’s cover screen compare to the Razr Plus ’s , but the experience is largely the same for the covering I use .
you may spread an app on the cover CRT screen and go forward it on the independent display if you start the Flip 5 , but it does n’t sour in the opposite direction . Similarly , there ’s no way to multitask on the Flip 5 ’s cover blind . On the Razr Plus , you may swipe on the bottom of the blind to cycle between apps you ’ve lately used . But thanks to the hacky approach to apps on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 , Samsung offer no such choice .
After some tweaking and setup , the experience of using apps on the Z Flip 5 ’s cover screen is quite enjoyable . But have to that head is far more intriguing than it should be — and something that less experienced users will in all likelihood be dissuade from whole . I ’m happy all of these tools are here and that the cover screen is capable of so much , but the overall user experience needs a slew of work .
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: display and crease
Although the cover CRT screen is new and exciting , we also need to talk about the Galaxy Z Flip 5 ’s main display . gratefully , it ’s very good ! That should n’t occur as a surprisal , as it ’s well-nigh very to the display used on the Flip 4 last yr . You ’re getting a 6.7 - inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X video display with a 2640 x 1080 resoluteness and a 120Hz refresh rate .
In distinctive Samsung mode , the presentation on the Flip 5 is lovely . Colors are very saturated and down right off the screen , making everything from videos to your options app bet prominent . The 120Hz refresh rate is predictably great , too , tolerate all of your swiping / scrolling to experience as politic as potential .
There is one display upgrade this twelvemonth , and it ’s a jump from 1,200 nit of brightness on the Flip 4 to 1,750 nits on the Flip 5 . We ’ve had a lot ofverysunny days in Michigan lately , and the added display smartness has been greatly appreciated . I never had too difficult of a prison term seeing the Flip 4 ’s screen alfresco , but the Flip 5 has given me zero issues whatsoever .
If I have one charge about the Galaxy Z Flip 5 ’s show , it ’s that the crimp — at least to my centre and touch — has n’t change much at all compared to the Flip 4 . It does n’t seriously impact day - to - 24-hour interval use , but coming to the Flip 5 immediately after using the Motorola Razr Plus for so long , Samsung ’s crease ismuchmore pronounced .
I often do n’t even notice the Razr Plus ’s crease when touch its independent display , but there ’s no mistaking it on the Z Flip 5 . When company like Motorola , Oppo , and others have found ways to substantially lessen their line vividness , it ’s unsatisfying that Samsung does n’t seem eager to adopt suit .
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: cameras
If you used a Galaxy Z Flip 4 , the camera frame-up on the Flip 5 will be directly conversant , but our freestanding testcomparing the Z Flip 5 and Z Flip 4 camerasdoes show some genuine improvements . The Flip 5 is equipped with a 12MP primary camera with f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization . There ’s also a 12MP ultrawide camera with a 123 - degree field of view , plus a 10MP selfie camera on the primary display . In other words , it ’s virtually very to the camera organisation on last class ’s Z Flip .
To Samsung ’s course credit , there are a couple of improvements on the Z Flip 5 over last class ’s cameras . An upgraded image signaling central processing unit in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 should translate to better color reproduction across the plug-in . The principal and ultrawide cameras also have a young “ clear lens coat ” to prevent genus Lens flare , and the selfie camera has a slightly improved f/2.2 aperture ( compared to f/2.4 on the Z Flip 4 ) .
In my testing , exposure taken with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 have — unsurprisingly — looked very similar to the Flip 4 . That ’s to say images are colorful , have very good dynamical range , and are just as reliable whether you ’re out of doors in bright sunlight or in a dimly lit room .
The Z Flip 5 is a phone I can snap a picture with and feel confident about the end solvent .
I ’m still waiting for the day when Samsung incur a way to add a telephoto camera to a Z Flip , and meaningful upgrades to the principal and ultrawide cameras are long delinquent . But in that same breath , there ’s no denying Samsung has a solid duad of cameras on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 . They ’re comfortable to shoot with , deliver crowd - pleasing results , and are among the best you’re able to get on a insolent speech sound foldaway today .
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: performance and software
Performance - wise , the Galaxy Z Flip 5 has the same “ Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy ” chip we saw in theGalaxy S23family earlier this year — plus 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of UFS 4.0 store . As expected , that translates to howling performance on the Z Flip 5 . Nothing slows this telephone set down . From multiple Google Chrome chit , rain cats and dogs 4 K telecasting , or stress to level up inMarvel Snapwhen I should be work , the Galaxy Z Flip 5 has never felt dull to me . The headphone can get a tactual sensation quick when you ’re really pushing it with prolonged gaming Roger Sessions or furious multitasking , but it never engender so affectionate that it ’s disturbing or uncomfortable .
When it comes to software package , the Galaxy Z Flip 5 ship with Android 13 and Samsung ’s custom One UI 5.1.1 user interface . If you ’ve used a Samsung phone within the last couple of age , you ’ll be right at home on the Flip 5 . One UI is still One UI , for good or speculative , and it ’s not changed much at all here .
One UI is wedge - full of extra feature of speech not found in “ stock ” Android , and some of them can be extremely utilitarian . I love being capable to append customs duty app cutoff and widgets to the ignition lock projection screen . Samsung ’s always - on display feature film is extremely customizable , and it even carries over to the screen filmdom on the Flip 5 .
I also appreciate how much command Samsung gives you over the power button , allow you to turn it into a camera launcher or a crosscut to open any app you want . Plus , Samsung ’s app optimization continue to be unpaired for folding flip phones . In the YouTube app , for example , half - fold the phone push the video to the top serving of the screen while you get optimized video playback hold in below .
But for every extra feature of speech I apply in One UI , there are half a 12 others that I have zero use for — whether that ’s Bixby , run apps in pa - up window , or the Edge panels menu that I always open when I do n’t mean to . I certainly do n’t detest Samsung ’s feeler to Android software , and I appreciate the caller offering so many mount / tool to play with . But , at least for me personally , I favour the uncomplicated software approaching we see with Google Pixel and Motorola smartphones .
That said , there ’s no denying how splendid Samsung ’s package update policy is . The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is promised four age of major Android upgrades and five years of security updates . Samsung ’s update insurance is one of the best in the stage business — second only to the seven years of update Google offer for theGoogle Pixel 8andGoogle Pixel 8 Pro . Whether you ’re concerned about Modern feature article or important security updates , Samsung has you covered .
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: battery life
Just like the Galaxy Z Flip 4 last yr , the Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a 3,700 mAh battery to keep it going throughout the Clarence Day . Also , just like last twelvemonth , that translate to pretty mediocre battery life . The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is firmly a one - daylight smartphone and never go beyond that . With 14 - 15 60 minutes of total uptime — plus a little over three hour of blind - on clock time ( for the main exhibit ) — I ’ve well been draining the bombardment to exclusive digit . In other words , if I take the Flip 5 off the charger at 7 a.m. , it ’s not uncommon to have less than 10 % barrage fire by 9 p.m. that evening .
This is with pretty moderate usage — including 30 to 40 arcminute using Twitter , around 10 minutes scrolling through TikTok and Instagram , frequent podcast listening , and a match of hr spent on a5Gconnection . I ’ve terminate some days with 20 % to 30 % stamp battery before bedtime , but that was only if I confine my screen time to 2 minute or less . My good daylight so far included 17 hours and 30 mo of total consumption time , 2 hours and 24 minutes of screen - on clock time , and I still do to end the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. with 26 % remain .
This is n’t outstanding battery life history , but it does appear to be improving a little bit more with each day that I use the Flip 5 . When it come to agitate , the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 variation 25W electrify charging , 15W wireless charging , and 4.5W rescind wireless charging if you require to expend it to top up your smartwatch , wireless earbuds , or another phone .
These are allfinespeeds and fairly stock for this form component . The Z Flip 5 proceed from 0 to 50 % in about 30 minutes and assume a fiddling over an hour to get a full recharge . It ’s nothing that ’ll knock your socks off like the 80W charging on theOnePlus 11 , but it gets the job done .
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 starts at $ 1,000 with 256 GB as the default option . If you need more storehouse space , you’re able to get the 512 GB version for $ 1,120 . The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is usable for immediate purchase . you may get it directly fromSamsung.com , retailer like Amazon and Best Buy , or through your wireless newsboy . offer and tidy sum on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 are common , so if you do n’t desire to pay up the full retail price , you ’ll just want to have a little longanimity and the correct wad will fall along .
One more thing to consider is the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will be released in the near future , so unless you find a really first-class pot or can not wait for a new phone , it will be deserving see what Samsung does with the Z Flip 5 ’s continuation .
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: verdict
When I reviewed the Motorola Razr Plus earlier this year , I called it “ the shut down phone I ’ve been expect for . I also proceed on to pen another article hailingthe Razr Plus as my favorite smartphone of 2023 . I ’ve advert that phone a slew throughout this critique , and that ’s because it ’s the closest — and the only — competitor Samsung confront with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 ( at least in the U.S. ) . For me , the Razr Plus still has a good luck charm that Samsung does n’t quite grasp with the Flip 5 .
Whether it ’s the Battle of Magenta leather back , the more streamlined screening screen , or Motorola ’s simpler software system , the Razr Plus is a telephone set I personally prefer using a bit more . But when I take a footprint back and look at the heavy picture — and consider about which close up phone most citizenry should pass their $ 1,000 on — it ’s difficult not to commend the Galaxy Z Flip 5 over Motorola ’s flip phone .
If you ’re in the market for a $ 1,000 fold phone right now , the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the one you should buy .
There are a heap of reasonableness for this . Samsung ’s hinge finger much best constructed , and for a folding telephone set , that ’s a swelled softwood . The Z Flip 5 also has a honorable television camera experience , a New C.P.U. , longer software support , and a nicer overall flesh . Yes , the binding projection screen is a nuisance to configure , but once you have it set up the way you need , it does just about everything you could ask for .
I ’ll put it this way : If you ’re in the market for a $ 1,000 fold up phone right now , the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the one you should corrupt . I have my personal preferences for Motorola ’s flip phone , but it ’s impossible to refuse that Samsung has the objectively better intersection of the two . There ’s a reason Samsung is seen as the Billie Jean Moffitt King of folding phones , and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 insure that wo n’t exchange any time before long .
