Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 review
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 takes the flip design to the next level with its large secondary screen, making it a significant upgrade over its predecessor. The new chipset, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for galaxy, provides more power under the hood, and the phone uses advanced memory tech like UFS 4.0 storage and LPDDR5x RAM. The battery life has improved slightly this year, with an endurance rating of 87 hours, making it a good option for those who want a flip phone that can last all day. The cameras are the same as on the Z Flip 4, but they still produce excellent results, especially in daylight conditions. The main camera takes great photos with excellent detail and vivid colors, while the ultra-wide camera offers a dramatic perspective for selfies. One of the standout features of the Galaxy Z Flip5 is its new Flex View screen, which can be used as a viewfinder for taking selfies using the main camera. This is a game-changer for selfie lovers, and it makes the phone even more appealing. Other notable upgrades include a brighter display, improved hinge, and better water resistance (IPX8). While the Moto Razr 40 Ultra did introduce a large cover screen first, the Z Flip5 has its own advantages, including a more powerful chipset and better cameras. Overall, the Galaxy Z Flip5 is a well-rounded flip phone that's worth considering for those in the market for one.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 boasts an exceptional build quality and design that elevates the flip phone experience. The device's exterior is clad in a sleek, premium plastic material that provides a comfortable grip without feeling too slippery. One of the standout features of the Z Flip5 is its innovative hinge mechanism. This 2023 iteration has improved upon its predecessor by introducing a smoother, more fluid folding motion. It takes just a little over a second for the phone to snap shut, and the same amount of time to spring back open, making it incredibly convenient to use. The cover screen, now significantly larger than before, serves as an intuitive interface for quick interactions, notifications, and even basic app control. The addition of a more prominent secondary display has transformed the way users interact with their phone, allowing them to access essential functions without needing to fully unfold the device. Furthermore, the Z Flip5's design is optimized to minimize creasing on the screen when folded, making it a practical choice for those who value durability. In terms of size and weight, the phone remains relatively compact and lightweight, making it easy to slip into a pocket or purse. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 showcases a masterful blend of style, functionality, and innovation in its design. Its premium build quality, smooth hinge mechanism, and intelligent cover screen contribute to an overall experience that is both user-friendly and visually stunning.
Battery Life
Battery Life is a Key Strength of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 has made significant improvements in battery life compared to its predecessor. Despite having the same 3700mAh battery capacity, this device has managed to deliver an impressive endurance rating of 87 hours in our tests. This increased battery life can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the new chipset and more efficient software have resulted in reduced power consumption. Secondly, the larger secondary screen is now more useful, allowing users to interact with their phone without needing to open it as frequently. This reduction in usage translates to less energy expenditure on the device. As a result, the Galaxy Z Flip 5's battery life has improved noticeably. It can easily last a day and a half with moderate use, making it suitable for those who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. Even with heavy usage, the phone should be able to make it through a full day without needing to be recharged. While wireless charging is now supported, wired charging speeds are somewhat underwhelming. However, 25W wired charging is still appreciable, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5's improved battery life makes it a more practical choice for those seeking a flip phone with extended battery performance.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 boasts an impressive display, taking the flip design to new heights. The large secondary screen is its most notable feature, allowing users to interact with their phone in various ways without fully opening it. This cover screen has become more useful than ever, and its increased size makes it perfect for checking notifications, scrolling through social media, or even making hands-free calls. The display itself is bright and vibrant, making colors pop and providing excellent visibility in a variety of lighting conditions. In terms of resolution, the secondary screen isn't quite as sharp as some flagship devices, but it's still crisp enough to be enjoyable for general use. The main display, on the other hand, remains a stunning Super AMOLED panel that delivers excellent contrast ratios and deep blacks. One of the standout features of the Z Flip5's display is its use in selfie mode. When using the Flex View screen as a viewfinder, you can take high-quality selfies with the main camera, complete with excellent detail, dynamic range, and vivid colors. This feature makes the Z Flip5 an excellent choice for those who value great smartphone photography. While not perfect, the Galaxy Z Flip5's display is one of its most impressive features. The large secondary screen adds a new layer of functionality to the phone, making it feel more like a hybrid device than a traditional flip phone. Overall, the display in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a unique and feature-rich smartphone experience.
Camera
The camera performance of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a significant aspect to consider when evaluating this device. In our tests, we found that the phone's primary camera performs exceptionally well, capturing images with excellent detail and minimal noise. Daylight photos from the main camera are outstanding, with vivid colors and high contrast. The dynamic range is also impressive, allowing for a wide range of tonal values in a single image. Portrait mode shots look particularly good, with great subject detection and natural-looking skin tones. However, it's worth noting that the default level of blur can be a bit excessive, but this can be adjusted to suit personal preference. Selfies taken using the main camera via the Flex View screen are also impressive, offering excellent detail, dynamic range, and vivid colors. In low-light conditions, the phone performs admirably, with night mode processing delivering abundant detail, lively colors, and good dynamic range. 4K video from the main camera is equally impressive, featuring fine detail, mature processing, and pleasant saturation. The ultra-wide camera also takes excellent photos in daylight, with great color accuracy, low noise, and wide dynamic range. However, corner softness can be noticeable, particularly when shooting at wider angles. Autofocus is also absent, which limits its usability for more complex compositions. In low-light conditions, the ultra-wide camera performs reasonably well, capturing good detail, okay colors, and dynamic range. Night mode processing can help smooth out details and improve color accuracy. 4K footage from the ultra-wide camera is likable but not particularly sharp outside of the center frame. The colors, contrast, and dynamic range are comparable to those from the main camera, however. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5's camera system delivers solid results, with the primary camera being a highlight. While there may be some minor limitations, such as corner softness on the ultra-wide camera, this device is certainly a worthwhile consideration for anyone seeking a flip phone with a strong camera performance.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is an impressive device that takes the flip design to the next level with its large secondary screen. Priced at around $999, this phone offers a lot of value for those looking for a premium smartphone experience. One of the standout features of the Z Flip5 is its new chipset, which provides a significant boost in performance compared to previous generations. This means that users can expect smooth and efficient performance even with demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing. The display on the Z Flip5 has also been improved, with brighter colors and better battery life. The cover screen, now more useful than ever, allows users to interact with their phone without fully opening it, saving energy and making the most of the limited battery capacity. In terms of cameras, the Z Flip5 offers a 12-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide unit. While not as impressive as some flagship phones in this regard, the cameras still deliver excellent results, especially in daylight conditions. The selfie camera is also noteworthy, with great detail and vivid colors. The Galaxy Z Flip5's price may seem high at first glance, but considering its premium features and build quality, it becomes a more reasonable option for those who value innovation and design over mere specs. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 offers excellent value for money. Its new chipset, improved display, and useful cover screen make it an attractive option for those looking for a unique smartphone experience. While not perfect, this phone's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthwhile investment for those willing to pay a premium for innovation. Ultimately, the Galaxy Z Flip5 is a niche product that caters specifically to those who want a flip phone with advanced features and premium build quality. If you're one of them, then yes, this device is worth every penny of its $999 price tag.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 boasts an impressive performance profile, powered by the most recent Snapdragon chipset available for Android phones - the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. This flagship processor offers a significant boost in processing power compared to its predecessor and rival flagships. In our testing, the device demonstrated seamless multitasking and rapid app launching, making it well-suited for demanding users who require maximum performance from their smartphone. The phone's advanced memory technology, including UFS 4.0 storage and LPDDR5X RAM, further enhances its capabilities, ensuring smooth operation even with multiple resource-intensive apps running simultaneously. However, the Z Flip5 does exhibit some thermal management limitations, which can lead to noticeable heating during prolonged stress tests. While not a deal-breaker, this issue might be a concern for users who engage in intense gaming or video editing activities on their device. The phone's performance is further complemented by its optimized software, Samsung One UI 5, which has been streamlined to take full advantage of the new hardware capabilities. The operating system provides an intuitive and efficient interface that seamlessly integrates with the device's advanced features. In terms of raw performance metrics, our testing showed the Z Flip5 delivering consistent results in benchmarking tools like AnTuTu and Geekbench, placing it among the top tier of Android smartphones available today. While not perfect, the phone's processing capabilities more than justify its high price point for many users who value maximum power and responsiveness from their device. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5's performance represents a significant step forward in smartphone technology, offering an experience that is both powerful and efficient. While some caveats exist regarding thermal management, overall, this phone delivers on its promise of being one of the fastest Android smartphones available, making it well-suited for demanding users.