In the world of folding mobile phones, Samsung is the undisputed leader. Today, no brand comes close to it in sales or matches its commitment to this type of product – easily visible in the cadence of launches, wide availability globally, advertising efforts, etc. –. And with the Galaxy Z Flip 5, the company wants to continue making progress in that direction.
This new product does not represent a significant step forward as a mobile phone. Yes, it has a better processor, the camera is slightly better thanks to the ISP and the software, etc. But It does not represent a drastic change in any of these aspects compared to the previous model.. Better, yes, but without surprises.
Where there are notable changes is in the technologies that make this mobile a foldable device. I’m talking, for example, about the hinge, which is new in this Galaxy Z Flip 5. This now flexes the screen in a different way and manages to solve one of the great shortcomings of the previous models: the gap between the two halves behind close the device. On the Z Flip 5, said gap disappears completely.
This has a two-fold benefit: the most obvious is aesthetic, but it also helps improve durability by preventing dirt from getting between the two halves while you carry the device in a pocket, bag or backpack.
This new hinge also affects the fold mark, which is somewhat less noticeable than in the previous model – although I have the impression that it occupies a little more surface area. In any case, it’s still there. If you look at it from the front, it is barely visible. But, as soon as a ray of light hits the screen at a certain angle, it is easily exposed. And yes, after several days you end up getting used to its presence, but that does not mean that there is still room for improvement in this regard. Both Samsung and the rest of the brands must continue investing in it if they want folding products to fully mature.
Another change related to its folding aspect is widening of the outer screen, which has been the big surprise of the Galaxy Z Flip 5. This now occupies almost the entire upper half of the phone – unlike the small panel that we found in the previous model. But the best of all is that you can run all kinds of applications on it.
Obviously this is not a screen on which to open a video game or watch YouTube videos. Technically it is possible, yes, but it makes no sense. Instead, Yes, I found it extremely useful, for example, to use Google Maps. The UI is usable on this smaller screen size. And, on top of that, it’s a meaningful use case.
The aesthetics of this screen, on the other hand, can be customized with colors, patterns, wallpapers or even widgetswhich allows you to give an even more special touch to each Galaxy Z Flip 5. It is also useful to view incoming notifications without having to open the device, to launch Samsung Pay or to take selfies with the exterior cameras – which offer greater quality than the interior, as is usual in the sector.
The screen, apart from its functionality, also gives a touch cool to device. Sometimes we focus a lot on what is better or worse from a technical point of view. And it is, without a doubt, something fundamental. But, in many cases, what decides the balance between one product or another is how different or striking it appears to the human eye. And this Galaxy Z Flip 5, with its foldable screen and its new exterior panel, is undoubtedly something different from the usual that attracts attention wherever it goes.
When it comes to durability, The Galaxy Z Flip 5 that I’ve had in my hands for a while has shown no signs of wear or deterioration. And the use I have made of it is the same as I would use any other mobile phone, so it is great news. Of course: I suspect that, in the event of an impact or other misfortune, this product would be worse off than a conventional mobile phone. And the reasoning is quite simple: moving parts, purely statistically, are more likely to break.
In any case, I want to emphasize that, with normal use, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 should not cause problems for potential buyers. In addition, water resistance is an extra peace of mind that not all folding phones can boast of.
A mobile that fulfills everything else
Regarding the usual sections to take into account, The Galaxy Z Flip 5 neither surprises nor disappoints. The interior screen is Full HD+, it has 120 Hz, it is AMOLED and both in terms of color and brightness it delivers very good performance. It is not the most advanced panel on the market – an award that would be debated between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the S23 Ultra – but it is at a good level.
In the photographic field, the proposal is similar to last year: a main camera, an ultra wide angle and an internal camera. Both the sensors and the lenses have remained intact compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 4. So what has changed? Basically, the ISP, which is now that of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and the software. The results are slightly better, no doubt, but if this is your number one priority, then you will find a more satisfying experience in products like the S23 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro.
Something similar can be said regarding autonomy. The greater efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 certainly means that the battery lasts longer, but don’t expect a magical evolution. It is a mobile phone that can make it to the end of the day with standard use, but, during trips or stressful situations, you will have to resort to the charger to keep it on.
When it comes to performance, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 mounts the praised Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the same one that we also saw in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. And I have to admit that it is an excellent chip. Efficient, with good performance, well implemented…
Is the Galaxy Z Flip 5 worth it?
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a rather peculiar product. On the one hand, it is a different phone, with a touch cool which will be enough for many to put in their credit card and take one home. However, it is important to note that its purchase also involves several sacrifices. The screen is quite good, but not the best in the sector; Its autonomy is sufficient for everyday use, but it is not brilliant; Their cameras capture good images, but there are more complete alternatives for similar prices; and as a foldable, although the progress is undeniable compared to previous generations, there are still certain asterisks (such as the folding of the screen).
Despite all that, as I said, there is something about him that attracts attention. I myself, being aware of everything mentioned in the previous paragraph, feel interested in carrying it in my pocket for a while – beyond this analysis. And that, in a world in which most of the mobile phones available on the market are boring and look enormously similar to each other, has more value than it seems.