Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 launched simultaneously today in South Korea. We were given access a week early to try the Z Flip5 by Samsung Malaysia. Based on the experience of using for about an hour, this is our opinion about the Flip5 which now has a more compact body design and a larger secondary screen.
INFO First Look Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 – The Awaited Iteration
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5G
Inner Screen – 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
External – 3.4″ Super AMOLED, 60Hz
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor for Galaxy (4nm)
1 X 3.36 GHz Cortex-X32 chip
2 X 2.8 GHz Cortex-A715
2 X 2.75 GHz Cortex-A710
3 X 2.00 GHz Cortex-A510
Adreno 740 Graphics Chip
RAM 8GB LPDDR5X
8GB RAM Plus
Internal Storage 256/512 GB UFS 4.0
Primary Camera 12 Megapixel f/1.8, OIS
12 Megapixel f/2.2
Selfie Camera/Internal Camera 10 Megapixel f/2.2
3700 mAh battery
25W wired charging
10W wireless charging
4.5W reverse charging
SIM/Telephony 1 Nano, 1 eSIM
5G
NFC Yes
No Audio Jack
IPX8 Waterproof
Scan System Side fingerprint scanner
Sale Price RM4,499 (8/256 GB)
RM4,999 (8/512 GB)
SCREEN
We start with the most significant change of the Z Flip5 which is the external screen which is now larger. It now uses the new name Flex Window and is no longer Cover Screen as in the previous model. This 3.4″ screen is of the Super AMOLED type with a refresh rate of 60Hz only. It has the shape of a "File" icon in a computer. In our opinion, it has the same notch shape as on the original Z Fold's inner screen which is required for the camera on the foldable screen.
Flex Window
With this larger screen, owners can finally read full messages, reply to WhatsApp, and watch YouTube videos. Currently only a number of Samsung, Google and WhatsApp apps can be used on the Flex Window with more app support to be added by Samsung post-launch. The keyboard provided is still a bit small but it's better than being able to only reply to messages with emoji or Quick Reply on the Z Flip4.
This external screen is not a gimmick because it is more useful than the external screen of the Z Flip4 and wider than the Oppo Find N2 Flip. Owners can place weather widgets, calendars, Samsung Health, Galaxy Buds and more on the outer screen. More work can be done Z Flip5 owners without having to open the home screen first.
The crease line is still visible
The internal screen is the same 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz as on the Z Flip4. You have to get used to this statement because the majority of the Z Flip5's components are the same as last year's model. There is still a notch on the screen but this is an issue on all foldable screen devices ever reviewed in our labs. HDR10+ content can be displayed with support on several major streaming platforms.
DESIGN
Samsung's design theme this year may be "boxy is handsome" as it can be seen on the Galaxy S, Galaxy A and even Z Flip/Fold series. The sides are getting more and more "hard" which makes it feel firmer in the hand. User complaints that the screen cannot be closed completely are resolved through the use of a hinge with the screen folded like a drop of water. As a result this year the screen is fully folded and the device is now thinner.
There is an audio and power button along with a fingerprint scanner on the right side of the device. Underneath is a USB-C charger, an audio grille, and a microphone hole. The tray for dual nano SIM is placed on the left side with support for one eSIM as well. Near the earpiece there is another speaker for a stereo audio system that supports Dolby Atmos. Once again the Flip4 configuration is used again.
The body of the Z Flip5 uses an Aluminum Armor frame to prevent bending and is more durable if dropped. The back panel is made of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 which allows for 15W wireless charging. Samsung offers the Z Flip5 with a back panel in Mint, Cream, Lavender and Graphite colors with a glossy finish. As a result, the panel easily traps dirt on the fingers. In this regard we prefer the design of the back panel of the Fold5 which is not glossy.
Choice of Mint, Cream, Lavender and Graphite colors
The two camera bumps on the back house a 12MP f/1.8 OIS wide-angle lens and a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens. Meanwhile, the front selfie camera is 10MP f/2.4. The same camera sensor on last year's model is understood to be used again. Improvements are only made to the camera software. The bump is not that big but we recommend the use of a frame that needs to be purchased separately to avoid scratching the Flex Window.
The hinge has been redesigned and we couldn't feel a big change when opening and closing the screen. Not too hard or feel loose. More importantly, the Z Flip5 still passes the IPX8 waterproof standard which means it can be dipped in water but does not have any dustproofing capabilities.
Hinges are closer
USAGE AND SOFTWARE
One UI 5.1.1 operating system based on Android 13 is used. This is the same version used on the Z Flip5. There are no exclusive new features introduced on this year's model. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor chip is paired with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. The result can be felt that the device operates more smoothly. Applications can be installed quickly and launched without waiting.
Applications that can be used on Flex Window
A new supported feature is to connect the YouTube application opened in Flex Window directly on the screen immediately after it is opened. This is similar to the features supported on the Z Fold series. What's missing is a feature to connect viewing from the inside to the outside screen.
Launching apps also feels faster just like the experience using the S23 Ultra that we praised earlier this year. The use of LPDDR5X memory and faster UFS 4.0 storage makes the speed of the operating system felt this year. Speaking of RAM, the RAM Plus feature can add up to 8GB of memory virtually. It can be turned off if the owner does not want part of the storage to be taken up to add RAM.
The Flex Mode feature returns when used on the camera app, YouTube, and Google Meet. In this mode the device can be folded 90 degrees and stand on a flat surface for teleconferencing or video recording. Because the outer Flex Window is large, Flex Mode can also be used to take photos or videos more easily without using a special tripod. Like last year, holding the Z Flip5 like a classic camcorder can also be used to record video.
CONCLUSION
The "Flip" type device with the highest sales in the first quarter of 2023 is the Z Flip4. Samsung managed to find the best design formula for a device in this category and therefore the improvements made to the Z Flip5 are to continue their dominance. The larger screen on the outside makes the Z Flip5 more useful even when folded and can finally be closed tightly. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor for Galaxy offers higher performance and can extend battery life. The software has also been refined.
For four years Samsung dominated the Flip type device market. This year is different Oppo, Vivo and Honor will start to challenge them with their respective offerings. The question is whether this is enough for the masses out there as the Z Flip5 has the same main screen size, camera system, features, battery capacity and 25W charging system.
At retail prices starting at RM4499 for 256GB and RM4999 for 512GBGB, it is only RM200 and RM100 more expensive than the Z Flip4 with the same storage. The screen is bigger so the price is slightly increased.
Prof
The new design of the screen can be closed completely.
The larger external screen makes the device much more useful.
The high specification of the benchmark class that makes the use feel smooth.
IPX8 waterproof.
Support four Android versions and five years of security patches.
Cons
Retains the majority of Z Flip5 components
Charging is still only 25W.
Crease wrinkles are still visible on the screen.
Specifically for our readers, use the promotional code AZGALAXY when purchasing the Galaxy Z Flip5 on Samsung Malaysia's official website to receive a RM 200 discount, limited while stocks last.