The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 launched today earlier than last year's model. What improvements did Samsung make to the fifth model of the device that is now increasingly being challenged by their rivals Xiaomi, Oppo, Huawei and Vivo?
We got to use the Z Fold5 for about an hour last week and here are our honest thoughts on the changes Samsung has made to the now half-decade-old series of devices.
INFO First Look Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 – Compact Body, Powerful External Screen
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
External Screen – 6.2″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz
Inside – 7.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz, HDR10+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen2 processor (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 12GB LPDDR5X
8GB RAM Plus
Internal Storage 256/512/1000 GB UFS 4.0
Main Camera 50mp f/1.8 OIS, (Wide Angle)
12MP f/2.2 (Ultra Wide Angle)
10MP, OIS, f/2.4 3x Optical Zoom (Telephoto)
10MP f/2.2 Selfie Camera (Outside)
4MP f/1.8 UDC (Inside)
4400 mAh battery
25W wired charging
11W wireless charging
4.5W reverse charging
SIM/Telephony 2 Nano, 1 eSIM
5G
NFC Yes
No Audio Jack
IPX8 Waterproof
Scan System Side fingerprint scanner
Sale Price RM 6,799 (12/256GB)
RM 7,299 (12/512GB)
RM 8,299 (12/1TB)
SCREEN
At a glance Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 does not bring drastic changes to its design. But this year's model is finally equipped with a hinge mechanism that allows the internal 7.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz screen to be fully folded. The screen still has a folding effect and a camera system under the screen. Like last year, S Pen for Fold is supported for those who need a stylus.
There is no more empty space that can be seen on the Z Fold device. This is done through the use of the water drop folding system popularized by Chinese manufacturers last year. Samsung says that in addition to allowing the screen to be folded closer, it also reduces the components used in the hinge.
We realize the feeling of opening the screen now is different because there are like two levels. Opening up to around 170 degrees is smooth before resistance is felt. Give a little more pressure and the screen can be fully opened to 180 degrees. As a user of the Z Fold series since the first generation, this new mechanism feels different. This is definitely because of the new hinges used.
The outer screen is still 6.2″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz with the same screen ratio as the Fold4. Rumors of wider screens outside that have been heard for the past few months have not materialized. Therefore typing on the external screen is not very comfortable if we compare it to the experience of using Vivo X Fold2, Oppo Find N2 and Honor Magic Vs.
S PEN
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 supports S Pen but only on the inner screen. There is no built-in storage on the Z Fold5 as previously rumored. The new S Pen for Fold and S Pen Pro will launch this year with a higher level of tilt detection sensitivity.
Z Fold5 frame with built-in S Pen
There's a new frame that offers an S Pen that's 48% thinner than the regular S Pen for Fold. When stored it doesn't produce a big bump like last year's frame. Although thin and flat this S Pen does not have bluetooth support like the S Pen on the S23 Ultra. So camera and remote control features are not supported.
DESIGN
The body of the device is more boxy, similar to the design also found on the Z Flip5. This year is the year of the "box" for Samsung. We personally prefer the boxy design as it makes the Apprentice feel more solid in the hand. The Z Fold5 frame is still made of Armor Alumimium material which is durable and bend resistant.
left – Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 left, right – Z Fold4
On the right side there is an audio rocker, a power button and a fingerprint scanner. It's the fifth generation and Samsung still doesn't offer a built-in fingerprint scanner under the screen. A little disappointing because the Vivo X Fold2 that we reviewed a few months ago can offer it on the outer screen and the inner screen.
The difference in size of Z Fold5 and Z Fold4
The device is now not only over 2mm thinner with this new design but also feels lighter weighing just 253 grams compared to 263 grams on the Z Fold4 and 234 grams on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. This will somewhat satisfy those who feel that a foldable screen device is too heavy for it to be a practical daily use device.
Phantom Black, Icy Blue and Cream color options
The back panel is made of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with a non-glossy finish. This allows wireless charging systems to be used as well as reverse charging systems. This non-gloss finish does not trap dirt easily and is offered in Phantom Black, Icy Blue and Cream.
The three main cameras on the back consist of a 50MP OIS wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 10MP telephoto lens up to 3X optical. On the inner screen there is a 4MP selfie camera under the screen and on the outer screen there is a 10MP selfie camera in the screen hole. All of the main cameras on the back are housed in the same hump as the Z Fold4.
This is because for those who may be familiar with the specifications of the Z Fold4, the Z Fold5 recycles all the cameras from last year's Fold4. No hardware changes have been made with Samsung saying the improvements have all been made to the camera software only this year.
There are speaker holes above and below the "left door" of the Fold5, again the same as those on the Z Fold4. Side-firing stereo speakers make the audio sound balanced, aided by a Dolby Atmos audio system that can be tuned according to the media being played.
On the left door is also placed a tray for dual-SIM nano that does not support micro SD cards. Z Fold5 can also support one eSIM but if activated only one physical SIM can be activated. There is still no 3.5mm audio jack and also no infrared transmitter because they are two features that are disappearing on flagship devices.
All these components are put into a body that passes the IPX8 standard. It can be submerged in water but is not dust resistant. So be careful because it is not the same as IP68 that is often heard.
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 Fold4. There are no exclusive new features introduced on this year's model. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor chip matched with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM memory and up to 1TB UFS 4.0 storage, the Z Fold5 can be felt to work more smoothly.
We noticed this speed when watching YouTube on an external screen then moving in and out again. The video plays directly without stopping even for a moment. On the Z Fold4 the video will pause for about half a second when the screen being watched is changed.
Launching apps also feels faster just like the experience using the S23 Ultra that we praised earlier this year. Faster use of memory and 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.
Since its launch last year, the Taskbar feature has been improved and this can be seen on the Z Fold5. The taskbar can be hidden more easily and applications can be dragged directly from the taskbar directly to the screen to launch the Multi Window feature. Up to three applications can be launched in Multi Window simultaneously if needed.
CONCLUSION
The biggest change this year lies in the hinge that allows the device to fold completely close to the increasingly boxy body. The screen size, screen ratio, cameras, battery and software features are the same as the Z Fold4. What has changed is the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor, faster RAM and storage.
It can be felt that the device operates faster but is this enough to attract people? It will be difficult knowing that Honor and Vivo offer devices with features that we feel are more attractive at more competitive prices.
Samsung is lucky that the Vivo X Fold2 is not offered to the global market because it also uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 but with a more ergonomic screen, a more recent camera system, a bigger battery, faster charging and a fingerprint scanner under both screens.
Samsung's advantage at this time is still in terms of the larger market Z Fold5 launched and the best software support among Android manufacturers. Samsung's competition this year is more intense and we hope that it can force Samsung to offer an evolution on their foldable screen device design next year.
In Malaysia, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 was launched at a starting price of RM6799 for the 256GB model with all three models maintaining the same price as last year's Z Fold4.
Pro
The hinge design is thinner and the screen can be closed completely.
The high specification of the benchmark class that makes the use feel smooth.
Still a foldable screen device with the best software.
IPX8 waterproof
Support four Android versions and five years of security patches.
Cons
Retains the majority of Z Fold4 components.
Charging is still only 25W.
The inner screen still has creases.
Specifically for our readers, use the promotional code AZGALAXY when purchasing Galaxy Z Fold5 on Samsung Malaysia's official website to receive a RM400 discount, limited while stocks last.