I was wrong and I was wrong! Last year when I reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, I said this device was the flip phone I was looking forward to. After using the new Galaxy Z Flip5 I realized that this is the real flip phone for me. Samsung is finally here with the most perfect iteration. Just is it capable of being my favorite device, is it worth having and should you have it over other flagships?
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5G
Inner Screen – 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+, 120Hz, HDR10+
External – 3.4″ Super AMOLED, 720 x 748, 60Hz
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Processor For Galaxy (4nm)
1x 3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 chip
2x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A715
2x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A710
3x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510
Adreno 740 Graphics Chip
RAM 8GB LPDDR5X
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/Nano Telephony/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
Like the Z Flip4, the Z Flip5 still uses a 6.7″ screen from a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel that supports a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ color display. However, there is a small change given that the brightness of the screen can now reach up to 1750 nits compared to 1200 nits on the Z Flip4.
In my use, the screen in this device is really bright and when outside there is no problem to use it in the hot sun. It's just that the device will easily heat up when the screen is at maximum brightness and performance will be slightly affected.
Watching videos on YouTube is more interesting and satisfying. It's not because of the screen size or the bezels, but rather the new Flex Mode feature that makes the device even more fun to use when the YouTube app is open. The video quality on Netflix also does not disappoint and there is no problem playing HDR10+ content.
The crease effect on this device is still visible even though Samsung has used a new hinge system. Because I'm used to using the Z Flip device, this fold effect is only visible when looking for it and is not that annoying during use.
The 120Hz refresh rate is also fast and consistent when the device isn't heating up. I want to compare it with the Oppo Find N2 Flip whose folding effect is not so obvious. However it became more apparent after more than a week of use. So on this Z Flip5 device, it is better to be able to see first rather than later so as not to feel awkward.
The biggest change to this device is the external screen. It uses a 3.4″ Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 720 x 748 pixels with a refresh rate of 60Hz and is shaped like a document file. This is the thing I like the most about the Z Flip5 because finally the external screen is really useful and not like a Xiaomi Band display or limited to only small widgets.
This external screen can run any application through the Good Lock application by Samsung, can play Netflix videos, YouTube, can open the full version WhatsApp application, Google Maps, can play a special preview on Good Lock or play directly PUBG Mobile and widgets that are supported are more diverse as well as a large size that is very easy to use.
The external screen of the Z Flip5 can also be customized with various colors, patterns, placing your own photos or using a default theme similar to the watch face on their Galaxy Watch6. It's a shame I still haven't found the feature to sync the Galaxy Watch face to the Cover Screen as they promised.
The only drawback of this external screen is the slow refresh rate giving the illusion of delayed usage. Not only that, this external screen also cannot display the battery usage status. This is difficult for me to take care of the battery life because the Android system can only display the battery usage on the inner screen.
Biometrics
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 also still uses the fingerprint scanning system on the side along with the power button. It's fast only when my fingers are dry. But for individuals like me who sweat profusely, the fingerprint scan often fails. Not only that, when the device is folded my big finger will often touch the side of the device and the device thinks I want to scan my finger then fails and has to wait a long time to unlock the device.
DESIGN
Overall, Z Flip5 still uses more or less the same design outside and inside. Outside now only the back panel at the bottom is colored as the top is filled with screen. Because of that, there is no more Bespoke edition option like last year. Each series of devices is still flat, with thin screen bezels and a unique outer screen design.
The left side of the device only has a SIM card slot, the right side is the volume control button and the power button, on the top of the device there is only a microphone hole, on the bottom there is another microphone hole, a speaker grille and a USB-C port. The back finish of the device at the bottom is a glossy type. My unit is Cream in color and it scratches easily. Fortunately on the outside screen it is protected with Gorilla Glass Victus 2, otherwise scratches due to keys in the pocket will definitely happen.
To prevent these scratches from happening I strongly encourage you to use a protective frame such as Flap Eco-Leather, Silicone Case with Ring, Flipsuit Case, or Clear Gadget Case offered officially. If you want more interesting designs, vinyl stickers can be used and don't forget to use screen protectors for the outer and inner screens.
Use And Software
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 uses One UI 5.1.1 based on Android 13. The experience of using this device is more or less the same as the One UI on the previous Z Flip4 and if you have ever used a Samsung device, this device is easy to operate as it offers a variety of interesting functions and features. .
If before I said One UI on Z Flip4 provides a complete experience, on Z Flip5 it provides a perfect user experience. It's fast, easy to use, smooth if there aren't many applications running in the background and I feel like this is the first time I've used a Samsung flagship device with 8GB of RAM which feels satisfying.
On the Z Flip5 if the screen is not folded, the lock screen supports many widgets to easily control music, view the weather, use the timer, voice recorder and more. Cover Screen's ability to be decorated with various themes is also quite interesting and supports large-sized widgets, Samsung deserves praise. The Labs feature that activates Flex Mode on almost all applications is also quite interesting because it makes the Flip5 a mini laptop.
Speaking of Flex Mode, using this mode on me is now more interesting. No matter what application can be opened in this mode with the application on the top and the bottom there will be a special space for the touch pad that supports gestures, quick access to screenshots, just two taps to run two applications at the same time, press one icon to access the notification tray and many more.
My favorite is when playing video or music, the bottom of the screen will be a very user-friendly control panel. True, the size of the video will be small but if it's just to watch a video while eating or just want to watch a short clip it's very useful.
BENCH MARK
Like the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, the Z Flip5 is also powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy chip that is said to have been overclocked for faster performance. Samsung is also the only device manufacturer that sells Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 devices with 8GB RAM in Malaysia. So the benchmark scores may be underwhelming. Whatever score is displayed below, you need to remember that it's just a number and real-world usage experience is more important.
For Z Flip5 the closest competitors are Oppo N2 Flip with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (8GB RAM) and also Vivo X Flip with Dimensity 9000+ (12GB RAM). These two devices have been tested in the our lab with AnTuTu 3D, Geekbench 6 and 3DMark applications.
AnTuTu 3D
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 – 1,091,543
Oppo Find N2 Flip – 756,646
Vivo X Flip – 872,906
Xiaomi 13 – 1,272,181
Geekbench 5
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 – 1,850/4,068
Oppo Find N2 Flip – 1,028/3,088
Vivo X Flip – 1,666/3,793
Xiaomi 13 – 1,903/5,437
3DMark – Wild Life Extreme
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 – 2,319
Oppo Find N2 Flip – 2617
Vivo X Flip – 2,154
Xiaomi 13 – cannot be tested
The first play experience on this device is quite interesting. It's smooth and fast and doesn't heat up easily. It's just that as a slightly violent user in using a smartphone, I have a feeling that the screen is easily damaged because when lost and the device is not held well it often folds and closes tightly.
Playing first on an external screen is also interesting. However only the first ones offered through Good Lock are good enough. Other games like Asphalt 9 and Marvel Snap if played on an external screen have lag and touch issues because they are not optimized to play on small screens with strange aspect ratios.
CAMERA
The device still uses the same 12MP dual-camera configuration as the Z Flip3, and Z Flip4. But with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, able to make the image result slightly better with faster post-processing duration. In our tests, the picture results are only slightly different from the Z Flip4 but for a device that costs more than RM4000 it is a really weak camera system.
I'll start with the selfie camera for the inner screen, which has a slightly faded color. The portrait mode finish isn't that pretty either, but the details still try to be well preserved. With the Cover Screen as a selfie camera viewfinder is to use the rear camera - here it looks sharper, the colors are more vivid and the blur effect is neater.
In-screen camera selfie
Main camera selfie
I feel that the HDR value on the main camera this time is brighter, beautiful and satisfying. Portrait mode is also neater and I like the sharper color results the most and it looks like using a more expensive flagship device. The main issue is that the zoom capabilities are limited to digital methods which is very disappointing.
The ultra-wide angle mode is also better because of the consistent color results and almost the same as the main sensor. The use of Flex Mode on Flip5 also allows me to control the camera more easily and provide more efficient use without relying on third-party accessories.
Auto mode, close focus
Ultra-wide angle mode
Auto mode, evening mood
Portrait mode, main camera
Portrait mode, dusk mood
Auto mode, dusk mood
Auto mode, evening mood
VIDEOS
I quite like the HDR video recording capabilities of this device as it provides beautiful and sharp colors. The details are also well preserved and have great stabilization compared to some other flagship devices sold at the same price. It's just that the video in low light gives a lot of noise and the focus becomes inconsistent.
TELEPHONY AND GPS
Mobile data connection on this device. The device supports quite smooth and stable, 4G is no problem as well as VoLTE and VoWiFi. Maxis finally offering 5G is also supported on this device, but the battery consumption is quite terrible. Phone calls are also clear due to the quality microphone. For GPS, the Z Flip5 has no problem locking in a location and giving turn-by-turn directions accurately.
BATTERY
The Z Flip5 battery is still the same as the Z Flip4 which is 3700mAh with 25W charging support. It's a pity that the battery life of this device is weaker than the previous generation. This is probably because the external screen size is larger and consumes power at a higher rate.
In my normal use, which is being active on social media, playing videos and music, about an hour of first play, GPS and 4G it lasts about 5 hours SOT. The use of 5G provides durability of around 4 hours SOT only and if using Galaxy Watch6 Classic, Flip5 is able to survive around 3 hours SOT.
The 25W device charging is very disappointing because it is already 2023 and the price of the device reaching more than RM4000 is not appropriate. Charging time takes almost two hours for this compact device. The excuse of taking care of battery health is silly because we all know that Android devices after two years will definitely start to lag behind with slower performance. So if the battery health drops that is normal.
AUDIO
Just like the Z Flip4, the speaker of the device is good because it uses a stereo system and also Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos Gaming support increases the bass in the first which gives a more immersive experience. The audio produced is also balanced, but in a closed state it feels a little strange and less satisfying.
CONCLUSION
The fifth generation of the Galaxy Z Flip5 proved to be the best and almost perfect iteration. This is the awaited flip phone because of its large external screen, solid performance, great software support and provides the best user experience. Cameras without major changes still have quality improvements due to new image processing. The only downside is the battery life.
RM4,499 is not a very expensive price for a device like this. Oppo N2 Flip is available at a price of almost RM500 cheaper but the software is still immature. Vivo X Flip is not sold in Malaysia officially and if you are disappointed with Z Fold5, Z Flip5 is a good device if you want to experience more advanced folding phone technology.
Pro
Fast, beautiful and better inscreen.
A large and more useful external screen.
Great and solid performance.
Mature software for a flip phone.
More convincing IPX8 protection.
Tighter and more durable hinges.
Good camera despite no specification changes.
Cons
Disappointing battery life.
Slow 25W charging system.
The same body design looks a little boring.
8GB RAM memory is small for a flagship device.