Smartphones & Tablets | August 15, 2023
Foldable mobile phones have been with us for several years now and are products that are starting to approach maturity. We’ve seen this in the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, a device very similar to its predecessor, but we’ve also seen more significant changes in its younger sibling, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, which we had the opportunity to test a few days ago.
This new clamshell-style foldable from Samsung is the one facing the most threats from competitors such as OPPO or Motorola, which offer their own foldable smartphones of this kind in Spain. That’s why Samsung has given its most successful foldable a more intense upgrade compared to its book-style foldable. The main novelties of this device are its new hinge, which eliminates gaps and minimizes creasing, and its reduced weight.
The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 will be available in Spain with a starting price of 1,209 euros for the 256 GB version and 1,329 euros for the 512 GB version. It will differ from its predecessors in two key aspects, in addition to the expected software and processor updates. Pre-orders are available from today until August 10th, allowing customers to acquire the 512 GB model for the price of the 256 GB version.
Samsung has finally made the construction leap that many were asking for by using a new hinge system that allows their foldables, when closed, to avoid leaving a gap in the middle to protect the screen from potential damage. By using a drop-shaped fold, Samsung now offers a phone that closes completely, preventing objects or dust from entering as it used to happen.
Furthermore, it maintains its IPX8 water resistance, the only one in this type of phone, which has not been replicated by other brands. Finally, this new hinge also helps with the central crease, which is now less noticeable, although it is still something that can be noticed, especially when compared to models from other brands like OPPO or Google.
In this case, it is always more noticeable because we slide our finger from top to bottom, passing through the crease. In the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, it’s not the same because the crease is vertical, and it’s rarer to come across it.
Undoubtedly, the most remarkable element of this device is its external display. It stands out because it’s notably larger than previous models, measuring 3.4 inches, and it’s also more versatile due to the improved software capabilities. However, we still have some doubts about it, as we’ve had the chance to test it, but a more in-depth analysis will be needed to determine if Samsung’s approach is the right one.
A few months ago, we tested the OPPO Find N2 Flip, the first clamshell-style foldable from the Chinese brand to arrive in Spain. This model had a very large external display, which unfortunately fell short by only allowing the use of a few widgets. On the other hand, there’s the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, with an external display that is almost as useful as the internal one, as it allows the use of any application. The Samsung Flip 5 falls somewhere in between.
Perhaps closer to the OPPO than the Motorola, but with enough customization options to make it not much of an issue. For starters, we can use the external display as a convenient camera viewfinder, making a gesture to take a selfie using the main cameras, with all the quality it entails. Additionally, we can customize the desktop configuration on the external display with widgets, change the order of different screens, have different wallpapers from the internal display, etc. We can see the calendar, check the weather, and perform other functions. We can even respond to text notifications using a full keyboard without having to open the phone. Perfect for a quick reply.
When we slide from top to bottom, the quick settings for Wi-Fi, airplane mode, etc., open up. And if we slide from bottom to top, we can make payments directly with the phone without having to open it, confirming the action on the side fingerprint sensor. By pinching the screen, we can see all the available apps, similar to a kind of multi-window view, allowing us to switch to our preferred app without continuously swiping to the side.
But the best part is that we can choose which apps we can use normally, as long as the developers have used Samsung’s new API. At launch, we have updated Google and Samsung apps, such as YouTube, Gmail, etc. We’ve also seen third-party apps like WhatsApp or Netflix. In other words, we can watch series and movies on this screen, browse chats, send photos and memes, or respond to messages on WhatsApp.
The processor chosen for this model is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, a lesser variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which not only provides better performance but also helps the battery last longer. With a 3700 mAh battery, we won’t have any problems, but we won’t see a substantial change compared to what we had last year. The same applies to wireless charging and fast charging, which remain more conservative than its competitors. The fingerprint sensor is also on the side, and we can still double-tap it to open any application.
Regarding the cameras, the changes we see are due to the new image signal processor (ISP) of the main processor, as the cameras, lenses, and sensors remain the same as those of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. The rear camera is 12 MP in the wide-angle and 12 MP with optical stabilizer in the telephoto. The front inner camera is 10 MP and allows video recording in 4K, something we can take for granted given that this is a high-end mobile, but not all rivals offer it.
There are changes in the way photos are processed, with more artificial intelligence elements inherited from the S23 Series. The Flex mode, both for the camera and other apps in tripod mode, is still available. This Flex mode now has advanced features, such as screenshot capture and a trackpad. We can make it work with any app we want.
Mobile manufacturers release annual versions of their devices not necessarily with the intention of having users switch to a new phone every year. Their idea is to ensure that whenever someone considers changing their phone, there’s a new model available. In the case of foldables, this is more noticeable because the transition from a regular phone to one like this is striking.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a good device, with more than enough power, a great internal display, good battery life, and capable cameras. However, none of these are its main selling point. The ability to fold it completely changes how we carry it around.
Now, with a larger and much more functional external display, it also changes how we use it, which could make many people look at it with different eyes, as it offers more than its predecessors. Foldables are still not for everyone, but devices like the Z Flip 5 are starting to change that reality.
