Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Review: Samsung Fixed It At Last!

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Review: The Cover Screen Finally Grows Up

In the realm of flip phones, Samsung has maintained a strong grip on the market, facing rivals like Motorola, Oppo, and Google's latest foldables. The Galaxy Z Flip series has stood out for its prominence and powerful performance, boasting cutting-edge hardware and excellent build quality. With the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Samsung addresses a significant user concern: the cover screen. New hardware upgrades and a larger cover screen aim to solidify its position as a top contender. The question is whether Samsung truly delivers the best value for money with this latest flip phone.

This review explores the specifications and features that set the Galaxy Z Flip 5 apart from its predecessors and competitors, from its redesigned Flex Window to its flagship performance.

What's New

• Upgraded chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm)
• Faster storage: UFS 4.0
• Larger cover screen: 3.4-inch Flex Window
• Refined hinge and improved durability

Design and Build Quality

Design

The design and build of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 retain the same solid, flat design as the Galaxy Z Flip 4, exuding a premium feel in hand. Unfolded, it measures 165.1mm in height and weighs 187 grams. One noticeable change is the larger display cutout on the back, accommodating the cover screen and relocating the flash beside the dual camera lenses rather than at the bottom. The device features volume rockers and a power button on the right side, while the left houses the SIM tray. Stereo speakers sit at the bottom and embedded in the earpiece, delivering enhanced audio. Two microphones and a USB-C port round out the bottom.

Colors

Samsung offers an array of color choices including Mint, Graphite, Cream, Lavender, Gray, Blue, Green, and Yellow. Graphite and Lavender are expected to be popular due to their striking appeal, letting users personalize their device.

Build

Build quality is robust, combining plastic for the display front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the back with an aluminum frame. The Flex hinge ensures a seamless flipping experience, promoting durability and longevity. The Armor aluminum frame adds strength and scratch resistance. An IPX8 water-resistant rating protects against immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, handling accidental splashes but not swimming or prolonged submersion.

Display

Flex Window Cover Screen

The most notable upgrade is the folded cover screen. The new 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover screen offers a resolution of 720 x 748 pixels at 302ppi. While resolution is not the highest, the screen is roughly 30% larger than the Galaxy Z Flip 4's, enabling more interactive and functional use. Samsung calls it the Flex Window, a window that opens new possibilities. Users can access widgets including calendar, weather, alarm, timer, and even apps like WhatsApp and YouTube. Widgets can be dragged and arranged for convenience and personalization.

Main Display

Unfolding reveals a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at 1080 x 2640 pixels and 426ppi. It delivers vibrant colors and crisp visuals ideal for content consumption and immersive gaming. A 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support ensure smooth scrolling and enhanced dynamic range. Outdoor visibility is decent with up to 1200 nits peak brightness. The unfolded display lacks Gorilla Glass protection and uses a plastic front, so careful handling is advised.

Camera

Dual 12MP System

The camera setup remains similar to the Z Flip 4, offering reliable and capable photography. A dual-lens configuration provides two 12MP cameras. The primary 12MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture captures stunning wide-angle photos with excellent color accuracy and dynamic range. Optical Image Stabilization ensures stable shots in challenging conditions. The ultrawide camera adds versatility for landscapes and group shots.

Video and Selfies

Video recording supports 4K, and the 10MP front camera handles selfies and video calls. The Flex Window enables hands-free selfies and vlogging using the rear cameras, a unique advantage of the flip form factor.

Performance

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Performance is flagship-grade thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, built on a 4nm process. UFS 4.0 storage delivers faster read and write speeds, improving app launches and file transfers. With 8GB of RAM, multitasking is smooth and demanding games run well. The chipset also improves power efficiency, contributing to all-day battery life.

Software

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 runs One UI on top of Android, with Samsung's usual customization options and long-term update support. Flex Mode splits apps across the two halves of the screen when partially folded, enabling hands-free video calls and media viewing. The Flex Window supports select apps and widgets, though compatibility is still growing.

Battery Life

The 3700mAh battery delivers all-day life for moderate users. The efficient chipset helps, but heavy gaming, camera use, and the large cover screen can drain it faster. Wired and wireless charging are supported, and a charger is not included in the box in most regions.

Key Specifications

• Cover display: 3.4-inch Super AMOLED, 720 x 748, 302ppi
• Main display: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080 x 2640, 120Hz, HDR10+
• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm)
• Memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 storage
• Rear cameras: 12MP wide + 12MP ultrawide, OIS, 4K video
• Front camera: 10MP
• Battery: 3700mAh
• Weight: 187 grams
• Water resistance: IPX8
• Operating system: Android with One UI

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a strong refinement of the flip formula. The larger Flex Window finally makes the cover screen genuinely useful, while the flagship Snapdragon chip, durable build, and pocketable design maintain its appeal. Drawbacks include the modest cover screen resolution, limited app compatibility with the secondary screen, and a plastic inner display that requires care. Still, for users wanting a stylish, powerful flip phone, the Z Flip 5 is one of the best options available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Galaxy Z Flip 5 waterproof?

It has an IPX8 rating, protecting against submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. It is not meant for swimming.

Does the cover screen support apps?

Yes, select apps and widgets like WhatsApp and YouTube are supported, though not all apps are compatible.

How durable is the inner display?

The inner display uses a plastic front rather than Gorilla Glass, so it requires careful handling to avoid scratches.

Does it have expandable storage?

No. There is no microSD slot, so choose a storage variant that fits your needs.

How good is battery life?

The 3700mAh battery typically lasts a full day of moderate use, with heavier usage requiring a top-up.