Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review: Best Foldable from Samsung Is HERE!

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review: The Best Foldable Gets Better

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the latest iteration of the revolutionary folding design that continues to push the boundaries of mobile technology. Four years after the introduction of the Galaxy Fold, it retains the hallmark feature of a pocket-sized device that unfolds into a tablet-like experience, providing unparalleled versatility. While some aspects remain similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Z Fold 5 boasts significant improvements in performance with an upgraded Qualcomm chipset, maintains impressive battery life, and features a slimmer design that enhances portability.

This review explores the world the Galaxy Z Fold 5 unfolds, examining its new features, design, display, camera, performance, and overall value.

What's New

• Upgraded chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm)
• Faster storage: UFS 4.0
• Improved hinge design for a slimmer profile and reduced crease
• Refined build quality and durability

Design and Build Quality

Design

The design and build retain the solid, flat feel of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 while being slimmer and lighter. The device exudes a premium feel in hand, with a convenient layout including volume rockers and a power button on the right side and a SIM tray on the left. Stereo speakers at the bottom and embedded in the earpiece deliver an enhanced audio experience, while two microphones and a USB-C port complete the bottom edge.

Colors

Samsung offers 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, giving buyers room to personalize.

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 folding 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 splashes and spills but not swimming or prolonged submersion.

Display

Cover Screen

When folded, users get a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen at 904 x 2316 pixels. This compact cover display allows easy app usage and call management, with a punch-hole camera enabling convenient video calls. The 120Hz refresh rate keeps interactions smooth.

Main Display

Unfolding reveals a large 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel at 1812 x 2176 pixels, around 373ppi. The tablet-like screen boasts HDR10+ support and a 120Hz refresh rate, enhancing viewing angles and ensuring smooth media streaming. The crease is still present but notably less pronounced than on the Fold 4, improving the overall viewing experience. An under-display camera on the right side is innovative but can be slightly noticeable, creating a mildly awkward viewing experience when directly looking at it. Otherwise, the display delivers excellent performance and visual quality.

Camera

Triple Rear System

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 features a powerful camera system with multiple lenses for diverse photography needs. Like the Fold 4, it boasts a triple camera setup at the back comprising wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses, plus an under-display camera when unfolded and a cover screen camera. The main 50MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture excels in broad daylight, producing pleasing images with ample detail and sharpness. Portrait photography is strong, with natural background blur.

Video and Additional Cameras

Video recording supports up to 8K. The 10MP cover camera handles selfies and video calls, while the 4MP under-display camera is convenient for video calls on the large inner screen. Low-light performance is respectable, though not class-leading.

Performance

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Performance is flagship-grade with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy on a 4nm process, paired with UFS 4.0 storage for faster data speeds. With 12GB of RAM, multitasking is effortless, and demanding apps and games run smoothly. The improved hinge design contributes to a slimmer profile without compromising durability.

UI and OS

One UI is optimized for the foldable form factor, offering enhanced multitasking with split-screen, pop-up windows, and Flex Mode. The taskbar makes switching between apps quick, and Samsung DeX support turns the device into a desktop-like experience. S Pen support on the inner display adds productivity for note-taking and sketching, though the S Pen is sold separately.

Battery Life

The 4400mAh battery delivers all-day life for most users. The efficient chipset and adaptive refresh rate help, but heavy multitasking and media consumption drain it faster. Wired and wireless charging are supported, with fast charging for quick top-ups.

Key Specifications

• Cover display: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 904 x 2316, 120Hz
• Main display: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1812 x 2176, 120Hz, HDR10+
• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm)
• Memory: 12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 4.0 storage
• Rear cameras: 50MP wide + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto, 8K video
• Cover camera: 10MP; Under-display: 4MP
• Battery: 4400mAh
• Weight: 253 grams
• Water resistance: IPX8
• Operating system: Android with One UI

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the best foldable Samsung has produced. A slimmer design, upgraded Snapdragon performance, a less pronounced crease, and powerful multitasking make it a compelling device for productivity and media. Drawbacks include the under-display camera's visibility, the premium price, and the learning curve of the large inner display. For users who want a phone and tablet in one, the Z Fold 5 remains the benchmark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Galaxy Z Fold 5 waterproof?

It has an IPX8 rating for submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, but it is not suitable for swimming.

Does it support the S Pen?

Yes, the inner display supports the S Pen, though the stylus is sold separately.

Is the crease noticeable?

The crease is still present but less pronounced than on the Fold 4, improving the viewing experience.

How good is the under-display camera?

It is convenient for video calls but can be slightly visible, which some users may find distracting.

Does it have expandable storage?

No. Storage is fixed, so choose a variant that fits your needs.