Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Hands-On: Pre-order Offers and More

Samsung’s latest offering, the Galaxy Z Fold5, boasts a remarkably slimmer and lighter profile, while its folding mechanism has been further refined for a tighter closure, effectively reducing screen wrinkles by an impressive 80%. These noteworthy updates demonstrate Samsung’s commitment to innovating its foldable phone technology. Notably, the introduction of a striking new blue color option adds to the phone’s distinct identity, setting it apart as a truly fresh iteration of this model.

Additionally, this year’s Z Fold5 comes with a range of highly practical accessories, with the all-new S Pen case being the standout among them. Unlike its bulkier predecessor designed for the Z Fold4 (Hands-on), the updated case + pen combo is remarkably thinner. Coupled with the device’s slimmer form factor, this combination ensures comfortable everyday use. The thoughtful placement of the pen case next to the handset also maximizes the utility of the Z Fold5’s expansive internal screen.

The Z Fold5 showcases a sleeker, thinner, and lighter design, with a noticeably brighter screen

In the past four generations, the Z Fold series has always incorporated a V-shaped meeting point close to the hinge. This design choice aims to safeguard the screen and minimize creases when folded. While this folding method has had minimal impact on the user experience, it has contributed to a somewhat unbalanced and notably thicker device.

The Z Fold5 introduces a radical departure from its predecessors. Now, the handset folds flat perpendicularly, resulting in a flatter, more balanced, and thinner device when folded. Remarkably, the thickness in its folded state measures only 13.4mm, making it comparable to the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s 7.9mm (Hands-On) and the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 8.9mm (Battery test).

Although the two parts of the device still fold perpendicularly at the hinge, careful observation reveals that the two screens open a few seconds apart when unfolded. Rest assured, there won’t be any instances of the screens sticking together.

Samsung has implemented a significant hinge structure redesign for the Z Fold5, enabling it to fold flat. Notably, the two slim parts of the hinge now sit closer together compared to the previous Z Fold4 model. This modification contributes to a more robust feel during both the unfolding and folding actions.

The unfolding process of the Z Fold5 can be broken down as follows: begin by gently separating the two halves at approximately 15 degrees, and the hinge will provide a slight push to initiate the unfolding motion. Continue exerting force until it pops out to around 160 degrees, at which point the hinge takes over, smoothly guiding the device into a fully flat position.

Replacing this hinge brings about a highly anticipated change: the reduction of screen creases by approximately 80%! When the screen is unfolded, you’ll notice significantly fewer creases, providing a smoother and more seamless viewing and touch experience. Gone are the bothersome bumps that were present before. However, it’s worth noting that like many other folding phones, there remains a folding position when viewed from certain angles.

The Galaxy Z Fold5 boasts a frame constructed from amoralumium aviation aluminum, which imparts a sleek and shiny exterior finish. On the left edge of the device, you’ll find the volume up and down key clusters, along with the screen on/off button, thoughtfully integrated with the fingerprint sensor.

The Z Fold5 has an overall weight of 254 grams, making it noticeably lighter than its predecessor, the Z Fold4. Upon holding the Z Fold5 for the first time, users will immediately feel the difference in weight, enhancing their overall convenience. Notably, this weight is quite close to other current flagship phones, such as the S23 Ultra at 234 grams and the iPhone 14 Pro Max at 240 grams.

The back of the device showcases a new and appealing “CuSO4 copper sulfate solution.” This Icy Blue hue is versatile and suitable for both men and women, while also adding to the unique identity of the Z Fold5. Observing its captivating color, users will be inspired to explore and fully embrace the functionalities of this innovative device.

The back of the device maintains its semi-transparent matte glass finish, effectively limiting fingerprints. The camera cluster, now positioned in a vertical row at the upper left corner of the device, comprises three cameras. Although the cameras appear slightly more convex than last year’s model, it’s not significant enough to cause instability when the device is placed on a table. Notably, the flash cluster is now separated, departing from the previous clustered arrangement.

The bottom edge of the device continues to feature a USB-C port, which supports 25W fast charging, along with the speaker and microphone cluster.

The external screen remains true to its 6.2-inch size and proportions. It retains a borderless design on all four sides, with an infinity-O mole positioned at the center of the screen. Utilizing Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, the screen offers a refresh rate ranging from 48 to 120Hz, dynamically adjusting based on the task at hand.

The internal screen boasts several enhancements; not only is it flatter, but it also maintains its size at 7.6 inches and features Dynamic AMOLED technology with a versatile refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120Hz. The selfie camera remains positioned beneath the screen, discreetly visible only when activated. In most other usage scenarios, its presence is hardly noticeable.

A notable addition to this year’s Z Fold5 is the screen’s exceptional brightness, reaching up to 1750 nits. This impressive figure significantly surpasses the previous measurement of 1100 nits.

In terms of its configuration, the Z Fold5 comes equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, which stands as Qualcomm’s most potent chip for high-end devices. This advanced processor not only ensures seamless performance for all tasks but also incorporates AI features, enhancing battery management and optimizing image processing efficiency. Alongside this, the device boasts 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal memory. As for the battery, the Z Fold5 packs a 4400mAh capacity, supporting 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging.

Impressive and useful accessories

This year’s array of accessories demonstrates a focus on both quality and practicality. Notably, the new-generation case and pen holder are standout features. With the Z Fold5’s reduced thickness, the attached case maintains a sleek profile, offering a comfortable grip even in its folded state. Furthermore, the included S Pen features beveled edges, making it nearly half as thin as its predecessor from the Z Fold4 series. This slimmed-down design allows the pen to neatly fit on the back of the case without adding unnecessary bulk.

The pen attachment on the Z Fold5 will now be fixed in place by a lever. To use it, simply push down, and the pen will pop up slightly, allowing you to easily retrieve and use it. This clever design ensures that the S-Pen + Z Fold5 pen case combo gives the impression of a permanently attached pen, making note-taking on the internal screen significantly more convenient than before.

Furthermore, the case is impeccably crafted. When swiping from the inner screen to the device’s edge, it glides seamlessly without any bumps or interruptions.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 price and release date

Did you already consider the advantages of the Galaxy Z Fold5? Despite our efforts, there aren’t many more changes compared to its predecessor. According to the official documents we have, the cameras, front display, battery, and fast charging remain unchanged from the Galaxy Z Fold4. So, if you can do without the faster processor, the seamless and thinner design, and the brighter flex display, you can save a substantial amount of money by opting for the previous model.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 will be released on August 11th, featuring Phantom Black, Icy Blue, and Cream colors. Pre-ordering the Galaxy Z Fold5 from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk comes with exciting discounts and deals: you can have the memory doubled for up to $100 or receive an instant deduction of $100 in your shopping cart.

Samsung Galaxy ZFold5 specifications

• Display: 7.6-inch (2176 x 1812 pixels) QXGA+ 21.6:18 Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display, 374ppi, 1~120Hz adaptive refresh rate, HDR10+, up to up to 1750 nits peak brightness
• Second display: 6.2-inch (2316 x 904 pixels) 23.1:9 HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Cover Display, 402ppi, 48~120Hz adaptive refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection
• SoC: Up to 3.36GHz Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy 4nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 740 GPU
• RAM/ROM: 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) storage
• OS: Android 13 with One UI 5.1.1
• Features: USB Type-C Audio, Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor, Water-resistant (IPX8), Dual SIM (nano + nano), and one eSIM
• Rear Camera: 50 MP (f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel AF) main + 12 MP 123˚ Ultra-wide (f/2.2, 1.12 μm) + 10MP telephoto (f/2.4 1.0 μm, OIS, PDAF, 3x optical zoom), 30X space zoom
• Front Camera: 10 MP front camera with 1.22 μm, f/2.2 aperture; 4MP Under Display (f/1.8, 2.0μm, FOV: 80˚)
• Connectivity: 5G, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 6E (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3, GPS with GLONASS, USB Type-C, NFC
• Battery: 4400mAh battery with 25W wired and 15W wireless (WPC and PMA) charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging
• Dimensions: Folded: 154.9x 67.1 x 13.4mm, Unfolded: 154.9x x 129.9 x 6.1 mm
• Weight: 253g