Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Review: All About The Tiny Upgrades
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the South Korean giant's latest clamshell foldable that essentially builds on and improves the performance of its earlier flip phones. If you're looking for a minimalist foldable that grabs eyeballs while getting the job done (mostly), this could be the right device for you. Keep reading to find out if the Galaxy Z Flip 5 checks all the boxes in terms of design and performance.
Design and display
The smartphone comes with a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x main display and a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover screen display. The former has an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz while the latter has a 60Hz display. In terms of design, the Z Flip 5 is a lot like it predecessor except the cover display that Samsung calls "Flex Window." The device's new hinge gets rid of the gap that plagued the previous generation Samsung foldables.
Also read:?Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review: Formidable Foldable That Builds On Its Predecessor
I have no complaints with the main display - it's vibrant and punchy in classic Samsung fashion. The cover screen though, might come off as odd owing to the various cutouts that take space. In terms of utility of the cover screen, it's actually extremely useful if you want to perform basic tasks without opening your device. Set an alarm, respond to a WhatsApp texts (with added effort), and even watch Netflix (you probably wouldn't do that though). In many ways, the outer display looks like a work in progress. Perhaps, it'll get where it needs to soon.
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On the main screen, my favourite activity is reading. I can place the half folded phone on any surface and scroll like a laptop, which somehow makes reading a more pleasurable experience. And its added toolbar functions for camera are also fun to use, if not necessarily new.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a stylish device that is also fun to use. It also has an IPX8 rating to protect against water damage. The crease on the main screen might put you off, but that's a personal preference, I didn't find it as intrusive while using the device. Essentially, in terms of looks, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 continues to win. I just wish the outer display had more even more utility - but it's headed in the right direction as now you can respond to notifications for some apps, while others now appear as reminders for you to open your phone and respond.
Performance and Battery
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is supported by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, meaning that performing any task is a breeze with no noticeable lag even when you're flipping through apps.
The Flip 5 runs on One UI 5.1.1 based on Android 13, so you can expect the latest features on this device. Gaming wasn't a problem on the device, as the device delivered a smooth gaming experience and showed no major signs of heating.
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The battery is not impressive. I'm on my phone all day and I would often end up plugging the device in twice a day and would have to make sure it's fully charged before heading out. The 3,600mAh battery would last for 11-12 hours with moderate use, which isn't really exceptional for this price. And the slow charging speed. sigh! 25w just doesn't cut it anymore, Samsung!
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a dual camera set-up on the back - a 12 megapixel ultra wide camera and a 12 megapixel wide-angle camera. On the front, the phone has a 10 megapixel camera. There is no telephoto lens on this device.
Also read:?Samsung Galaxy S23 Review: A Harmonious Blend Of Style And Performance
In terms of performance, the added bonus of using the cover display to take pictures is a fun feature to use. But in the end, the cameras haven't changed at all from its predecessor. We see the typical Samsung saturation in terms of processing and the daylight images are pretty clear. But if camera is of primacy to you, the similarly priced Galaxy S23 is a stronger choice.
Low-light pictures are not clear and struggle with details. For this price, you'd expect a better performance. May be this iteration is all about design refinement, after all.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a giant step in the right direction, especially in terms of design and display. If you're looking for a stylish looking clamshell smartphone that gives you a great software performance, this device is a great choice. For a camera enthusiast, this might not be the right device. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is priced at ?99,999 for the 256GB + 8GB variant and ?1,09,999 for the 512GB + 8GB variant.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.
