Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Phone: First Impressions

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Unboxing & First Impressions! [Video]

Video uploaded by Shane Symonds on July 27, 2023

A Few Words About Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Phone

At Samsung’s Unpacked event in July 2023, we witnessed a new array of mobile gadgets unveiled by the South Korean technology titan. Our hands-on review of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is now available for you to explore.

You’ll find our first impressions and all the latest information on this advanced device below.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is aimed at those who’ve used a foldable phone before or have been contemplating trading their current flagship for one.

At a glance, the Galaxy Fold5 doesn’t appear to differ much from its predecessor, but it boasts substantial enhancements making it more user-friendly, durable, and productive compared to other foldables in the market.

While it might not be the right choice for everyone, the Galaxy Z Fold5 will likely outshine previous foldables in terms of appeal. Samsung President TM Roh cites that half of smartphone users are considering a foldable upgrade, based on Samsung’s data. If true, the revamped flagship foldable from Samsung could persuade more potential buyers.

Let’s delve into what the Galaxy Z Fold5 brings to the table and who will gain the most from it.

Three Crucial Upgrades

The Z Fold5 may not come with eye-catching features like Samsung’s Galaxy Flip5’s Flex Window or major design overhauls like Google’s Pixel Fold’s square-ish style. While such significant changes make headlines, they may become gimmicky over time.

Instead, Samsung endorsed its classic candy bar design for its premium foldable, initially launched in 2019. With its fifth iteration, Samsung emphasized three key enhancements:

Overhauled folding mechanism

At the core of any foldable phone is its hinge. The Galaxy Z Fold5 introduces the “Flex Hinge,” revolutionizing its mechanism, making the foldable phone feel as it always should have. It now folds flat without any air gap and is less bulky, making the phone nearly 20% slimmer when folded.

The Galaxy Z Fold5, almost 5% lighter than its predecessor, feels significantly lighter, especially compared to the heavier Google Pixel Fold.

The noticeable crease down the Galaxy Fold5’s center remains, leaving room for Samsung to improve in future models.

Battery and photography enhancements from Snapdragon

The Galaxy Z Fold5’s physical battery capacity and camera setup remain unchanged from its previous model. However, a new coating for the camera lenses aims to reduce lens flare.

The most noteworthy upgrades for both the camera and battery life come from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. According to Samsung, the chip enhances battery life and offers superior AI-powered photography features for low-light photography, object segmentation, among other features.

According to Samsung, the chip enhances battery life and offers superior AI-powered photography features for low-light photography, object segmentation, among other features.

While these claims seem plausible, based on the chip’s effect on the Galaxy S23, they will be tested by ZDNET for confirmation.

Productivity enhancements via software and the S-Pen:

Samsung has focused on software features that leverage the larger primary screen. These include new multi-window options, two-handed drag-and-drop capabilities, and app optimizations.

While these may not sound exciting, they enhance the daily user experience of the Galaxy Z Fold5, as seen in devices like the Microsoft Surface Duo and Google Pixel Fold, where a lack of software optimizations can reduce satisfaction.

Further productivity enhancement comes with the new S-Pen Fold Edition and Slim S-Pen Case. This year’s S-Pen is sleeker and more compact (although not as compact as the integrated S-Pen in the Galaxy S Ultra line). Its case is also much more pocket-friendly than last year’s. The next step for Samsung would be to integrate the S-Pen Fold Edition into the phone, similar to the Galaxy S Ultra.