The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is a smart device whose appeal is all a matter of perspective. Depending on how users like to consume their media, browse the internet, or stay connected to the world around them, the Galaxy Z Fold5 can feel like a gimmicky phone or two devices in one. In either case, Samsung’s fifth iteration of its horizontal foldable gets a lot of the details right and will certainly be an eye-catching option in the mobile phone market.
There have been quite a few improvements made from the Fold4, namely the redesigned hinge that allows the device to lay flush when “closed.” It’s an elegant look for a device that is as surprising in its utility as its tech.Samsunghas also upgraded the Gorilla Glass on the Fold5 to ensure that it is more resistant to wear and tear – a concern for a device that is essentially bending its screen any time users put it away.
On the software side, Samsung has made the Galaxy Z Fold5 more accommodating to power users with smarter multi-app functionality and allowing them to switch between apps quickly. Despite its smaller size (by comparison), the Fold5 hits a lot of the expected notes of a tablet, while doubling as a phone.
The Z Fold5 Shows the Appeal of Foldable Phones
Ultimately, it’s that dual utility that makes the Galaxy Z Fold5 so attractive and exciting. At a glance, a smart phone that folds open to a larger screen might seem superfluous. Most have been getting by just fine with the standard 16:9 ratio. But spending more time with Samsung’s latest foldable reveals how much of an impact that ability toswitch between phone and tabletcan have.
Looking just at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 folded shut, it’s a competent smartphone with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. The device is extremely responsive and functions perfectly in almost any scenario. The one draw back is that the cover screen is slightly thinner than a typical smartphone and therefore some of the apps and accessibility can become a bit cramped. Selecting apps, making phone calls, or snapping photos is all as easy as it should be, but things can become a little more challenging as the touch space shrinks. Writing an e-mail, inputting a URL, or entering a password can lead to mistypes because of how small the virtual keyboard is on the screen.
Outside of that, though, the functionality of the Fold5 in its closed state is fine. It leverages Android as expected and its profile looks pretty slick to boot. The issues with input are really just small quibbles and it’s not like users are locked into this orientation as their only way to input info.
Flipping the Galaxy Z Fold 5 open is where the “magic” happens. Any issues with screen real estate fade away and the possibilities expand. It truly is like the best of both worlds with a device that functions as a smartphone and a mini-tablet. Users could be answering a call one second and then folding open the phone to read an interesting article the next.
Obviously, it’s still possible to do that internet browsing or social media scrolling on the cover screen, but the wider real estate lends itself well to that deeper investment in a task. Images are crisper, text fills up the screen, and gaming really comes alive. What at first might have seemed like a gimmick – the idea of flipping open the phone for specific tasks – eventually becomes second nature and the value of the Fold5 becomes more apparent. Something as simple as the keyboard orientation, which splits across the seam like an ergonomic keyboard, shows the thought that went into function on top of form.
With a foldable phone like this, there are going to be questions about the crease and while it is noticeable in some situations, most of those call attention to it anyway. When the full screen is in use it is never obvious, and you really need to look for it to see it. The only instance where the phone is getting used and the crease becomes apparent is while multi-tasking. But that feels more like a benefit of the Galaxy Fold5 than a drawback. Being able to have two apps open in their own “windows” gives power users more organization in whatever they might be doing. Grabbing details from an e-mail and putting them in a calendar, for example, lends itself well to that natural screen seam and is one way the device takes advantage of its utility to give users a better experience. It’s not just more screen space; it’s smart use of screen space.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold5 is More Than a Gimmick
Beyond the folding mechanism, Samsung has ensured that the Z Fold5 can match up with the best in terms of performance. It has that Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip which ensures a snappy and responsive experience regardless of how much users tax the device. Multi-app usage requires a more-powerful-than-average spec, and the Z Fold5 had no noticeable lag or hiccups when putting the phone through its paces. At an $1800 price point, the Z Fold5 is in the upper echelon in terms of price so the expectation is that the phone ticks all the basic boxes of a high-end smartphone. The good news is that it does.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is stacked in the photo department as well, with 5 total cameras on the device. On the back are a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens. Flipping open the phone reveals two additional, selfie cameras – a 10MP and a 4MP option.
Personal preference is going to play a big role in the Galaxy Z Fold5’s appeal because everyone uses their smart devices differently. There is little doubt that anyone will find a benefit in Samsung’s new foldable but how beneficial is the big question. And at its price, some people are not going to feel like the Fold5 is worth it. But again, it’s about perspective.
Those who see the value in a device that is really two devices will find the price less prohibitive and see how the Fold5 will benefit their daily use. It has a solid set of cameras, screens that are crisp and bright, and it is as responsive as a current-gen phone should be. That’s the baseline. Then, the ability to quickly access a larger screen and multi-task pushes the Fold5 into its own category with the otherfoldable phones, of which Samsung’s is currently the best one out there. Cleaning up some areas like the hinge was necessary to make this version look more attractive, but this is a smartphone design that will draw some raised eyebrows. However, like many pieces of tech, learning to incorporate the device’s advantages into daily use boosts its value. It may be expensive and the thinner cover screen takes some getting used to, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is a perspective-changing addition to the smartphone market.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 continues to improve on the world’s most popular foldable smartphone. Once unfolded, the 7.6" screen provides enough real estate for watching videos, gaming, or productivity rivaling large tablets and notebook PCs. Multi-tasking is better than ever on the Z Fold5, with Dual-App Viewing, making use of the 6.2" cover display to drag and drop files and do more simultaneously. Flex mode allows users to consume content from a distance, hands-free.
