Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5

Review

I invite you to read the review of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. You had to wait a while for it because I decided to devote more time to thoroughly checking this model.

Almost empty box

At first glance, it looks almost identical to its predecessor, with minor changes that do not drastically affect the appearance of the phone. It includes a standard set of accessories, which is nothing. The lack of a charger in the package for such an expensive device is nonsense to me. Nevertheless, this phone, like the previous model, has become my favorite and I use it every day at work and am very pleased with it.

Original finish

The casing is premium. Beautifully made, finished with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both sides, based on a metal frame, which is standard for foldable smartphones. The side edges have changed slightly, they are now flat, whereas before they were slightly rounded. Personally, I liked the rounded sides better because they made it easier to use the phone with one hand. Now, with flat edges, you have to push your thumb between the housing halves with more effort.

However, the new model folds flat. There is no gap between the halves here, which was visible earlier. Now the halves fit perfectly, reducing the risk of anything getting between them. The external screen is still a secondary screen, and typing on the keyboard can be a bit awkward, especially for people with larger fingers. The proportions of the internal display remain unchanged. When you unfold the phone, you get a large screen, which is the main advantage of foldables. There are other models with different screen proportions, so if someone prefers a wider screen when unfolded, they should choose something else. For me this is not a problem, in fact it has its advantages - it is easier to hold the device while walking and using the map.

Thicker than last time

The second thing worth noting is the thickness of this phone. It's quite thick, there's no denying it, although I'm glad that foldables are becoming more and more similar to standard smartphones in terms of thickness. This model is a bit thick, but I personally like it because it makes it easier to hold the phone and still leaves my hands free to type. A thicker smartphone simply holds better in your hand.

Very bright and readable screen

The external screen is 6.2 inches with a Dynamic AMOLED 2X matrix and a 120 Hz refresh rate that automatically adjusts to a minimum of 40 Hz. The brightness has been improved - the previous model had 1,500 nits, and this one has 1,750. The difference is not very noticeable, but the screen still works perfectly, even in strong sunlight. AMOLED screens provide perfect black and intense, saturated colors, which makes them simply great.

The internal screen also supports refreshing up to 120 Hz, but with an adjustment range from 1 Hz upwards. High brightness improves screen readability and is a noticeable change compared to its predecessor. Unfortunately, you have to take into account a crease on the screen, but it is not an obstacle in everyday use. The screen is compatible with the S Pen stylus, but requires a special version for Folds, which is sold separately. Unfortunately, the phone still does not have room for a stylus in the housing. The selfie camera is hidden under the screen and is sometimes visible depending on the colors displayed.

Tweaked Snapdragon

As for performance, of course there is a top system inside - Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, supported by UFS 4.0 and LPDDR5X memories with a capacity of 12 GB + 256 GB. As expected, the performance of this smartphone is excellent and runs fabulously smooth. It's obvious in the case of an expensive foldable that its performance is at the highest level. Does it get hot? Slightly, because the upper part of the back of the housing heats up only slightly during intensive use, but it does not become unpleasant. The phone is noticeably warmer, but not excessively, so the work culture is great. However, performance may decrease as the temperature increases.

Popular and extensive interface

As for the interface, it's just Android with a Samsung interface. Startup apps are usually useful, especially in the case of the Galaxy Z Fold5, because we have access to the Office suite from Microsoft. In the case of a large display, dividing it into 2 or 3 applications or running applications in windows is very convenient.

FLEX mode allows you to hold the phone in a half-open position, where one part becomes active and the other passive, which I personally use very often. You can turn it into a mini laptop, with a large keyboard on one part of the screen and text on the other. It's really brilliant to work with and at this point the device can actually replace a laptop, e.g. when traveling.

I have absolutely no objections to the interface, but you should bear in mind that I may simply be used to it. Nevertheless, I am convinced that someone who has not used such a device before should get used to it very quickly. The comfort of work is incomparable to classic flat smartphones.

Perfect for watching movies

The stereo speakers are great and placed so that they are not covered when you open the phone, giving you a full sound experience. This is great news for people who often watch movies on such devices. They are made for watching movies. Unfortunately, there is no mini jack, but we have probably gotten used to it.

Communication and security impeccable

As for communication, you can't say a bad word either. The sound in calls is of high quality, the speakerphone mode works equally well, and the communication modules work without any problems. It is worth adding that the vibrations in this phone are very pleasant. The smartphone has a classic fingerprint reader placed on the side. Personally, I prefer this solution to readers built into the screen. Facial recognition also works well, it is based on the front camera and works quickly, so there are no complaints in this respect either.

The downside - battery and charging

However, I am slightly dissatisfied with the battery capacity, which is 4400 mAh, which is a bit too little for such a large screen and flagship components. It's enough for one day, but it's better not to count on it lasting longer. If you are planning longer trips, it is better to take a powerbank or charger with you to be safe.

The set does not include a charger, and the charging function itself is not the fastest - it reaches a maximum of 25 watts, which is a low value for the flagship of 2023. The manufacturer explains this with concerns about the durability of the batteries. In my opinion, this is partially true, but on the other hand, this phone will probably be technologically outdated before the battery starts to fail. However, the consolation is the possibility of inductive charging, which is convenient for me - placing the phone on the inductive charger at night allows me to use the device normally in the morning.

Useful reverse loading

As for the working time, with the screen on it does not exceed 6 hours, so it is not great. Reverse charging allows you to charge other devices, which is useful when traveling when I don't have a charger for other devices with me. This is a useful solution, but takes longer than standard charging. For those who need a quick charge during the day, charging from zero to full takes about 1.5-2 hours using a 25-watt charger. In this respect, a better result could be expected.

Cameras are very good, but not amazing

When it comes to photography, it should be said that the Galaxy Z Fold5 does not stand out particularly among smartphones on the market. The set of cameras is very good, but there is nothing special about it. It is practically the same as what we had in the previous model and the Galaxy S series, i.e. a very good camera, but not the highest class. Technically, I can't fault these photos.

I work on Fold myself and I have no complaints. The daytime photos are great, and the night photos are pretty decent too, which is nice. It is also worth noting that there is no difference in color reproduction between different lenses, i.e. the main camera with a resolution of 50 Mpx, the tele camera with a 10-megapixel matrix and the wide-angle camera with 12 Mpx, which is good when we want to achieve similar effects on different lenses.

The telephoto lens isn't particularly stunning. The 3x zoom is sufficient, but could be larger. Nevertheless, it's better than not having a telephoto lens, although it must be admitted that photos at three times zoom look very good. However, I suggest taking selfie photos with this external camera.

A range of pleasant features

It can be unfolded in such a way as to precisely use one of the rear cameras, which is not possible with a regular smartphone. This is great, especially for night photos. Of course, you should avoid using digital zoom at higher magnifications. You can zoom in on portraits as this device can actually do them very well. It has various additional portrait options and background blur variants, which works really effectively. It not only works well with people, but also with inanimate objects.

Brilliant movies

When it comes to filming, I also have no major reservations. Fold records very good videos with smooth images, good sound and nice visuals. Many of our video reviews are currently being carried out on Fold. There is a reason why this phone is often chosen for this purpose.

It's worth noting that you can easily use it in a variety of positions as it's narrower than standard smartphones, making it easier to maneuver while on the move. Plus, it switches seamlessly between all lenses, with no interruptions in recording and no noticeable lag.

Under-screen camera better than last time

The last camera, the one under the flexible screen, is traditionally unimpressive due to its 4 Mpx, but I have the impression that something has been improved in the software, as the photos are slightly better than before. In previous generations of Fold, it still left a lot to be desired, but if we accidentally think about taking a selfie with this internal screen, there will be no tragedy.

If you can afford it, it's worth a try

Do I recommend the latest foldable model from Samsung? If you can afford it, buy it. However, remember one thing. It will be very difficult for you to return to a classic smartphone after using one that allows you to do much more.

Fold can be both its own tripod and a micro laptop. You can watch movies very well on it, it has great speakers, but the main disadvantage is still a weak battery and too slow charging, which becomes tedious. They could change something a lot in this respect.

Nevertheless, I think it is a very nice smartphone. Is this the best foldable on the market? The competition is getting stronger, but from my experience, the foldable may be slimmer, but that doesn't mean it will be more comfortable to use or significantly better. Remember this and don't be fooled by the slimness of the phone. Yes, it may be important for some, but I am not convinced by it. However, a better battery and possibly a periscope telephoto lens are things for which I may consider replacing the Fold with another model.

Is it worth buying? This is expensive equipment, it costs 1400 euro for the 12+256 GB variant, and if you need more internal memory, i.e. 512 GB, the price may increase to 1800 euro. It's not cheap, but this phone can do more than a smartphone with a classic design. For me, it is the first choice smartphone for this season, but I am impatiently waiting for the next generation of Fold, in which I hope to see a place for a stylus, a better battery, faster charging and improved cameras. After all, if you can afford it, why not?