Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Subtle Upgrades and Enhanced Design in a Familiar Package

Based on the various speculations and leaks leading up to Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked presentation, this year’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 isn’t significantly different from the previous year’s Galaxy Z Fold 4. The latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is somewhat eclipsed by the more compact and user-friendly foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip 5, which has seen more substantial enhancements. The focus for this year’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 is on the updated Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and a refreshed hinge design aimed at minimizing the visible crease that is present in older Fold and Flip iterations. I managed to spend roughly an hour with Samsung’s newest productivity device, and here are my initial thoughts.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 introduces a variety of refinements, including a reduction in weight from 263g to 253g. When folded, the new model is now 2.4mm slimmer, a change made possible by the new hinge design. Samsung asserts that this new hinge not only makes the inner display’s fold less obvious but is also designed to withstand impact better in the event of a drop. Like its predecessor, this model is rated IPX8 for water resistance.

The overall design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 closely resembles the prior model, even with the new hinge included.

The two sections of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 now align nearly flat against each other when closed, with only a slight gap that is less pronounced compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 4. This diminished gap contributes to a thinner profile when folded, making the Galaxy Z Fold 5 feel more streamlined compared to its predecessor.

In my short time using the device, I noticed that the hinge offers the same resistance as that of the Galaxy Z Fold 4. It’s firm enough to hold at various angles, facilitating the use of several Flex-mode features.

Most of its design elements, from the bezels surrounding the 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED cover display to the inner 7.6-inch QXGA Dynamic AMOLED flexible panel, seem largely unchanged from the previous version. While both displays appear similar, the primary display boasts a higher peak brightness of up to 1,750 nits, making it about 30 percent brighter than its predecessor. This enhancement should improve outdoor visibility on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 significantly.

The crease on the main screen remains quite noticeable on the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, which features slight customizations over the base processor. As with the Galaxy S23 series, Samsung claims that the new chipset delivers several noticeable enhancements in performance, image quality, and battery life.

Available in three storage configurations, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 comes with 12GB of RAM across all models. There is a base variant with 256GB storage, a variant with 512GB, and a top-tier model with 1TB of storage. Samsung has also increased the size of the vapor cooling chamber, claiming this will support sustained performance during intensive 3D gaming.

The gap separating the two halves of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 has lessened but is still visible.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 operates on Samsung’s One UI 5.1.1 with Android 13, introducing new features and enhancements. It now supports opening applications in floating windows, aiding multitasking efforts. Users can copy and paste data between apps using a two-finger gesture, holding one finger over an item (in the Gallery app) while utilizing the other finger to access the secondary application. Samsung has also expanded the taskbar on the main display to show up to four recently used apps.

Similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 5, the camera specifications on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 remain consistent with its predecessor. It features a 50-megapixel main camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3X optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. For selfies, there are two cameras—a 10-megapixel sensor on the cover display and a 4-megapixel sensor beneath the folding display.

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The camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 mirrors that of the previous model.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 includes a 4,400mAh battery, which remains unchanged from its predecessor. Charging options include 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.

Additionally, Samsung has introduced a new S Pen for the Galaxy Fold 5, referred to as the S Pen Fold Edition. This stylus features a design 40 percent slimmer than the one used with the Galaxy S23 Ultra. However, the device lacks a dedicated slot for the S Pen, necessitating it to be carried separately or within the optional folio case.

Unlike the smaller Galaxy Z Flip 5, the upgrades on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 are mainly refinements. Whether these enhancements contribute to the overall value of the phone and justify an upgrade over the already impressive Galaxy Z Fold 4 is something we will determine after our full review.

Disclosure: Samsung sponsored the correspondent’s flights and hotel accommodations for the trip to Seoul, South Korea.