So I wanted to get my dear wifey a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 for her birthday. But due to some financial shortages, couldn’t get that for her birthday. I took her to the Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford to see the Samsung showroom, and one look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 my wifey loved it. I can tell from her shiny, sparkling eyes while she took the phone off the stand and was looking at it like I would look at a Pikachu (yes unfortunately I am a Pikachu fan!). I am quite sure when my wife sees this she will roll her eyes and will say “No, I didn’t”- but it’s okay a husband can always hope for such moments. 😂 Anyway she liked the phone and I think she also liked that she can bend it, and fold it- please don’t bend it! I don’t think it works like that. So, I decided to surprise her with the phone- 2 months after her birthday! I know, terrible husband! 😂
So, I did my independent research and found out some of the features of the phone that made me really buy the phone for wife. Also Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is flashy and pricey- so definitely something that you can gift your loved ones. At the time of the launch you can get your hands on one of these for 1,049 GBP but the price is reduced now to 999 GBP. I know massive drop in price right! Motorolla made the foldable phones really famous back in the day, I still remember showing off with my dad’s red foldable motorolla phone back then and my brother bursting my bubbles infront of my friends telling “it’s papa’s” 🙂 Anyway, it is nostalgic to have a phone like this and the perk is that it is now a smartphone!
Samsung’s Z Flip 5: The Evolution Continues as It Catches Up to Rivals
In the realm of foldable smartphones, Samsung has never been a company to rest on its laurels. The journey of its foldable lineup reflects constant innovation and enhancement. However, with the arrival of the Z Flip 5, it seems Samsung has, for the first time, found itself in a position of playing catch-up to newer entrants in the foldable market, such as Oppo, Motorola and the others. And it has actually smashed the competition with its launch.
The Z Flip 5, unveiled alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 5 at Samsung’s Unpacked event in July, introduces a pivotal and long-anticipated upgrade: when closed, the two halves of the phone now fold completely flat against each other. Such a big improvement it is. Because while I was doing my research to look for the phone for my wife, I was reading issues regarding this most often and when I checked the phone in the showroom, I actually saw no gap once the phone is folded!- eliminating the gap that has characterized previous models. This seemingly magical feat of engineering addresses a long-standing issue with Samsung’s foldables.
With the Z Flip 5 and Fold 5, Samsung has achieved a sleek, gapless design, mirroring the silhouettes of many competitors who already offer this feature. This refinement not only makes the devices significantly thinner but also retains a standout feature in the foldable space: IPX8-certified water resistance. My wife wants to test this by “accidentally” threatening to drop the phone in water every now and then. 😂 This achievement ensures that Samsung’s latest foldables are not only more aesthetically pleasing and compact but also continue to offer robust protection against water damage and rain. In this country (UK), the first thing it needs protection from is rain. Well, rain is technically water so me being stupid again 😂
In essence, the Z Flip 5 marks a significant step forward in Samsung’s foldable phone evolution, demonstrating the company’s ability to adapt and refine its products in response to emerging trends and competitor advancements. Specially if you see the phone and you know about the other versions of the Samsung phone, you’d see the improvement instantly. It is a massive upgrade from the previous version.
Design & Display
One of the most notable features of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is its innovative hinge design. Unlike the earlier models, the Z Flip 5 closes completely flat, eliminating any visible gap between the two halves. Trust me, it is cool! This update not only enhances its sleek appearance but also improves portability, making it easier to fit into pockets or bags. Its slim profile adds to its overall appeal. My wife is the biggest fan of the phone because, when she goes on runs, she can easily fit it in her running dress’s pockets.
The Z Flip 5 maintains its iconic clamshell design but now features a larger 3.4-inch external display. This expanded screen increases functionality, allowing users to check notifications, control music, and even take selfies with the main camera without opening the phone. The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display offers vibrant colors and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, delivering a premium viewing experience. On top of that, there is a hidden feature that allows you to run the full app on the notification screen-my wife plays YouTube on it sometimes.
Performance and Battery Life
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the Z Flip 5 ensures top-tier performance. Paired with 8GB of RAM, it handles multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications effortlessly. Available in 256GB or 512GB storage options, the device provides ample space for all your apps, photos, and videos. I went for the 256GB one, it is actually worth it as it is actually a hassle to increase storage space once it is running low. Battery life has seen an improvement with a 3,700mAh battery, ensuring a full day of typical use. The Z Flip 5 supports 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, allowing for quick and convenient recharging. My wife keeps her battery charging limit to 80% most of the time and even if she uses her bluetooth continuously, a full charge of 80% do lasts her an entire day! I was quite surprised about that since most of the phones I use have charging issues 😛
Camera
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 continues to follow the Samsung’s very old tradition of excellent camera performance. The dual-camera setup includes a 12MP wide and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, capturing sharp, vibrant, and detailed photos even in low light.I can actually relay to that since I have used my lovely dear wife’s camera to take some stunning photos while we were travelling. Even when we are not travelling I use her phone to entertain my photography thirst. The larger cover screen facilitates the use of the main cameras for selfies, offering a superior option compared to the 10MP front-facing camera, cool innit 😀
Software and Features
Running on Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI 5.1, the Z Flip 5 offers a smooth and customizable user experience. Finally a Samsung phone where it does not get hang very often. Samsung’s software enhancements optimize the foldable format, with features like Flex Mode, which adjusts apps for partial folding, and Multi-Active Window for improved multitasking, I actually liked that feature but I am not quite sure if wifey is into that. My bet is she is not. Because everytime I try to use the flex mode function, wife does not look very happy about it 😂
For anyone looking for the best foldable phone in 2024 that combines style, functionality, and durability and like me who wants to make their partner happy by not buying them anything related to Apple 😛- the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is an outstanding option. Its polished design, powerful internals, and unique form factor offer a refreshing alternative to traditional smartphones or any phones in my view!
