Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, AI Android Smartphone, Unlocked
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, AI Android Smartphone, Unlocked Android Smartphone, 256GB Storage, Phantom Black, 3 Year Manufacturer Extended Warranty (UK Version)
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, AI Android Smartphone, Unlocked Android Smartphone, 256GB Storage, Phantom Black, 3 Year Manufacturer Extended Warranty (UK Version)
I especially like the fact I have a bigger screen to work on and that really does make a difference when I’m comparing notes and even for leisure when watching YouTube or a movie.
The front smaller screen is handy to just deal with everyday media and emails etc but it is narrower than a regular phone
It took some getting used to. Having a narrower front screen than my regular mobile phone because the keyboard is less wide so the keys are smaller. I have increased the height of the keyboard but the keys are taller but not wider of course. It makes it easier and I have gotten used to it the more I used it. I was used to the gboard and of course this z fold comes with a Samsung keyboard so I downloaded gboard from the playstore and it installed straight away
I transferred all my apps directly over from my previous phone using the samsung suggested app which was really quick. Set-up took only a few minutes literally and it was seamless.
The z fold is heavier than regular mobiles and it’s noticeable but I’ve gotten used to it now. Also it is bulkier so takes up more room in a pocket or bag
I Also especially like the seamless scrolling, it makes my old phone feel clunky. At first I did find the front screen a little unresponsive on first tap and I would have to tap two or three times on an app before it would open but it seems to have eased up a bit now and is more responsive so perhaps it just needed breaking in as it was new. I will keep an eye on that
I’ve not encountered any problems with the centre screen yet. It’s silent on opening and closing and appears to function ok so far. I guess time will tell.
As a new release phone and for the price which I think is a lot for a phone – it is a nice phone and I am happy with it so far. All other brands for similar fold designs are around this price range so it’s not way out of the value bracket.
If you’re moving up from the z 3 or 4 then this z5 is a nice upgrade. If it’s your first fold then you may take a while to get used to the small differences but it’s worth it. The z fold certainly makes a regular phone seem like something archaic. I would never go back to a regular mobile now. Not after having this z fold 5, this is another level phone and I like i
Pros: 1) Premium build quality- the phone looks and feels premium as it should. The metal is polished and rounded which feels sturdy in hand. The front screen also uses the toughest Gorilla glass which gives confidence in day to day usage.
2) The folding mechanism has been refined to close flat. This eliminates the chance of getting objects within the fold when inside the pocket and risk damage. The feel of the folding mechanism also feel just right and gives a satisfactory feedback when closed.
3) Multitasking- the huge screen real estate when unfolded gives the Samsung UI the perfect opportunity to showcase its multitasking prowess. I have benefitted from being able to use the multiwindow to have navigation, music app and utility app open at the same time which improves my driving experience.
4) The phone can be used with only one hand when folded which can be advantageous in many situations throughout the day.
Cons: 1) Packaging & Content- the box that the phone came in was massively underwhelming, given the rank and price bracket of the phone. Meagre paper box with one single charging cable for a flagship phone and almost 2 thousand British Pound left me with sour taste. I expect a but more from this unboxing and accessories experience for such a device. The S-pen would be a good start to be included in the box.
2) The screen real-estate is let down by the lack of integrated S-pen. Being an utilitarian phone a lot of the time I am in the need of taking quick notes or draw something but the lack of a pen means this has to be done in laborious way. I know the S-pen is available to buy but as a phone package this is a big shortfall in the way of user experience.
3) The user experience is further diminished by the use of sub-par camera combination used for the phone. Being a long time user of note series I am used to the best and refined camera setup that Samsung could offer but the Fold 5, being a top tier phone, is another massive let down with it’s mediocre camera set up.
4) The front screen is too small for daily use
Holding the phone itself however was different. It felt fantastic in the hand. Felt hefty but not cumbersome. I enjoyed the rounded/curved edges, made it very comfortable to hold, as if I could use and enjoy it for hours.
Buttons felt good, as expected, nothing unusual.
The front screen seemed a little small, I suspect I would not be using this very much, but the colour and dimensions are vibrant enough for me to be happy to use it for quick texts, emails or quick browsing enquiries.
Opening the screen up for the first time, was a little disappointed at how prominent the fold was. If this could be improved it would a be big bonus. Once the screen came on I did not notice the fold at all, so this actually didn’t detract from actual user experience.
Loved the high resolution and clearness of the screen. Enjoyed how it was able to show more than 16:9 dimensions when watching videos with slightly wider screen than usual. The colour seemed very slightly dull even in vivid mode and would have preferred more vibrancy, however the contrast was good.
The split keyboard was definitely a smart move and appreciated. Having a larger screen allowing for the sidebar/icons at the bottom of the screen, like a desktop taskbar was very handy. The sidebars are often in the way on smaller phones, but was a good feature here.
I noted that I was still able to hold it in one hand comfortably.
The bigger screen helped with my calendar and other notes, so I can see how this phone would be great for people who do a lot of organisation and work on.
Having also used the Samsung galaxy s23 ultra, the camera was disappointing in comparison. I don’t see why Samsung didn’t put in their best cameras for this as well. I would also be using this as my every day phone, not just a work phone, so having a good camera on it is very important.
Battery life was good for a phone of this size. Did not find it an inconvenience to charge.
Overall, very happy with the phone, just minor quibbles and improvements would make it perfect.
I can see this would be a great phone for somebody like me who uses it to organise mostly daily life and with some use for professional organisation. I also use it heavily for entertainment so it is also great for this regard.
The Fold 5 continues Samsung’s impressive line up of folding phones. Although the upgrades from the Fold 4 are somewhat minimal, they make a noticeable improvement to the phone.
As expected, the screens on both sides are vibrant and bright. The folding screen really shines and stands out, however the smaller screen is no slouch. One can certainly use this screen and still get a lot of usage out of the phone. The main draw and appeal of the phone is the larger, folding screen. Although the folding line is visible at some angles, the screen itself is fantastic. The enormous size allows the user to multitask freely, with the added capabilities of the processor.
The design of the phone seems premium and sleek. This iteration allows the phone to close fully flat (the Fold 4 had a slight gap). As is the case with modern phones, the phone feels sturdy, yet delicate. A case and being careful in general with the phone is vital, given the added apprehension about the folding screen. Nevertheless, it is certainly an attention grabber. One thing to note here is that the design of the phone still has not allowed for the S Pen to be stored inside the phone (nor does it come with one, which is disappointing given the price). Instead, a specific case is required, which is another added cost to an already expensive device.
With that said, the phone does boast very high specs and making use of these specs to maximise the potential of the phone will be very much appreciated. This is coupled with Samsung’s One UI overlay over Android, and it works very well. Having been accustomed to Android in general is helpful, but the options and abilities that Android affords are expansive and enticing for both seasoned and new users. The cameras on the phone are what is expected for a high end phone. They are very good. Perhaps not the best in class, but most users will be happy with what it has to offer. One thing to note is that Samsung’s S23 Ultra’s camera is a little better than the Fold 5’s. However, they are still good enough.
Though early days, the battery life seems fine. So far, the battery has lasted a day on moderate usage (a mix of web browsing, messaging, and some gaming).
Overall, this is a versatile phone and can be useful for productivity and multitasking. However, the price element of it is something to really consider; can you get the best from another phone or would this sort of phone be most beneficial to you?
Although an incremental update in some ways,
the Fold 5 has several features that help to make it Samsung’s best and most powerful folding phone to date.
1. No Gaps When Folded,
All Galaxy Fold devices so far have had a gap in the middle when folded shut, leaving a gap that allows dust and water to pass through even when the device is closed, resulting in the fragile screen developing dents or sharp gouges over
time.
However, in appreciation of the new hinge mechanism on the Fold 5, the phone can now shut perfectly flat. To be fair, we’ve already seen
a gapless hinge on a foldable phone, but Samsung is the first to offer it alongside an IPX8 rating for water resistance and that’s significant!
2. The Best Software on a Foldable Phone, you’d assume that the company that controls Android and Google, would have the best software experience on its foldable phone, but that’s not the case. Because Samsung has a three-year head start in the industry, the South Korean giant had more time to refine its software and optimize apps according to the foldable form factor. That means the software on the Fold 5 is likely going to be more durable and fluid than any other foldable on the market.
With the taskbar feature that mimics the functionality of the Windows taskbar, you can quickly switch between different apps for easier multitasking,
something you’d often want to do on a bigger screen.
3. Bespoke Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Chip
The Fold 5 is powered by the same bespoke snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip that was one of the best features of the Galaxy S23 Ultra. That means the device is not only more powerful than
its predecessor but is also more efficient and better at heat management. This leads toreduced throttling issues, faster graphics rendering, and slightly longer battery life.
Reasons to Avoid the Galaxy Z Fold 5
Sadly, nothing is perfect. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is one of the most expensive phones on the market.
Before you buy it you should be aware of
some of the potential downsides;
No Dust Resistance and Mediocre charging speeds while the Fold 5 is water-resistant, let me remind you that the “X” in its IPX8 rating means that the
device is not officially rated for dust resistance. A bit of dust is probably not going to wreck it, but when you’re spending 1849 on a phone, it’s nice
to have reassurance!
Speaking of reassurance, Samsung hasn’t
increased the charging speed on the Fold 5 either and it’s still capped at 25W.