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)
Expensive but I really love it!
Treated myself to this as I needed a larger screen as my eyesight was having problems. I thought this would be a good alternative to buying a new tablet AND phone, which it is.
Amazon pricing was extremely competitive and I’ve also applied for the Samsung cashback offer which is even better . After I’d bought it prices went up again by several hundred pounds, though, so if you see a good deal/price get it while you can!
It is a bit heavier than my previous Samsung phone but not so I worry. The front screen is a decent size to work on when it’s closed . The larger inner screen comes with it’s own screen protector which is not mentioned anywhere I’ve seen so I nearly tried to peel it off thinking it was packaging . But it’s NOT so leave it be!
If you get the screen at a certain angle you can see the fold but generally, if there’s no reflection, the fold is unnoticeable which is good as I believe this was a problem in the fold 4 & 3.
Speaker quality is excellent and is stereo and the camera is fantastic! However, if you want to send pics by email or upload them you may need to reduce the quality as the file size is huge! I haven’t played with it to discover its full potential yet but am looking forward to doing so.
Ps. If you want to take a screenshot you’re supposed to hit vol.down and main key together. This was very cumbersome for some reason but I discovered if you swipe the side of yr hand over the front screen from right to left it takes a screenshot automatically. Much easier! Go on YouTube to discover all it’s potential!
Great looking and a hugely improved
I have been using a Galaxy Z Fold 3 for the last 3 years as my main phone. The hinge mechanism finally gave up on it, and I decided to get the Fold 5.
First impressions, this is a great looking phone. The metallic edges give it a defined look and the opening mechanism is precise and clicks into place well, revealing a flat inner screen which is vibrant, high definition and BRIGHT (37%), great in outdoor sunny conditions.
The centre crease is also vastly reduced.
The outer display is wider, the form factor of the Fold 5 is short and stout in comparison to the Fold 3, very welcome for people with big hands and wide fingers.
The phone is noticeably faster in dual application mode, and a delight to use when multitasking.
All in all, I hope this phone carries on performing as it is today. It’s very close to a perfect form factor for the inner and outer screens. The reliability on the Fold 3 was good, it survived numerous falls and heavy use for almost 3 years. This I am expecting, will be better.
I have not tested the cameras, but considering the Fold 3, which was brilliant, I expect this to be better with twice the resolution (50MP) for the main lens.
This is the most expensive phone I have ever bought and I’m not regretting it. Compared to my previous Motorola the feel is completely different and so it should be there’s 1500 pounds difference.
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
I’ve used samsung phones for over a decade now and a lot has changed. The fold lineup is one of the biggest changes to phones for a very long time, possibly the biggest change since they got touch screens. The improved functionality in a still compact form amazes me. One thing that has constantly disappointed me over the last 5 or so years has been what ships with the phone, namely the boxes. Unboxing an expensive phone used to be an experience itself, the engineering and craftsmanship all added to the experience and excitement of the expensive purchase. These days, you just get a phone and a box, if you’re lucky you get a charger wire but no charger, given the price of these things you’d think there’d at least be the option to request a free one. With the negativity out the way, onto the phone. After removing the packing you’re presented with a gleaming feat of engineering magnificence. Closed over the phone fits perfectly in the hand, open up and it’s perfect for two (I’m writing this on it now). The front screen is the perfect size for me, tall enough to get enough information on one screen and narrow enough that I can type perfectly well with one hand without having to stretch my thumb over and press a few other keys on the way. Yes, the writing is a bit smaller but I prefer it, the screen has a high enough pixel density that it still looks sharp. For your standard day to day tasks the front screen is perfect, whether it’s reading emails or the news, perusing shopping apps or taking pictures of your dog. When you need to do a little more is where this device comes into it’s own. Need to write a lengthy email or review? Just crack that badboy open! The screen is the perfect size for extensive typing, my thumbs can overlap slightly in the middle so no more stretching! The screen is the perfect size for watching videos, even when you have the screen split to multitask. There’s so many use cases for different people it’d be impossible to list them all. I’m an IT nerd and this device makes it so easy to maintain & monitor servers/services on the go, you can remote desktop on the main screen without squinting! The cameras aren’t the best but they’re good enough and the speakers aren’t as loud as my S23 Ultra but that’s not why we want this device. One of people’s main concerns with this is the crease, while it is noticeable with the screen off, it is an improvement from my fold3 and holding it straight on while using you forget it’s there.
Quality/Form factor/touch and feel: As an owner of a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, I was more than impressed with the Fold5. It is simply sleek, eye catching, easy on the eye, and oozes that bit of luxurious you expect from such an expensive flagship phone. The build quality from the body, the hinges to the buttons is superb. Screens: Both screens are fantastic and have their distinct use cases. The outside screen, while slim, is brilliant and probably my go to screen for 80% of the time. Grab the phone, quickly check news, messages, social media, weather and so on is easily done on this very crisp screen. When I am looking to have more screen available to see more on the screen, then the large foldable screen is ideal. The seemless switch from outside to inside is a huge plus. Multitasking, which even on my S23 Ultra is a problem, is straight forward and makes finally sense on the Fold5. I was always sceptical about the crease, which honestly so far had put me off from foldable devices. But having used and tested the Fold5 for a few days, I do not even notice it. And it does not impact the usability at all. Performance/battery life: What can I say. Fast as fast can be. Not that it matters that much for a standard user like me. But it is really noticeable even compared to my S23 Ultra. Multitasking is now problem, even with apps asking for a lot of juice. And then the battery life. Sceptical at first I found that it easily supports a full day of medium to heavy use. So that is good too. Cameras/Photos/Videos: Let us talk about the only area, this phone does not excel. Zoom photos. It simply has not the hardware that the Ultra has. And the algoritm to extrapolate anything beyond 10x is not really nailing it. Comparing 20x or even 30x photos make it clear, this has to be a fringe use case if you want to love this phone. On the other hand I was more than surprised, that everything else like low light, normal snaps, videos up to 10x zoom were more than comparable if not better than the results of the S23 Ultra. So if you don’t need the zoom pictures, then the Fold5 is brilliant also in this department. If Zoom is your thing, you might have more fun with a DSLR camera. Stylus: I am a big fan of the stylus. And with a slim case with integrated stylus, the fact that there is no slot for it in the phone itself becomes meaningless. Summary: The Fold5 is a classy, luxurious, performant, vibrant next generation foldable phone that makes everything else look second best.
Fold Convert!
I have to say I was initially very skeptical about fold phones, felt like another short term trend that would fade away… hoping that’s not the case now! I don’t tend to go for the largest phones as I like them to feel comfortable in my hand one handed, despite this being very thick when folded over, it is easy to hold. Obviously the main benefit is the ability to open it up to that beautiful wide screen! This works a treat on most apps I have used. Build quality is top notch, the hinge feels well made and durable. The inside screen is flexible so is softer than a traditional phone screen, so have to be a bit more careful when unfolded. I have paired this with the Samsung S Pen case, which has the pen stored in the back. Would have been great for the phone itself to have a pen slot. There is a front facing camera on the outside screen and another front camera on the larger inside screen, both of these have been great for selfies and videocalls. The inside camera is behind the screen, so nicely blends in when not being used! The rear cameras are as you would expect from samsung, clear, high quality and reliable. I have been able to take some incredible photos during the day and night without having to edit or filter them. Phone is fast and responsive to everything I have thrown at it.. highly recommend!
This is an outstanding product from Samsung which is leading the innovation in the field of flexible displays and foldable phones. The device is robust and of good build quality, paired with ever improving Samsung UI, which makes it one of the best foldable phones in the market. However, this also comes with few shortfalls which would need to be considered when thinking about the Fold 5 phone. I have summarised my experience below.
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
I recently took the plunge and purchased the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. What can I say, I am absolutely thrilled with its performance and unique design. The foldable design adds an extra level of convenience and functionality. The impressive 7.6-inch flexible display offers a stunning viewing experience, whether it’s for watching videos or multitasking with multiple apps. The fold is not noticeable at all and apps work perfectly whether the phone is open or closed. The phone is powered by a high-performing chipset, providing speedy and lag-free performance. The camera quality is outstanding, capturing photos with great detail and vibrant colours. The battery life is great, easily lasting me throughout the day, even with my heavy usage. The build quality of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is top-notch. It feels sturdy and premium in hand, The phone is sleek and compact when folded, making it easy to carry around. The fingerprint sensor is quick and reliable. Overall, I highly recommend the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 to anyone looking for a cutting-edge and versatile smartphone. It offers a truly immersive experience, exceptional performance, and an innovative design that sets it apart from other devices on the market.
First impressions, the packaging box felt austere, too much like any other phone. Didn’t feel like a special purchase, for which this phone most certainly is.
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.
Having moved to my first foldable, this device is a dream come true. I’m all about multi-tasking and I even have 4 monitors for my PC so there are countless situations where I wished I could do more at once on my phone and this fold5 is the answer. I am a very heavy phone user and my last phone was not only full at 256gb but also started to get slow, I’ve transferred most of it over to this and this phone breezes through all the same tasks with ease. Being able to have multiple apps open at once and even the option to drag and drop makes the daily use case for me an improvement to my lifestyle. Another thing I love is being able to copy things one by one from 2 apps which are open beside each other, this is useful where something like bitwarden doesnt autofill due to a pages incompatibility. Although I’ve only used Bixby on my projector, this is my first opportunity to experience it daily and I feel like its extremely well integrated where I find myself using bixby to do even the smallest of tasks such as muting my phone. The integration is great and is on a level you wont find in most phones. Folding a screen in half took me half a day to get used to and the crease is really tiny that you wont notice it on the long term, in fact its not even visible when looking at the screen head-on. Thanks to the big screen I noticed I do a lot of PC tasks on my phone now, its easy to browser and most apps even look like the desktop version. Ive been getting used to swapping to a lot of samsung apps including the keyboard and the lens replacement for scanning text out of images as these are well integrated with bixby and just work better with this phone. The weight of the phone isnt an issue at all although I just swapped to a new case which is quite heavy in comparison to samsungs case. I think the only things that could improve are having a wider selection of phone cases (with hinge protection, a kickstand, something to latch my finger around and drop tested)…as well as allowing for customisation of bixby alarm news…this feature plays a random nice tune to wake up to while telling you about the weather and latest news…just that the news so far has been depressing to put in a nice way. I also miss being able to rename any app. Other than these everything else has been a perfect experience. Now that Ive experienced a folding phone there is no way I can go back to a regular phone, i’m more productive now and this has definitely improved my quality of life
Unfolding the Future
I am really impressed with the Samsung Z Fold 5 so far. I am easily able to transform from a compact smartphone to a larger tablet size which feels remarkable. The battery optimization is commendable, allowing me to transition between smartphone and tablet modes without the constant worry of running out of battery, a single charge can easily last me 24 hours.
The device has a sleek design and the hinge mechanism feels sturdy, which makes it a satisfying device to use. Additionally, the 7.6-inch AMOLED display is simply stunning – the colours are vibrant and everything looks incredibly sharp.
The camera is equipped with a range of lenses and advanced features, the Z Fold 5’s camera captures images with impressive clarity and remarkable detail which will caters to anyone who is a casual photographer to the enthusiasts.
What I appreciate the most about the Z Fold 5 is how it enhances my productivity. With its versatile screens and multitasking capabilities, I can seamlessly switch between different work tasks and accomplish more. It’s amazing to think about how much more I can achieve with the Z Fold 5 compared to my old Samsung smartphone.
While I do wish the device included an S Pen for creative tasks, the option to purchase one separately fills this gap.
Overall, I highly rate the Samsung Z Fold 5. Its my first foldable phone, and it truly represents a new level of innovation in mobile technology.
On taking out of the box I was impressed how light and sleek the phone felt. Not at all bulky. The Blue colour is beautiful, a nice shade making a change from the normal dark navy, black or white. It opens and closes nicely and securely. Switches on easily by pressing and holding the middle side button. It was so easy to set up by just following onscreen simple questions and instructions then clicking to the next screen. The screen brightness is impressive as is the depth of colour. Call volume is very good and I have had no instances of calls dropping. It has been working flawlessly for me and switches quickly between web pages and apps. Being able to use the phone from the front screen instead of opening it the whole way is so handy. The Large Fold screen has been pre-fitted with a screen protector so you just have to put one on the outside screen or get a case, which I have decided to and Im being ultra careful in the meantime whilst waiting my cases arrival. After all if you purchase a phone like this I think its worth looking after. It can be used with an S pen though one is not supplied. It did not come with a charger which is obviously necessary and does add a bit extra expense if you have to purchase one instead of using your old charger. I choose the Blue model with 512gb of storage which should be more than enough for my needs hopefully. I was considering the memory size for a while wondering if less would be fine but I do take lots of photos and the camera having a 50 mega pixel option I wanted to be sure because the bigger mega pixel photos take up more storage so hence choosing the 512 gb version. The night photography is unreal with amazing results. No separate camera will be required if you own one of these phones. It also has an ultra wide sensor and has a triple lens set up. The option to take smaller file size photos is incredibly handy for saving memory space and the photos are still really good quality. The main reasons I chose this phone was for the camera and the large screen experience. It has not disappointed. I would have preferred an s pen included but it wasn’t a dealbreaker. I am still playing around with the different features of which there are many, but I am totally thrilled with it so far. Definitely grabs attention and is a conversation piece!
Multitasking Galore
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?
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is an incremental but worthwhile improvement over the previous generation, reducing the handset thickness and improving the feel of the hinge, but keeping the excellent inside screen and narrow outer screen unchanged. The reduction in thickness makes it slimmer, and closes the gap of the Fold 4, making it visually more elegant, and excluding dust and fluff. The small outside screen is good for anything you’d use a normal phone for, and being a little narrower than average I think lets you maintain a better grip when it’s closed.
The unique feature is the enormous inside screen, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s big and bright, and with a barely-noticeable fold line – ideal for watching movies, streams, browsing the web or reading books or magazines. There’s an under-screen camera for videoconferencing, hidden until used, and I can honestly say I haven’t noticed it in my usage. The folding feature is utilised by Flex mode, which when the screen is half open functions like a laptop – the lower half flat on the table can show a keyboard or media controls, with the upper half folded upwards used as an email composition window or for media display. Multitasking is another big advantage of the big screen – you can split the screen so you have the equivalent of two regular phone screens, and have another as a floating window. It’s a great way to keep information on-screen while composing a message or filling in a form.
The Fold 5 comes with a new chipset and a big 12Gb of RAM, so more apps stay open in the background, and in my testing, there were no slowdowns or stuttering in apps or the home screen. It also has a big battery (or actually two) and this means lots of screen time – I got about seven hours of screen-on time, which means you could use it for pretty much all of a working day. In conclusion it’s a powerful, flexible, elegant device and a joy to use.
In a Galaxy of its ow
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a foldable smartphone that was released in August 2023 as the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. This new model features a number of improvements, including a more durable hinge that folds flat, a brighter display, and a longer battery life. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a similar design to the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but it is slightly thinner and lighter. The hinge is also more durable, and it is now rated to withstand up to 200,000 folds. The ability to fold it flush with the other screen is a big improvement as it should prevent dust ingress. The front cover display is a 6.7-inch AMOLED display and the internal display is a whopping 7.6-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2208 x 1768 pixels. Both displays are bright and clear, and they have a smooth 120Hz refresh rate which makes every interaction a joy. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is made from a combination of metal and glass and it feels really premium, and is also water-resistant to IPx8 standards which is pretty incredible. It is available in three colors: black, green, and silver. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The performance is very good, and the phone can handle even the most demanding tasks. The battery life is also good, lasting up to a full day on a single charge. The phone supports 25W fast charging. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a triple-lens rear camera system, consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and a 10MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom. The camera system is capable of taking good photos in most conditions, but it is not quite as good as the camera system on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 runs Android 13 with One UI 4.1. The software is smooth and responsive, and it offers a number of features that are specifically designed for foldable phones. For example, there is a Flex mode that allows you to use the phone in a variety of ways, such as when you are watching a video or taking notes. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a great foldable smartphone that offers a number of improvements over its predecessor. It is a good choice for those who are looking for a powerful and versatile device that can be used for both work and play.
This is the second time I have tried a Samsung foldable, having briefly used the Fold3 a couple of years ago. And the improvement is tremendous! Everything from how this feels in the hand, open or folded, the balance of weight and ergonomics, in particular on the outer screen, has taken a few steps forward. This phone really is a great daily driver that you will now find plenty of well-built and adapted apps for, making the overall experience super-slick.
And that slickness is evident thanks to the beefy hardware powering this phone. I’ve come from an S22 Ultra which is no slouch but this feels faster still. Apps open really fast, touchscreens are responsive, multiple apps side-by-side feels good and I haven’t experienced any lag in 48 hours of usage. Migrating over from the S22 Ultra was super straightforward thanks to Samsung Smart Switch. Once on the Fold5, a few updates to my installed apps took place, and a system update as well, and after that I was just able to pick up where I left off on my previous phone.
The screens are undoubtedly the highlight of this phone, and media playback is a beautiful experience, visually but also aurally. The sound is crisp, even at a decent volume, and the Buds2 Pro I got with the phone sound really good too! The other accessory I received free was the case. It is quite a useful case with either a kickstand or a strap attachment, with the latter serving as a place to slide your finger through so you can comfortably hold the phone while lying down.
Now the cameras. And this is where there’s room for development, but only because I have used the S22 Ultra and know what Samsung phone cameras are truly capable of. There’s a very decent set of main cameras that take great pictures, but the Ultra has better pixel-binning capability, ultimately resulting in better photos, but only just. You will not be disappointed with the Fold5’s main cameras. And as for the selfie cameras, I do wish they’d done a tiny bezel on the inside because once you see the under-display camera due to the pixelation it causes, there’s no unseeing it. A minor niggle, but a niggle nevertheless.
On the whole, this is a premium device that does do everything pretty damn well and you would have to go nitpicking to find fault. If you’re in the market for a great foldable, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5.
3 Reasons to purchase the Galaxy Z Fold 5;
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.
Best Samsung Fold 5 to have!
The most powerful and versatile folding smartphone yet. It’s packed with features to make our life easier and more productive. With its large, foldable display, powerful processor, and versatile camera system, it is the perfect device for anyone who wants the best of both worlds. A powerful smartphone and a tablet all-in-one.
A faster processor that is packed with upgrades that we would love. While there’s improved brightness levels. In fact, making it perfect for viewing all your favourite entertainment in captivating detail. Everything you see will look crisp and clear, wherever you are, whatever you’re watching.
Not only is it brighter, but there’s a zero-gap hinge design, which not only means it slips into your pocket more easily but it is also more resistant to damage from dust and dirt.
When it comes to the cameras, the camera helps you capture every detail, even in low light, to create pro-level images. There’s even Capture View which lets you use one half of the display to take pictures and the other half to review them instantly.
Mobile gaming experience got to be epic as you can expect incredible visuals and immersive sound, right in the palm of your hand.
You can enjoy mobile games that feel totally life-like with real-time light reflections, immersive shadows and powerful sound effects. That have never looked so visually stunning on a smartphone.