Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Review: It really “Stands” Out

 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Review: It really “Stands” Out

Samsung has expanded its Flip family tree with the launch of the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5. This remarkable device represents a significant leap forward from its predecessor, the Galaxy Flip 4, and stands as a class of its own. 

The Galaxy Flip 5 redefines practicality with its larger cover screen, offering a glimpse into the future of smartphone design and functionality. But innovation doesn't come without its unique set of challenges. We'll delve deeper into this technological marvel, highlighting its standout features, such as the revolutionary redesigned hinge that allows for a seamless, flat fold – a departure from the conventional edge.

Design that Dazzles

The first thing you'll notice about the Z Flip5 is its enhanced cover display, closely followed by the eagerly anticipated seamless folding mechanism. This display, now dubbed the Flex Window by Samsung, measures 3.4 inches diagonally, with a slight reduction on one side due to the camera placement. This innovative folding design is what truly sets the Z Flip5 apart from the competition.

While the Z Flip5's outer screen may not be the flashiest feature, it adds a significant level of practicality compared to its predecessor. The increased screen real estate proves invaluable for various tasks, from displaying widgets to acting as a camera viewfinder. This is a substantial improvement over the Z Flip4's outer screen, which had limited functionality.

But the real star of the show is the Z Flip5's new Flex hinge. Samsung has ingeniously crafted a flat-folding mechanism, eliminating the wedge-shaped gap seen in previous models. This innovation addresses concerns about aesthetics and potential damage from debris entering the hinge area. Additionally, the Z Flip5 now boasts IPX8 water resistance to protect your phone from the elements.

The removal of the wedge design has also resulted in a slimmer folded profile, making it more pocket-friendly. The Z Flip5 is 2mm thinner than its predecessor, a welcomed change. However, it's worth noting that while the folding mechanism has improved, the display still exhibits a noticeable crease, especially during scrolling.

Despite the crease concern, the Z Flip5 introduces a range of use cases through its Flex mode, building upon features from previous generations. The flexible hinge allows stable positioning at various angles, making it a convenient choice for hands-free photography, particularly when using the rear cameras.

In terms of layout, the Galaxy Z Flip5 closely resembles its predecessor in terms of weight, size, and component arrangement. The USB-C port, primary speaker, and microphones are at the bottom, while the power button, fingerprint reader, and volume rocker are on the right side. On the left, you'll find a SIM slot that supports dual SIM connectivity, with one slot for a physical nano-SIM and the option for a second eSIM.

Display Excellence

The Galaxy Z Flip5 brings significant improvements to the table, particularly in the realm of its larger external screen compared to the 2022 model. This expanded outer display occupies a significant portion of the upper half of the Flip, cleverly notched to accommodate the camera. Known as the Flex Window, this 3.4-inch cover display boasts a resolution of 720x748, slightly compromised by the camera notch but still maintaining a satisfactory 306 ppi density.

 

Although it falls short of the primary panel's sharpness, its quality is commendable. The cover display maintains a 60Hz refresh rate but matches the foldable screen in peak brightness, featuring an impressive 1,750-nit value, a significant upgrade from the previous model's 1,200 nits.

On the inside, changes are less conspicuous. The internal display retains its Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, offering a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, capable of scaling down to a mere 1Hz. With a 6.7-inch diagonal, a resolution of 2640x1080px in a tall 22:9 aspect ratio, and a pixel density of 425 ppi, the internal screen remains consistent. It continues to support HDR10+ and offers colour modes typical of Samsung devices: Vivid for vibrant hues and Natural for a more authentic representation. 

The Galaxy Z Flip5 also supports HDR streaming compatibility from platforms like YouTube and Netflix, backed by Widevine L1 certification, enabling FullHD playback for DRM-protected content. Users have the option to choose between two refresh rate modes: Adaptive and Standard, each offering nuanced behaviors to cater to individual preferences.

OS

The Galaxy Z Flip5 runs on Android 13, overlaid with Samsung's latest One UI 5.1.1, specially tailored for foldable devices. The software experience closely resembles that of the Galaxy S-series, complemented by unique Flip features. The interface centres around widgets, with a customizable lock screen stack displaying various cards, including clocks and notifications.

The cover screen supports limited full-app functionality, accessible through a toggle in Galaxy Labs, encompassing apps like Google Maps, Netflix, and YouTube. The power button, when double-pressed with the device closed, activates the rear camera, utilizing the external screen as a viewfinder. The Flex mode, active when partially unfolded, splits app interfaces for enhanced interaction, particularly useful in the camera app for waist-level photography.

Processing Power Unleashed

Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip5 boasts the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, a customized version of Qualcomm's cutting-edge 2023 chipset. The spotlight shines on the Cortex-X3 prime core of the CPU, clocking in at 3.36GHz—a notable bump up from the standard variant's 3.2GHz. Complementing this power surge is the Adreno 740 GPU, a significant improvement over most SD8G2-powered models. 

Similar to the Galaxy S23 line, the Flip5 features LPDDR5X RAM for seamless multitasking, with an ample 8GB configuration. Storage options include 256GB and 512GB variants, with our review unit sporting the 256GB variant. This new Flip 5 series introduces a substantial performance leap, surpassing existing clamshells powered by previous-generation Snapdragon chips or lesser alternatives.

The difference in power between the Flip4 and the new Flip5 is palpable. The fluid experience takes user interaction to a new level. While it may not be the ultimate gaming phone, it certainly handles all requirements with ease. We played some demanding games and enjoyed a lag-free experience with no drop in frame rates.

However, it's important to note that during intense usage, the phone does generate some heat, although it dissipates relatively quickly.

Cameras: Capturing Moments with Style

While the Galaxy Z Flip5's camera hardware remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, the Flip4, it does introduce some noteworthy enhancements to the overall camera experience. One of the standout features is the impact of the larger cover display on photography, especially for selfie enthusiasts. The user interface offers various toggles, with a significant one being the option for shutter actuation. Users can choose between tapping anywhere on the screen or utilizing a movable on-screen button for this purpose.

However, it's worth mentioning that there's a minor drawback in terms of camera operation. The gesture for switching between cameras, present in the Flip4, has been replaced with pinch-to-zoom on the Flip5. The primary camera hardware remains consistent, with a 12MP Samsung S5K2LD sensor

 behind a 24mm f/1.8 lens. While not cutting-edge, the sensor still boasts large 1.8µm pixels and a 1/1.76" optical format, enhancing image stabilization.

The ultrawide camera relies on a Sony IMX258 sensor with 1.12µm pixels, producing 12MP photos from its fixed-focus lens with a 13mm equivalent focal length and f/2.2 aperture. The inner selfie camera is based on a 10MP Samsung S5K3J1 sensor, showcasing a subtle difference from the Flip4—the new phone's lens features a 23mm equivalent focal length and an f/2.2 aperture.

In terms of performance, the Z Flip5 excels in capturing daylight photos. Details are crisp, textures are accurately rendered, noise is minimal, and Samsung's signature colour accuracy ensures vibrant output with consistent white balance. Dynamic range is impressive, showcasing well-developed tonal extremes and high overall contrast. The 2x zoom capabilities also yield commendable results, standing out as some of the best 'digital' zoom shots seen from a conventional 12MP sensor.

The ultrawide camera continues to provide solid results, boasting excellent colour reproduction and dynamic range. While the centre exhibits exceptional detail, sharpness slightly diminishes towards the corners. Notably, improvements are noticeable when compared to Flip4, particularly in terms of sharpness.

In low-light conditions, the Z Flip5 performs admirably with its auto Night mode, delivering well-exposed shots featuring vibrant colours and ample detail. The dedicated Night mode further preserves highlights in contrasty scenes. 

Surprisingly, the ultrawide camera shines in low-light scenarios, extracting impressive detail and exhibiting significantly less noise compared to its predecessor. The Z Flip5 impresses in Portrait mode, excelling in subject detection, colour accuracy, and skin tones.

The phone’s capabilities as a selfie-capturing tool are elevated by the large cover display, allowing for effective photo framing. While the internal camera primarily serves video calls, the external cameras shine as the main 'selfie camera'. Users can expect exceptional selfies from the Z Flip5, characterized by excellent detail, vibrant colours, dynamic range, and natural background blur. 

The Portrait mode, available on the cover screen as well, introduces additional background blur for artistic effect. The ultrawide camera offers an appealing perspective for selfies, though the lack of autofocus limits its flexibility. 

While the internal camera produces decent images, it lags in detail and skin tone accuracy compared to the superior external camera. Nevertheless, it serves adequately as a secondary selfie option, with the main external camera undoubtedly delivering superior results.

Battery Power

The Galaxy Z Flip5 retains the same 3,700mAh battery as its predecessor. Our tests show that the phone lasts a full day with regular usage, although extended periods of video streaming and gaming will require a recharge. The device supports 25W "fast" charging, taking approximately one and a half hours to reach full capacity from 0 to 100 per cent. 

Wireless charging is also an option, with the added capability of charging other devices. The phone adheres to the Basic Power Profile for power transfer up to 4.4W, as confirmed by its certification listing from the WPC. Additionally, the trend of omitting an adapter from the packaging continues.

The Verdict

Starting at ₹99,999, the latest Galaxy Z Flip5 is a perfect blend of innovation, boasting exceptional performance, outstanding camera capabilities, and a style that sets it apart. However, to me, its large cover display is its stand-out feature, a feature that steals the spotlight and sets new standards in the smartphone arena.