Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review: Foldable Phone At Its Peak

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 or Fold 5 is making waves recently due to its refined execution of a foldable phone. Remembering that foldable phones were still at their experimental stage four years ago, it’s quite amazing how much progress has been made. Surprisingly, the trend caught on and we’re now at Samsung’s fifth iteration in the Galaxy Z Fold 5. But is the fifth model something you should watch out for? In this review, let’s find out if the Fold 5 is worth your time and your money.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review – Specifications

Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review – At A Glance

Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review – Benchmarks & Comparisons

To test the new hardware of the Galaxy Z Fold5, we used three benchmarking tools to see how it measures with other phones. A number is given at the end of each benchmark and that same number can be compared with the results of other phones to see how the Galaxy Z Fold5 performs. Incidentally, I happened to have the Galaxy Z Folds 2 and 4 with me. Let’s find out how this new guy measures with the oldies!

Fold 5 vs Fold 2

If you’re planning on upgrading from your old Fold2, now is definitely the time. Across tests, the Fold 5 trumps the Fold 2 substantially in performance and number crunching. It’s not that the old Galaxy Z Fold 2 is not a good phone, it still is considerably fast as it is Samsung’s 2020 flagship phone, but it shows what three years of progress can do in the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Fold 5 vs Fold 4

The Galaxy Z Fold5 shows a marginal upgrade from the Fold4. Its Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor outpacing the Fold4 in most of the tests by more than 10%.

Fold 5 vs Fold 4 vs Fold 2

Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review – User Experience

Look, Ma! It Now Folds Flat!

The main thing that the Fold 5 flaunts, aside from the better hardware, is that it’s not completely flat. Unlike previous models, the current one now lies flat with no spaces between its hinges. No dark triangle of nothingness, just a straight line separating the two screens. This allows the phone to conform well with pockets as it is also a few millimeters thinner than previous versions.

It’s Lighter Now!

Okay, as a Fold 2 user, this genuinely makes me happy. The Fold 5 is waaaayyyy lighter with its 253g weight compared to the Fold 2’s 283g weight. The difference is noticeable and it’s not like holding a pristine brick between your fingers.

UI Experience

Tablet Version Of Apps

Coming from the Fold 2, the decision for the Fold 5 to use tablet mode UI when opened is a god-send. The UI of tablets when used on the Fold is cleaner and makes better use of space compared to the “make things larger” approach done by previous Folds. Apps like Spotify and even the basic Settings menu all transform to a UI usually seen in tablets when the Fold 5 is in tablet-mode. While not necessarily tied to the phone itself, this update is applied to, as of writing, only the Fold 4 and Fold 5 so if you’re using older Folds, you’re missing on this feature.

Multi-Window Monster

Similar to other Galaxy Z Folds, the Fold 5 makes good use of its screen space with easy to use controls for display multiple windows at the same time. Copying a message from Facebook Messenger? Why not have it opened on the left side while you write on the right half of the screen. You can also use more than two apps at the same time provided that you still have the head space to do so.

Camera

Coming from a Fold2 and Fold4, the Fold5’s camera takes shots a bit darker. Zoom shots are also as expected, the more you zoom in, the more things tend to get blurrier. That said, the strength of this phone’s camera works well with its foldable form. Taking selfies with the main camera is easy given that you can use the front display to check before you land a shot.

In terms of macro shots, the Fold5’s camera is capable. In the above shots, I was able to capture even intricate details of a miniature without having to tweak the settings of the camera. The camera is capable of zooming in up to 30.0x but expect the quality of the photo to be significantly garbled as you increase the multiplier.

Battery Life

The battery of the Galaxy Z Fold5 typically lasts throughout the whole day with my usual activities. Usual as in Bluetooth is constantly on as I use my wireless earbuds and smartwatch, Spotify and Youtube during downtimes, and the regular messenger apps and Reddit to fill up the day. During testing, I would unplug it at 7am and would recharge it again by about 12mn with 25% of juice left. Compared to the Fold 4, the Fold 5 has the same capacity with 4,400mAh but with a more updated hardware.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review – Conclusion & Verdict

Finally, A Fold Done Right

The Galaxy Z Fold series, while powerful phones, were still thought to be in its experimental stage. With Samsung being a forerunner in this type of smartphone, the world has finally realized that this form-factor can actually be a gamechanger and it shows given that competitors are now only launching their answer. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a pretty formidable phone that has a form that likely is what Samsung has been aiming for since Day 1. The absence of the hinge space makes it completely flat and the weight has been more streamlined compared to earlier models.

Upgrade When Coming From Old Models

This is a no-brainer. Upgrading from old Fold phones especially from the first two Fold models is not even a question. The jump in terms of performance, screen, and UI improvements between the current Fold 5 is just astounding. Simply put, the first models are experimental version while the current iteration is the proper execution of a drawing board idea. If you own any of the first two models, or probably even the Fold 3, then upgrading to the Fold 5 is worth it.

How About With Fold 4?

Compared to the Fold 4, the Fold 5 has meager improvements that can be staved off by just thinking about the price of the new phone. While an upgrade, the difference is unsubstantial enough to warrant a decision to change. However, if you are pretty particular with the space between the hinges, then go for the Fold 5. If you can resist the temptation, holding off until the Fold 6 or 7 may be better.

Still Expensive

I guess what makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 a viable phone for most is that it is considered one of the top-of-the-line phones in the market. It is Samsung’s latest flagship phone so all the bells and whistles are expected to be here. The hardware that it packs is impressive but it does occupy a specific niche in terms of its weight and bulk. However, what takes the cake is that Samsung Fold phones are expensive. The Fold 5 still carries that same ludicrous price tag. It’s quite paradoxical since the price tag inhibits most from getting the phone while it also acts as a feature that makes most to covet it.

The Best Galaxy Fold To Date

Yes, it might be an obvious claim but this is definitely the best version of Samsung’s foldable flagship. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is likely what the designers had in mind four years ago and it shows. The phone is finally what you can call a true foldable with the absence of the gap and the size being more streamlined despite the marginal reduction. Hardware is, as expected, top of the line. All in all, a superb phone for those looking for a larger screen and for productivity.

Pricing & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is available in the Philippines. You can grab it at physical stores near you or order it online. Samsung’s flagship phone has the following SRPs which differ depending on the capacity of the phone:

• 256GB – PHP 98,990
• 512GB – PHP 105,990
• 1TB – PHP 112,990

The above prices are SRPs and do largely vary depending on the store. Be on the look out for good deals or for good payment options to get this awesome phone.

For more information about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, check out the official product page.