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Unfolding the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Small Changes, Big Results

Samsung's latest folding phone-tablet, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, represents a significant advancement in technology, setting new standards in the world of high-tech gadgets. Facing tough competition from the Google Pixel series, this foldable device is a crucial update for Samsung. It's more than just a smartphone, as Samsung positions it as a versatile device that combines a full-fledged PC, tablet, and phone, all conveniently foldable and pocket-sized. While it's undoubtedly the most flexible Android device available, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 has faced criticism for not introducing enough substantial improvements over its predecessor, a critique that appears well-founded.

The biggest improvements include a new hinge that enables the device to fold without leaving a significant gap, a 30% brighter foldable display, a newer Snapdragon chipset (the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy), Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, and, as expected with an annual upgrade, a newer version of Android and One UI in its initial configuration.

However, as you open the Z Fold 5, you'll understand why it's still ahead, despite Google's best efforts. Multitasking is effortless, and Samsung has spent years developing smart and subtle software workarounds to enable the phone to compete in a mobile environment made for smaller screens. The Fold 5 is an excellent small machine, as is the Fold 4. Simply be prepared to pay.

Solid, Stylish, and Lightweight

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 flaunts a refined design, offering an exquisite look and feel while being remarkably light, weighing just 8.92 ounces, which is a slight reduction from the Fold 4's 9.28 ounces. This seemingly small 0.36-ounce difference makes a significant impact; it feels like you're carrying the Fold 5 with ease rather than hefting it around. The weight is evenly distributed, providing a balanced feel whether you're using it in its open or closed configuration. In contrast, the 10-ounce Google Pixel Fold can be challenging to handle at times, as the cameras sometimes act as a counterbalance. The Z Fold is offered in five color options, although two are exclusive to Samsung's website. The Cream, Icy Blue, and Phantom Black versions are generally available, while the Blue and Gray models can only be found online and in the market.

Moreover, the cover screen and back panel are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which is more drop resistant than the Victus+ found on the Fold 4. The Z Fold 5 has the same IP rating as the Fold 4 (IPX8) as the Pixel Fold and the Flip 5. This means it is completely water resistant but not dustproof.

What’s New In The Z Fold 5 Display

Samsung hasn't made any changes to the display sizes in the Galaxy Z Fold 5. It features a 7.6-inch foldable display and a 6.2-inch cover display, which is taller and narrower than typical smartphone screens. Most of the display specifications, like the 120Hz refresh rate and the use of Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels, remain the same, with custom resolutions of 1812 x 2176 pixels and 904 x 2316 pixels for the two screens, respectively.

The significant upgrade comes in the form of higher peak brightness for the foldable display. The Z Fold 5's main display can reach 1,750 nits, a notable improvement over the previous model's 1,200 nits. While this peak brightness doesn't apply to the entire screen, it does make the Z Fold 5's main display more legible in bright outdoor conditions, which is a welcome improvement.

In general, the overall viewing experience is quite similar. The Z Fold 5 maintains high-quality displays inside and outside, offering the advantages of AMOLED panels, including vibrant colors and deep blacks that users have appreciated for years.

The Z Fold 5's Improved Camera Algorithms

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 uses the same camera hardware as the Z Fold 4, which includes a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 3x optical zoom lens. However, advancements in camera algorithms and the new image signal processor in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 result in improved photo quality. The main and ultra-wide rear cameras perform admirably during daylight, offering clear images with minimal noise and good dynamic range, though the ultra-wide camera struggles in low light. The zoom camera is most effective in well-lit outdoor settings and relies on the main camera in low-light conditions. To enhance text clarity, Samsung employs aggressive oversharpening with the zoom camera. 

Moreover, for selfies, you have several options, including the 10MP cover screen camera, any of the rear cameras with cover screen preview, or the 4MP camera beneath the foldable display.

On the other hand, video recording on the Z Fold 5 is top-notch, supporting 8K recording at 30 fps and 4K at 60 fps on select cameras. There's also a range of shooting modes available, such as Director's View, Single Take, Pro mode, and more.

Samsung’s Commitment To The S Pen

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 continues to support S Pen input, but it's important to note that the S Pen is not included with the phone and must be purchased separately. You'll need the S Pen Fold Edition, specially designed for use with the plastic foldable display. However, the S Pens that come with Samsung tablets and non-folding phones won't work with foldable devices. Additionally, stylus input is not supported on the cover screen.

With the right S Pen, the Galaxy Z Fold series provides a spacious canvas for a great stylus experience, particularly for those who enjoy drawing or doodling. The S Pen Fold Edition offers smooth navigation on the screen, although the fold in the display can be a bit noticeable when the stylus is used on it. It's worth noting that there are no new S Pen features; it offers the same functionality as on other Samsung devices that support the S Pen, with the exception of Bluetooth-related functions.

Galaxy Z Fold 5's Performance Milestones

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 'for Galaxy' is an exceptional chipset, resulting in the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra being the highest-performing Samsung phones in the history of the company's Android smartphone production. This impressive performance is also evident in the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

It's incredibly challenging to make the Z Fold 5 experience any stutter or lag, even when multitasking with three apps simultaneously or engaging in demanding gaming. Unlike the Z Flip 5, the Fold 5 maintains a cool temperature regardless of the tasks you throw at it. Whether you're taking photos in bright sunlight, using Maps for extended navigation, or running Samsung DeX, the phone doesn't overheat. However, occasionally, while navigating through the user interface, it may seem like the screen's refresh rate has slowed, creating the impression of reduced performance. It's possible that Samsung can address this with a software update, but as of now, the single update available has focused on security enhancements.

Software Advancements on Z Fold 5

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 ships with Android 13 and One UI 5.1.1, as well as a number of software upgrades to take advantage of its folding shape. Many of these features are familiar from previous foldable devices, such as automatic resizing of apps for the larger unfolded display and the ability to have up to three apps open simultaneously. However, there are also some new additions and improvements.

For instance, the Taskbar, which holds shortcuts to favorite apps, can now display up to four recently opened apps for quicker access, though users can choose to limit this to two or three apps or even disable the Taskbar entirely. Furthermore, if you're using an app in a pop-up window, you can now flick it toward the screen's edge to temporarily minimize it and easily bring it back when needed.

Following in the footsteps of previous foldables, the Z Fold 5 supports Flex Mode Panel. When the phone is folded between 75 and 115 degrees, the app in use splits, with the top half displaying the app and the bottom half providing controls. For example, in the YouTube app, Flex Mode Panel displays the video in the top half while enabling control and comment reading in the bottom half.

Furthermore, a lengthy push on the pop-up window's handle now activates Multi Window mode. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 supports two-handed drag and drop between applications for media and files. For example, you may choose numerous photographs in the Gallery app, move them about with one hand while opening another app and dragging the images into it with the other.

The bottom half of the camera app displays a huge preview of the most recent image shot, as well as access to all camera functions, while the upper half maintains the viewfinder. Although only a few apps officially support Flex Mode, users can manually enable it for any app to utilize the bottom half as a touchpad. Some apps, like Google Chrome and Twitter, even provide a mouse pointer, making navigation similar to using a mouse or trackpad on a PC.

One UI 5.1.1 adds a feature called Multi Control, which allows you to use the keyboard and mouse linked to one Galaxy device to control all other Galaxy devices and transfer files between them. This function is especially handy for individuals who are thoroughly embedded in the Samsung ecosystem, which includes Galaxy tablets and Galaxy Book laptops in addition to Galaxy smartphones.

Uninterrupted Connectivity and Audio Quality on the Z Fold 5

The Z Fold 5 has great connection features, as one would expect from a high-end phone in 2023. It supports all 5G bands, Wi-Fi 6E, and ultra-wideband (UWB), delivering strong network reception and high-quality call performance.

Additionally, the Z Fold 5 features an impressive stereo speaker system. In contrast to other Samsung devices, this phone incorporates two dedicated speakers instead of using the earpiece as one of the stereo channels. It enhances the audio experience whether you're gaming, enjoying videos, or listening to your favorite music. However, when it comes to wired or Bluetooth audio, you'll need to use your own headphones as the phone does not come with earphones included.

Improved Battery Life And Efficiency

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 comes equipped with a 4,400 mAh battery, a capacity similar to its predecessors, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 3. However, this time, the battery life has seen improvements, primarily due to the more efficient Snapdragon chip. With moderate usage, the Z Fold 5 can comfortably last a full day and extend well into the next morning before requiring a recharge, unless the primary display is in continuous use.

The Z Fold 5 supports Samsung's 25W supercharging technology, taking approximately 30 minutes to reach a 50% charge and varying from 70 to 80 minutes for a full 0 to 100% charge. 

The phone's idle power consumption is remarkably low, due to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. While it may not match the longevity of a Galaxy S23 Ultra, which boasts a 5,000 mAh battery, the Z Fold 5 offers the best battery life yet among Galaxy Z Fold devices. Its performance is consistently dependable.

Final Verdict

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 represents Samsung's most impressive foldable device to date. While there are areas for potential enhancement, such as introducing zoom cameras like those found in the Galaxy S Ultra series, expanding the cover screen, and incorporating a built-in S Pen slot, the device is still highly commendable. Additionally, a larger battery would be a welcome addition, despite the Z Fold 5 already delivering satisfactory battery life.

Although, apart from those things, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 stands as a remarkable foldable smartphone. Owners of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 can afford to wait another year to see what the Z Fold 6 has to offer, but for those new to foldable phones or seeking an upgrade from the original Fold or the Galaxy Z Fold 2, the Z Fold 5 presents a smart choice.

Pricing And Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 was released in Pakistan in August 2023. It is priced at approximately PKR 599,999 for the version with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

The phone is now accessible at major retailers across Pakistan. Additionally, it can be obtained through various mobile network operators like Jazz, Telenor, and Zong.

Please be aware that the specific pricing and availability of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in Pakistan may vary based on the retailer and the chosen storage capacity.