The Fold 5 proves to be a superb gadget for those who frequently juggle multiple tasks, but this is likely not news to you.
Samsung has reached the pinnacle of innovation with its foldable devices, and the incremental updates we’ve witnessed over the past year serve as solid evidence of this fact. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this approach, it does mean there are few groundbreaking features to get excited about. The latest addition to this lineup, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, which debuted in July, follows the tradition of introducing typical enhancements like a more advanced processor. However, Samsung has also made noteworthy improvements in the hinge mechanism, leading to a reduction in the phone’s weight and thickness. This alteration might not revolutionize the game, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction. Consequently, current owners of a Galaxy Z Fold 4 can comfortably skip this generation and anticipate next year’s model.
If you’re an owner of an older Fold phone, you might be wondering if upgrading to the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is worth it. We’ll provide our review after spending a thorough month with the device.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Pricing in India
Surprisingly, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 starts at the same price point as its predecessor, which is still officially available in India. Rs. 1,54,999 will get you the base model with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. Two more variants with the same RAM but increased storage are also available. The 512GB variant is priced at Rs. 1,64,999, while the 1TB variant comes in at Rs. 1,84,999. Since the storage isn’t expandable, these options offer flexibility to users. For most users, the base model should suffice. Color choices include Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream.
Notably, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 does not come with Samsung’s S Pen, which must be purchased separately. If you plan to do so, it’s advisable to opt for the S Pen case, which includes a convenient docking station for the stylus on the back.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Design
The design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor, with only subtle changes in elements like the LED flash placement and color options setting them apart. It remains one of the best horizontally-folding phones, thanks to the shatter-resistant glass on both the front and back, as well as the aluminum frame. The updated hinge allows the two halves to sit flush when folded, reducing the gap. Additionally, the phone boasts an IPX8 rating for water resistance.
Both displays on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 closely resemble those of the Fold 4, with the main difference being the peak brightness of the folding display, which has been enhanced to 1,750 nits, up from 1,200 nits. The display dimensions remain unchanged, featuring a 6.2-inch HD+ AMOLED outer display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 7.6-inch QXGA+ main display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Both displays offer excellent visibility in direct sunlight and vibrant colors. The outer display is convenient for quick tasks but is somewhat narrow for comfortable typing. The inner folding display is best suited for multitasking and leisure activities such as gaming and video watching. The crease is still noticeable from certain angles, but it’s less apparent when viewed head-on.
In terms of bundled accessories, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 provides minimal extras, including a SIM eject tool and a USB Type-C cable. For a smartphone of this caliber, it’s advisable to invest in the S Pen cover case, which provides added protection and stylus storage.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Specifications and Software
Similar to the S23 series, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is equipped with the custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ‘Mobile Platform for Galaxy’ SoC, which delivers both power and efficiency for smooth performance. The device retains the same 4,400mAh battery capacity as the previous model, supporting 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.
Regarding software, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 runs on One UI 5.1.1, based on Android 13. Samsung commits to offering four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates. Many software features from the Fold 4, such as Flex mode in apps like Google Meet or YouTube and the ability to use three apps simultaneously, are carried over to this model. New additions include the option to display up to four recently used apps in the taskbar, though this must be manually enabled as the default setting is two apps.
Additionally, there’s a new two-handed drag-and-drop feature for times when you’re not using split-screen mode. This feature allows you to long-press an item you wish to copy to another app, open the second app with your other hand, and drop the selected item there.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Performance and Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a true flagship, providing excellent performance without any hiccups, thanks to ample RAM and a powerful SoC. While the section of the phone containing the SoC can get warm during gaming or intensive tasks, the other half remains cool. Whether it’s multitasking or gaming, the device handles everything quite well.
The S Pen works smoothly, but it’s worth noting that the outer screen doesn’t support it, so you’ll need to unfold the phone for note-taking or other S Pen activities. It’s important to use the ‘S Pen for Fold’ edition of the stylus, as the regular S Pen for S series phones, like the S23 Ultra, is not compatible.
Benchmark results are impressive, with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 scoring 14,13,684 points in AnTuTu and excelling in some graphics tests in GFXBench, achieving 120fps in the T-Rex test suite.
Despite maintaining the same battery capacity as the previous model, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 delivers more than a day’s worth of battery life, even with moderate to heavy use. In a battery loop test on the main folding display, it lasted an impressive 19 hours and 53 minutes.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Cameras
The camera hardware remains unchanged on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, featuring three rear cameras: a 50-megapixel wide, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and a 10-megapixel telephoto with 3X optical zoom (up to 30X total zoom). The device includes a 10-megapixel selfie camera on the outer screen and a 4-megapixel under-display camera in the folding display, primarily suitable for video calls due to below-average photo quality. Samsung could have opted for larger sensors and improved optical zoom, similar to the S23 Ultra, but this might have resulted in a thicker device, which is not ideal for a foldable phone.
Despite the camera hardware limitations, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 performs admirably in capturing photos and videos. Daytime shots exhibit good clarity and color accuracy, with effective HDR. Telephoto performance is solid, though fine details can degrade at zoom levels above 20X. There are various shooting modes to experiment with, and Portrait mode produces good subject-background separation. In low-light conditions, the phone adeptly balances shadows and highlights, while Night mode is highly effective when needed.
The ultra-wide and outer selfie cameras also deliver decent performance. The ultra-wide lens effectively minimizes barrel distortion during the day, but low-light images may exhibit some graininess even with Night mode
. The selfie camera is suitable for quick snaps, but for the best results, using the rear cameras for selfies is recommended. Recorded videos exhibit good quality and feature smooth stabilization during daytime shooting. Even in low-light conditions, the videos maintain decent quality as long as there’s sufficient ambient light.
Verdict
At 1.5 lakh rupees, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 comes at a premium price point, making it crucial to consider its practicality before making the investment. It undoubtedly excels as the ideal phone for productivity enthusiasts and mobile gamers, provided they are prepared to embrace the quirks associated with a foldable device. However, for many users, the folding and unfolding action could become cumbersome over time. Those purchasing it solely for novelty or bragging rights may find themselves regretting the decision in a few months. If you’re willing to invest in a high-end device but desire a more straightforward experience, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a strong alternative. It supports the S Pen and boasts superior camera capabilities. Alternatively, you can also explore the new iPhone 15 Pro Max, with a verdict on its performance coming soon as we continue testing it.