The Flex hinge on the Z Fold now has the device shut flat, with a smaller gap in the inner display. — Photos: Samsung
Samsung broke new ground in 2019 when it unveiled the original Galaxy Fold, which marked a convergence between tablets and smartphones within a single device.
This year's release, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, continues this legacy, offering a refined user experience that brings out the best in the massive 7.6in inner and 6.2in outer screens.
Into the fold
The first thing to note is that the device now closes flat thanks to a new Flex Hinge design – the previous version would have a larger teardrop-shaped gap when folded.
This makes for a cleaner look and leaves one less worried about something getting caught in between when I'm not paying attention.
The main tablet-like display was a real game changer, especially for someone who had never used a full-size foldable device, only having tried the Flip models.
The Z Fold 5 features a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, along with two displays running at up to 120Hz refresh rate.
This is particularly evident when considering its multitasking capabilities: the screen can be split among three different apps at once, with the option to add "app pairs" to the home screen, edge panel, or taskbar.
App pairs allow users to launch multiple apps with just a single tap rather than having to launch them manually, bypassing the need to click multiple times.
This offered a desktop-like experience, allowing me to simultaneously watch videos and play games like Marvel Snap or MahjongSoul.
Despite being smaller due to the split screen, text in apps and games was still readable.
Users looking for a challenge could even play multiple games at once, as the Fold 5 runs on the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship processor.
Like the last gen, it still supports flex mode along with its powerful multitasking abilities.
Both screens on the device are Amoled, making for deep blacks and vivid colours, along with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
One minor gripe: the S Pen is not bundled with the phone, requiring users to spend extra for it.
The Slim S Pen Case, for instance, which comes with a compact stylus and a slot for it, costs RM399.
The case is claimed to be 27% slimmer than last year’s, with an S Pen that measures 4.35mm compared to the previous 7.7mm.
According to Samsung, the Slim S Pen cover is 27% thinner than the version from last year.
Having an S Pen adds versatility to an already flexible device, particularly with the Smart Select tool that allows users to take screenshots of any size by drawing on the screen.
Samsung managed to shave off 10g from the device compared to its predecessor (reducing it from 263g to 253g). The weight does not get in the way of extended use or make it cumbersome when on the go.
Smart software
A big part of the reason the Galaxy Fold line of devices shines is the One UI interface.
This time, Samsung has added the ability to crop objects from images by just long-pressing on the item that needs to be isolated, which is handy for a reverse image search when looking for something specific.
The object can also be saved on its own, without a background, which is a nice plus for those who frequently overlay clipped images onto photos.
Frequent photo-takers will glad to hear that the cover screen preview feature makes a return.
On the camera front, there are two selfie cameras, one under the larger main display (4 megapixels) and another on the outer screen (10 megapixels).
The Z Fold 5, like its predecessor, also allows the higher-definition 50-megapixel main shooter to be used for selfies by using the cover screen to preview images.
The main camera is accompanied by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera as well as a 10-megapixel telephoto camera capable of 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom.
Its triple camera setup has a 50-megapixel wide camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera.
Viewing shots on the larger inner screen when taking pictures has been a real treat since I get to check all the minute details before hitting the capture button.
The Fold 5 is about having “multiple experiences”, and the ability to switch between them on the fly. The cover screen offers the classic Android candybar experience, complete with the familiar always-on display, while the inner display is all about tablet computing enhanced with the S Pen.
Having the S Pen adds a whole extra layer of versatility to the device.
Turning on the "Continue All Apps on Front Screen" option under settings will automatically switch the active app between the outer and inner screens as the device is folded or unfolded for a more seamless experience.
This lets users pick up exactly where they left off without needing to unlock the device again or turn the screen on. Just make sure to lock it when you’re actually putting it away.
Power on the go
All in all, the Z Fold 5 offers a comprehensive array of features in a single device, offering a versatile experience and more than enough power to back it all up.
Apps on the large 7.6in main display can be switched to the 6.2in cover screen on the fly. — Photos: Samsung
Equipped with a 4,400mAh battery, Samsung claims that it can achieve a 50% charge within just 30 minutes using a 25-watt adapter, which is about right in my experience.
Battery life has been rock solid, easily lasting the entire day up until bedtime, even with video watching, browsing, messaging, and light gaming.
The Fold 5 starts at RM6,799 for the 256GB model and comes in five colours: Icy Blue, Phantom Black, Cream, Gray, and Blue, with the latter two being Samsung.com exclusives.
PROS: Flagship performance; large screen; minimal screen gap when folded; premium chassis; seamless transitions between inner and outer screen; excellent for multitasking
CONS: S Pen not included and doesn’t work on the cover screen
SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 5
Android 13 smartphone
NETWORK: Up to 5G
DISPLAY: 7.6in QXGA+ (2,176 x 1,812 pixels) and 6.2in Cover Screen HD+ (2,316 x 904 pixels)
CAMERA: Triple rear cameras: 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, 50-megapixel wide camera, 10-megapixel telephoto camera; 10-megapixel selfie camera; 4-megapixel under-display camera.
CONNECTIVITY: USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 6E
PROCESSOR: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
BATTERY: 4,400mAh
OTHER FEATURES: Face Unlock, fingerprint sensor on power button, fast charge, 120Hz screens, NFC, eSIM
DIMENSIONS (W x D x H): 129.9 x 154.9 x 6.1mm (unfolded)
WEIGHT: 253g
PRICE: RM6,799 (256GB storage, 12GB RAM); RM7,299 (512GB storage, 12GB RAM); RM8,299 (1TB storage, 12GB RAM).
RATING: 4/5 stars
Review unit courtesy of Samsung Malaysia Electronics, 1-800-88-9999
