Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Review: Key Upgrades & Drawbacks
content: Initial Impressions and Core Upgrades
After testing the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 alongside the Flip 4 for several days, I've identified surprising improvements and letdowns. The most transformative upgrade is undoubtedly the 3.4-inch cover screen—a massive leap from the Flip 4's 1.8-inch display. This isn't just cosmetic; it fundamentally changes how you interact with the phone. You can now preview photos properly, respond to notifications, and even run select apps without unfolding. Samsung's hinge redesign also stands out. The new Zero Gap Flex mechanism allows the phone to fold completely flat, reducing the risk of debris damage. While the Flip 5 is 2mm thinner than its predecessor, it retains the same weight.
What didn't improve? The crease. Despite Samsung's claims, blind tests revealed no tangible difference in visibility or tactile feel compared to the Flip 4. This is disappointing given competitors like the Oppo N2 Flip achieved near-creaseless designs earlier. Brightness saw a minor bump—1600 nits versus 1400 nits in HDR—but it's hardly a game-changer.
Display and Durability Details
The cover screen's Gorilla Glass Victus 2 adds welcome durability, but its 60Hz refresh rate feels outdated next to the inner display's 120Hz panel. More critically, the 60Hz limitation impacts battery efficiency since it can't dynamically adjust to lower rates like the main screen. When unfolding the device, I noticed it often stops at 179 degrees rather than opening fully flat. It's less pronounced than the Pixel Fold's issue but still requires a slight nudge for perfect alignment.
content: Performance and Battery Life Tests
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, the Flip 5 shows clear gains over the Flip 4's Gen 1 chip. In 3DMark Wildlife stress tests, graphics performance jumped 31%, translating to smoother gameplay. However, thermal throttling emerged as a concern. When exporting a 4K video clip in Premiere Rush, the Flip 5 took longer than the Flip 4—a result likely tied to its slimmer profile limiting heat dissipation.
Battery life mirrors the Flip 4 almost exactly. Both devices house 3,700mAh cells, and real-world testing (YouTube streaming, camera use, and gaming) showed identical drain patterns. The Flip 5 used 12% battery during intensive benchmarks versus the Flip 4's 11%—negligible in practice. You'll get a full day's use but shouldn't expect more. This stagnation is frustrating given the new chip's efficiency claims.
Camera: Photos Shine, Video Stumbles
Photography sees unexpected gains despite identical 12MP sensors. The Flip 5's images show finer detail, more natural skin tones, and significantly better 10x digital zoom. In a swan shot comparison, the Flip 5 retained feather texture where the Flip 4 blurred. Video tells a different story. The new high-bitrate mode (available in advanced settings) failed to deliver visible quality improvements in side-by-side tests. Worse, critical limitations persist:
- No 4K/60fps support when using the cover screen as a viewfinder
- Flex mode restricts video to 1080p in landscape orientation
- Stabilization and dynamic range remain mediocre
Bottom line: The Flip 5 excels for social media photos but disappoints for serious video work.
content: Software Experience and Final Verdict
The cover screen's customization is where the Flip 5 truly innovates. With dozens of widgets, wallpapers, and layout options, you can personalize it extensively—something that genuinely sets it apart from slab phones. App support is decent but not universal; Samsung curates which apps run on the cover display. The taller 21:9 inner screen enhances multitasking, especially with Edge Panel shortcuts for split-view apps.
Two omissions sting: DeX support (unavailable despite USB-C display-out capabilities) and the cover screen's refresh rate limitation. Still, Samsung's foldable software remains industry-leading for features like Flex Mode optimizations in YouTube and the camera.
Should You Upgrade?
If you own a Flip 3 or earlier, the Flip 5 is a compelling upgrade thanks to the cover screen, hinge, and performance gains. Flip 4 users face a tougher call. The camera improvements and customization are nice, but identical battery life and unchanged crease make it hard to justify.
What aspect of the Flip 5 intrigues you most—or holds you back? Share your dealbreakers below!
