In February 2020, Samsung made headlines with the release of its original Galaxy Fold, a foldable smartphone that promised to revolutionize the way we use our mobile devices. However, it faced skepticism due to its high price tag and some design issues. Fast forward to 2023, and the foldable smartphone market is thriving, with foldable shipments growing by an impressive 64% year-on-year, according to Counterpoint.
Samsung’s persistence in the foldable category has paid off, and its Galaxy Z series continues to lead the pack. The latest addition to this series, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and improvement. In this review, we’ll explore the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s features, design, performance, and whether it justifies its hefty price tag in the South African market, where $1 is equivalent to R18.
Design and Display
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 retains the signature foldable design that sets it apart from conventional smartphones. Unfolded, it boasts a massive 7.6-inch main display with a resolution of 2176 x 1812 pixels. The external display measures 6.2 inches and has a resolution of 2316 x 906 pixels. Both screens offer an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and navigation.
As personal preferences go, the Fold 5 may still be considered big and bulky for some users, but its appeal lies in the ability to carry around a tablet-sized display in your pocket. While the larger screen enhances multimedia experiences like watching films or reading e-books, the narrower form factor might present challenges in typing and multitasking.
One notable improvement in the Fold 5’s design is its thinner profile. Samsung achieved this by utilizing the Flex Hinge, reducing the folded profile to 13.4mm and the unfolded profile to 6.1mm. However, concerns have been raised about screen damage due to the reduced gap between the screens. Samsung addressed this issue by including bumpers around the edge of the device, which helps prevent direct contact between the screens.
Performance and Battery
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Platform for Galaxy, which offers slight processing boosts compared to the standard 8 Gen 2. The chip upgrade primarily enhances battery and camera performance, which are critical for a device like this.
The Fold 5 is equipped with a 4,400mAh battery, delivering more than enough power to last through a full day of use. This improvement over the previous Fold 4’s 3,700mAh battery is commendable, considering the power demands of the larger screens and foldable mechanism. While it falls short of the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 5,000mAh battery, it still outperforms its predecessors.
Camera and Photography
The camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, featuring a triple-camera system on the rear: a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
Thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Platform’s improved image signal processing, the Fold 5’s rear cameras deliver excellent photo quality. Daylight shots are sharp and vibrant, and the inclusion of a telephoto lens significantly reduces noise and image degradation. Portrait mode has also seen notable improvements, producing more natural-looking bokeh effects.
However, the device’s under-display four-megapixel front camera leaves something to be desired. The quality of teleconferencing and selfie shots suffers, and it’s an area Samsung should consider improving in future iterations.
Software and Multitasking
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 boasts an advanced software experience that bridges the gap between desktop and mobile. When unfolded, the device functions like a tablet, featuring a desktop-style taskbar that keeps four most recent apps front and center for easy switching. Users can also drag and drop frequently used apps to stay permanently accessible.
The multiwindow functionality allows users to have up to three apps open at once, making multitasking more convenient. The ability to drag and drop images between apps adds to the device’s versatility and productivity.
The “Flex Mode Panel” is another useful feature, allocating the bottom screen when the phone is folded at a 90-degree angle and placed in landscape mode. It serves as a control panel for various features like camera, video/music playback, and teleconferencing.
The Fold 5 is compatible with the S Pen, further expanding its productivity potential. However, there is no built-in docking slot, which could be a concern for users who rely heavily on stylus input.
Price and Competition
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5’s price in the South African market is R32,400, equivalent to $1,800 USD. While this is a slight reduction from the original Galaxy Fold’s launch price of $2,000, it remains a premium offering that may not be affordable for the majority of consumers, especially in challenging economic times.
In terms of competition, the foldable smartphone market is growing rapidly, and Samsung is facing increasing competition from other manufacturers offering more affordable alternatives. The Galaxy Z Flip, priced at R18,000 ($1,000 USD), has reportedly gained an advantage over the Fold series in terms of sales. The availability of more budget-friendly foldable options could potentially impact the Fold 5’s market position.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a testament to Samsung’s commitment to innovation in the foldable smartphone category. Its massive foldable display, powerful performance, and refined software experience make it a strong contender for users seeking a unique and cutting-edge device.
However, the Fold 5’s niche appeal and high price tag may limit its mass-market adoption. As the foldable smartphone market continues to grow, Samsung faces stiffer competition from rivals offering more affordable foldable alternatives.
If you value the ability to carry a tablet-sized display in your pocket and prioritize cutting-edge technology, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is an excellent choice. However, for budget-conscious consumers, more affordable foldable options might offer a better balance between innovation and price.
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