Foldable phones have always been a head turner, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is more than just a pretty gadget to show off at coffee shops. With its redesigned hinge, larger cover display, and powerful performance, Samsung’s latest clamshell foldable is aiming to be your stylish daily driver not just a novelty.
Bigger Cover Screen, Bigger Possibilities
The most noticeable change is right on the outside. The Flip 5’s cover screen has grown to a 3.4 inch panel that’s far more than a glorified notification window. You can check the weather, control music, set alarms, glance at your calendar, and even run select apps without opening the phone.It’s not just about convenience; the outer display feels natural to use. Whether you’re checking directions on Google Maps or replying to quick messages, the Flip 5 lets you get things done in seconds.
Gapless Hinge, Sleeker Look
Samsung has also re-engineered the hinge, and this time, it folds completely flat. The annoying gap that let dust sneak in on older models is gone, giving the Flip 5 a cleaner silhouette.The build quality is premium, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the outside and Armor Aluminum framing the sides. It’s also IPX8 water resistant so rain showers aren’t a threat, but as with all foldables, dust is still a concern.
Software That Fits the Foldable Life
Running on Android 13 with One UI 5.1.1, the Flip 5 takes advantage of its form factor with features like Flex Mode, which splits apps across the fold for hands free use. The outer screen supports more widgets and customization than before, making it genuinely useful rather than a gimmick.Samsung also promises four years of Android updates and five years of security patches, which is more than many premium phones offer.
Power Under the Hood
Inside, the Flip 5 packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, paired with 8GB of RAM and speedy UFS 4.0 storage starting at 256GB. In day to day use, it’s snappy, smooth, and more than capable of handling heavy multitasking or gaming.The 3,700 mAh battery is the same as last year’s Flip 4. You’ll get about a day of typical use, but power users may need a top up by evening. Charging is decent 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes, full in roughly an hour and a half.
Cameras: Good, Not Groundbreaking
Samsung stuck with the tried and true dual 12MP setup on the back (wide + ultrawide) and a 10MP selfie camera. While image quality is solid with good color reproduction, low light shots still show noise especially from the ultra wide lens and there’s no optical zoom.That said, the folding design means you can use the rear cameras for selfies via the cover display, giving you much sharper shots than a standard front camera.
Sound and Everyday Feel
The stereo speakers are clear and get reasonably loud, but don’t expect deep bass. Some users say they prefer the Flip 4’s sound profile, but for casual listening, it’s perfectly fine.In hand, the phone feels surprisingly light at 187g, and the folding mechanism is satisfying to use. But like all foldables, it’s still more fragile than a slab phone screen protectors can develop bubbles at the crease over time.
What Users Are Saying
Owners love the bigger cover screen, with many admitting they use it far more than expected. The durability has also surprised some reports of drops without damage aren’t uncommon. However, others note issues like screen protector wear after several months.Verdict: A Foldable Worth the Flip?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the most polished clamshell foldable yet, blending head turning style with genuine practicality. The bigger cover display, improved hinge, and strong performance make it feel less like a tech experiment and more like a phone you can truly live with.It’s not perfect the battery could be better, and the cameras aren’t flagship level, but if you’ve been curious about foldables, this might be the one that finally convinces you to make the switch.