It was purchased to replace the Galaxy Z Flip3.
The main upgrade concerns the external screen, which is now 3.4" with a refresh rate of 60hz.
Google Maps, Google/Samsung Messages, Netflix, WhatsApp, and YouTube can all be used on the external screen. For typing messages, we have the same keyboard layout as when using the keyboard on the main screen. And we can also watch videos without needing to use the large screen.
As for the experience of using the cover screen, it is very good. The size is sufficient to facilitate interaction with apps and other elements on the screen. The cover screen also becomes extremely bright, although the automatic brightness algorithm is not the best and often had to be manually adjusted.
As for the crease on the screen, nothing has changed. Visually, it is noticeable from a certain angle, but its presence is often felt when scrolling.
Photos taken outdoors during the day using the main 12MP camera have excellent detail and dynamic range. And while it doesn't have a telephoto camera, it produces very good results when using 2x zoom on the main camera, at least when the environment is well lit. The ultra-wide camera is not as good, especially when it comes to capturing detail from darker areas of the scene, but overall the results are pleasant when taking photos during the day. Where the Z Flip 5 could use improvement is in low-light and nighttime shots. While the main camera captures enough detail, in many cases it introduces some noise, even when there is sufficient artificial lighting around. When taking selfies, we can use the rear cameras for selfie shots using the cover screen as a viewfinder. And we can ignore the 10MP front camera and use the rear cameras for all selfies, resulting in amazing results, especially in low-light conditions.
The updated Flex Mode does an excellent job and is now more user-friendly.
As for the performance of the Z Flip 5, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is amazing, and the phone performs exceptionally well. There are occasional stutters here and there, but they are very rare to be bothersome.
It also has excellent network and call quality, which is expected due to Wi-Fi 6E support. Dual SIM functionality is available only if you have an eSIM for the second number.
The battery continues to be the weak point compared to other flagship devices, but there is improvement compared to previous Flips. Maximum screen-on time can reach 6 hours, and battery drain during idle time has been greatly reduced. Another improvement is the increase in charging speed to 25W, but it is still slow compared to the competition.
Overall, the Z Flip 5 is not perfect, but it is the best device in the series and is also a good upgrade for owners of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Pros:
- Larger external screen
- Waterproofing
- Improved battery performance
- Reduced hinge gap
Cons:
- Minor improvement in cameras
- Charging time
- Price
You can find the full review on my YouTube channel.