Summary
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 was a big improvement over its predecessor since it included a cover screen that was substantially larger than its predecessor. This feature made it possible to utilize applications without having to open the smartphone. Now, I am wondering about how Samsung plans to push its next flip phone even farther this year with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which is scheduled to be released later this year.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 will be a small upgrade to the model that was released in 2023, according to speculations and claims that have been circulating. Despite the fact that it will most certainly receive a new CPU and maybe an enhanced camera, it will most likely have the same general design as the Galaxy Z Flip 5.
Galaxy Z Flip 6: What Are the Most Significant
Samsung was one of the first firms to create a foldable phone, and it has maintained a strong lead in the market ever since it was introduced. It was estimated by TrendForce that Samsung was responsible for around 66% of the foldable phone shipments in 2023. However, it is facing greater competition than it ever has before as a result of the fact that in 2023, firms like Motorola, Google, and OnePlus each debuted new flexible gadgets.
I have expressed my desire to see the Z Flip 6 have more software capabilities, an improved camera, and extended software support, as I have said in the past. This is a more in-depth look at what we anticipate seeing in the future.
What is the potential date of release?
It is customary for Samsung to introduce new foldables in the month of August; however, the company surprised everyone by introducing the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 in July of the previous year. According to a report obtained from SamMobile, it is possible that this may be the case once again this year.
Both the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 are scheduled to be shown by Samsung on July 10 in Paris, according to the technology site. In light of the fact that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 was announced on July 26 and was launched at the beginning of August, if this is true, it would be an earlier launch than the one that occurred the previous year.
A design that is pretty similar?
It is anticipated that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will have a design that is very similar to that of the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Reportedly leaked images of the phone were published by the gadget site SmartPrix in partnership with serial leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer. These renderings indicate that the new flip phone will most likely be substantially similar to the device that was released the previous year, with just slight alterations in terms of its physical dimensions. The leak also implies that the gadget may be available in a variety of colors, including lavender and mint.
In comparison to its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 was a significant improvement in terms of its design. Its outside display was expanded to cover almost the entire top half of the back of the device, with the exception of a cutout provided for the cameras. During the same time period, Motorola also produced the Razr Plus, which had an outside display that was of the same size. As the reports do not suggest that there will be any significant modifications to the design of the Z Flip 6, we will wait to see whether the clamshell foldables that are vying with Samsung’s next gadget provide anything that rivals Samsung’s offering.
A new CPU and a larger battery might be the solution
The majority of the time, Samsung will refresh its foldable phones with new CPUs that are comparable to those found in its most recent flagship Galaxy S phones. We anticipate that this will be the situation once again this year, which indicates that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor manufactured by Qualcomm will most likely be used by the Galaxy Z Flip 6 device.
The fact that there is a leak, on the other hand, suggests that this may not be the case. SamMobile reports that three distinct varieties of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 have been discovered in the database of Geekbench. One of these variants is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, while the other is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is an earlier model. This benchmarking tool, known as Geekbench, is used to assess the performance of various devices, and the results of these tests are recorded in a database.
It is not until Samsung makes the announcement of its upcoming Galaxy Z Flip handset that we will know for certain. On the other hand, if Samsung is testing a version using the processor from the previous year, it is possible that the company is investigating the prospect of releasing a more affordable version of the Z Flip 6. At this moment, this is nothing more than conjecture, although, as my colleague David Lumb points out, if Samsung were to use the processor from the previous year in a new Z Flip, it could be able to maintain the price at a lower level.
The blog Galaxy Club has reported that the next phone may include a battery with a capacity of 4,000 milliampere-hours (mAh), which may also result in an improvement in battery life. This is somewhat greater than the 3,700-mAh battery that is included in the Galaxy Z Flip 5, which may result in a longer battery life or support for functions that drain the battery, such as using the smartphone to generate artificial intelligence or monitoring the position of the user.
A newer model of camera?
When compared to Samsung’s flagship smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip often shows a lower level of camera quality than its competitors. On the other hand, Galaxy Club suggests that Samsung may be taking a step toward altering that with the release of the Galaxy Z Flip 6. According to the claim, Samsung’s next flip phone will supposedly include a camera with a resolution of fifty megapixels. This would mean that the camera would have the same resolution as the primary camera sensor used by the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus.
AI throughout the galaxy seems plausible
On the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung introduced Galaxy AI in January. Galaxy AI is Samsung’s umbrella moniker for a multitude of software capabilities that are driven by artificial intelligence. The compatibility of this feature has recently been increased to include additional Galaxy smartphones, such as the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Galaxy Z Fold 5. When everything is taken into consideration, it would not be shocking to see Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 when it is eventually released.
Galaxy AI features include Live Translate, which allows you to translate calls between two languages in real time, and Chat Assist, which allows you to rewrite text messages in a different tone, translate them into another language, or check for spelling and grammar errors. Generative Edit is a feature that allows you to manipulate and move objects in photos.
However, what I am most looking forward to seeing are new software capabilities that will take advantage of the bending display and cover screen that the Galaxy Z Flip has.
When Samsung makes the announcement of the Galaxy Z Flip 6, we will have further information. From what we have heard so far, however, it seems that it will be a rather minor upgrade in comparison to the Z Flip 5, rather than a significant step forward.
Primary display?
When you unfold the Galaxy Z Flip 5, you will see a dynamic AMOLED display that is 6.7 inches in size and supports Full High Definition Plus quality, as well as a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. The only thing that serves as a bezel is the border, since the screen is completely edge-to-edge. For those of you who were curious, the display is both vivid and crisp. The fact that the primary screen has a tall aspect ratio of 22:9 makes it less suitable for watching entertainment since it will have broad black bars on each side of the screen. Any application that needs you to scroll will benefit from having this screen.
It is possible to make the most of the foldable form factor of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 by placing the phone in a half-open position. This will enable you to watch a video on the top half of the screen while scrolling through comments on the bottom half of the screen. Additionally, you can use the bottom portion of the phone as a trackpad to scroll through emails or swipe through pictures in the gallery, among other things.
Please take note that the Labs section is where you will also need to activate the Flex mode panel in order to make use of extra controls, such as the trackpad that is located on the bottom of the screen, when the phone is folded up.
Crafting?
The folding shape and general form factor are not all that dissimilar to those of its predecessor. By enhancing the design of the hinge, Samsung has made it possible for the phone to shut completely flat without displaying any obvious gap at the point where the two parts meet. It is important to remember that the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and earlier variants featured a gap that was easily evident, which made it simpler for dust to enter. It is possible to submerge the Galaxy Z Flip 5 in water when you go swimming, but you should make every effort to avoid dropping it in the sand while you are on a desert safari. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has an IPX8 rating.
You can prop the phone up in a few different ways thanks to the hinge, which is just as strong as it was before. Although you won’t be able to open the gadget with only one hand, the feeling of accomplishment that comes from folding it shut with a loud snap after a terrible call is just as satisfying as it has always been. When the phone is folded and unfolded, the fingerprint sensor on the right side of the frame may take a few of your fingers to unlock it. This is because the fingerprint sensor is located on the right side of the frame.
In addition to the two camera sensors that protrude from the cover screen, you will also have access to an additional in-screen camera placed on the primary display. This earpiece may also function as a speaker, allowing it to provide support for stereo speakers. In conclusion, the phone is available in a wide range of flavors, ranging from graphite to cream, and it also comes in a mint color, which is the one I was given to evaluate.
“Who is the customer for the Galaxy Z Flip 5?”
Due to the fact that the Z Flip 5 has a folding form, it does not provide the tablet-like experience that the Fold 5 offers. As a result, the phone is more suitable for those who choose fashion over practicality. By reducing the number of interactions with distracting applications, the compact and pocketable device promotes more frequent use of the smaller cover screen, which in turn minimizes the amount of time spent in front of the screen.
The cameras?
In all honesty, the cameras that come with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 are rather remarkable. One of the 12 megapixel sensors on the cover screen is designed for taking standard 1x images, while the other is designed for taking wide-angle photographs. The main camera is able to take vibrant photographs during daytime hours, with colors that are attractive to the eye and a respectable dynamic range. I was pretty pleased with the camera’s ability to capture images in low light as well, as it provided the ideal balance of brightness and contrast to make scenes depicting nightlife seem lively. The wide-angle lens does not significantly alter the color scheme of a scene that is captured by the wide-angle lens, which helps to maintain some degree of consistency between the two lenses. It should be noted, however, that when you zoom in on wide-angle photographs, you will not receive the greatest possible detail.
You can take selfies that are okay with the 10MP camera, but the cool thing about the Z Flip 5 is that you can utilize the 12MP camera on the cover screen (by utilizing the viewfinder on the cover screen) to take front-facing photographs that are noticeably crisper, warmer, and less washed out. A significant gap exists between the two in terms of comparison.
What about software and performance?
A new flagship phone usually comes with a new processor, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the one that is included in the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Rest confident that this chipset will deliver a performance that is quick and responsive, regardless of the duties that you throw at it. Nevertheless, I do not foresee the Galaxy Z Flip 5 being used for playing intense video games or doing high workloads of any type. Simply put, it was not intended to be used for that purpose. On the other hand, even if you do use it for the aforementioned objectives, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will not let you down.
Despite this, the phone may get heated during lengthy gaming sessions or extended usage of the camera app. This is most likely due to the tiny form factor of the smartphone. To guarantee that you have a seamless experience while multitasking, the device comes with 8 gigabytes of random-access memory (RAM), and you have the option to designate extra virtual RAM (up to 8 gigabytes) via the Settings menu.
Out of the box, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is powered by Android 13, and it has OneUI 5.1 installed on top of it. It is common knowledge that the user interface (UI) of a Samsung phone is uncluttered and simple to use, with very little to no bloatware. The support that the firm promises to provide for the Galaxy Z Flip 5 software is perhaps the most impressive aspect of the product. The company promises to provide four years of major operating system upgrades and five years of security patches. For the foreseeable future, this indicates that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 will continue to be relevant, at least in terms of its software capabilities.
When the device is folded, the bottom speaker may be used to answer a call. However, when the device is unfolded, the earphone feature can be used. During the time period under consideration, I did not experience any loss of connection or dropped calls. I had no problems with the clarity of my voice. When I was in Gurgaon, Haryana, I used the Galaxy Z Flip 5 on Airtel 5G Plus, and the following is the speed that I experienced.
How long does the battery last?
Despite the fact that Samsung has improved a great deal on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, the battery is not one of those improved aspects. As with the Flip 4, you will get the same 3,700mAh battery that was included with the Flip as well. It is sufficient to last you through a whole day if you use it on a consistent basis, but it cannot last you longer than that. It is recommended that you allow yourself anything from four to four and a half hours of screen usage. In the event that you are upgrading from the Galaxy Z Flip 4, you may see an increase in battery life as a result of the processor’s ability to save power.
In light of this, it is quite probable that you will need to recharge the phone at least once before the end of the day, and you should always use a 25W PD fast charger to do this task. Because a charging brick is not included in the package, you will need to purchase either Samsung’s own 25W converter or a third-party fast charger that is compatible with the device. For a phone that costs one lakh rupees, the time it takes to completely charge the phone is around ninety minutes, which is a fairly lengthy process.
What is the ultimate verdict?
In the beginning of this review, I posed the topic of whether it is better to fold or to flip. What is the response? It is the Galaxy Z Flip 5 that you should consider purchasing if you are seeking a foldable phone that is both attractive and small. If you are seeking a foldable device that can transform a standard phone into a tablet for increased productivity, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the device that you should take into consideration when purchasing. In the event that you are still interested in purchasing a flip phone but do not want to pay one lakh of rupees, you have the option of purchasing the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra (review), which also has a cover screen that is both huge and useful, as well as smooth performance, despite the fact that its cameras do not work very well.
By expanding the size of the cover screen, Samsung is encouraging you to use the Galaxy Flip 5 in its folded shape for a much longer period of time. Due to the fact that the cover screen allows users to rapidly peek at alerts, respond to messages, have a short look at social media, and then return to reality, it is an excellent choice for those who are attempting to reduce the amount of time they spend in front of mobile devices. The phone is outstanding in every other way as well, including its lightning-fast CPU, its high-quality cameras, and its extensive software support. The battery life might have been improved, and Samsung could have made it simpler to run more applications on the cover screen, but, hey, we don’t always get everything we want.
Editor’s rating: eight out of ten
Motives to make a purchase?
Change the form factor to include a cover screen that is bigger and more usable than it was previously.
The cover screen is a wonderful place for widgets to appear since they provide more information at a glance than in the past.
With its improved hinge design, the Galaxy Flip 5 is able to fold down into a flat position, and its IPX8 classification indicates that it can withstand being submerged in water.
cameras that are dependable and produce photographs that are brilliant and colorful in both low-light and daytime conditions.
Arguments against making a purchase
The battery life is still unpredictable, which means that you will need to charge the phone at least once every day.
When switching between the main screen and the cover screen, applications do not go through a smooth transition.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a somewhat pricey device, coming in at Rs 1 lakh.
Specs of the Key
Are there problems with the Samsung Flip phone?
Some customers have voiced their dissatisfaction with the smartphone, including instances in which applications have crashed, the cover screen has failed to react, or the device has unexpectedly frozen and restarted. Possible solutions: It is most probable that this is due to a malfunctioning application or system service. In order to determine whether or not the problem continues, you may try starting the phone in Safe Mode.
Why is my Galaxy Z Flip dying so fast?
Because you have an excessive number of applications operating in the background, this is one of the most prevalent explanations. Even when you are not using them, these applications pull a significant amount of power from your battery.
What are the disadvantages of the Samsung Flip 5?
- Not all apps work well on cover screen
- app transition between screens is not seamless
- Average battery life
Pros
- Large, usable cover screen
- new hinge removes gap
- Excellent cameras
- Good software experience