“The Samsung Fold has consistently been one of the most highly sought-after Android smartphones, thanks to its ingenious combination of phone and tablet features neatly packed into a pocket-friendly form. The latest Z Fold5 for this year enhances its desirability with a reimagined hinge design that achieves a seamless, gap-free look. However, given that the main upgrade centers around an improved processor, and with no other significant changes in sight, the question arises: does the Z Fold5, priced at Rs 1,54,999, truly offer commensurate value?”
Design:
The Z Fold4 gained admiration for its impressive features, yet it faced criticism for its bulky and thick design. Samsung has addressed these concerns with the Z Fold5 by refining the chassis design, resulting in a seamless structure and a notably slimmer profile of only 13mm when folded. This refinement is crucial as it eliminates the risk of coins or small objects getting trapped between the screens, a problem prevalent in earlier models. This enhancement enhances portability without compromising productivity.
Moreover, while a 10-gram distinction might appear trivial, it holds significance for a foldable smartphone, which tends to be relatively heavier. Reducing the weight to 256 grams contributes to a more comfortable grip, setting it apart. As a comparison, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max weighs 240 grams.
A prominent feature is the arrangement of controls along the right edge – encompassing the power button, which also integrates a fingerprint scanner, and the volume adjustments. This positioning remains consistent, regardless of the phone being folded or unfolded. Importantly, the device boasts an IPx8 certification, guaranteeing resistance against water.
Cover Screen:
Unlike its Flip counterpart, there have been no expansions to the dimensions of the cover display; it retains a consistent 6.2-inch tall screen that functions akin to a traditional smartphone. Even when the phone is folded, the cover screen proves useful for tasks such as calls, messages, swift internet browsing, and app usage in full view. The display offers exceptional clarity and brightness, along with excellent readability even under direct sunlight. Operating it with one hand is comfortable, although some users might encounter a slight challenge while typing emails and messages using the QWERTY keyboard. Samsung upholds its commitment to quality, as the screen features a 120Hz refresh rate and is safeguarded by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for added protection.
Unfold:
Unfurling the Z Fold5 unveils a spacious all-screen interior, measuring a precise 7.6 inches—an optimal size for enhanced productivity. Intriguingly, even gripping this foldable device single-handedly presents no inconvenience this time. The generous screen dimensions make it perfect for various content consumption activities, such as web browsing, reviewing documents and PDFs, enjoying videos, gaming, and more. Productivity on the phone is also elevated. The keyboard is split down the middle, facilitating convenient typing. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, multitasking is a breeze on this device, much like on tablets. Intuitive gestures like swiping from the upper corner for a pop-up view and using two fingers from the left for a split screen are extremely convenient. I effortlessly launched multiple apps simultaneously and worked on them side by side. If only Samsung managed to incorporate the S-Pen into this device, it would have been truly perfect.
Flex:
The Z Fold5, due to its size, can become tiring to hold for extended periods. However, the innovative Flex mode comes to the rescue, allowing hands-free usage in a semi-folded position. In this mode, the upper screen serves for content viewing, while the lower half becomes a practical space for controls and other tasks. This is particularly useful for activities like handling emails, watching videos, or even taking selfies.
Despite the benefits of Flex mode, not all apps are optimized for this feature, although the list is growing. Moreover, this feature is not enabled by default and needs activation in the device settings. Nonetheless, the device can be conveniently placed on a surface to facilitate usage, offering a more comfortable and enjoyable experience across various scenarios. The Z Fold5’s versatility, combined with the Flex mode, provides a distinctive and adaptable way of engaging with the device.
Camera:
Samsung maintains the same camera arrangement as before, incorporating a total of 5 cameras. The rear camera setup comprises a 50MP primary camera, accompanied by a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP telephoto lens. Additionally, there’s a 10MP front camera on the cover screen for selfies and an in-display camera.
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Among these options, I extensively utilized the rear camera setup to capture the lush landscapes around Delhi, the captivating morning sky painted in shades of blue, and the evening sky adorned with delightful hues of yellow, orange, and pink. The Z Fold5 impressively captured intricate details and vivid color reproduction, leaving no nuances unnoticed. Portrait shots exhibited impeccable object detection, yielding flawless results. Notably, low-light photography demonstrated remarkable performance, devoid of any noticeable noise. Apart from the standard features, the device offers numerous modes for users to experiment with.
Battery:
Despite housing the same 4,400 mAh battery as last year’s Z Fold 4, the Z Fold5 managed to endure slightly longer, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Using it as my primary device, with the main display dominating screen time, the Z Fold5 lasted me a day with approximately 20 percent charge remaining.
Final Thoughts:
Over the past five years, Samsung has refined the Fold—both in terms of hardware and software optimization. Starting at Rs 1,54,999, Samsung’s Z Fold5 stands out as a strong contender in the Android flagship market. It seamlessly combines the attributes of a portable (foldable) phone that effortlessly transitions into a tablet.
Specifications: Unfolded: 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm; Folded: 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm; 253 grams, 6.2-inch cover display, 7.6-inch inner display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Android 13, 50MP + 10MP + 12MP, 10MP cover camera, 4MP in-display camera; 4400mAh battery.
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