Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review | Two Weeks Later...

Reviewing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 after two weeks, including an in-depth camera test, gaming with Genshin Impact, battery life and more. Is this the best foldable phone of 2023? Should you buy the Samsung Z Fold 5 vs the Pixel Fold, or that S23 Ultra? Well, here's my verdict, and check out my round-up of my favourite folding smartphones for more ideas!

Despite preferring more compact foldables like the Flip 5, I did enjoy my time with this Sammy phone. Complaints include the less-than-stellar camera results, which aren't quite flagship quality, plus the battery life which dips in strong sunlight. However, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5's optics can still spaff out good looking pics in less testing light and overall I'd happily recommend. If you're rich, that is.

The design has improved vs last year's Fold 4, even if that cover screen is still a bit too skinny. The internal display is powerfully bright, so you can use the Samsung Z Fold 5 even in extreme sunshine. Audio is just as good while the performance is a winner thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.

Battery life is fine as long as you're not using the internal panel in sun, while the Galaxy Z Fold 5's software makes great use of the bigger screen. So that's my review, but what do you think of Samsung's latest foldable smartphone?

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review Chapters:
0:00 - Is that a massive phone in your pocket...
0:34 - Design
2:14 - Android & features
3:34 - External screen
4:48 - Internal screen
6:12 - Software & multi-tasking
8:21 - Performance & gaming
9:34 - Connectivity
10:14 - Battery life
11:40 - Cameras
15:18 - Verdict

[dxkbrry]

Coming from an iPhone this has been revolutionary. One of the biggest reasons why I jumped over the fence into the android space was the new hinge design and feel in hand. It's compact and feels great! I do however, agree with you on the dinky narrow Samsung keyboard on the front screen but that is quickly rectified with installing Gboard (feels and types MILES better now). Love the 5!

[darththew]

i upgraded from fold 3 to 5. it may feel the same, but in hand you can really feel the difference of the lightness, the better outer screen and generally feels so much smoother

[skitzvitz]

Jumped from a S22U to a fold 5. 5 days on and I dont think I could go back. Yes it has some quirks but far outshined by the improvements it has made to my day to day life. Both professionally and personally.

[SilentRunnerSpeaks]

Software on the Fold5 is awesome! The overall experience I've had over the past few days has been awesome. I had the Pixel Fold for a few weeks, but I perfer the fold5 way more than the Pixel, and sadly that's what I'm limited to over here in the states.

[Binx]

Software is probably one of the biggest reasons why I went with a fold 5 over the pixel, importing one of the Chinese options or waiting for one plus's upcoming foldable. Samsung has done it best from the software side, even beating out Google's fold. I'd prefer a slightly wider front display, but that's really the only thing I'd change about the fold. Oh, and please figure out how to add dust resistance. That's literally it. It's cool seeing how thin others have gotten their foldables, but id argue a slightly thicker foldable is worth the added durability. I can't speak for other brands, but I know the flip and fold 5 have pretty stellar durability.

[DeezeNutzz]

Gaming on that thing must be one unusual experience

[immrtal]

you are somewhere between Saul Goodman and Nacho Varga

[cannukian]

Bixby routines are small but it's something that I've come to depend. For example I go to class twice a week. My phone automatically mute when I get there, and automatically unmute when I leave.

[xxprouaexx]

can u tell me where u got the front wallpaper cover display i love anime -

[Drejkol]

Just one thing for the beginning - Smartphones got so expensive because we no longer "have" any reason to upgrade 3-4 years old device unless you are gamer, and modern adult gamers are fine with spending hard earned money for overpriced stuff like Gacha games, 2000€ gpus etc. Just fans and the case in my current PC costed me more than my first "gaming" PC I got for good grades back in the day, when I was in the middle school and it's not any flex, just the current situation in the gaming hardware industry.

S21Ultra (SD one) is still an amazing phone, completely fine with normal person daily usage. Camera is amazing, battery lasts for few days if you are using it only for chats and occasional web browsing, and even then you can charge it back from low % to full in about an hour. It's waterproof to the point that I was diving and doing some underwater clips up to 10m without any problems. Why would you upgrade S21U to modern flagships, what would be reason other than just having few more fps in the games such as Genshin, Honkai or Pubg ? Back in the day when we had S2, S3, S4 etc. Each smartphone felt like a huge step forward. Everything was greatly improved from gen to gen. Now ? Fold4 is literally little slower Fold5. S21U is literally slower S23U without the Spen. Unless you need the fastest SoC on the market to have the perfect performance in modern games, you are more than fine to keep your flagship for at least 5 years, which means 2000€ for a device is pretty much new standard. Instead of paying 1000€ every year or two, you are just paying 2000€ every 4 or 5 years.

[julianwilliams]

Watching on my z fold 5 and first foldable and wow... don't think I can ever go back to a normal phone!

[grizzerz]

Gonna switch from a S21 Ultra to the Z Fold 5. Been waiting for a later entry for a bit and it seems like a good time to upgrade now. Really excited!

[vincentkong]

Nice wallpapers. Is it difficult to find wallpapers optimized for the front and unfolded displays?

[SMediaHQ]

What a phone, love mine! Came from a fold 3 and even though everything is just more refined, as a total package it all adds up to make the phones feel miles apart.

[nickyanakiev]

Love the front screen personally, more minimalistic approach to life with less distractions. Open up to the internal display when you want to indulge. Works wonders!

[Kratos-fgsj]

I went from the Fold 2 to the Fold 5. Big upgrade. Loving it.

[TheAustinpowers]

What app do you use for Manga? I can’t tell from the video.

[kymmoulds]

A great review and thanks for taking the time and effort to make it. and a BIG thumbs up, Cheers.

[philippelambinet]

For games that don't work well with the boxy display (you mention Genshin Impact), you always have the option to change the aspect ratio of the game to 4x3 or 16x9. Sure, you won't be using the whole screen but you will have the best possible gaming experience. 4x3 is usually well understood by most games for some reason and the lost space is very minimal. This parameter is adjustable for each installed app in the settings/Display/Full Screen Apps. Each app can be either full screen (default), 4x3 or 16x9.

[digitaldave]

So do i get a z fold 4 for my first ever samsung? Iphone user all my life and looking forward to trying something new