Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
Price: RM4,499
PROS | CONS |
+ Large cover screen and useful widgets | + Average battery performance |
+ Complete water resistance with an IPX8 rating | + Running apps on the cover screen is tricky |
+ No gap present on the hinge when the phone is closed. | + Camera shows little improvement |
+ Faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip | |
Design
The Flip 5 is also a tiny bit slimmer than its predecessor and notably no longer has wedge shape. The Flip 5 retains its IPX8 water resistance rating, just like its previous iteration. However, it's important to note that the "X" in this rating signifies the absence of specific dust protection. Therefore, be careful in dusty environment.
Samsung's Flip 5 opts for Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for both the front and back surfaces, while the phone's framework is constructed using Armor Aluminum. The Flip model embraces a design featuring flat edges, which brings along its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The most noteworthy comparison of Flip 5 compared to Flip 4 is the phone now shuts without leaving any gaps, attributed to a redesigned hinge. This results in a marginally sleeker phone, an enhancement that is undoubtedly favourable.
The Galaxy Z Fold5 comes in five colors inspired by Nature: Icy Blue, Phantom Black, Grey, Blue and Cream whereas the review unit I got is Phantom Black. You may get these exclusive colors from Samsung.com.
Display
While the primary display of the Flip 5 remains unchanged, the front "Flex Screen" undergoes a radical transformation, now occupying a significantly larger portion of the phone's front surface, except for a cutout designated for the cameras.
You can do a lot more on this larger screen thanks to a bunch of new widgets that Samsung has built specifically for this screen. However, it's important to note that not all apps are compatible with this outer screen. At launch, you'll have access to several widgets, including:
Quick dial for favorite contacts and recent calls
Samsung Wallet
Weather widget
Clock widget with alarm and timer settings
Voice recorder app
Calendar
Stocks widget
Control over system settings such as sound, brightness, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, and more
Daily Steps counter
Camera
Samsung continues to utilize the identical camera setup as in the previous iteration, featuring a dual-camera system with an unchanged 12MP primary camera sensor and an unaltered 12MP ultra-wide lens. Furthermore, users can expect the retention of the familiar 10MP front-facing camera located on the main screen.
The ultrawide relies on the Sony IMX258 sensor, a Type 1/3.06" unit with 1.12µm pixels, but the phone still outputs 12MP photos. The fixed-focus lens has a reported 13mm equivalent focal length and an f/2.2 aperture.
(normal vs ultrawide)
(normal vs ultrawide)
However, despite the camera having a modest 12MP resolution, the resulting images remain remarkably clear and detailed, a testament to the exceptional quality of its super-clear lens as we attended Samsung's Onground Event, where BTS's Jimin was featured as the official ambassador for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, and we captured numerous photos during the event.
The night mode feature of the camera is also remarkable as it delivers results by capturing clear and detailed images even in low-light settings. Whether you're in a dimly lit room or out in the city at night, the camera's ability to take clean and vibrant pictures in a dark environment adds a new level of versatility to your photography experience.
Feature: Flexcam Mode
The term “FlexCam” refers to the ability to capture photos and videos hands-free on recent models of Z Flip. This feature leverages the teardrop hinge design employed by Samsung’s foldables, making it possible for users to prop up the camera on different surfaces and capture selfies and group photos without asking friends or strangers to snap photos for you.
The Z Flip 5 enhances the experience significantly, offering a novel 3.4-inch cover display that serves as a camera preview, allowing users to refine their poses before capturing photos. Moreover, the inclusion of gesture control, such as the ability to activate a camera timer by showing one's palm, streamlines the process of taking selfies. This combination almost replicates the convenience of having both a camera and a tripod integrated into a single device.
Performance
The Flip 5 stands as the pioneering flip phone to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, the same chip as in Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. It's noteworthy that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 appears to exhibit no instances of overheating whatsoever. By then, establishing itself as the undisputed leader in flip phone performance and speed.
(Antutu Benchmark Score: 1188107)
I tested the game "Honkai: Star Rail" on the Galaxy Z Flip5, and I can confidently affirm that the gameplay experience was exceptionally fluid, null of any undesirable instances of stuttering or disruptions. This positions it as one of the premier choices for gaming, excelling in terms of performance as well.
The Flip 5 comes with the same size 3,700 mAh battery as the Flip 4. The battery life of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 can exhibit a wide range of variations based on your usage patterns. With conservative usage, it has the potential to extend beyond a single day, and in some instances, even surpass it. However, if you incorporate activities such as prolonged usage of 5G mobile data, navigation, and extensive photography, the battery life can experience a significant decline. The charging duration are varies as utilizing Samsung's 25W charger, you can attain a 50% charge within 30 minutes and a complete safe charge close to 90 minutes. If you are using a 15W charger, it becomes advisable to charge the phone overnight to ensure optimal battery levels instead.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 should undoubtedly taking into consideration for those who favour flip phones. That larger cover screen alone is a major attraction, and improvements like redesigned hinge, better pictures from the cameras despite the camera hardware remaining the same, and faster performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip all add up to make this phone a huge upgrade compared to flip phones in the market now.
In my opinion, I would personally love to purchase it, primarily due to its remarkable convenience attributed to the flip function, which makes it highly portable. Furthermore, its acts as a reliable travel companion, especially because of the inclusion of the flexmode feature that empowers me to capture media content autonomously without the need for third-party assistance.
Get your own Galaxy Z Flip 5 now in Samsung's Official Store!
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