Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 – The Flip Phone Finally Gets the Upgrade We Wanted!

Introduction

What do you do when your foldable phone already dominates the market with barely any serious competition? According to Samsung — not much. The Galaxy Z Flip5 may not reinvent the wheel, but it refines it in all the right ways.

The 2023 Flip gets two major upgrades — a larger, more useful cover display and a new hinge that folds flat. These changes might sound small, but they make a big difference in everyday use. Add in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, double the base storage (256GB), and a few minor tweaks, and you’ve got a sleeker, smarter foldable that finally feels complete.

Design: Flat, Flashy, and Finally Refined

The Z Flip5 revolves around two major design pillars — the bigger Flex Window cover screen and the all-new gapless hinge.

The external display now measures 3.4 inches, though its unusual folder-like shape curves around the cameras. It’s not as seamless as the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra’s edge-to-edge look, but it’s still a huge improvement over last year’s tiny screen. You can finally use it for widgets, quick replies, and even as a proper camera viewfinder — something the Flip4 struggled with.

The second major upgrade is the hinge. Samsung’s new Flex Hinge lets the phone fold completely flat, eliminating the awkward wedge-shaped gap of previous generations. Not only does it look better, but it also protects the inner display from dust and debris. Despite the new design, Samsung has maintained the IPX8 water resistance, proving you can have both durability and elegance.

Display: Brighter and Smarter

The outer Flex Window is one of the Flip5’s biggest highlights. It boasts a 3.4-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 720×748 pixels. While it’s not as sharp or fast as the internal display (it’s limited to 60Hz), it’s bright enough — peaking at over 1,000 nits during testing.

Inside, the 6.7-inch foldable AMOLED display remains largely the same, with one key upgrade — brightness. It now hits 1,750 nits peak, a noticeable jump from last year. Colors are vivid, the contrast is deep, and scrolling feels buttery smooth at 120Hz.

Battery Life: Same Capacity, Better Efficiency

Samsung hasn’t changed the 3,700mAh battery from the Z Flip4, but thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s power efficiency, you’ll see improved endurance. It’s still not class-leading — rivals like the Oppo Find N3 Flip (4,300mAh) last longer — but it’s decent for a compact foldable.

Charging remains at 25W wired and 15W wireless. Using Samsung’s standard 25W charger, it reaches around 50% in 30 minutes, and it also supports reverse wireless charging for earbuds and wearables.

Software: Smarter Cover Screen Experience

The Z Flip5 runs Android 13 with One UI 5.1.1, optimized for foldables. Samsung has added several custom features for the cover screen, making it far more functional than before.

You can now browse widgets, view notifications, control media, and even access limited app support — though it’s still not as open as Motorola’s approach. The interface remains clean and customizable, giving you plenty of control over what appears on the Flex Window.

Performance: Flagship Power Inside

Under the hood, the Flip5 packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB storage options. This special edition chip runs slightly faster than the standard version, offering smoother multitasking and better gaming performance.

In benchmarks, the Flip5 performs on par with the Galaxy S23, making it one of the fastest clamshell foldables available. Whether it’s photo editing, gaming, or multitasking, the Flip5 handles it all effortlessly.

Camera: Familiar Hardware, Better Results

The Z Flip5 uses the same 12MP main + 12MP ultrawide camera setup as its predecessor. However, image processing improvements and the new cover screen change the experience dramatically.

The larger outer display acts as a viewfinder, letting you capture high-quality selfies using the main cameras — a huge plus for social media users. Image quality has improved slightly, with better detail and color accuracy, though low-light photos still trail behind the Galaxy S23 lineup.

Verdict: Subtle But Smart Upgrades

Samsung didn’t need to reinvent the Galaxy Z Flip — it just needed to make it more practical. And with the larger cover screen and flat-folding hinge, the Z Flip5 finally delivers on that promise.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip boosts performance and efficiency, while the refined design and improved usability make this the best Flip yet. Sure, it’s not a revolutionary leap, but it’s a meaningful evolution — and one that cements Samsung’s lead in the foldable market.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to go foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip5 is the one to get. Just keep an eye out for those post-launch discounts or bundle offers — they’ll make the deal even sweeter.