Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is the clamshell foldable that Samsung announced on 26 July 2023 and put on general sale on 11 August 2023. It folds a full-size phone into a compact square, and its big change over the previous generation is a much larger cover screen. This article is based on the published specifications and manufacturer information; it sets out what the phone offers, what Samsung claims, and where the compromises are for someone choosing a flip-style phone over a slab.

Where the Flip5 sits in the lineup

Samsung launched the Flip5 alongside the book-style Galaxy Z Fold5. The two share the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, the new Flex Hinge, an IPX8 water rating and an Armor Aluminum frame, but they serve different buyers. The Fold is a work and multitasking device with a tablet-sized inner screen; the Flip is a pocketable, style-oriented phone. In the United States the base 256GB model started at 999.99 dollars, with a 512GB version above it. Samsung reported that in markets such as Latin America, Southeast Asia and Europe, 65 percent of pre-orders for the two foldables went to the Flip5, which shows where the demand sat in that generation.

The Flip line has since moved on. If you want the current design, look at the Galaxy Z Flip7, and the table Galaxy Z Flip5 vs Galaxy Z Flip7 sets out the differences. The Flip5 remains relevant for second-hand and discounted buying.

Design and the Flex Hinge

Unfolded, the Flip5 measures 71.9 x 165.1 x 6.9 mm; folded it is 71.9 x 85.1 x 15.1 mm, and it weighs 187 g. The new Flex Hinge uses a dual-rail structure, which Samsung says diffuses external impact and gives a balanced design. The frame is Armor Aluminum, and both the cover screen and the back panel use Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Samsung also notes a shock-dispersion layer and a redesigned back for the main display. The water rating is IPX8, covering immersion in up to 1.5 metres of fresh water for up to 30 minutes; there is no dust rating, so the hinge remains the place to keep clear of sand. Samsung itself says that water resistance is not permanent and can diminish with normal wear.

Standard colours at launch were Mint, Graphite, Cream and Lavender. Samsung's own online store added Gray, Blue, Green and Yellow. The Flipsuit Case, which has a changeable NFC card so the case can match the cover-screen design, is one of several accessories Samsung offers separately.

The larger cover screen

The cover screen is the Flip5's signature. It is a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED panel at 720 x 748 pixels, about 306 ppi, with a refresh rate of 60 Hz, and Samsung states that it is 3.78 times larger than the previous generation's. Peak brightness in high-brightness mode is 1,600 nits, and this is the first Flip cover screen with a proximity sensor. Samsung calls it the Flex Window. It shows widgets for weather, music and stocks, lets you reply to messages with a full keyboard, check notifications and Quick Settings, and open Samsung Wallet with a swipe up. You can also change the clock face to match a Galaxy Watch6 and add frames.

In practice, that means many everyday tasks no longer require opening the phone. The limits are the 60 Hz refresh rate, which is lower than the main screen, and the fact that not every app can run on the cover display. Think of it as a smart glance screen with some interactive abilities rather than a second phone.

Main display

When opened, the main screen is a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel at 2640 x 1080 pixels in a tall 22:9 shape, with an adaptive refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz. Samsung measures it as 6.7 inches in the full rectangle and 6.6 inches with rounded corners. The tall shape suits scrolling, chat and video in portrait, and the adaptive rate saves power when content is static. As on any folding phone, there is a visible crease across the panel and the plastic-based surface is more vulnerable than glass, so Samsung's advice to avoid sharp objects is worth following.

Performance and software

The Flip5 uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, with 8GB of memory and 256GB or 512GB of storage; there is no memory-card slot. It launched with Android 13 and One UI 5.1.1, and Samsung promises four generations of operating-system upgrades and five years of security updates, which pushes support into 2028. The chip is a flagship of its generation, so everyday performance, gaming and multitasking are comfortable. Thermal headroom is the usual limit for a slim folded body: sustained heavy loads will heat the phone more than they would a thicker slab.

The folding form gives the Flip5 its own software tricks. Flex Mode, supported between 75 and 115 degrees, splits apps between the upper and lower halves of the screen, so you can watch a video on top and use controls below. Media Controller, the Google Finance widget and Multi Widget View add useful things to the cover screen. Connectivity includes 5G, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with one nano-SIM plus an eSIM, and security is handled by Samsung Knox with Knox Vault; the fingerprint sensor sits in the side key.

Cameras

The rear camera is a dual system: a 12MP wide camera with Dual Pixel autofocus and optical stabilisation (f/1.8) and a 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 123 degrees). There is no telephoto lens, and Samsung offers digital zoom up to 10x, noting that it may cause some image deterioration. The front camera is 10MP (f/2.2). Samsung says the AI-based image processing has been improved for low light, with better noise correction and tone in what it calls Nightography.

The advantage of the format is how the camera is used. With the larger cover screen you can frame selfies using the rear camera, which is better than the front one, and Dual Preview lets the person being photographed see themselves. FlexCam supports hands-free shots from the half-folded phone, and Auto Framing helps keep everyone in a video call or recording. If you want a zoom lens, you need to look at a slab phone or the Z Fold5, which adds a 3x telephoto.

Battery and charging

The battery is a dual-cell unit with a typical capacity of 3,700 mAh, and Samsung lists the rated capacity as 3,591 mAh. Wired charging reaches about 50 percent in around 30 minutes with a 25W adapter and 3A USB-C cable, both of which must be bought separately. The phone supports Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare. A 3,700 mAh battery is modest by current standards, and the large cover screen and 120 Hz main screen will use it up on heavy days, so treat this as a one-day phone for most people.

Who it is for and where it compromises

The Flip5 is for people who want a normal-sized, powerful phone that fits in a small pocket, who value fashion and personalisation, and who enjoy the cover screen for glances. It is a weaker choice for photography enthusiasts, for people who need long battery life, or for anyone who needs dust protection. Compared with the Fold5 it costs much less and weighs much less, but it lacks the tablet-sized work surface. Browse the phones category or the rankings to see how the Flip5 compares with slab phones at a similar price.