Galaxy Z Fold5 hands-on: what speaks for the Fold5, and what doesn't

The Galaxy Z Fold5 is only a slight upgrade compared to the Z Fold4. The body dimensions, camera and battery have stayed the same. Still, there are three reasons why I personally would always pick the Fold5 if I had to choose between the two. On top of that come a few points of criticism.

Three reasons for the Fold5

1. New hinge. The so-called Flex hinge lets the device close completely. That makes the Fold5 2 mm slimmer. It is also 10 grams lighter. That really makes a difference, and it sits much more comfortably in the hand than the Fold4.
2. The new processor. It is super fast and efficient, and operation is ultra-smooth. I don’t want to be without that anymore. The battery and camera are said to have improved because of it, but on paper neither has changed. As for battery life, I can’t confirm an improvement. As with the Fold4, I get a solid screen-on time of about 6 hours, which is perfectly fine for me. As for the camera shots, I think the contrast in photos and videos has gotten a bit better.
3. The new case for the S Pen. It finally makes the stylus practical for everyday use. Unfortunately, it still can’t be stored inside the body like on the S23 Ultra, and Samsung’s previous cases that you could slot the stylus into were absolute bricks.

I use the S Pen a lot on the Fold. With it, the device is an absolute hit: a full tablet in your pocket on which you can take notes, draw and sign documents. However, I lost the stylus about two days after buying the case. It doesn’t sit very firmly in the holder, and I probably caught it on something when pulling the device out of my pocket. Unfortunately, the new S Pen can only be reordered in black, and I bought the case again.

Display and everyday use

The display has gotten much brighter, and in direct sunlight it’s no longer a problem to read it well. Samsung claims that the crease has become less noticeable thanks to the new display technology. I see it that way too, but maybe I’m just imagining it because I wish for it.

• Multi-Window shows several apps on the screen at the same time.
• DeX turns the Fold5 into a full-fledged laptop, especially with a mouse, keyboard and monitor at home.
• The speakers are loud and full, perfect for watching videos.
• The Fold5 is water-resistant, but still not protected against dust and sand. That is probably difficult with the hinge.
• There are now four years of updates, which I very much welcome.

Case: Pitaka Aircases

Ad: Pitaka is an advertising partner here. Its Aircases for the Fold5 and Flip5 are made of aramid fiber, only 0.95 mm thick and light. What I like best is that they hardly pick up any fingerprints. Wireless charging and reverse charging work with the cases, and the Flip5 case comes with patented MagSafe technology on the back so you can use your MagSafe-compatible accessories.

Price and verdict

I would claim that a great many people need neither a tablet nor a laptop alongside the Fold5. If you add up the cost of these three devices, the RRP of €1,900 is still fair. But I no longer consider it entirely fair that the Fold5 has become another €100 more expensive than the Fold4, given the few improvements.

A few months ago, I criticized Apple for bringing the same smartphone, only slightly polished, every year. Unfortunately, Samsung is doing the same with the Fold5: a few small improvements, basically nothing new compared to the Fold3 and Fold4. I’m hoping for a bigger leap with the Fold6, like the one achieved with the Flip5 and its new large outer display, which was a game changer. My wish for the Fold6 is a wider but less tall shape, so the outer display is easier to use.