Nyreason

Samsung’s foldable lineup continues to push the boundaries of smartphone innovation, and with the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung refines rather than reinvents. But is it enough to justify an upgrade from the Galaxy Z Fold 4? Let’s break it down across five key areas:

1. Display & Hinge Durability

Z Fold 4:

• Main Display: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2176 x 1812, 120Hz)
• Cover Display: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2316 x 904, 120Hz)
• Hinge: Bulky and noticeable gap when folded

Z Fold 5:

• Main Display: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2176 x 1812, 120Hz) (same specs, but slightly brighter at 1750 nits)
• Cover Display: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2316 x 904, 120Hz) (no size changes, but better visibility in sunlight)
• Hinge: New Flex Hinge with a zero-gap fold, making it thinner, more durable, and crease-resistant

Verdict: The biggest change here is the Flex Hinge, which makes the Fold 5 thinner and more durable, addressing one of the Fold 4’s biggest pain points.

2. Battery Life & Charging

Z Fold 4:

• Battery: 4,400mAh
• Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless

Z Fold 5:

• Battery: 4,400mAh (unchanged)
• Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless (unchanged)
• Efficiency Gains: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset improves battery life by 10-15%

Verdict: No battery capacity upgrade, but better efficiency means the Fold 5 lasts a little longer per charge. Not a game-changer, though.

3. Software & S-Pen Integration

Z Fold 4:

• One UI 5.1 (Android 13)
• Taskbar & multitasking refinements
• S-Pen support (but no built-in slot)

Z Fold 5:

• One UI 5.1.1 (Android 13, soon Android 14)
• Better app continuity & improved multitasking
• S-Pen is now slimmer and fits in the redesigned S-Pen case

Verdict: Small but welcome software refinements, and the S-Pen is now easier to carry, making the Fold 5 more productivity-friendly.

4. Performance & Benchmarks

Z Fold 4:

• Processor: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
• RAM & Storage: 12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB
• Geekbench Score: ~1300 (single-core), ~3800 (multi-core)

Z Fold 5:

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (same as S23 Ultra, faster & more efficient)
• RAM & Storage: 12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB (same options)
• Geekbench Score: ~1550 (single-core), ~5000 (multi-core)

Verdict: Performance is notably better, especially for gaming and multitasking, but not a night-and-day difference unless you’re pushing the device to its limits.

Final Recommendation: Should You Upgrade?

• Upgrade if:
  You want the new zero-gap hinge for a sleeker and more durable design
  You rely on the S-Pen and want better portability
  You need faster performance for gaming or productivity
• Skip if:
  You already own a Fold 4 and don’t mind the small hinge gap
  Battery life is your top priority (it’s only slightly better)
  You’re waiting for a bigger leap, like under-display cameras or larger battery improvements

Final Verdict:

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a refined, more polished version of the Fold 4. If you’re upgrading from an older foldable (like the Fold 3 or earlier), it’s absolutely worth it. However, Fold 4 users can comfortably wait for the next-gen Fold 6, where we might see a bigger battery, improved cameras, and more meaningful innovations.

Would you upgrade, or are you holding out for the next big thing? Let’s discuss! 🚀