Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Review: Release Date, Price, Specs, & More

Remember the good old days of flip phones? Sure, they had their limitations, but there was something truly satisfying about flipping them open when taking a call. These days, this unique experience can still be enjoyed — and without sacrificing the practicalities of the modern smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 brings amazing specs to a design that’s reminiscent of the Motorola flip phones of old. The act of flipping open a phone to take a call — or snapping it shut to hang up with emphasis — remains as enticing as ever. Now, a new generation can experience the fun of a flip phone in true Samsung style.

Release Date

Less than a year after the release of the Galaxy Z Flip 4, the newest version of Samsung’s flip phone hit store shelves. On August 11, 2023, consumers looking to go hands-free with their video-watching and selfie-snapping got the chance to pick up the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 in stores.

Price

Two versions of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 are available, but that doesn’t mean a budget-friendly option is within reach. The entry-level 256GB model can be had for $999, while the 512GB version checks in at a hefty $1,119.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Specs

With so many different smartphones hitting retailers on a yearly basis, it’s hard to know which incremental improvements can be found. We're here to help. Check out the latest specs below for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5:

Key Features

Samsung has brought many improvements to the flip phone game, in hopes of attracting consumers away from rivals such as the Motorola Razr+. Are they enough to warrant a purchase? That’s ultimately for the consumer to decide.

Display

The Galaxy Z Flip 5's display resembles the previous model but with a few small improvements. The AMOLED screen now features an ultra-wide 22:9 aspect ratio. What's more, Samsung cranked up the brightness to make the Galaxy Z Flip 5 a fantastic outdoor phone.

The cover screen — which can be used on the outside of the phone when it’s closed — is an ingenious idea. Don't be surprised if smartphone rivals borrow this concept in the future.

Performance

Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powers the Galaxy Z Flip 5, allowing users to breeze through apps, widgets, and photo or video editing software. It’s the same CPU that powers the latest lineup of premium Samsung phones such as the Galaxy S23 Ultra — and it’s a titan when it comes to running Android 13.

Camera

The foldable design of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 makes it the perfect device for taking photos. The selfie camera sports an 85-degree field of view with its 10MP camera. The main camera’s ultra-wide lens can grab photos with an incredible 123-degree field of view. Both main and rear cameras will be used extensively on this device, which offers unique functionality that is hard to find anywhere else.

Battery

The size of the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s battery resembles that of its last-gen predecessor, but users should still see a slight improvement in battery life. That’s due to the previously mentioned Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, plus improved functionality and efficiency within Android 13. Power users who constantly snap pictures, use apps or connect to cellular data can expect to get up to twelve hours out of the device.

Software

A key benefit of being tied into the Samsung and Android ecosystem? Knowing what to expect when a new phone is released. Samsung hasn’t introduced much in the way of new software for its latest phones, but Android 13 is as stable and reliable as ever.

Design

Samsung certainly knocked it out of the park in terms of foldable phone design. This is true for both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Flip 5. Most notably, the new hinge has reduced the space between the screens when closed, making the device look less bulky when not in use.

Colors

Smartphone fanatics sick of the same selection of tired hues will be happy to hear that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is available in eight different colors. Gray, blue, and green are the usual suspects, with mint, lavender, yellow, and cream offering a splash of style.

Rounding out the color options? Graphite for a discreet aesthetic. Thankfully, an alternate option is available if none of these colors are particularly appealing: investing in a custom Samsung Galaxy Flip 5 skin from MightySkins,

Comparison with Previous Models

A much larger outer display distinguishes the Galaxy Z Flip 5. While last year's model featured a perfectly acceptable 1.9-inch AMOLED display, the Z Flip 5 blows it away with a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED screen boasting a 720 x 748 resolution. Combined with the larger cover display and improved Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU, it’s easy to place the Z Flip 5 ahead of its older sibling.

Community and Expert Expectations

Yearly smartphone updates don’t bring the same kind of excitement and speculation that they used to; there’s only so much left to accomplish with these devices. Samsung devotees and smartphone industry experts didn’t have realistic expectations about the Z Flip 5, however, so the phone has proven that positive surprises are still possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are still plenty of questions left to be asked about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. The most pressing matters are covered below.

Is the Samsung Z Flip 5 a good buy?

With a price starting at $999, the Z Flip 5 isn’t for everyone. Traditional smartphone consumers who have never tried a foldable screen should definitely consider taking the leap. Those who don’t see themselves putting the unique functionality to regular use may be better off sticking with a Google Pixel or iPhone.

Is the Samsung Z Flip 5 waterproof?

No phone is truly waterproof, but most of them are water-resistant. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 has received an IPX8 water resistance rating. This means it can handle light splashes and a brief dunk into water as deep as five feet.

How many folds can the Samsung Z Flip 5 take?

According to Android Central, the Z Flip 5 can be folded over 400,000 times before the screen finally calls it quits. How valuable is this information — and how many flips will most consumers use in a day? These aren’t easy questions to answer. As is usually the case with tech durability, this is heavily reliant on how delicate users are with their expensive devices.

Does Samsung Z Flip 5 support wireless charging?

With an entry price of $999, it would be an embarrassment if the Z Flip 5 didn’t feature wireless charging. Thankfully, that’s not the case, as on-the-go users can power their phones via wireless technology.

Should You Buy a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5?

Tired of annual, incremental phone updates? Ready for a decidedly different smartphone experience? The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a worthy option. Will it revolutionize the way we interact with the world? Probably not. What it will do, however, is bring some novelty back to the smartphone game.