The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is one of the most highly-anticipated smartphones of the year. It’s set to be revealed at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event on July 26th and is expected to be an incremental update to its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 4. While it may not bring any radical design changes, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is anticipated to be lighter and slimmer than its predecessor and boast a new hinge design that folds flat.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Release Date
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to be revealed on July 26th at the Galaxy Unpacked event. The event will be held in Seoul, South Korea. While the actual release date of the phone is unknown, it is expected to be launched soon after the event. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 was shipped out 16 days after its unveiling, so it’s likely that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will have a similar release schedule.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Price
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to be priced similarly to its predecessor, which launched at $1,800. The Google Pixel Fold, which is one of the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s main competitors, launched at a similar price point. While there have been rumors of a slight reduction in price for the Galaxy Z Fold 5, it’s unclear how significant that reduction will be.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Design
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to be slightly lighter and thinner than its predecessor, thanks in part to a new hinge design. Leaked renders suggest that the phone will measure 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.5mm when folded and 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.3mm when unfolded. The phone is expected to fold inward, like its predecessors.
One of the biggest changes to the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s design is its hinge. The phone is rumored to have a new waterdrop hinge that will reduce the display crease found in previous Galaxy foldables. The hinge has been tested for durability and is expected to withstand 200,000 folds, the usual standard.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Specs
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to come with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset and the same 12GB of RAM as its predecessor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is incredibly fast and will help the Galaxy Z Fold 5 outperform its predecessor for gaming and demanding tasks.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5’s AMOLED display is expected to measure 6.7 inches unfolded, with a 120Hz refresh rate. The cover display will once again measure 6.2 inches, with the same 120Hz refresh rate but only dipping to 48Hz instead of 1Hz like the inner display.
In terms of the cameras, there are conflicting reports. One leak suggested that the phone would add a 108MP main sensor and 64MP telephoto lens with 2X optical zoom, along with an unchanged 12MP ultrawide lens. Another leak claimed the Galaxy Z Fold 5 would once again have a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto lens.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 Could Benefit from Pixel Fold’s Software Experience
While the Galaxy Z Fold 5 may not bring many radical changes to its design and specifications, it could benefit from the software experience of the Google Pixel Fold. The Pixel Fold is Google’s first in-house foldable, and it offers some improvements to help users make better use of the foldable form factor.
One of the most significant improvements introduced by the Pixel Fold is its taskbar. The dynamic taskbar lets you launch frequently-used applications, quickly switch between apps, and easily launch two apps in split-screen mode. It also shows app suggestions based on your usage habits. These improvements could make their way to the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and make its multitasking experience even better.
Galaxy Z Fold 5 Users Will Have Access to More Foldable-Optimized Apps
Google has been pushing developers to optimize their apps for foldables and large-screen devices since it first showcased Android 12L. Since the Pixel Fold is one of the first foldables to be released, most of Google’s apps have been optimized to better utilize the large inner screen on foldables and offer users access to useful two-column layouts.
Google is also pushing third-party developers to optimize apps for foldables, and it recently showcased a few apps that were redesigned to offer a new two-column layout, app continuity, and responsive resizing of UI elements on foldable phones. Since these changes apply to all foldable devices and not just the Pixel Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 5 users will be able to enjoy apps that make better use of the large foldable display.
The Foldable Experience Will Improve Even Further with Android 14
Google is likely working on even more changes that will improve the software experience on foldable devices with Android 14. The next major platform update will include an easier way to make app pairs and launch two apps in split-screen mode.
Since the Pixel Fold is one of the first few devices to receive beta builds of the update, developers and early adopters will have a chance to experience the new changes ahead of the stable rollout and give Google valuable feedback to improve the foldable software experience further. As a result, when the Galaxy Z Fold 5 gets its One UI update based on Android 14, users can expect to receive a more polished experience than before.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Along with the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung is also expected to reveal the Galaxy Z Flip 5 at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is expected to make a splash with its revamped cover screen. It’s also expected to be priced at around $1,000, making it a cheaper alternative to the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
What We Want to See from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to be an incremental update, there are still a few things we’d like to see from the phone. For one, we’d like to see less plastic used in the phone’s build. The PET screen protector found on previous Galaxy foldables is prone to cracking and warping over time, and it would be nice to see a more durable material used instead.
We’d also like to see the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s hinge design eliminate the display crease found in previous Galaxy foldables. The new waterdrop hinge is a step in the right direction, but we’d like to see even more improvements in future generations.
Lastly, we’d like to see the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s camera system push the boundaries of mobile photography. While the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s camera system was an upgrade over its predecessor, there’s still room for improvement. We’d love to see the phone adopt the 200MP sensor and 10x optical zoom found in the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is set to be one of the best foldable phones of the year. While it may not bring any radical changes to its design and specifications, it’s expected to be lighter and slimmer than its predecessor and boast a new hinge design that folds flat. The phone is also expected to benefit from the software experience of the Google Pixel Fold and offer access to more foldable-optimized apps. While there are still a few things we’d like to see from the phone, it’s shaping up to be an exciting device for foldable enthusiasts.