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Finding the top phone in a flip design is usually hard. But for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, it’s simple: it’s the best flip phone you can buy.
The category is small, which helps. It’s mainly the Flip 5 or Motorola’s Razr Plus in the US. Both have large, useful cover screens and cost $999. Samsung’s option is more robust, with better widgets and cameras.
The Flip 5 isn’t perfect, though. It has no dust resistance, which is a problem for foldables. Its camera isn’t the best in its price range. Battery life could be better. If these are significant issues for you, reconsider getting a flip phone.
The Flip 5 is good for basic tasks. Its bigger screen lets you text, check the weather, and see directions without distractions. It’s the best in its class.
The 3.4-inch cover screen is a big step up from the Flip 4. You get a full keyboard for texts and can see your schedule and calendar at once. Samsung’s widgets are good and use the screen well. It’s a better experience than the Motorola Razr Plus.
Here’s what I used the cover screen for recently:
- Texting
- Picking up my kid from daycare
- Checking bus times
- Reading notifications
- Blocking spam calls
You can run some apps on the cover screen. It’s hit or miss, but some work well for quick tasks. Samsung restricts which apps you can use, but you can add more with extra software.
So, the Flip 5 has its pros and cons. It’s not for everyone, but if you can live with its limitations, it’s a strong option.
Drawbacks exist, but it’s a good choice. Scrolling through Instagram isn’t ideal on a tiny screen
The screen is small. You won’t enjoy Instagram on it. But it works for simple tasks like checking bus times or translating words. Ordering Starbucks is hard, but doable.
Some apps don’t work well on the Flip 5’s cover screen. Typing can be difficult. The keyboard hides your text sometimes. Using full apps feels risky.
The Flip 5’s cover screen is okay, but not great. It has a 720 x 748 60Hz display. It’s not as good as the Razr Plus screen. But it’s bright enough for outdoor use. It’s not for viewing photos or gaming. It has an always-on display. You can see time, date, battery, and app notifications easily.
Frequent users may need to charge their battery around noon
The AOD feature affects the battery life of the Z Flip 5. The phone’s small 3,700mAh battery makes this a real issue. With AOD on, I barely made it through the day. On lighter days, I ended with 40% battery.
The phone’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is fast. It gets a bit warm but not too hot. The base Z Flip 5 has 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, an upgrade from the Flip 4. It offers 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.
The new Z Flip 5 closes flat, an improvement over older models. It looks sleek but still feels bulky in my pocket. The phone is water-resistant but not dust-proof. Don’t take it to the beach.
The new cover screen is customizable. It’s like setting a smartwatch face. Flex mode has small but useful updates. The phone has strong software support with four years of OS updates and five years of security patches.
The camera quality is average. It has a 12MP main and ultrawide camera and a 10MP selfie camera. The pictures are okay but not outstanding, especially for a $1,000 phone. Low-light shots are inconsistent.
Most importantly, taking photos and videos with a flip phone is enjoyable
The video quality is okay. Samsung uses AI for better low-light videos. My low-light videos look good. Taking photos and videos with this flip phone is fun. It can stand on a table like a tripod for hands-free recording. You can also change the screen layout for different shooting styles.
Taking photos of my toddler feels more natural this way. The phone isn’t in my face, so I feel more present. I hope Samsung improves the Z Flip 6 cameras. Then it would be a great all-around phone.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has room for improvement. It needs better cameras, a more functional cover screen, and better dust protection. The design could also be slimmer.
Still, it’s the best flip phone you can easily buy. It’s the same price as the Motorola Razr Plus but better in many ways. Better camera, better water protection, more software updates, and better widgets on the cover screen. The Oppo Find N2 Flip is another choice, but it’s not as reliable or useful.
The cover screen is more than just cool; it’s helpful
Thinking about switching from a regular phone to a flip phone? The Z Flip 5 is a good first step. The cover screen is more than just cool—it’s practical and simplifies my life. This phone is for people who like new tech and are okay with minor issues. If that’s you, you’ll find the Z Flip 5 satisfying.
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FAQs
- What makes the Z Flip 5 stand out among flip phones?
It’s the best flip phone available. It beats Motorola’s Razr Plus in widgets and camera quality.
- What are the main drawbacks?
The Z Flip 5 lacks dust resistance. Its camera could be better. Battery life is not great.
- Is the cover screen useful?
Yes. You can text, check the weather, and get directions. The 3.4-inch screen is bigger than the Flip 4’s.
- How does it compare to Motorola’s Razr Plus?
Samsung’s cover screen is more functional. It also offers better water resistance and software updates.
- Can you run apps on the cover screen?
Yes, but it’s limited. Samsung restricts the apps you can use.
- How is the battery life?
Not great. With Always-On Display (AOD) on, the battery may die by afternoon.
- What about the phone’s performance?
It’s fast, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage.
- Is it bulky?
It’s sleek but can feel bulky in your pocket.
- How good is the camera?
Average. It has a 12MP main camera, an ultrawide, and a 10MP selfie camera.
- What are the charging options?
The phone offers 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.
- Will it receive software updates?
Yes, it gets four years of OS updates and five years of security patches.
- Is it a good choice to switch from a regular phone?
If you like new tech and can live with minor issues, the Z Flip 5 is a good first step.