Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 - Very Nearly Almost There

It feels like the foldable phone market has suddenly become rather mainstream.

Just a few years back, foldables were seen as overpriced, almost experimental devices reserved only for early adopters with too much spare cash to splash around. Now the technology has been steadily refined and the market has expanded and matured.

In fact, I know people who are onto their second or even third foldable handset - they've obviously been impressed enough with the advantages and innovations to ignore any limitations or durability concerns.

Foldables are here to stay; in fact, recent trends in some markets suggest it may not be too long before phones with bendy screens overtake the more traditional models - certainly in the upper price-range anyway.

Samsung has been leading the charge from the start and of course the 2023 Z-Series devices continue to impress.

In New Zealand, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is currently available in Mint, Graphite, Lavender and Cream, with a Blue variant as an online-only offer, stock dependant. This year's colours are not bright and zany but more subtle tints. I've been sent the Mint version to review and its glass-backed rear panel is such a pale green it's almost white. The metal rails around the edge of the device are also coloured ever-so-faintly to match.

All this will tie in nicely if you opt for a new-realease Watch6 model to go with your flip - of course, you can also match up a clock face to display on both devices if you wish.

Because you spend a lot of time unfolding and re-folding the Z Flip5, its shiny surfaces definitely collect up plenty of finger smudges - although there's a pretty natty range of cases available to help potect the phone, including options with rings and stands attached for easy gripping and more display options.

Speaking of display options, probably the most notable upgrade on this year's Flip is the preview screen or "Flex Window" - it's received a significant size bump up to 3.4-inches - now covering one half of the outside surface (camera lenses excluded).

This is a good news / bad news story - although mostly good. A screen of this size is now genuinely useful - previously, the small external display was good for glancing at a notification or two but not much else. Now we can click on those notifications to expand previews from security or doorbell footage or read messages and emails.

Swipe the other way and access any cover-screen widgets you've selected - perhaps your calendar or weather forecast.

But the biggest headline is there are now apps that function pretty much normally on the "Flex Window" as well. However, this is where the bad news comes in; frustratingly there are currently only six apps officially optimised to work on the Z Flip5's outer display; Google Maps, Google Messages, Samsung Messages, Netflix, WhatsApp and YouTube. 

I'm hoping this is merely a temporary limitation and in time all developers will have Flex Window versions of their apps. For example, being able to access the loyalty cards you have stored in your Google Wallet without opening the phone seems like a no-brainer. Surely it won't be long before we can use the outer screen in much the same way we can with the much larger and more full-featured Z Fold external display.

I keep reading about third-party apps that are supposed to bring full app access to the Flex Window and I've tried a couple but none of them work anything like as well as the native, pre-installed cover apps so I think I'll wait for more of the real deal.

At least the bigger screen on the Z Flip5 now means we can make full use of the primary camera array to shoot selfie pics and video. Thanks to the significantly larger Flex Window we can now access many more features and settings. While this rear-facing (and yes, sometimes front-facing) dual-lens setup is a significant upgrade from its preceding generations, I have to admit I was a little disappointed to discover the two lenses are both 12MP and there's still no 50MP main shooter like you'd find on other Samsung flagships.

Still, you do get a reasonable quality 10X digital zoom and I really don't have too many complaints about the quality of the photos and videos I've been shooting. One UI 5.1.1 (soon to be 6 in an impending update) is my favourite phone O.S. and it brings with it some excellent camera features on this device, like Auto Focus, Super Steady digital stabilisation and Auto Framing to keep you front and centre in every shot.

I can't really tell you much about the 10MP selfie-cam inside because I've hardly used it. There's really no need when you can opt for the main shooter in combination with the Flex Window to preview your vids and pics.

Oh yeah - that's right; there's an internal screen as well. The Z Flip5 unfolds to a very useful 6.7-inches and as you may have heard, it now folds completely flat, with no gap at all close to the hinge. This is 2023's other major development - no gap means no more pocket fluff all over the screen every time I flip it out. There's still a visible crease you can feel but as I've discovered with all foldables I've used, it's something you get used to quickly then forget all about. In fact, I have to laugh at how much I now take folding screen technology for granted.

Features like Flex Mode - which divides an optimised app into two halves - perhaps video on top and controls below - just seem like every-day operation now. This is as it should be - although the Z Flip5 is a remarkable feat of tech design, it's good to not be continuously worried about durability and limitations. These days there really aren't many limitations.

IPX8 water resistance, Corning Gorilla Glasss Victus 2 on the Flex Window and back cover and Armour Aluminium frames ironically make this phone more hard-wearing than many "normal" handsets.

In saying that, there's always room for improvement and with this phone that means disappointing battery life. It's not terrible - I can get through a long, breakfast radio day on a single charge - but it certainly won't get through two. Happily, the Z Flip5 does charge wirelessly, although I've found my lower-wattage car cradle won't do the job. Only a higher powered Qi charging pad will suffice.

What you do get is the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor - this is the same super-chip that powers all Samsung's other premium handsets so this thing runs like a bullet.

That's why overall, I feel like 2023 is the year the Flip evolved into a genuine flagship. The camera experience has improved just enough to move it into that category, the high end chip is almost unrivalled and the new plus-sized Flex Window is a million times more useful than before - or at least it will be once there's a full suite of apps optimised to run on it.

I've always found the Flip fun to use - right from the first generation. Now with this year's upgrades, it's not just fun, it's a fully-fledged work tool too.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5.