Galaxy Z Flip 5 in a short test: does Samsung manage to switch sides?

• Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip 5 at its Unpacked event in Seoul.
• The main innovation is a larger outdoor display. It now measures 3.4 instead of 1.9 inches.
• Some apps can now also be run on this. So you should be able to switch better between the inside and outside of the cell phone.

Samsung unveiled more than a dozen new devices at its Unpacked event in Seoul. But the motto of the event “Join the Flipside” already made it clear on which the focus is: the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Not surprising: Compared to the other Samsung innovations, it has made the biggest leap compared to its predecessor.

Contents

1. You can use these apps on the larger external display

2. The interior remains largely unchanged

3. price and availability

4. network world means

   1. We liked that

   2. We didn’t like that

5. alternatives

While Samsung has largely only replaced the processor in the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Tab S9, the Flip 5, unlike its sister model Fold 5, not only offers an improved folding mechanism that now allows seamless folding, but also a new outer display – lovingly made by Samsung FlexWindow called. This has grown from 1.9 to 3.4 inches. You can see it in action in the video below.

Samsung is thus fulfilling a wish from the fan base. Competitor Motorola still offers you a slightly larger screen with 3.6 inches on the razr40 Ultra.

You can use these apps on the larger external display

Samsung has not only enlarged the FlexWindow, but also expanded its range of functions. There are now more widgets and some third-party apps can even be used entirely on the external display. According to Samsung, these currently include Google Maps, Netflix, YouTube, KakaoTalk, Line, WeChat, WhatsApp, Messages and News. The messenger applications even have a full keyboard. There are also ten widgets such as calendar or weather.

A notice: Using apps on the Flex Window is still an experimental feature. It is deactivated ex works. However, you can unlock them in the phone’s settings via Samsung Labs.

More apps could follow, for example we miss the possibility to scroll through the gallery on the Flex Window. However, the availability of the apps depends on the support of the developers. Because they have to optimize their apps for the new external display. If you want to use every app on the FlexWindow without restrictions, you still need a mod like CoverscreenOS or you have to use the competitor model from Motorola. According to the YouTuber MrMobile, Samsung will even offer a corresponding mod itself via its Good Lock customization tool.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 in pictures

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 offers these innovations.

Still, the larger screen is clearly an asset, as you can now get more done without having to open the phone. Samsung also promises improvements in battery life and the longevity of the cell phone.

It’s also funny that Samsung is planning to offer NFC covers for the cell phone that adapt the look of the external display to that of the case.

The interior remains largely unchanged

While the Flip’s exterior has seen major changes, under the hood there are few major changes. Only the processor was replaced, so the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is now used here as in the S23 series. He can access 8 gigabytes of RAM, with either 256 or 512 gigabytes available for your data. A 128 gigabyte model is no longer available, at least in Germany.

The other key data of the device read identically to those of the Galaxy Z Flip 4. However, Samsung wants to have replaced the camera sensor, so the same Isocell should be used here as in the S23 series. We weren’t able to test whether it improves recordings under difficult lighting conditions at the Galaxy Unpacked event, we’ll catch up on that in the detailed test in the editorial office.

On the software side, Android 13 with OneUI 5.1.1 is installed, but the new interface only offers minor improvements. There are no major innovations – such as support for Samsung DeX. Maybe Samsung will provide this with the next update.

An update to Android 14 is expected this year, updates to Android 15, 16 and 17 are guaranteed, as well as security patches until 2028.

price and availability

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is available for pre-order now, with delivery starting August 11th. The 256 gigabyte model costs 1,199 euros, the 512 gigabyte version 1,319 euros. Compared to last year, the device has become 40 euros more expensive. However, since the cheaper 128 gigabyte model is no longer available, the entry-level price increases by 100 euros.

However, a number of benefits await those who pre-order the new Samsung foldables:

network world means

Samsung is consistently developing the Galaxy Z Flip 5. The new external display is definitely a plus – even if we still miss features that we actually take for granted, such as showing the gallery. Nevertheless, the Flip 5 is easy to use from both the outside and the inside and is a real help in everyday life. On the hardware side, however, we would have wished for more innovations – for example with the battery.

We liked that

• larger outdoor display
• External display now supports apps

We didn’t like that

• hardly any major innovations in the hardware
• not all apps can be run on the external display

alternatives

As an alternative to the Galaxy Z Flip 5, there is of course the predecessor, which can also be used to bring apps to the (smaller) external display with the CoverscreenOS app. The Motorola razr40 Ultra is also an alternative. It offers an even larger external display, allows you to run all apps on it, but has a weaker processor compared to the Flip 5 at a similar price.