TechPhonesAndroid PhonesSamsung Galaxy fans just got the ultimate flip phone upgradeThe Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a significant upgrade over Samsung’s earlier Z Flip 4 – here’s how the two compareWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechPhonesAndroid PhonesSamsung Galaxy fans just got the ultimate flip phone upgradeThe Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a significant upgrade over Samsung’s earlier Z Flip 4 – here’s how the two compareWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a significant upgrade over Samsung’s earlier Z Flip 4 – here’s how the two compare
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Jump to category:PriceCover DisplayFolding DisplayDesign DifferencesColour OptionsHardwareCamerasConclusion
Jump to category:PriceCover DisplayFolding DisplayDesign DifferencesColour OptionsHardwareCamerasConclusion
Samsung Galaxyfans just got the ultimate flip phone upgrade option, as atSamsung Galaxy Unpackedthe Korean giant revealed its brand new Z Flip 5 clamshell folding phone – and it’s a significant development over the earlier Z Flip 4.
I’ve used both phones extensively, along with many ofthe best folding phonesfrom the last few years, with the Z Flip 5 landing on my desk in advance of Samsung’s big reveal (here’sa Galaxy Z Flip 5 early verdict reviewwith lots of pictures of the device).
If you’ve had your eye on a Samsung Galaxy flip phone for some time but have been waiting for a larger cover display then the Z Flip 5 answers that call (and is arguablybetter than the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra). But besides the screen just how else does it differ from the Z Flip 4? Here I’ll break down what’s new between the two Galaxy models.
Price
Today’s best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 dealsSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all pricesSamsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 dealsSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all pricesSamsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 dealsSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all pricesSamsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 deals
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all pricesSamsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
$27.78View
$27.78
$27.78
See all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
$999.99View
$999.99
$999.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 will go on sale from 11 August 2023. It’ll be a little pricier at launch in the UK, though, at £1049. I don’t have Australian pricing just yet, but the US price holds year on year: it’s $999 over the pond. You get a lot more for your money, too, as I’ll dig into below…
Cover Display
The greatest difference between the Z Flip 4 and Z Flip 5 is the cover display: the newer model has a much larger window, offering greater functionality, more widgets (including third-party apps) and a full QWERTY keyboard. Think of it like a mini phone. At 3.4-inches it’s among the largest on the market.
The Z Flip 4’s cover display is significantly smaller, at 1.9-inches, which is great for viewing notifications, but isn’t as fully equipped as the Z Flip 5’s larger and more thorough solution. For me the Z Flip 4’s cover display is closer to having a smartwatch, useful for notifications and knowing when to open the phone fully rather than using the cover extensively.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Folding Display
When you do flip either of these phones open – and it’s a really satisfying sensation, as the Z Flip 5 is the best-feeling flip phone I’ve used – you’ll be faced with a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen. Indeed, it’s the same screen in both phones, so no upgrades here for the Z Flip 5.
I’d like to point out some of the shortcomings of a folding display, too, as the coating is unavoidably reflective, meaning sunlight and fingerprints can be a nuisance, and there’s a slight ‘crease’ where the hinge is. No biggie, really, this is part and parcel of any folding phone – but I diddream up a Z Flip 5 wishlistwhere the mighty arm of Samsung R&D had found a fix for such issues (it’s still just a dream though).
Design Differences
Aside from the larger cover display, generally speaking the Z Flip 4 and Z Flip 5 otherwise look the same. They’re the same thickness when unfolded, for example, at 6.9mm – but that’s not to say there’s no change at all.
As you can see from the all-important figures above, adjustments to the hinge design has enabled Samsung to sandwich the Z Flip 5 together tighter in its folded position, which trims an effective 2mm from its scale. Subtle but so worth it.
Colour Options
Each year there’s always a ‘special’ colour and for the Z Flip 5 that’s Mint. It’s not especially minty green, though, so whether it’ll be the colour for you or not is all a matter of personal taste. There are plenty of special edition online-only colour options available too. But it’s the Z Flip 4 that has the wider palette range.
Hardware
Under the hood and the two flip phones are fundamentally similar, with generational upgrades to the hardware being used. Both devices opt for Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms, which are tuned for Samsung specifically, but the Z Flip 5 benefits from the latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. There’s 8GB RAM in both, but the Z Flip 5’s is faster.
When it comes to charging there’s been no changes to the battery: both Z Flip 4 and Z Flip 5 feature a 3700mAh cell with 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and even reverse wireless charging. Now that’s not especially large as batter capacities go, but I don’t think putting a larger cell in this flip phone series and making it thicker as a result would be an acceptable design option.
Cameras
The fundamentals of both devices use the very same cameras setup, which at 12-megapixels maximum is something I’m surprised to have not seen upgraded. But I suspect that’s in the interests of keeping the price down.
The Z Flip 5 does introduce one new addition to the cameras setup though: the main camera’s lens has been swapped out for one that should better deal with lens flare, according to Samsung. Every little helps.
Conclusion
While large portions of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 reflect that of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 – same internal display, same cameras, same battery, same thickness when unfolded – it’s the newer device’s massive cover display upgrade that makes it hugely standout. That 3.4-inch panel is a game-changer for this flip phone series.
That Samsung has been able to introduce this significant change but keep the price in line with inflation is impressive. Because if you owned a Z Flip 4 then the incentive to upgrade is massive (literally). And compared to the competition I think the Z Flip 5 is streets ahead when it comes to design, robustness and a hinge mechanism that feels just right.
Today’s best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 dealsSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all pricesSamsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 dealsSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all pricesSamsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 dealsSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all pricesSamsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 deals
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all pricesSamsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5$27.78ViewSee all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
$27.78View
$27.78
$27.78
See all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4$999.99ViewSee all prices
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
$999.99View
$999.99
$999.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TOPICSsamsung galaxySamsung
TOPICS
Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread
The company continues to weave innovation into every thread
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Samsung Galaxy S25: every leak, rumour and spec we’ve heard before the launch eventThis is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
One Samsung Galaxy S25 model will be missing from Galaxy Unpacked next weekThough we might still get a teaser
Though we might still get a teaser
Samsung’s 2025 soundbars include a clever convertibleSamsung is to introduce a new flagship soundbar for 2025 and a really clever compact model too
Samsung is to introduce a new flagship soundbar for 2025 and a really clever compact model too
New Samsung Galaxy S25 marketing images show all phones in close-up detailNew leak reveals more on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and standard models
New leak reveals more on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and standard models
There’s an amazing money-off deal on Samsung Galaxy S25 alreadyGet £50 / $50 off a new Samsung Galaxy S25 when you register your interest
Get £50 / $50 off a new Samsung Galaxy S25 when you register your interest
Samsung’s latest laptops changed my mind about AI – here’s whyThe Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 360 are AI wunderkinds
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 360 are AI wunderkinds
Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup fully revealed in press images leak – best look at the Ultra and standard models yetNow Samsung just has to make them official
Now Samsung just has to make them official
The fourth, mystery Samsung Galaxy S25 might have been found onlineDetails about a slim Galaxy S25 have appeared – will it launch soon?
Details about a slim Galaxy S25 have appeared – will it launch soon?
