Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Both images of the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 have surfaced. The first is for those with deep pockets, the latter for a broad audience. The Fold 5 shown here is the more comprehensive foldable of the two with correspondingly extensive specifications.

Exactly which one will become clear at the end of July, when Samsung will announce the device. But if earlier rumors are true, the Fold5 will have a 7.6-inch screen inside and a 6.2-inch screen outside. Bending the inner screen into the shape of a water droplet will allow the device to fold shut entirely. Something previous editions failed to do. The most significant upgrade, however, is the new chipset, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Samsung Fold 5 specifications

This new chipset will make the new Z Fold 5 considerably more powerful without drawing more power. For the cameras we expect not much has changed. A 50MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide angle, and this time also a 12MP telephoto lens. The battery remains at 4400 mAh, and fast charging is again limited to an unimpressive 25W.

When Samsung expects to have the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in stores and at what price point is still a secret for now. Thank goodness for this because so much of the device has already been leaked, much to the South Koreans' dismay.

(via)

People make mistakes. We are no stranger to this. A matter of trial and error, but it hurts nevertheless. An employee at Samsung Australia must feel the same today. He or she briefly put a press release online, but too soon.

The next Galaxy Unpacked will take place at the end of July in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The press release is full of references to foldables, confirming for us that this is where the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 will be announced. It was previously rumored that Samsung would announce both phones not in August but a month earlier.

In-Person Event

This is the first time Samsung will unveil a foldable in its home country of South Korea. The first Galaxy Fold was announced in San Francisco. In the following years, the event was virtual because of COVID-19. After many years we finally get another In-Person event.

The images come from @onleaks and SmartPrix. As is often the case with @onleaks, these are homemade renders based on leaked factory drawings. It is a pity that an image of the Fold 5 from the side is missing. Only then could we have properly seen how much thinner the device is?

Observant readers already noticed that the design is not much different from the current Galaxy Z Fold4. The device is still elliptical, relatively narrow, and has three cameras on the back that are placed loosely on the body. The dimensions also don't differ much; 154.9mm long versus 155.1mm before.

New hinge

When folded, the Fold 5 is much thinner, something because the device can be folded completely flat. This has been made possible by the new teardrop hinge that the Fold5 features.

The current Fold4 cannot fold completely flat. A small gap always remains visible. Xiaomi solved that with the Mix Fold 2. Thanks to a new hinge, the screen takes the shape of a drop when folded. Samsung now seems to be following that same design.

Unpacked 2023

Samsung may announce the Z Fold 5 at the same time as the Z Flip 5 sometime this fall. Usually sometime in August, but it is possible that this Unpacked event will be brought forward to late July.

Because according to reports from Sammobile, Samsung is considering bringing forward the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 due to the arrival of the Google Pixel Fold. Even a date is mentioned; July 25.

Why Samsung is getting so spooked by Google is beyond us. Samsung has been announcing foldables for years, and some competitors are doing the same. Still, Samsung dominates the foldable market and wants to keep it that way. Samsung is therefore considering not making potential Galaxy Z customers wait any longer than necessary, especially after Google released their Pixel Fold in late June.

Unpacked in South Korea

July sounds early, but it is only a few weeks earlier than Samsung usually announces new Galaxy Z models. For example, the Fold 4 was announced on Aug. 10. Also different is where Samsung is holding its Unpacked event. According to reports, Samsung is considering doing so in Busan, South Korea.

Z Fold5 dimensions

Meanwhile, we also hear more and more about the appearance of the Z Fold 5. For example, we previously heard that Samsung plans to use a gapless hinge. This will result in a flatter device, possibly even millimeters thinner than before.

The other dimensions of the Fold 5 are 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1mm unfolded and 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4mm when folded, according to @UniverseIce. The weight is expected at 254 grams. Compared to the Fold 4, however, all that is marginal, so we are talking about a few external differences.

Other differences Fold5

What other differences the Z Fold5 holds is still unclear. It also remains to be seen whether the new hinge will be enough to bring in new customers. The price remains the be the same, so it still is expensive. We will have to wait and see, but fortunately, we will hear about it earlier than expected.

If you look at a folded Z Fold 4 from the bottom, you will notice that the two halves do not lie flat on each other. The Z Fold 5 will close flush, and that is all due to the use of a new hinge. Some competitors also use this waterdrop-shaped hinge, but Samsung now has its own.

This so-called Dumbbell Hinge ensures a nearly smooth screen once unfolded, according to The Pixel. They still expect a screen diagonal of 7.6 inches, but the dimensions change. So expect a taller and less wide phone, reversing the path the Fold 4 has made.

Foundly improved cameras

Another issue Samsung plans to focus on is an improved camera. The resolution is going up from 50 to 108 megapixels, which should bring performance in line with current flagships. Something that is currently not the case. The zoom camera is also getting an upgrade, namely a 64MP sensor with 2x optical zoom. Curiously, that's less than the current 3x.

Integrated S Pen

Samsung is said to have found space to hold an S Pen. With the Note series gone, you currently only find an integrated pen on the S22 Ultra. The current Fold can also handle pen input but does not yet offer a place to store it. However, a separate case is available, which makes an already large device even larger.

There have been rumors for some time that the Fold will have an integrated S Pen. Samsung supposedly experimented with it during the development of the Fold 4 but eventually gave up on it. Samsung still has some time to make a final decision. The Fold 5 is not expected until the fall of 2023.

(via)