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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Series: Worth The Upgrade?


As the technology landscape continues to evolve, Samsung remains at the forefront of innovation, especially with its groundbreaking Galaxy Z Fold series. Introducing each new model brings exciting enhancements and features, leaving consumers with the enticing question: "Is it worth upgrading?" In this article, we will dive deeper into the evolution of the Galaxy Z Fold series, focusing on the Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4, to help you make an informed decision.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Series: Worth
The Upgrade?

Key Takeaway :

  • Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series, including the Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4, offers exciting foldable smartphone technology.
  • The Z Fold 5 starts at $1,800 but offers substantial trade-in discounts of up to $1,000, while the Z Fold 4 originally had a similar price but may receive fewer discounts.
  • The Flex Hinge on the Z Fold 5 provides a seamless closure and better debris protection compared to the Z Fold 4.
  • The Z Fold 5 boasts a brighter primary screen at 1,750 nits, enhancing outdoor visibility, while both phones feature 7.6-inch AMOLED main screens with variable refresh rates and HDR10+ support.
  • Performance gets a significant boost in the Z Fold 5 with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, while the Z Fold 4 utilizes the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
  • Both devices run Samsung's One UI 5, but the Z Fold 5 is expected to receive more future software updates.
  • Battery life is similar for both devices, offering a full day of usage with a 4,400mAh dual battery setup.
  • Camera capabilities are nearly identical between the Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4.
  • The decision to upgrade depends on your budget, desire for the latest technology, and willingness to embrace the higher price tag.
  • Samsung continues to lead in foldable smartphone innovations, making the Z Fold series an exciting choice for tech enthusiasts.

Price, Specs & Availability

Galaxy Z Fold 5

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 5 at its highly anticipated Samsung Unpacked event, setting its starting price at $1,800. However, there's good news for potential buyers:
substantial trade-in discounts of up to $1,000 are available when purchasing from Samsung or cellular carriers. The Z Fold 5 comes in an array of attractive colors, including Icy Blue, Phantom Black, Cream, Gray, and Blue. It starts with 256GB of storage but offers upgrades to 512GB or a whopping 1TB for those who require more space. As of July 23, the Z Fold 5 is also available from third-party retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon.

Galaxy Z Fold 5

Galaxy Z Fold 4

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 debuted at the same event a year earlier and has remained widely available. Samsung offers it directly for $1,300, but it's worth noting that the phone still retails for $1,800 at Best Buy and Amazon. The Z Fold 4 is offered in three storage configurations: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, each paired with 12GB of RAM. Color options include Gray green, Beige, and Phantom Black. Traditionally, last-generation flagship phones
receive substantial discounts when a new model is introduced. However, due to the striking similarities between the Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4, it's still being determined how significant these discounts will be and how long Z Fold 4 stock will last.

Galaxy Z Fold 4

Design Evolution - A Big Upgrade

At first glance, distinguishing a Galaxy Z Fold 4 from its successor, the Z Fold 5, can be challenging. However, one notable difference lies in the new Flex Hinge featured on the Z Fold 5. Samsung introduced this innovative hinge design at CES 2023, offering several advantages over the older Z Fold 4 hinge. Most importantly, the Flex Hinge conceals part of the display within the hinge when the phone is closed, resulting in a seamless closure
without a noticeable gap between the two halves. In contrast, when closed, the Z Fold maintains a visible space between its halves, potentially allowing dust and debris to enter. This design change also contributes to the Z Fold 5's slimmer profile.

Dimensions:

  • Z Fold 5: 6.1x2.64x0.53 inches (folded), 6.1x5.11x0.24 inches (unfolded)
  • Z Fold 4: 6.1x2.64x0.62 inches (folded), 6.11x5.12x0.25 inches (unfolded)

Both foldable phones share an IPX8 rating, signifying water resistance but not dust resistance. They can withstand splashes and even submersion in shallow water for up to 30 minutes. However, caution is advised around large bodies of water. The Z Fold 5's Flex Hinge helps prevent debris from entering the space between the two halves, safeguarding the
inner display from potential damage.

Display Quality - A Significant Difference

One significant difference stands out when comparing the Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4 displays. The primary screen on the Z Fold 5 boasts a considerably higher brightness rating of 1,750 nits compared to the Z Fold 4's 1,200 nits. Aside from this distinction, both phones feature a 7.6-inch AMOLED main screen with a variable refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz.
Furthermore, they both support HDR10+, making them ideal for viewing HDR content on the go.

The cover screens on both the Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4 share identical characteristics, including the tall 23.1:9 aspect ratio that defines the Z Fold series. While the cover screen's unique aspect ratio provides ample space for various tasks, its narrow form factor can make typing challenging, resulting in more typos than conventional smartphones. Both cover screens
offer variable refresh rates of up to 120Hz.

Performance and Software - Significant Upgrade

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 introduces a significant upgrade in processing power, sporting the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, manufactured using the advanced 4nm process. This improves performance, making the Z Fold 5 snappier and more responsive. In contrast, the Z Fold 4 utilizes the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 platform, which remains a capable chipset.
However, when compared side by side, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 emerges as the clear winner, thanks in part to its new Adreno GPU.

The Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4 are equipped with Samsung's One UI 5, a customized version of Android 13. While One UI 5 introduces a range of features and optimizations, it's worth noting that the older Z Fold 4 will likely receive fewer software updates in the future than its successor. One UI 5, while feature-rich, comes with a fair amount of pre-installed apps and
bloatware. Nevertheless, Samsung's One UI offers robust multitasking capabilities and excellent app optimization, particularly for foldable devices.

Battery Power - No Change

Battery life is an essential consideration for any smartphone user. The Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4 share the same 4,400mAh dual battery setup, separated by the hinge. In practical terms, this translates to a full day of usage on a single charge for both phones. With typical usage, the Z Fold 5 can comfortably last approximately 13 hours on a single charge, and the Z Fold 4 performs similarly. However, for extended outings, a portable charger might come in handy.

Camera Capabilities - Exactly The Same

While the Z Fold 4 received a substantial camera system upgrade the previous year, the Z Fold 5 retains the same camera setup as its predecessor. Both phones feature a camera system that, while not industry-leading, provides respectable performance. The primary camera sensor is a 50MP f/1.8 lens, complemented by a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto lens and a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens. The cover screen houses a 10MP f/2.2 sensor capable of
capturing decent-quality photos. However, using the primary camera for selfies is recommended for the best results. Both phones feature a selfie camera on the main screen, but it's worth noting that this camera is a 4MP f/1.8 under-display camera. As a result, the image quality from this sensor
tends to be inferior due to the unconventional method of capturing images through the screen's pixels. Even with Samsung's post-processing efforts, photos from this sensor may appear grainy and hazy. When it comes to camera performance, both the Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4 deliver similar results.

Conclusion

Whether to upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 from the Z Fold 4 is multifaceted and depends on your unique preferences, priorities, and budget considerations. Here's a recap of key factors:

Price and Discounts

  • The Z Fold 5 comes with a starting price of $1,800, but noteworthy trade-in discounts of up to $1,000 can offset this cost.
  • Z Fold 4, while originally priced similarly, may not offer as substantial discounts due to its similarities with the Z Fold 5.

Design and Build

  • The Z Fold 5 boasts the innovative Flex Hinge, offering a seamless closure and better protection against debris.
  • Both phones share an IPX8 water resistance rating, making them durable against splashes and shallow water.

Display Quality

  • The Z Fold 5's main screen shines brighter at 1,750 nits compared to the Z Fold 4's 1,200 nits, enhancing outdoor visibility.
  • Both phones feature a 7.6-inch AMOLED main screen with variable refresh rates and HDR10+ support.

Performance and Software

  • The Z Fold 5's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip delivers superior performance, but the Z Fold 4 with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 remains capable.
  • Software updates may favor the Z Fold 5, offering more longevity in terms of features and security.

Battery Life

Both phones provide reliable all-day battery life with their 4,400mAh dual batteries.

Camera Capabilities

  • The Z Fold 5 retains the same camera system as the Z Fold 4, offering decent photography capabilities.
  • Selfies, especially on the main screen, may not match the quality of rear camera shots due to the under-display camera.

In conclusion, the decision to upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 depends on your desire for the latest technology and enhanced features and your willingness to embrace the higher price tag. The Z Fold 5's brighter display, more robust processing power, and potential for longer software support make it an appealing choice for tech enthusiasts. Moreover, with trade-in offers, the cost of upgrading to the latest model may be more
manageable than expected. However, if you already own the Z Fold 4 and find it meets your needs, you may wait for more substantial advancements in future iterations. While the Z Fold 5 offers improvements, the decision ultimately hinges on your budget and how urgently you seek the cutting-edge innovations that Samsung's foldable series continues to deliver.
As the world of foldable smartphones evolves, Samsung remains a leader in pushing boundaries and redefining what's possible in mobile technology. Whether you upgrade or wait, you're in for an exciting innovation and transformation journey.

FAQ: 

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Series: Worth The Upgrade?

Q: What are the key differences between the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4?

A: The key differences include the Z Fold 5's brighter display, improved processor, and the introduction of the Flex Hinge for a seamless closure.

Q: Is the trade-in program for the Z Fold 5 a cost-effective way to upgrade from the Z Fold 4?

A: The trade-in program can provide significant discounts, making upgrading from the Z Fold 4 to the Z Fold 5 more financially feasible.

Q: How does the Flex Hinge on the Z Fold 5 improve the user experience compared to the Z Fold 4?

A: The Flex Hinge allows the Z Fold 5 to close without a noticeable gap, offering better protection against debris and a slimmer profile compared to the Z Fold 4.

Q: Can the Z Fold 4's software keep up with the Z Fold 5 regarding updates and features?

A: While both devices run Samsung's One UI 5, the Z Fold 5 will likely receive more software updates in the future, ensuring it remains updated for a longer period.

Q: Are there any significant discounts available for the Z Fold 4 now that the Z Fold 5 is out?

A: While some discounts may be available for the Z Fold 4, they might not be as substantial as those offered for the Z Fold 5.

Q: What are the camera capabilities of both devices and have there been any
improvements in the Z Fold 5's camera system?

A: Both devices feature a similar camera system, and there haven't been significant improvements in the Z Fold 5's camera compared to the Z Fold 4.

Q: How does the battery life of the Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4 compare under real-world usage conditions?

A: Both devices offer reliable all-day battery life with 4,400mAh dual batteries, making them suitable for daily use.

Q: Which foldable phone offers better overall value for the price, considering
performance and features?

A: The Z Fold 5 offers enhanced performance and some improvements, making it a better choice for those seeking the latest technology.

Q: What can we expect from future Galaxy Z Fold series iterations, and should I wait for them?

A: Future iterations may bring further innovations, but if you're looking for the latest technology, the Z Fold 5 is a worthy choice. Samsung continues to lead in foldable smartphone advancements.

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Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Series


About the author


Ravi is the head of Content Strategy at iFixScreens Corporate. With over a decade of experience writing technical content for his readers, Ravi has helped thousands of readers with helpful content, tips, and tricks. He mainly writes content related to gadget repairs, such as iPhones, Smartphones, tablets, and laptops.


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