Updating your Galaxy Fold or Flip? [Poll]

Galaxy Unpacked is just days away, but we know what to expect from Samsung, another round of foldable devices offering generational improvements. But is that enough for you to pull the trigger on a new Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Flip 5?

What do Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 offer?

Depending on which device you own right now, you’re seeing some improvements, just as you would with any device year after year. While the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 haven’t been technically announced, we have enough reliable information from both the leaks and from the company itself to get a general idea of ​​what the new foldables improve.

Galaxy Z Flip 5 improvements

The first thing that comes to mind is the completely redesigned external display of the Z Flip 5. It is the main change and the center of attention in terms of Galaxy foldables before launch. That display is said to be 3.4 inches wide with a resolution of 748 x 720. By comparison, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 uses a 1.9-inch display with a resolution of 260 x 512. That’s a 55 percent increase in size, and the leaked images show just how much of a difference it makes.

As for the internal panel, the AMOLED 2X display is set at 6.7 inches and can reach up to 120 frames per second. That resolution comes in at 2640 x 1080 no guessing difference on paper.

With the same 8GB of RAM and 256GB/512GB of load, the only other stark difference is the higher-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which should bring a slight performance boost over the previous generation.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 improvements

The transition from Fold 4 to Fold 5 is a little less pronounced. The core display specs of each generation appear to be, on paper, identical to one another. This includes size, resolution, and refresh rate.

Internally, the battery and memory options are the same, including 12GB of RAM with 256GB/512GB of internal storage. The one big difference here is the CPU. Just like the Flip 5, the Fold 5 will be running a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for that boost in processing power and connectivity.

Physically, the Z Fold 5 is 0.8 mm thinner than the Z Fold 4. This matches what Samsung said before the launch.

Become “leaner and lighter”

One major change affecting both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 is the way Samsung has engineered the connection between the two sides of the device. At its core, Samsung is expected to be incorporating a new hinge system that eliminates the “hinge gap” we’re used to in Fold/Flip 4 and older devices. The tiny gap visible when the devices are closed may not exist on the Fold 5 and Flip 5, although that’s uncertain for now.

Samsung also suggests that the foldables reach a new minimum weight. It has been reported that the Z Fold 5 will weigh a few grams more than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The S23 Ultra isn’t exactly light as a feather, even if it’s at the expected end for a solid device. For a foldout that houses two displays and a long central mechanism for smooth operation, this is an encouraging benchmark.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 could assume a higher price

Another area of ​​consideration for those looking to upgrade hardware is the price at which the new foldable devices will retail. Both the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Fold 4 had the same introductory price of $1,799. While it’s not money for rainy days, it’s mostly understandable for the relatively nascent technology, which has always followed a certain pattern. This trend generally states that new technology is much more expensive, with later generations fetching more reasonable prices as time goes on.

That trend may have stopped in 2023, like many other things.

It seems that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 will see a price increase of around 100 each at least in France. That said, the report is limited to European prices, leaving US prices currently unknown.

Google and OnePlus want your attention

Samsung has been crowned the most successful foldable device maker over the past couple of years, but Google and OnePlus are vying for that title with new and upcoming devices offering some competition.

The Pixel Fold took its announcement and release early, which means the device has garnered publicity for better or for worse. Overall, the Pixel Fold is a solid phone with serious potential, especially considering this is Google’s first attempt at making a product that the general market knows very little about. The glaring mistake on Google’s part is the price, sadly. At $1,799, it’s hard to justify the Pixel Fold when the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is around the corner for (probably) the same price.

The OnePlus Open, on the other hand, is expected to debut in August. The 8-inch foldable should contain a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, following in the footsteps of Samsung. While there’s no word on pricing, we’re more than confident it won’t be cheap, but it might not be as expensive as Google and Samsung think is right.

Are you updating?

Let’s say you own a Galaxy Z Fold or Flip of any generation, do you trade or sell it to get a Z Fold 5 or Flip 5?

It’s worth noting that those who upgrade are more likely to trade, whether through a carrier or directly from Samsung. At launch, Samsung has historically been more generous with trade-in values, offering more than any other buyer simply because it can recycle or resell older devices with relative ease. However, this trend has also changed recently. The company is still running a $50 gift credit and improved trade-in credit of up to $340 for anyone who books before the announcement.

We hope that swapping a Galaxy Z Fold 4 for a Fold 5 means substantial savings. If trade-in values ​​are as attractive as we’ve seen in the past, chances are those who pre-order will see a final price in the low hundreds rather than close to $2,000. Unfortunately, there’s no word on where Samsung will set the trade-in values, though it’s still a no-brainer for some looking to upgrade.

The improvements are there, but that still means an expensive device. Also, Google and OnePlus are becoming strong contenders. Depending on which form of Android you prefer, a foldable with OxygenOS or stock Android might look even more appealing than Samsung’s wildly popular OneUI.

In any case, let us know your impressions. We are sincerely curious to know how users feel about Samsung’s foldable before the official announcement. That could change, and the Z Fold 5 or Flip 5 could host a bombshell improvement we know nothing about. If not, are you upgrading?