If you're searching for a powerful device that combines portability and functionality, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is currently hard to beat. Continuing the Note legacy, Samsung's latest phablet maintains the tradition of featuring a large display and a stylus, enhancing productivity while on the go.
However, true road warriors understand that remote work requires an even larger screen, and to achieve that in a pocket-friendly form, foldable phones are the way to go. Folding phones have evolved from a niche market for early adopters to a compelling alternative to traditional slab-shaped devices.
With increased competition, Samsung, the company that pioneered the success of foldable, aims to maintain its dominance with the highly anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 5, set to be released alongside the Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Watch 6 this year.
Here's everything we know about this device, which is likely to be one of the most powerful and expensive phones of 2023. A Familiar Galaxy Z Fold Design with One Major Exception Similar to last year, we anticipate Samsung to stick with the same foldable design for the Galaxy Z Fold 5. This means it will feature a 6.2" outer display with a tall aspect ratio, instead of opting for a wider aspect ratio like Oppo's or Google's foldables.
The chassis will likely house a 6.76" inner screen, possibly with improvements such as an under-display camera. The most significant design change for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to be the upgraded hinge. Samsung will finally catch up to its competitors by adopting a teardrop hinge, which is commonly used by other manufacturers worldwide.
Previous Samsung foldables had a more extreme bend, preventing them from folding completely closed in a pocket. With the new teardrop hinge, the next-gen Fold will be able to close entirely, eliminating the gap. Although late to the party, Samsung is likely to celebrate this design improvement on stage.
Apart from the hinge, the design of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 remains largely familiar. Like the Galaxy S23 series, this device will likely offer iterative upgrades, allowing more users to join the foldable trend while satisfying last year's buyers. The new hinge will make the device feel thinner in the pocket, with rumors suggesting it will have a maximum thickness of around 13mm, compared to the previous model's 16mm.
Additionally, the overall weight is expected to decrease from 263g to 254g. Renowned leaker SnoopyTech shared their own images of the upcoming foldable, showcasing a candybar design that differentiates it from Google's rival. The refinements we have been hearing about for months should be enough to win over some fans. In addition to the improved hinge, Samsung is rumored to be adding dust resistance to its foldables.
Both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 are expected to be IP58-certified, offering dust protection in addition to their existing water resistance capabilities. For those hoping for a Pixel Fold-like redesign, you may need to wait for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in 2024. The earliest renders of the Z Fold 5 only reveal the upgraded hinge, with minimal other changes. While the Z Fold 5 is likely to retain stylus support, it may not have a built-in S Pen slot.
Samsung had initially planned to include an S Pen slot in the Z Fold 4 but had to forgo it. Fortunately, there are cases available for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 that include a stylus slot, and this will likely remain true for the next-generation device.
