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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Everything we know so far
Update, May 16, 2023 (04:44 AM ET): We’ve updated this Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 rumor hub with new details about a possible early launch for the phone.
Original article: Samsung usually launches new Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip devices just in time for the fall season. The foldable phones are currently in their fourth generation and have comfortably replaced the once-reigning Galaxy Note series. Needless to say, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 will be next in line for the title of this year’s most premium Samsung phone, following the top-of-the-line Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Over time, Samsung has continuously refined its foldable phone formula. While the devices have more or less looked the same through the years, we’ve seen improvements in display tech, durability, new software tricks, and more. Of course, the internal hardware keeps getting obvious upgrades, such as more powerful SoCs and better cameras. This year too, rumors are already painting the Galaxy Z Fold 5 as Samsung’s most revered foldable ever. Here’s what we know so far.
Will there be a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5?
Samsung has consistently launched new foldable phones since the first Galaxy Fold appeared in 2019. So there’s no reason to believe that Samsung won’t launch another set of folding phones this year. In fact, Samsung’s mobile head recently said that the company’s foldable phones could overtake its S series flagships in shipments by 2025. That company wants its flexible line to become the “new standard” for smartphones. Add to that, there are already multiple rumors flying around about the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (more on that later), and as they say, there’s no smoke without a fire.
As of now, Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s launch. We don’t expect the company to reveal anything about the new foldable until just a few weeks before launch.
When will the Galaxy Z Fold 5 release date be?
- Samsung Galaxy Fold — March 20, 2019
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 — August 5, 2020
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 — August 24, 2021
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 — August 10, 2022
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 launched like clockwork on August 10, 2022. The Z Fold 3 also came in August, albeit more toward the end of the month. If Samsung sticks to its usual schedule, we should see the Galaxy Z Fold 5 announced sometime around mid-to-late August this year. However, a May 3 report from The Elec, a popular Korean outlet for Samsung information, suggests that the company might be planning to launch the foldable earlier by two or three weeks. That means we might see the Galaxy Z Fold 5 launch in July rather than August. The report was further corroborated by another Korean publication, suggesting a July 26 launch for the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Sales for the phone should start a week or two after the official announcement.
What features and specs will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 have?
We don’t have a ton of official information about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. You can expect that to trickle in a couple of months before the expected August launch. However, we do have some rumors that point to multiple upgrades.
Design
Samsung’s booklet-style phones have always had a gap between the two halves when folded. A recent report claimed that won’t be the case with the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The company is said to be using a teardrop-style hinge, similar to what we’ve seen on the OPPO Find N2 and the Motorola Razr 2022. This will ensure the two sides of the display close flat on top of each other when the device is folded.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 could get the biggest design change the line has seen since inception.
The design change is also expected to reduce the appearance of the display crease. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and its predecessors have a prominent wrinkle in the middle. With the new design, the display will form a teardrop shape when closed, thus making for a much gentler curve and less creasing. Below you can see an image of such a design Samsung patented a few years back.
In fact, Korean publication Naver also claims it saw a prototype of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 hinge at CES 2023. The image below shows the alleged design in comparison to the Galaxy Z Fold 4, and surely the newer hinge makes the device a lot more compact.
Samsung also confirmed the new hinge design to The Verge. It even shared some pictures of a new prototype display called the Flex In & Out that can fold both inwards and outwards. The company didn’t say so, but since it already has the tech in place, such a screen could very well show up on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. If it does, it would be the biggest design change the line has seen since its inception.
If you were hoping for a slidable or rollable form factor, the likes Samsung Display has shown off in the recent past, you might be in for some disappointment. That said, it’s still too early to predict what Samsung might pull out of its hat. We also expect Google to enter the foldable phone arena this year with the Pixel Fold, so we could see Samsung upping its design game to face tougher competition.
Display insider Ross Young claimed on April 5 that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 would be available in Beige, Black, and Light Blue color options. Samsung will likely rename these colors to Cream, Phantom Black, and Blue. However, Young added that other colors could join the party as well.
In collaboration with tipster OnLeaks, SmartPrix published a handful of leaked renders, giving us our first look at the Fold 5. The leakers suggest Samsung has reduced the thickness to 13.4mm when folded. It’s also expected to retain the same 6.2-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen. However, Samsung could decrease the size of the bezels.
Specs and features
Samsung powered the Galaxy Z Fold 4 with the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC. We currently don’t have a Plus variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but Qualcomm could announce it around May this year. If so, we expect the Galaxy Z Fold 5 to use the newer SoC.
Reliable tipster Yogesh Brar claimed on April 6 that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 would indeed use a Snapdragon for Galaxy chipset, presumably being the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 seen in the Galaxy S23 range.
A shaky report from a Vietnamese website called The Pixel claims that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will be slightly taller than the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Specifically, the phone could measure 158.5 x 128.5 x 6.5mm unfolded and 158.5 x 67.5 x 14.5 – 16mm when folded. It reportedly weighs around 275g.
The outlet also reports that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will keep the same 7.6-inch inner screen as its predecessor. Tipster Ice Universe also claims the inner screen will be 7.6 inches, adding that the outer display is 6.2 inches and weighs 254g. The phone is also said to be IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.
Ice Universe later went on to claim that the phone would measure 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4mm when folded and 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.3mm. This would conflict with the report from The Pixel.
Perhaps the most important rumor is the camera specs of the phone. Reports suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 5 could have a 108MP main shooter, a 64MP 2x telephoto lens, and a 12MP wide-angle camera. However, Brar disputed The Pixel‘s camera claims, instead asserting that the Z Fold 5 will offer a similar camera system as the Z Fold 4. More specifically, he points to a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide sensor, and 10MP telephoto camera. He added that we should also expect new image sensors, but it’s unclear if this applies to all cameras or specific lenses.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 likely won't get an S Pen slot in 2023.
A source also confirmed to the publication that the phone could have an S Pen slot this time around. Samsung’s large screen foldable is the perfect candidate for stylus input. But for some reason, the company hasn’t added a dedicated slot for the accessory on the phone till now. So an S Pen slot for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is also on our wishlist for the phone.
However, Korean outlet ET News later reported that Samsung decided against bringing an S Pen slot to the Z Fold 5. The company apparently chose to skip the slot as it would’ve made the foldable thicker and would’ve had ramifications for internal space. ET News is quite a reputable publication, so you definitely shouldn’t hold your breath for an S Pen slot, then.
What will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 prices be?
Both the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 were priced at $1,799 when they launched. We don’t expect Samsung to drop the price lower for the Galaxy Z Fold 5. We also don’t expect Samsung to price the new foldable higher than its predecessors. Especially given the current state of the global economy. It would be unwise for Samsung to increase smartphone prices and make its flagship foldable even more unreachable than it already is for most folks.
Unfortunately, there are no pricing leaks for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 so far. We’ll update this article if and when we know more.
Have any Galaxy Z Fold 5 leaks to share with us? Send us a tip and we’ll be sure to check it out.