Reviews
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the fifth iteration of the foldable tech, and it continues to be a leader among gadgets for those seeking the latest and greatest in terms of power. The Fold 5 from Samsung is no ordinary phone; it’s a device that can be thought of as a PC, tablet and phone all in one, conveniently able to be folded up and carried in your pocket. It is by far the most feature-packed android device available on the market.
Since the last year’s version, the design has been improved. It now folds flat when closed due to the same hinge design as the Z Flip 5, which is a major enhancement. The Galaxy is thinner and lighter by 10g than the previous edition, and the crease along the display fold is less noticeable. It is bulkier than a standard phone, yet weighs only 13g more than an iPhone 14 Pro Max. It is less of a burden in the pocket as compared to its competitor and is notably lighter.
The external display measuring 6.2 inches is a bit narrow resulting in a restricted keyboard area, however, its appearance is pleasing and it suffices for activities like texting, listening to music, and other minor tasks. When unfolded, the 7.6 inch internal display is a sight to behold when tackling more laborious tasks.
Samsung states that this year’s model is brighter, making it easier to combat glare. They also mention that its new design increases its strength by 25% compared to the prior version, yet it is still more delicate than typical tablet glass, so it must be handled with care.
Features of Galaxy Z Fold 5
- Display: 6.2in HD+ Amoled with a 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8th Generation Processor
- Memory: 12GB of memory
- Storage Capacity: Offered in 256, 512GB, and 1TB
- Software System: The OS is based on Android 13 and features the One UI 5.1 interface.
- Cameras: 50MP wide-angle, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x telephoto; 10MP and 4MP front-facing
- Connectivity: 5G, dual SIM, eSIM, USB-C, WiFi 6E, Near Field Communication, Bluetooth 5.3, and Global Navigation Satellite System.
- Resistance to water: IPX8 (1.5m for a half hour)
- Measurement when folded: 13.4mm thick, 67.1mm wide, and 154.9mm long.
- Measurements when unfolded: 6.1mm thick, with a width and length of 154.9mm and 129.9mm respectively.
- The Weight: 253 grams
Long-Running
The Fold 5 has a USB-C port which can be used to connect to external displays and other equipment. Using a power adaptor of 25W or higher (not included), the phone can be recharged in around 72 minutes. The battery life of this model is a vast improvement upon the previous year’s, with a runtime of around 48 hours when both the interior and exterior displays are used for a period of six hours. This is much longer than its primary competitors and on par with the top-tier regular phones.
Software of Strength
At any given time, the Z Fold 5 can simultaneously display up to three different applications, however more than four can be a bit challenging to handle.
Samsung’s One UI 5.1 is the major factor that set it apart. This software, built on the Android 13 platform, enables users to simultaneously utilise three apps in a split-screen layout with the option of floating windows on top for those who require a higher degree of productivity.
The Fold 5 is equipped to handle Samsung’s S Pen stylus, a feature that none of the other foldable devices can compete with. The taskbar situated on the bottom of the screen makes it easy to use multiple applications simultaneously.
The Pixel Fold provides much more selection when it comes to deciding how it works. For instance, you can customize a different home screen layout for the external and internal displays. This enables you to put phone applications on the small display and tablet applications on the large one. Furthermore, you can also select which applications stay open and appear on the small screen when you close them on the main screen, which is especially useful for having maps ready on the go.
Display Types
The hinge is designed to keep the screen open in a range of different angles, making it useful for consuming media in various different positions.
The latest “Flex Mode” panel offers an upgrade by permitting an app to be pushed to the top half of the display when it is folded in an L-shape. In the case of most video apps, this presents playback controls, including a progress bar and skip buttons, on the bottom half, with the video playing on top. With other types of apps, it can turn into a trackpad for a mouse cursor – a bit like a miniature laptop.
The Fold 5 from Samsung has a long-existing feature, called Dex mode, which allows it to be hooked up to a monitor, keyboard and mouse to generate an Android desktop computer. This could be all the computing power some people require.
Photographic Equipment
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5’s camera app is usually more straightforward to use with the device closed. However, the phone’s interior display can be utilized in a folded or fully opened position for various creative shooting opportunities.
The Fold 5 has five cameras in total, similar to what was seen with its predecessor. This combination of cameras is useful, with three on the back, one standard one on the outside screen, and a 4MP one housed under the folding screen, which is only suitable for video calling.
In a variety of lighting conditions, the primary cameras, including the 3x telephoto, take good shots. The night mode is much faster than the prior models and the images are crisper. The Fold 5 still has numerous functions, such as taking selfies with the primary cameras and the option of propping it up and taking hands-free photos and videos.
Advantages of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Combines a phone and tablet into one, offers strong multitasking abilities, displays a phone-like screen on the outside, boasts a great tablet screen, offers high performance, provides excellent battery life, is water resistant, has no gap when closed, and is lightweight.
Disadvantages Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Incredibly expensive, more delicate than a typical device, and expensive to repair, lacks dust resistance, thicker than the average phone, and not a huge improvement over the previous model.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a fantastic device to take on the go. When partially folded, the Flex Mode feature allows for a video on YouTube to be easily watched, similar to a mini laptop.
Design & Build Quality
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: With its sleek 7.9mm thickness and weight of 193g, the Find X8 Ultra strikes a balance between form and function. The aluminum alloy body with Gorilla Glass 7i provides durability while maintaining a premium look. Its IP68 rating ensures it is both dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Vivo X200 Ultra: A slightly bulkier device at 8.0mm and 197g, it features a glass body that is also protected by Gorilla Glass, offering good resistance to scratches and drops. The X200 Ultra shares the IP68 rating, making it equally resistant to dust and water. Both phones use high-end materials, though the Vivo feels a bit more substantial.
Verdict: Both devices offer premium designs, but the Oppo has a slight edge with a more compact form factor and similar build quality.
Display
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: It sports a 6.59-inch AMOLED display with an impressive 1256 x 2760 pixel resolution, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios. The display supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making it great for high-quality video streaming. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo features a slightly larger 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1260 x 2800 pixels, also supporting HDR10+ but without Dolby Vision. Its 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth interaction, though the absence of Dolby Vision means it may not offer the same cinematic experience as the Find X8 Ultra.
Verdict: The Oppo Find X8 Ultra edges out slightly in display quality with Dolby Vision support, ideal for media consumption. The Vivo X200 Ultra, while excellent, lacks this feature.
Performance
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, it offers an octa-core CPU with a 3nm architecture. Coupled with 12GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the Find X8 Ultra provides fast and smooth performance for everyday tasks and intensive applications.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo X200 Ultra is equally equipped with the Dimensity 9400 chipset and offers the same RAM and storage configurations. Both phones are highly efficient in handling multitasking and heavy apps. However, Vivo’s optimizations in the OriginOS contribute to smooth performance, with slightly better thermal management reported.
Verdict: Both phones are very similar in performance, offering top-tier processing power. The Vivo may have a slight advantage in thermal efficiency due to its software optimizations.
Software & OS
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Runs on ColorOS 15, which offers a refined, feature-rich interface with customization options. It comes with extensive privacy controls, performance optimizations, and a user-friendly experience.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Utilizes OriginOS 15, which has a similar feature set but with a more pronounced focus on efficiency, streamlined multitasking, and system fluidity. Both OS versions are based on Android 15, providing users with a clean, modern experience.
Verdict: Both operating systems are excellent, with ColorOS offering more customization options, while OriginOS is lauded for its efficiency and smoothness.
RAM Management and Virtual RAM
Effective RAM management ensures smoother multitasking.
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Offers 12GB/16GB of physical RAM with an option for up to 8GB virtual RAM expansion.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Provides similar physical RAM configurations but supports up to 12GB virtual RAM, allowing greater flexibility for resource-intensive applications.
Verdict: Vivo provides slightly more headroom for heavy multitasking with additional virtual RAM.
Camera Systems
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP primary wide-angle lens (f/1.8), a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens (f/2.6). It offers superb photo and video quality with features like Dolby Vision support for videos.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo X200 Ultra also boasts a triple 50MP camera array, including similar wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, but with slightly different apertures (f/1.57 for the wide lens). It supports advanced Zeiss optics for superior image processing, particularly in low light.
Verdict: Both cameras are top-tier, with the Vivo offering slightly better low-light performance and optical processing, while Oppo’s Dolby Vision support offers a richer video experience.
Battery Life & Charging
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Comes with a 5630mAh battery, offering decent endurance. It supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging but lacks wireless charging.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Features a larger 5800mAh battery, providing a bit more longevity. It supports 90W fast charging and 50W wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
Verdict: The Vivo X200 Ultra offers better overall battery performance, with faster wired and wireless charging options, as well as reverse charging.
Connectivity
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB Type-C 3.0, ensuring high-speed connectivity and future-proof networking.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Similarly equipped with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4, but with a USB Type-C 3.0 port. Both devices offer the latest in connectivity.
Verdict: Both phones excel in connectivity, offering similar features and future-proof technologies.
Speakers & Audio
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Features stereo speakers with enhanced Dolby Atmos support for an immersive audio experience.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Also equipped with stereo speakers, offering a comparable audio experience, though it lacks Dolby Atmos.
Verdict: Oppo’s Dolby Atmos support gives it a slight edge in sound quality.
Security & Biometrics
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Offers an in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock for security.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Similarly equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor and face recognition.
Verdict: Both offer comparable security features, with in-display fingerprint sensors being a standard for both.
Price & Value
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Priced around €550-560, offering a premium experience with Dolby Vision and excellent camera features.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Priced similarly, but with the added benefit of reverse wireless charging and slightly better camera optics, providing excellent value.
Verdict: Both phones provide excellent value at their price points, with the Vivo slightly edging out in battery and camera features.
Final Verdict
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Best for users prioritizing display quality, video features, and overall design.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Best for users who value better battery life, reverse wireless charging, and superior camera performance.
Build and Design
Materials: Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front and back
Dimensions: 163.2 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm
Weight: 210 g
IP Rating: IP69 dust and water-resistant
Display
Type: 6.78-inch AMOLED
Resolution: 1.5K (approx. 3040 x 1440 pixels)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Peak Brightness: 6000 nits
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Processor and Software
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
GPU: Adreno 830
OS: Realme UI 6 based on Android 15
Storage and Memory
Configurations:
-256GB with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
-512GB with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM
Storage Type: UFS 4.1 Pro
Camera System
Rear Cameras:
-Main: 50 MP wide with OIS
-Ultra-Wide: 8 MP
-Telephoto: 50 MP periscope with 3x optical zoom
Front Camera: 32 MP under-display camera
Battery and Charging
Battery Capacity: 6500 mAh silicon-nitride
Charging: 120W wired fast charging
Audio and Connectivity
Audio: Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity:
-5G, Wi-Fi 7
-Bluetooth 5.4
-USB-C 3.2
-Dual GPS, NFC
Build and Design
Materials: Aluminum body
Dimensions: 254 x 165.3 x 6.8 mm
Weight: 515 g
Color Options: Gray, Blue
Display
Type: 11.2-inch LCD
Resolution: 3.2K (3072 x 1920 pixels), 3:2 aspect ratio
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Brightness: Peak brightness of 800 nits
Processor and Software
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
OS: Android 15 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2.0
Storage and Memory
Configurations:
-8GB RAM with 128GB storage
-12GB RAM with 256GB storage
-16GB RAM with 512GB storage
Camera System
Rear Camera:
-Main: 50 MP primary
-Depth Sensor: 2 MP for bokeh effects
Front Camera: 32 MP
Battery and Charging
Battery Capacity: 8,850 mAh
Charging Speed: 67W wired charging
Audio and Connectivity
Audio: Quad stereo speakers
Connectivity:
-Wi-Fi 7
-Bluetooth 5.4
-USB-C
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