Galaxy Z Flip5

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, a cutting-edge foldable smartphone, has made its way to Qatar, captivating tech enthusiasts with its innovative design and powerful features. The price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 in Qatar starts at QAR 3,099 for the 256GB storage variant. This pricing puts it in the premium smartphone category, reflecting its advanced technology and unique form factor. However, prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.

Specifications

Release Date and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 was officially released globally on August 11, 2023, and it became available in Qatar shortly after. This means that Qatari consumers have had access to this innovative device for over a year now. The phone is widely available across major electronics retailers and Samsung brand stores in Qatar, as well as through online platforms.

The latest model in the Flip series Z Flip6 is now available.

Design and Build

The Galaxy Z Flip5 continues Samsung’s tradition of foldable smartphones, but with significant improvements. When unfolded, it measures 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm, and when folded, it becomes a compact 85.1 x 71.9 x 15.1 mm device. Weighing just 187 grams, it’s surprisingly light for a foldable phone.

The phone’s exterior is a blend of glass and metal, with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protecting both the front and back when unfolded. The frame is made of Samsung’s Armor Aluminum, which provides enhanced durability. The hinge mechanism has been refined, allowing the phone to close flat with no gap, addressing a common criticism of earlier models.

Display Technology

The main attraction of the Z Flip5 is its foldable display. The primary screen is a 6.7-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels. This screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions. It also boasts HDR10+ support and can reach a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight.

One of the most significant upgrades from its predecessor is the larger cover display. The Z Flip5 features a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED screen on the outside, with a resolution of 720 x 748 pixels. This larger cover screen allows for more functionality when the phone is closed, including responding to messages, checking notifications, and even taking selfies using the main camera.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset. This is a custom version of Qualcomm’s flagship processor, optimized for Samsung devices. It offers superior performance compared to the standard version, with higher clock speeds and improved efficiency.

The phone comes with 8GB of RAM, which is plenty for smooth multitasking and app switching. Storage options include 256GB and 512GB variants, with the UFS 4.0 technology ensuring fast read and write speeds. However, it’s worth noting that there’s no microSD card slot for expandable storage.

Camera System

The camera setup on the Z Flip5 is versatile and capable. The main camera system consists of two 12MP sensors:

1. A 12MP wide-angle camera with an f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.76″ sensor size, and dual pixel PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus) with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization).
2. A 12MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 123-degree field of view.

For selfies, there’s a 10MP front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture. However, users can also use the main cameras for high-quality selfies by utilizing the cover display as a viewfinder when the phone is folded.

The camera system supports 4K video recording at 60fps, as well as HDR10+ video. Slow-motion video can be captured at up to 960fps at 720p resolution.

Battery and Charging

The Galaxy Z Flip5 is equipped with a 3700mAh battery. While this capacity might seem modest compared to some non-folding flagships, it’s optimized for the phone’s unique form factor and efficient processor.

The device supports 25W fast charging, which can charge the phone to about 50% in 30 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other devices or accessories by placing them on the back of the phone.

Software and Features

The Z Flip5 runs on Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI 5.1 overlay. This combination provides a user-friendly interface with numerous customization options and features tailored for the foldable form factor. Samsung has promised four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates, ensuring the device stays current for years to come.

The larger cover screen on the Z Flip5 enables more functionality when the phone is closed. Users can respond to messages, control smart home devices, and even run certain apps without unfolding the phone.

Flex Mode is another standout feature, allowing the phone to be partially folded and used in various ways. For example, you can use the bottom half of the screen as a touchpad while viewing content on the top half, or set up the phone for hands-free video calls.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Galaxy Z Flip5 is a 5G-capable device, ensuring fast mobile data speeds where 5G networks are available. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC for Samsung Pay and other contactless services.

The phone features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric security, which doubles as the power button. It also supports face recognition using the front camera.

Despite its foldable design, the Z Flip5 boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating, protecting it from accidental water exposure for up to 30 minutes in 1.5 meters of freshwater. However, it’s important to note that it’s not dust-resistant, so care should be taken in dusty environments.

Is the Galaxy Z Flip5 Worth It?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 represents the cutting edge of smartphone technology, offering a unique foldable design that combines style with functionality. Its improved cover screen, powerful processor, and refined design address many of the concerns raised about earlier foldable models.

For tech enthusiasts and early adopters in Qatar, the Z Flip5 offers a glimpse into the future of smartphones. Its ability to fold into a compact form factor makes it incredibly pocket-friendly, while the larger cover screen enhances its usability when closed.

However, the price point puts it firmly in the premium category. Potential buyers should weigh the innovative design and features against their needs and budget. For those who value uniqueness and are willing to embrace new technology, the Galaxy Z Flip5 could be a perfect choice. For others, traditional flagship smartphones might offer better value.

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