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In a world where smartphone advancements can sometimes feel incremental, Samsung stands out as a company that isn’t afraid to explore new possibilities. On a recent Wednesday, the South Korean tech giant unveiled its latest creations – the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5, signaling its unwavering commitment to the foldable market.
Foldable phones have been in existence for a while, but earlier versions were often criticized for being clunky and fragile. Despite setbacks faced by some companies, Samsung has been steadily investing in its Galaxy Z lineup since 2019.
For the uninitiated, the Galaxy Z series comprises two distinct devices – the Z Flip, which folds to fit conveniently in your pocket, and the Z Fold, a mini tablet that can be folded into a phone. Now, Samsung has unveiled upgraded versions of these innovative phones.
In terms of specifications, there aren’t significant changes in the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5. The phones now boast the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, an upgrade from last year’s 8 Gen 1. Additionally, the minimum storage capacity has been bumped up to 256GB. However, most of the features remain unchanged. Nevertheless, crucial improvements have been made in foldable technology.
One notable enhancement is the new hinge mechanism that allows the devices to be much thinner when folded. While there’s still a slight gap when the screen is closed, it is now noticeably smaller. This improvement addresses one of the concerns that have hindered the appeal of foldable devices in the past.
Moreover, the external display of the Z Flip 5 now covers almost the entire area, enabling users to run full apps and even use a keyboard without unfolding the phone. Despite these improvements, the crease in the display remains an issue, but it is an aspect Samsung is likely to improve in future iterations.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 starts at $999, while the Galaxy Z Fold 5 comes with a starting price of $1,799. Early birds who pre-order the phones will receive an upgrade to the 512GB storage version and an Amazon Gift Card as a bonus.
As previously mentioned, I recently experimented with the Galaxy Z Flip 3, and while I wouldn’t make it my primary phone, it did open my eyes to the potential of foldable devices. While they might not revolutionize the smartphone industry or replace mainstream phones in the near future, they do offer cool and practical features for specific use cases.
For instance, I had fun using my half-folded Z Flip as a makeshift tripod for selfies and video calls. Some of my friends even appreciated the convenience of folding the phone and fitting it into a small purse.
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While foldable phones still come with some compromises, like fragility and the presence of a crease on the screen, the market for such devices is gradually expanding. In 2021, nearly 10 million foldable phones were shipped, and that number increased to 14 million in 2022. Although these figures pale in comparison to iPhone or Galaxy S sales, they indicate a growing interest among consumers.
Looking ahead, foldable devices could be the future if they overcome their current limitations. Rumors suggest that Apple has been secretly testing various prototypes of foldable devices, some resembling smaller foldable phones, while others are based on the iPad concept. According to analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Ross Young, Apple’s first foldable product could potentially debut in 2025 or later.
Considering Apple’s conservative approach in recent years, it’s no surprise that they might take their time to perfect a foldable device before releasing it to the market. Additionally, the reports suggest that Apple’s foldable offering might come at a premium price compared to current iPhones.