The sturdy Samsung Z Flip 5 is very useful for hands-free photo, video and video calling. The large, outer screen is useful for widgets, but the battery life is disappointing.
The Samsung Flip 5 feels sturdy. The hinge is strong, so the device does not feel fragile when I open or close it. When unfolded, the device is elongated, which makes it difficult to operate it with one hand. When I close the Flip 5, both halves of the screen fit snugly together. As a result, there is little dust on my screen when I put the Flip 5 in my pocket. I had that problem with previous foldable smartphones.
I was curious about the folding line in the screen beforehand. I like this one, but you get used to it quickly. After a few days, the crease is no longer disturbing for me. I also feel a little dimple at the place of the fold. This is crazy at times, but I find myself scrolling my screen very little in that spot. That's why I'm not bothered by the fold.
I set up clear widgets on the large screen on the outside. In this simplified version of an app, I can view my agenda or the weather forecast at a glance. I also open apps like WhatsApp and YouTube on this screen. It all works well, but not as pleasant for me as on the big screen. That's why I always open the Flip 5 when I'm actually going to use it. That extra action takes some getting used to, because I didn't have a foldable smartphone before this.
The first few days I was very shocked by the battery life. Sometimes I had to charge 2 times a day. A few days later, this got a lot better. The smart software automatically adapts to my use. Now that the background consumption is less as a result, the battery will certainly last a working day. When I get home I usually have to recharge it quickly. That's why I don't dare leave the house without a charger.
This device is very useful when I make video calls or take pictures of myself or a group. I can easily fold the device into a 90-degree angle, so that I can place it right in front of me. I also use the better cameras on the back of the device. At the touch of a button, I can see on the outer screen whether I'm completely in the picture. I'm not an influencer myself, but if you're on Instagram or TikTok a lot, this unique feature is very useful. The photos are razor sharp, even in the dark.
I like to take pictures in the open air. I often have to zoom in for this. Unfortunately, there is no telephoto lens on the Flip 5. Photos where I zoom in are a lot less sharp as a result. I find myself really missing this zoom lens.