Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4 – Should you Upgrade?

Today, let’s e­mbark on an in-depth comparison betwee­n the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Fold 4. This article will uncove­r both the similarities and differe­nces among Samsung’s latest foldable de­vices. Although these two phone­s share similar screen size­s, camera specifications, and charging spee­ds, it is worth noting that the Z Fold 5 boasts several note­worthy enhancements.

These include a new hinge design without gaps, a slimmer and lighter body, a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for improved performance and battery life, and potentially better image quality despite using the same camera hardware. 

Moreover, the Z Fold 5 offers enhanced multitasking capabilities and a sleeker S Pen. So, stay tuned for all the details in our comprehensive comparison.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Specifications

Features	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Size	Unfolded: 6.1 x 5.11 x 0.24 inches Folded: 6.1 x 2.64 x 0.53 inches	Unfolded: 6.11 x 5.12 x 0.25 inches Folded: 6.11 x 2.64 x 0.62 inches
Weight	8.92 ounces	9.28 ounces
Screen size	Main: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Cover: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X	Main: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Cover: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Screen resolution	Main: 2176 x 1812 pixels (372 pixels per inch) Cover screen: 2316 x 904 pixels (402 PPI)	Main: 2176 x 1812 pixels (372 pixels per inch) Cover screen: 2316 x 904 pixels (402 ppi)
Operating system	Android 13 with One UI 5.1.1	Android 13 with One UI 5.1
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TB	256GB, 512GB, 1TB
MicroSD card slot	No	No
Tap-to-pay services	Google Pay, Samsung Pay	Google Pay, Samsung Pay
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
RAM	12GB	12GB
Camera	8K at 24 frames per second 4K UHD at 30/60 fps 1080p FHD at 30/60 fp s720p HD at 30 fps Super Slow-mo 720p at 960 fps slow motion 1080p at 240 fps	Rear main: 50-megapixel (MP) primary, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephotoFront main screen: 4MP under-display cover screen: 10MP
Video	8K @ 24 fps UHD, 4K @ 60 fps UHD, 1080p @ 60 fps FHD, 720p @ 960 fps HD	8K at 24 frames per second4K UHD at 30/60 fps1080p FHD at 30/60 fps 720p HD at 30 fps
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.2
Ports	USB-C	USB-C
Fingerprint sensor	Yes (side-mounted)	Yes (side-mounted)
Water resistance	IPX8	IPX8
Battery	4,400mAh25W wired charging 10W wireless charging 4.5W reverse wireless charging	4,400mAh25W wired charging10W wireless charging 4.5W reverse wireless charging
Icy Blue, Phantom Black, cream gray, blue (Samsung Exclusives)	Google Play Store	Google Play Store
Network support	All major carriers	All major carriers
Colors	Icy Blue, Phantom Black, creamgray, blue (Samsung Exclusives)	Graygreen, Phantom Black, beige, burgundy (Samsung Exclusive)
Price	Starts at $1,800	Starts at $1,599

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Design

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 diffe­r significantly in their hinge design. The­ Z Fold 5 introduces a new Flex hinge­, which has fewer moving parts, enabling smooth closure­ to a completely flat position. On the othe­r hand, the Z Fold 4 had a noticeable gap be­tween its two sides whe­n shut, potentially allowing debris to ente­r. By incorporating an improved Flex hinge in the­ Z Fold 5, this concern has been e­ffectively addresse­d, resulting in a folding experie­nce that is more seamle­ss and reliable.

In terms of spe­cifications, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 brings some improveme­nts. Firstly, it is thinner and lighter compared to its pre­decessor, the Z Fold 4. We­ighing in at just 8.9 ounces, it is noticeably lighter than the­ Z Fold 4’s weight of 9.3 ounces. Additionally, when close­d, the Z Fold 5 measures a slim thickne­ss of 0.53 inches, whereas the­ range for the Z Fold 4 was betwe­en 0.55 and 0.62 inches. 

Both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 offer IPX8 water resistance, allowing them to withstand immersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Regrettably, neither phone provides dust resistance capabilities.

Regarding color choices, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 provides three options: Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 comes in Graygreen, Phantom Black, and Beige.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Display

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 comes with the same 7.6-inch inner display and 6.2-inch cover display just like the Z Fold 4. Both of these OLED panels offer a fluid 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and responsive visuals. According to Samsung, the internal display of the Z Fold 5 boasts a peak brightness of 1,750 nits, which is 30% brighter than the Z Fold 4. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Price

Priced at $1,799 for the 256GB storage, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is on par with the initial cost of its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Nevertheless, the Z Fold 5’s introduction and takeover of the Z Fold 4 within Samsung’s lineup suggests a price drop for the latter, as well as possible noteworthy deals and incentives.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Performance and Battery

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 boasts a significant upgrade over its predecessor, highlighted by the incorporation of the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Although the Galaxy Z Fold 4 already featured the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the Gen 2 chip takes performance to new heights, especially in multitasking, a hallmark of the Z Fold series. With this advanced chipset, users can anticipate heightened efficiency and superior capabilities for managing multiple tasks concurrently on the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 doesn’t showcase a major leap in CPU performance when compared to the 8+ Gen 1, it stands out in the GPU department, delivering a substantial boost. This improved GPU performance becomes a crucial consideration for gaming enthusiasts interested in the Galaxy Z Fold 5, as it offers a compelling choice for a captivating and seamless gaming experience.

Indeed, the increased performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 comes with a trade-off. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 was known for its excellent balance between performance and power consumption, making it one of the best Qualcomm flagship chips in terms of power efficiency. While benchmarks indicate that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 may use less power while operating at similar performance levels, utilizing its full capabilities will result in significantly higher power consumption. Users should be aware that pushing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to its limits may impact battery life more than its predecessor under similar usage scenarios.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 featured a dual-cell 4,400 mAh battery that sometimes faced challenges in keeping up with demanding usage, which was disappointing for a device with such power and versatility. Surprisingly, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 retains the same battery capacity and middling 25-watt wired charging speeds. Fortunately, Samsung includes a “Light” performance mode, which can help maintain longer battery run times at the expense of peak performance. To determine how well the battery performs in everyday use, we’ll need to wait for real-world tests and evaluations.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Cameras

Equipped with the same camera specifications, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 offer users a 50MP wide camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom at the rear. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 delights with enhanced image quality, particularly in low-light conditions and while utilizing Zoom. As a result, users can look forward to superior photography results and improved capabilities from the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s camera setup in comparison to the previous version.

The under-display camera on the main display remains at 4MP, and there haven’t been any changes in its resolution. However, I observed an improvement in detail and contrast when comparing selfies taken side by side with the Z Fold 4. As for the cover display, it still features a 10MP selfie camera, just like its predecessor.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 introduces a noteworthy camera enhancement with improved accessibility to the rear camera selfie mode. Thanks to its larger display, users can now effortlessly engage the rear camera selfie mode by pressing a button and flipping the phone around. In contrast, the Z Fold 4 required closing the phone before accessing the same mode. This upgrade significantly enhances the convenience and efficiency of taking selfies with the rear camera on the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Special Features

One UI 5.1.1 on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 comes with a range of valuable software features. Notably, it introduces a “two-handed drag-and-drop” multitasking capability, enabling more intuitive and effortless multitasking actions. Moreover, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 showcases a new taskbar that displays up to four of the most recent apps, surpassing the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s limitation of showing only two recent apps. These enhancements significantly improve the user experience and make navigation smoother on the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

With the Galaxy Z Fold 5, a new Color-matched S Pen design is introduced. However, unlike previous versions, there is no built-in storage for the S Pen unless a separate case is purchased. The positive aspect is that the Fold 5’s S Pen comes in a slimmer and more compact form, which enhances its portability and convenience for users who need to carry it around.

Bottom Line

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 may not offer many compelling reasons for Galaxy Z Fold 4 owners to upgrade, but for those who have been considering entering the world of foldable, this device could be the tipping point. The Z Fold 5 brings several small yet meaningful quality-of-life enhancements, making it a worthwhile choice over last year’s model. This is particularly true for existing foldable users with older Z Fold models. The Z Fold 5 features a significantly improved hinge design, giving it a more authentic foldable feel. Moreover, it comes equipped with a more powerful processor and is likely to receive Android updates for a longer duration, enhancing its overall appeal as a cutting-edge foldable device.