- A Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is rumored to be in development.
- Samsung needs to add more features that take advantage of its foldable design on the next version.
- A larger exterior screen and more functionality in Flex Mode are among the desired upgrades.
The rumored Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a lot of room for improvement compared to its predecessor. While the Galaxy Z Flip 4 had some welcome upgrades, such as a fine-tuned design and improved battery life, Samsung could do more to make the Z Flip 5 stand out. With the new Motorola Razr Plus as a competitor, Samsung needs to take notes on how to make their foldable devices more compelling.
One important upgrade would be a larger exterior screen. The Razr Plus has a 3.6-inch outer display, which allows for easy interaction with the phone even when it’s closed. In contrast, the Z Flip 4’s cover screen is only 1.9 inches and much more limited in its functionality. A larger cover screen would make the Z Flip 5 more convenient for quick, on-the-go interactions.
Samsung should also add more functionality to Flex Mode, which allows apps to be split between the top and bottom portions of the display when folded halfway. While Samsung has expanded Flex Mode since the original Flip’s launch, the addition of a mini trackpad feels like a solution looking for a problem. Instead, Samsung should add functionality that takes advantage of the phone’s ability to bend and fold in different ways. Samsung could take inspiration from competitors like Google and Motorola, which have shown practical uses for foldable phones.
An important challenge for foldable phones is the noticeable crease that runs across the center of the screen. Samsung should aim to make the crease in the Z Flip 5 significantly less noticeable, if not invisible. There are rumors that the Z Flip 5 will have a new hinge that will enable the phones to shut completely when closed, with no gap, which may make the crease more subtle.
The Z Flip 5 should also have improved battery life compared to its predecessor. Samsung should aim to make the Z Flip 5 more power efficient, particularly if it runs on the same processor as the Galaxy S23 series, which has been optimized for Samsung’s devices.
Finally, the Z Flip 5’s cameras should be upgraded to match the Galaxy S23’s. While the Z Flip 4’s cameras take decent photos, there is certainly room for improvement. A higher resolution or pixel size would be a welcome addition. If the Z Flip 5 inherits the Galaxy S23’s processor, we’ll likely see back-end upgrades that enhance the way photos are processed.
Overall, Samsung needs to add more functionality that makes the Z Flip stand out, while cutting down on the compromises that need to be made when choosing a foldable phone over a standard phone. These changes could go a long way towards making foldable phones more broadly appealing.