Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G review
The Z Flip 5G suits novelty-seekers and collectors willing to tolerate a day's battery life and the gamble of a aging folding hinge. Anyone shopping for a practical everyday phone should look at current-generation mid-range or budget flagships, which offer faster performance, larger batteries, and quicker charging for the same or less money.
This review is written with AI assistance from Samsung’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
A 2020 foldable novelty now six years old: the Snapdragon 865 and 3300 mAh battery are outpaced by modern mid-range phones, and the folding hinge is a durability gamble. Only for collectors and those willing to sacrifice everyday utility for the spectacle of a folding screen.
Design & Build
The Z Flip 5G folds down to 87.4mm, roughly the size of a car key fob, which was genuinely novel in 2020 and still feels more pocketable than any 2026 flagship. The plastic front cover is the weak point: it scratches in your pocket within weeks and collects fingerprints relentlessly. The Gorilla Glass 6 back is tougher, but the aluminum frame feels light and hollow compared to modern phones. Weight at 183g is fair for its time. The real concern is the hinge. Six years on, users report creeping play and wear in the mechanism; the fold crease in the display never disappears, and Samsung's track record with long-term hinge durability on this line remains a question mark for anyone keeping the phone beyond two years.
Display
The 6.7-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED is genuinely sharp at 425 ppi and supports HDR10+, making streaming and gaming vibrant. The 21:9 aspect ratio is tall and somewhat cramped in hand, and the visible crease running down the center is an unavoidable compromise of the folding tech—a constant reminder you are using a gimmick, not a seamless display. The 1.1-inch cover screen is barely useful for notifications; you will unfold the phone for almost everything else. By 2026 standards, 1080p resolution is adequate but not cutting edge; new foldables push further in density.
Performance
The Snapdragon 865 5G+ is four years behind the latest flagship chips, yet it still handles PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty, and day-to-day apps without stuttering. Gaming on high settings runs smoothly, though demanding titles do thermal throttle after 20 minutes. The Adreno 650 GPU is respectable, but rivals today ship with chips twice as fast. For casual users, the difference is imperceptible; anyone upgrading from a 2023 phone will notice the slowdown in app loading and multitasking responsiveness. Android 13 with One UI 5 is reasonably up to date in software, but the chipset itself is becoming a bottleneck for new apps and future OS updates.
Camera
The 12MP wide-angle with f/1.8 aperture and OIS is the star: daylight shots are well-stabilized, and you can shoot handheld video without obvious jitter. The 12MP ultrawide at 123 degrees is useful for group photos and landscapes, though sharpness drops noticeably in lower light. By 2024 standards, 12MP is basic; rivals at this price point now shoot 50MP or higher, capturing finer detail and enabling cropping flexibility. The 10MP selfie camera is adequate for video calls. Night mode is serviceable but grainy compared to modern computational photography. The 4K video at up to 60fps is standard, and HDR10+ support is a nice touch, though actual use depends on which app you trust with color science.
Battery & Charging
The 3300 mAh capacity is the phone's Achilles heel. Moderate use—browsing, messaging, some video—gets you through a full day, but heavy gaming or video recording drains the battery by mid-afternoon. For a device meant to be unfolded constantly, the runtime is noticeably tighter than any 2026 flagship. The 15W wired charging takes roughly 90 to 120 minutes for a full charge, which is slow by today's standards; rivals at the same price hit 65W or faster. Wireless charging at 9W is a convenient backup, but you cannot rely on a quick top-up before leaving the house. The battery itself is aging: after six years on the shelf, expect degradation if you buy used.
Software & Connectivity
One UI 5 is Samsung's latest overlay over Android 13, and it is polished and feature-rich. The phone supports 5G Sub6 in compatible regions, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and dual-SIM via eSIM, so connectivity is modern for its era. Security patches are less reliable on a six-year-old device; Samsung's update commitment has passed, and relying on this phone for sensitive banking or work is risky. The lack of expandable storage (256GB fixed) means you are committed to cloud syncing or deleting content.
Value & Verdict
At launch, 800 EUR was premium but defensible for the novelty and the 865 chip. Today, you will find used units for 300–500 EUR, which is where the calculus changes. For that price, it is a curio and a backup device, not a daily driver. Modern mid-range phones at the same price offer larger batteries, faster charging, newer chips, and higher-megapixel cameras without the mechanical risk. The Z Flip 5G is for people who want a conversation piece or a collector's item, not for those who need reliability, longevity, or value for money.
Verdict
The Z Flip 5G suits novelty-seekers and collectors willing to tolerate a day's battery life and the gamble of a aging folding hinge. Anyone shopping for a practical everyday phone should look at current-generation mid-range or budget flagships, which offer faster performance, larger batteries, and quicker charging for the same or less money.
- Compact when folded (87.4mm) makes it pocket-friendly and genuinely pocketable, unlike today's slab flagships
- Foldable AMOLED screen with HDR10+ delivers vibrant color and a unique form factor that still turns heads
- Snapdragon 865 5G+ still handles gaming and everyday apps without lag, and supports 5G Sub6 where available
- Wide-angle camera with OIS provides stable daylight shots, practical for vlogging or handheld video
- Battery capacity of 3300 mAh yields roughly one day of moderate use—heavy users hit empty by afternoon
- Plastic screen-side cover scratches easily and shows wear within months of daily use
- Folding hinge remains a mechanical liability after six years; creasing in the middle of the display is always visible
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2020, July 22 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7 inches, 101.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio), Foldable Dynamic AMOLED, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2636 pixels (~425 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Selfie camera | 10 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1.22µm |
| Battery | 3300 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired9W wireless |
| Software | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 167.3 x 73.6 x 7.2 mm Folded: 87.4 x 73.6 x 17.3 mm |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Build | Plastic front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Galaxy Z Flip 5G support 5G?
Yes. The Galaxy Z Flip 5G supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Galaxy Z Flip 5G use?
The Galaxy Z Flip 5G runs on the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+).
What display does the Galaxy Z Flip 5G have?
A 6.7 inches, 101.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) Foldable Dynamic AMOLED, HDR10+, 1080 x 2636 pixels (~425 ppi density).
How big is the Galaxy Z Flip 5G battery?
The Galaxy Z Flip 5G has a 3300 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 15W wired9W wireless.
Does the Galaxy Z Flip 5G have NFC?
Yes, the Galaxy Z Flip 5G has NFC.
Does the Galaxy Z Flip 5G support a microSD card?
No, the Galaxy Z Flip 5G does not support expandable storage.
Does the Galaxy Z Flip 5G have a headphone jack?
No, the Galaxy Z Flip 5G does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Galaxy Z Flip 5G isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Galaxy Z Flip
Galaxy Note20 5G
Galaxy S10 Lite
Galaxy S20+ 5G BTS Edition
Pixel 5
