13 Cons of Galaxy Z Fold 5 (Review 2024)

I’ve always been intrigued by the advancements, in technology. When Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 5 I was genuinely excited. Who wouldn’t be?

It’s like something out of a sci fi movie. A phone that transforms into a tablet. However after delving into its features, specs and user feedback I’ve come across a reasons why the Z Fold 5 may not be the choice for everyone.

To help you decide if splurging on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is justified lets delve into its drawbacks.

High Price: Is it Worth the Investment?

One of the downsides of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is its price tag. Starting at $1,799 it’s an investment especially when compared to smartphones on the market. With that amount of money you could purchase range phones or even a high end laptop. So is shelling out for the Z Fold 5 really worth it? Considering its limitations and minimal upgrades, from the model many might answer with a no.

Minor Design Tweaks: Are They Significant Enough?

Speaking of enhancements deciding to upgrade to the Galaxy Z Fold 5 from owning the Galaxy Z Fold 4 might not be a decision.The display appears brighter. The hinge design has been upgraded, which are the main changes, in terms of design. While these enhancements are nice they may not be compelling enough to justify spending two thousand dollars on a device. It seems like Samsung played it safe and I would have expected innovation considering the price point.

Screen Proportions and Viewing Experience

Now onto discussing the screen. When it comes to watching movies or videos the 4;3 aspect ratio of the screen isn’t ideal. The black bars at the top and bottom can sometimes be a bit distracting. Additionally the external cover screen is smaller compared to Android phones, which some users may find inconvenient. Typing on it can be challenging and overall the viewing experience is not as enjoyable as it would be on a screen with proportions.

Another issue with the Z Fold 5 is the crease in the middle of the 7.6 inch screen. When viewed on it’s less prominent. From certain angles and over time it becomes more visible. This crease can be bothersome, during gaming or movie watching sessions. It’s a reminder that foldable displays still have some kinks to work out to provide an experience despite their high price tag and advanced technology.

Concerns About Durability: How Strong is the Inner Display?

One common concern, with phones is their durability and the Z Fold 5 is no exception. While Samsung claims it’s 25% more durable than models the inner display is still less sturdy than the one and is designed to be more flexible for folding. This makes it more susceptible to scratches and dents which could be a downside for users who tend to be rough with their devices.

Challenges Persist with Battery Life and Charging

Another area where the Z Fold 5 falls short is in battery performance. With a 4,400 mAh battery it’s an improvement. May still not be sufficient for users. If you often use the screen for work or watching videos you might find yourself needing a midday recharge. Additionally its charging speed lags, behind flagship smartphones; a 25W fast charge takes around an hour and thirty minutes to complete. This might feel sluggish in a world where we’re used to charging speeds.

Camera Equipment: Falling Behind the Competition

While the Z Fold 5s camera system is decent it doesn’t quite match up to the capabilities of the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Using sensors and lacking features, like a 10x telephoto lens the Z Fold 5 may disappoint those expecting top notch camera performance from such an expensive device. Even though the under display selfie camera remains unchanged over time its photo quality still lags behind that of selfie cameras. If photography is a priority for you this could be a deciding factor in choosing a smartphone.

Keeping Things Cool: A Hot Experience

Due to less effective heat dissipation the Z Fold 5 tends to warm up more than the Galaxy S23 Ultra during intensive tasks. This can impact performance. Make prolonged use uncomfortable. Improved thermal management would have been a welcomed addition given the devices premium price tag.

Shortcoming in Dust Resistance

The lack of dust resistance highlights another durability concern with the Z Fold 5. While it may not have a dust resistance certification it does boast water resistance with an IPX8 rating. However frequent use, in environments could compromise its long term durability.

Software Optimization

The software optimization is not quite up, to par at the moment. At times using the form factor or Flex mode of the Z Fold 5 can make certain apps less user friendly. The effort to fully utilize the devices capabilities can be hindered by this lack of optimization. Despite Samsungs progress in software integration there is still a way to go before achieving a smooth user experience.

The Productivity Purpose is not for everyone

Not everyone will benefit from the device for productivity purposes. While the large screen is great for tasks that require productivity, not all users will see it as essential or advantageous. Only individuals such as business professionals or content creators who need to stay productive while on the go may find the added functionality useful. For users the extra screen space may not justify the higher cost and bulkiness.

When it comes to size and weight the Z Fold 5 is narrower compared to phones making it easier to fit into pockets. However even when folded it remains thick. Can feel heavy to carry around. Those who prefer slim and devices might find this physical aspect unappealing. It’s a trade off, between dealing with a phone when folded and enjoying a screen when unfolded.

The Camera Beneath the Screen: Disappointing

The under display camera feature, on the Z Fold 5 is innovative. It hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. The photo quality it produces is subpar making it unsuitable for video calls or selfies. Despite advancements in camera tech Samsung seems to have missed an opportunity to truly impress.

Decent Yet Unremarkable Camera Performance

Overall the camera performs adequately. However its lack of a telephoto lens—a feature in high end smartphones today—and its tendency to capture darker more contrasted images and videos may not appeal to everyone. Additionally under varying lighting conditions the camera sometimes struggles with skin tones appearing washed out or dull.

Personal Preferences Matter When Multitasking

Multitasking on the Z Fold 5 can be hit or miss. Some users may find the experience on foldable phones like the OnePlus Open more preferable as they offer different multitasking solutions. If multitasking is crucial, for your needs exploring options might help you find a device that better suits your requirements.

In Summary

To sum up while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 boasts technology and features it does come with some limitations and drawbacks.

Before deciding to buy it’s important to think about factors such, as the cost, slight design tweaks, screen proportions, visible fold line worries about durability restrictions on battery and charging the quality of the camera hardware, heat dispersion capabilities, absence of dust protection challenges, in software optimization appeal for productivity tasks, physical size and weight presence of an under display camera feature and overall performance of the camera.

However, if after reading all these cons, you still want to buy the Galaxy Z Fold 5, congratulations! You’re making a well-informed decision, and you won’t regret your purchase.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-oFWyxdUo
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