Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and the newer Z Fold5. We're not just looking at specs on paper here; we're figuring out what these numbers mean for you, the user. Let's get started.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-08-27 | 2023-08-11 | The Z Fold5 is a newer device, implying potential advancements in technology and software. |
| Foldable Design | Foldable | Foldable | Both are foldable, offering a unique tablet-to-phone experience. |
| Physical Size (Folded) | 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm | 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm | The Z Fold5 is slightly shorter and thinner, which may improve handling, while being negligibly wider when folded, potentially being more comfortable in the pocket and while holding in hand. |
| Weight | 271g | 253g | The Z Fold5 is significantly lighter, enhancing comfort during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 7.6" | 7.6" | Both have expansive 7.6-inch inner displays, excellent for multitasking and media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1768x2208 | 1812x2176 | Very similar resolutions, making the display on both phones equally sharp and clear with no real discernible difference. |
| PPI | 374 | 373 | Pixel density is almost identical, ensuring sharp visuals on both devices. |
| Technology | Unspecified | Unspecified | Both phones use identical display technology, likely AMOLED for vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices, making interactions feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Z Fold5's newer chipset provides significantly better performance, offering faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 898,700 | 1,538,914 | The Z Fold5 scores dramatically higher in benchmarks, indicating substantial performance improvement. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | The Z Fold5's newer GPU delivers improved graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4400mAh | 4400mAh | Similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life under typical usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Both support 25W fast charging, which is sufficient but not the fastest on the market. |
| Battery Features | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | Both have comparable capabilities except for reverse wireless charging, where the Z Fold3 is more powerful at 9W while the Fold5 offers 4.5W. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor, Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor, Samsung GN3 | The Z Fold5 has a much higher resolution sensor and slightly larger sensor, resulting in higher-quality images, especially in low light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor, Sony IMX374 | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor, Sony IMX374 | Both have the same selfie camera setup, offering identical performance for selfies and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | 10MP, f/2.4 | The Z Fold3 has a slightly higher resolution telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor, Sony IMX258 | 12MP, f/2.2 | The Z Fold3 has a slightly higher resolution wide angle lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | The Z Fold5 supports 8K recording, offering much higher resolution video capture. |
| DXOMark Score (Mobile) | Overall: 120, Photo: 129, Video: 105 | Overall: 128, Photo: 127, Video: 123 | The Z Fold5 has a higher overall score with superior video performance, while the Fold3 has slightly better photo scores, although the difference is insignificant |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, etc. | Noise reduction, Time-Lapse, 8K Video, etc. | The Z Fold5 has additional camera features for better photo and video capturing capabilities, and additional post-processing software. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, max version 15 | Android 13, max version 17 | The Z Fold5 has a newer OS with more updates guaranteed, providing an up-to-date and secure user experience. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | The Z Fold5 supports the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, offering faster speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both share the same Bluetooth version, but Z Fold5 has additional codecs for more audio options. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Z Fold5 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM Support | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Both support dual SIM and eSIM, which provides users with flexibility for multiple phone plans or digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256 GB or 512 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB or 1024GB | The Z Fold5 offers a larger storage option of 1TB, catering to users with extensive media libraries. |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB | Both have a generous 12 GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which means you are stuck with the storage you purchase. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both phones offer high-quality audio with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for immersive listening experiences. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones provide basic and easily accessible biometric security using a side-mounted fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Z Fold5 has the latest Gorilla Glass for better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Both phones have the same sensor suite for full functionality. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G:
- Strengths: It remains a capable foldable phone with a large display, good performance for everyday tasks, and a solid camera system. It has a slightly better telephoto and wide-angle lens.
- Competitive Advantages: Lower initial price point due to being older, and still a great device if you're not chasing the bleeding edge. It also has better reverse wireless charging at 9W.
- Trade-offs: It's heavier, has an older chipset, and its camera system is not as advanced as the Z Fold5. The Z Fold 3 offers significantly better reverse wireless charging compared to its successor.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5:
- Strengths: Significant performance leap with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a vastly improved main camera, 8K video recording, a lighter and thinner design, and the latest connectivity options (Wi-Fi 7).
- Competitive Advantages: Cutting-edge technology, superior performance, and enhanced camera capabilities. It also has a 1TB storage option for power users.
- Trade-offs: It's more expensive, which is expected considering the advancements. It also has weaker reverse wireless charging capabilities, which might impact users who rely on it.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G:
- User Profile: Users who want a foldable phone experience without breaking the bank, who prioritize a large screen for media consumption and basic multitasking, and who are ok with less-than-leading performance.
- Use Cases: Great for casual gaming, watching videos, basic productivity tasks, and those who want to experience a foldable device without the premium price of newer models.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5:
- User Profile: Power users, tech enthusiasts, and anyone who needs the best possible performance, camera quality, and the latest features in a foldable form factor.
- Use Cases: Ideal for gaming, heavy multitasking, professional photography and videography, and demanding productivity tasks. This device is built for those who want the bleeding edge in mobile tech.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
What's your primary use case for a foldable phone?
- If you need peak performance, top camera capabilities, and future-proofing, the Z Fold5 is the clear choice.
- If your use is limited to media consumption and light productivity, the Z Fold3 might be a better value.
How important is the latest technology to you?
- If you want the newest features and are ok with paying a premium, the Z Fold5 is the best option.
- If you don't necessarily need the latest and greatest and are willing to make some compromises, the Z Fold3 will save you some cash.
What's your budget?
- If you have a flexible budget and want the best foldable experience, the Z Fold5 is the best option.
- If budget is a major factor, the Z Fold3 is a very good compromise and can save you a fair bit of money.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The "Tech Enthusiast": Go for the Z Fold5. Its cutting-edge tech, superior performance, and advanced camera make it the perfect companion for those who want the best of the best.
- The "Budget-Conscious User": The Z Fold3 is the more sensible choice. It still offers a great foldable experience at a lower price point.
- The "Power User": The Z Fold5, with its top performance and storage options, ensures your productivity needs are met without any hiccups.
- The "Occasional User": The Z Fold3 offers a better experience in terms of battery features because of its better reverse wireless charging, and a slightly better camera experience because of a better telephoto and wide angle lens system, while still being a capable machine for everyday tasks, at a cheaper price point.
Final Recommendation:
If I were choosing, I'd pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. While it's undeniably more expensive, the generational leap in performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is too significant to ignore. As a tech journalist, my workflow often involves heavy multitasking, editing photos and videos, and needing a dependable, fast device. The camera upgrade is a major plus, providing much higher quality images and videos. The lighter build makes it more comfortable for long-term use. While the Z Fold3 is still a good device, the Z Fold5 offers substantial improvements that are worth the investment if your budget allows. However, if budget is a main concern, the Z Fold3 is still a great device for daily use, and a great way to get into the foldable world at a cheaper price.
