I’ve used the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 as my day by day driver alongside my iPhone since 2022. As a lot as I take pleasure in utilizing it, a few of its quirks hassle me. Experimenting with a unique kind issue was enjoyable since conventional slab telephones have turn out to be boring. Nevertheless, now that the honeymoon section is over, I will not purchase one other folding telephone till producers handle a few of its drawbacks.
I am glad I did not spend cash on a high-end foldable telephone that prices twice as a lot, like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 we reviewed in 2024. Folding telephones are nice dialog starters and enjoyable to make use of in their very own distinctive manner, however they fall brief by way of practicality. So, let us take a look at a few of its drawbacks that might deter most individuals, together with myself, from shopping for one.
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Foldable telephones must get higher, not simply thinner
Honor’s Magic V3 is skinny sufficient for me
6
Unusual side ratio
Not nice for content material consumption
It does not matter whether or not you get a flip foldable or a book-style foldable. The shows on all of them have unusual side ratios. As an example, the primary display screen of the Z Flip 6 and the duvet display screen of the Z Fold 6 have a 22:9 side ratio. Conventional telephones have 19.5:9 shows. Folding telephones have taller however narrower screens. For somebody who enjoys scrolling by means of Instagram Reels and watching YouTube movies, the narrower display screen appears a bit off, and I am unable to get used to it. I all the time really feel like I am cramped for house.
E book-style folding telephones could be higher for media consumption due to their big inside screens, however these large black bars on a square-ish show would hassle me as a lot. I haven’t got to fret about that on my iPhone. I can conceal the bars by zooming in a bit with out cropping out the video considerably. That is one of many primary causes I swap to my iPhone after I need to watch Netflix or YouTube whereas in mattress. I largely use my Z Flip 5 for telephone calls and texting.
5
The display screen protector comes off
It is plastic, feels low cost, and appears ugly after a number of months
Folding telephones include plastic display screen protectors pre-installed to forestall injury, and in contrast to conventional glass, they’re susceptible to scratches. Extra importantly, they really feel low cost and look ugly after months of wear and tear and tear. After months of folding and unfolding the telephone day by day, the plastic display screen protector begins peeling off on the crease, and it will get worse over time.
On the intense aspect, Samsung will exchange the display screen protector at no cost in case your telephone is lower than a 12 months outdated. Nevertheless, for me, the display screen protector began coming off after a 12 months. So, I must pay a $19.99 payment for an official alternative or think about cheaper third-party choices. Both manner, taking my telephone to a Samsung service heart for a display screen alternative looks like a problem. The comfort of changing the tempered glass for my slab telephone from the consolation of my house is one thing I do not need to surrender.
4
Mediocre cameras
Photographs and movies look common at finest
Folding telephones have been round for a number of years now, and you’d suppose the digicam {hardware} on them would’ve improved sufficient to be corresponding to flagship slab telephones, contemplating their exorbitant worth tags. Nevertheless, that is not the case. Photographs and movies I’ve shot on my Z Flip 5 lack element and depth in comparison with those I took utilizing my iPhone. It isn’t even shut.
That is as a result of folding telephones have a slimmer profile, and it is difficult to pack bigger digicam sensors and lenses in a thinner chassis. The worst digicam in most folding telephones is normally the front-facing selfie digicam, however having the ability to fold and use the first cameras for selfies mitigates this downside. I have never taken footage on my Z Flip 5 in over a 12 months. I’d rethink folding telephones once they pack flagship cameras that match slab telephones, however I do not suppose that is taking place anytime quickly.
3
The crease
It is a ache to get used to
I used to be conscious of how annoying the crease on a foldable telephone could be after I acquired my Z Flip 5. I assumed I would get used to it after a number of weeks, however that wasn’t the case. Whenever you unbox the telephone, the crease is barely there, however after folding and unfolding it for a number of days, the crease turns into extra distinguished. Nevertheless, it hasn’t gotten noticeably worse after the primary week. So, credit score to Samsung the place it is due.
I nonetheless don’t love feeling the crease each time I scroll up or down on the telephone. I regarded on the newer Z Flip 6 at a retailer the opposite day, and it does not appear to be Samsung improved the crease. I am nonetheless ready for a crease-less telephone, however I do not suppose we’re there.
2
Hinge sturdiness
It does not really feel as clean anymore
After I acquired my Z Flip 5, folding and unfolding it felt clean and secure at numerous angles, however I am unable to say the identical now. I keep in mind protecting it open at a 45-degree angle when it was new. Now, the hinge feels too free to carry it in place. Even at a 90-degree angle, the highest half of the telephone feels a bit wobbly for my liking.
Samsung charges the Z Flip 5’s hinge for 200,000 folding and unfolding cycles, which ought to be ok to make the hinge final for about 5 years, assuming you open and shut it 100 instances day by day. Nevertheless, I do not suppose the hinge would perform almost in addition to it did within the first month after a few years, particularly in case you drop your telephone a number of instances, which I’ve.
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Six generations in, foldable telephones want circumstances greater than ever
However not for the explanation you suppose
1
Underwhelming battery life
They do not final so long as slab telephones
This can be a deal-breaker, but when all-day battery life is your high precedence, I like to recommend a giant slab telephone like the Galaxy S25 Extremely or Pixel 9 Professional XL. Although a book-style foldable telephone just like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is greater, it packs a smaller battery than the S25 Extremely. That is as a result of folding telephones cannot effectively use the inner house like slab telephones. It is primarily due to the hinge mechanism, which requires producers to undertake a break up battery design.
Battery life is worse on flip-style folding telephones as a result of they’re compact and prioritize thickness. On high of that, having a number of shows does not enable a lot room for a much bigger battery with out doubtlessly compromising warmth dissipation. My iPhone 16 Professional Max has no hassle lasting all day constantly, however my Z Flip 5 would present the low-battery warning by night. It isn’t even shut. In the event you’re an influence consumer like me, purchase an influence financial institution like the Anker MagGo Slim we reviewed alongside a flip telephone.
Folding telephones nonetheless have a protracted strategy to go
It is 2025, and folding telephones aren’t as cutting-edge as they as soon as have been. Regardless of the rise in recognition of this way issue and the issues which were mounted, the expertise hasn’t developed to the purpose that I’d ditch a standard flagship telephone for a foldable. I nonetheless do not perceive why book-style folding telephones value over $1,500 once they do not match high-end slab telephones in key areas like digicam high quality, battery life, and sturdiness.
Though I had numerous enjoyable experimenting with the Z Flip 5 during the last 12 months or two, I can confidently say I will not get one other folding telephone anytime quickly. It is exhausting to miss the evident drawbacks after the novelty of proudly owning one wears off.