Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 leak reveals biggest upgrade to phone's design

Galaxy Z Flip 5 render concept
(Image credit: Technizo Concept / Super Roader)

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is expected to be one of the headliners at next week's Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event. But we don’t have to wait until the July 26 product launch for alleged details about the foldable phone's display.

Tipster Roland Quandt from WinFuture took to Twitter earlier today to share some images of the upcoming foldable phone. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a good look at them before they were pulled, but thankfully some other Twitter users had already started sharing the photos, as reported by 9to5Google.

And after looking at these leaked photos, we definitely have some good news — though there could be a downside, too.

Galaxy Z Flip 5 leaked images: 3.4-inch cover display

Alleged leaked press render of the Galaxy Z Flip 5

(Image credit: MySmartPrice)

First, the cover display looks to be getting a massive upgrade. Literally. 

Samsung's current flip phone-style foldable, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, offers a pretty minimal outer display — just a 1.9-inch strip that largely serves as a notification bar. But there have been some rumors that the Z Flip 5 cover screen will get a size increase

Specifically, rumors claim that screen is going to nearly double in size, with a 3.4-inch cover display that could take up nearly the entire front half of the phone. This would put it on par with the Motorola Razr+ and its 3.6-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. 

While these leaked photos don’t confirm the exact specs for the Galaxy Z Flip 5, they do show a cover display that takes up nearly the entire front of a folded-up Flip. 

However, 9to5Google notes that the images depicted on the screens look like widgets, with no sign of support for running full apps on the outer display. That would seemingly put the Galaxy Z Flip 5 at a disadvantage as the Razr+ is able to run apps on its outer screen.

That said, not every app runs well on a small exterior display. Maybe widgets are the move Samsung would make until full app support is available. Either way, the larger screen would still offer more functionality than you can get on the current Galaxy Z Flip 4.

Galaxy Z Flip 5 minds the gap

Unofficial render of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

(Image credit: Technizo Concept / Super Roader)

The other big upgrade shown in these leaked images is that the hinge gap is gone on the new Galaxy Z Flip 5. In contrast, when you close the Galaxy Z Flip 4, there's a tiny gap between the two halves of the internal screen at the hinge. 

While a recent report seemed to indicate that the hinge gap would return on the Z Flip 5, these new photos show a beautiful, gap-free experience on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, and I certainly hope this is accurate. Not only is the gap unsightly, but it opens the phone display up to abrasions. 

Stay tuned to our Galaxy Unpacked coverage to see if the new flip phone from Samsung is gapless when it launches later this month. 

Malcolm McMillan
Streaming Editor

Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 tipped for a huge outer screen upgrade — here’s what we know
The leaked Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 phone
This could be our first look at the Galaxy Z Flip 7
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 design just teased in new cases leak — and the outer display is huge
Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6 in-hand with outer display showing
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 leak claims big design changes could be on the way — what we know
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in blue
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 rumors — everything we know so far
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 rumors — everything we know so far
Latest in Samsung Phones
Galaxy S25 Edge dummy unit from side angle
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge colors shown off in leaked renders — here’s the options
Galaxy S25 Edge dummy unit from side angle
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge design just shown off on video from every angle with seemingly accurate dummies
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 design just teased in new cases leak — and the outer display is huge
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.
Galaxy Z Flip 7 could finally fix the one thing that has prevented me from using Samsung’s flip phones
Amazon Spring Sale Galaxy S25
Amazon’s Spring Sale drops the Samsung Galaxy S25 to $734 — its lowest price ever!
Galaxy S25 Plus held in the hand.
Samsung could delay One UI 7’s release in the US — here’s what we know
Latest in News
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Friday, March 28 (#656)
Reddit logo and Reddit logo on phone
Reddit, X and MLB.TV were down — live updates on outage
Nintendo Switch 2 console, Joy-Con controllers and dock
The Switch 2's mysterious "C" button may have just been confirmed by Nintendo
Nintendo Switch virtual game card
Nintendo just announced 'Virtual Game Cards' ahead of Switch 2 launch
Gerard Butler as Detective Nick "Big Nick" O'Brien in "Den of Thieves 2: Pantera"
Netflix top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
Graphic screen displaying malware detection warning
This dangerous new Windows malware hides from your antivirus while impersonating a popular PC brand