The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to launch at Samsung Unpacked July 26, but the rumors and leaks haven't exactly set the world on fire. In fact, some of Samsung's own employees have reported called the Z Fold 5 boring.
It's not like Samsung has to do a whole lot to hold on to the title of best foldable phone. Yes, the Google Pixel Fold has made a great first impression, but Samsung has become synonymous with the category. So we expect iterative updates like the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and slightly improved cameras.
But there's one key rumored upgrade that really has my attention. Weight for it...
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Thickness (Open/Closed) | Weight |
| Galaxy Z Fold 5 (rumored) | 0.24 / 0.53 inches | 8.9 ounces |
| Google Pixel Fold | 0.22 / 0.5 inches | 10 ounces |
| Galaxy Z Fold 4 | 0.24 / 0.55-0.62 inches | 9.28 |
Galaxy Z Fold 5: It all hinges on this
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to feature a waterdrop-style hinge, which reportedly has a few benefits. Apparently part of the display will roll inside the phone’s main body, which will enable the design to fold fully flat when closed. That's a welcome upgrade, and I like the idea of their being no gap the way there is on the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
However, I'm much more interested in the Galaxy Z Fold 5 being significantly thinner and lighter than its predecessor, which Samsung Mobile head TM Roh teased this week. Of course, you're going to have to put up with some bulk when you have a device with a display that grows from 6.2 to 7.6 inches as you open it up, but I really like the idea of this foldable slimming down.
Take it from someone who was running around with his puppy with a Pixel Fold in his pocket. Weight matters
Take it from someone who attempted to run around with a new puppy in his backyard recently with a Google Pixel Fold in my pocket. I could really feel it weighing me down to the point I had to put the phone on a table and then go back to playing. The Pixel is nice and thin when open at 0.2 inches, but it's still a hefty 10 ounces.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is tipped to weigh just 8.9 ounces. For those scoring at home, weighing more than an ounce less than your main rival is a pretty big deal. It's also rumored that the Z Fold 5 will be thinner than the Z Fold 4 at 0.53 inches when closed vs. 0.55 to 0.62 inches. So not only will the Z Fold 5 weigh your pocket down less, it should take up less room.
As someone who has been tempted to switch to a foldable phone more than once, the reason I've stuck with a traditional slab phone isn't just because of the high price of foldables. I just don't see myself lugging around such a device all day, even if it could pinch hit for my laptop on short notice with its multitasking powers.
So before you write off the Galaxy Z Fold 5, pay close attention to the final design and dimensions and make sure you pick one up and try it out — assuming the rumors are true. You might be pleasantly surprised.
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