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I purchased a Galaxy Z Fold 5 in February 2024, and it has been a delight to use. It helped me be more productive, and I’ve had a hard time putting it down. Here’s what it has been like to live with a foldable phone.
It’s Almost as Durable as Slab Phones
The original Galaxy Fold from 2019 wasn’t as durable as slab phones, but Samsung has come a long way since then. I’ve dropped my Z Fold 5 more than any other phone I’ve owned in recent memory. After a few months, my phone received its first scratch on the cover screen. The interior display, thankfully, is just fine.
I carry phones around without a case. I prefer how they feel this way and accept the risk. However, given its cost, this is the first phone I’ve bought insurance for. Nonetheless, the frame has been rock solid with only minor dings after many drops to a hardwood floor. The hinge still closes with a satisfying sound like it did when I first opened the phone.
I haven’t owned the phone long enough to say how well it will stand the test of time, but so far, I don’t treat it any more delicately than any other slab phone I’ve ever owned.
It Feels Smaller Despite Its Thickness
Is the Z Fold a thick phone? Sure, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t comfortable to hold or takes up too much space in my pocket. The super thin and wide shape of modern smartphones isn’t exactly comfortable in the pocket or hand. I find the Z Fold 5’s girth has been a gift. It’s nice to hold, and the thickness helps when taking photos.
The phone has a tall aspect ratio, but it’s actually shorter than most other phones. This makes it easy for me to use one-handed. The phone also has a taller aspect ratio than other foldables. Many reviewers have become tired of the Z Fold’s form factor, but I think Samsung has made some pretty smart decisions when shaping this device.
I Enjoy Reading on It
I read on my foldable all the time. While the phone’s aspect ratio isn’t great for watching videos, it’s perfect for reading ebooks, graphic novels, and magazines. The high-resolution OLED screen makes the text sharp and easy on my eyes. I love e-ink tablets, but after using the Z Fold 5, I’ve realized I don’t need it to enjoy reading ebooks.
Now, I keep a large library of ebooks and comics I want to read on my phone. They come in handy when I’m bored while traveling. It’s hard to resist the siren call of a thousand compelling books, all rendered beautifully. That’s coming from a person whoditched a smartphone for a dumbphonea few years ago.
Using a Stylus Feels Like Writing in a Notebook
Not everyone loves a stylus. I get that. I have mixed feelings about them when it comes to slab phones, but I love them on a foldable. A stylus makes a book-style foldable feel like a digital moleskin.
I get tohandwrite my thoughts in Samsung Notes, knowing I can convert it all to text later. It’s no small thing to write by hand rather than type words that appear on the web.
But be careful with that stylus, though. Unlikethe Galaxy S24 Ultra we reviewed, the Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 6 don’t have a place to store Samsung’s S Pen.I’ve broken two S Pensas a result.
I Love Having a Built-In Phone Stand
You can prop up a foldable phone at any time without having to buy a special case or adhere anything to the back. This makes them great for watching YouTube videos or taking photos and videos without an extra hand.
If I’m doing anything in the kitchen, I can pull out my phone, put on something to watch, and place my phone half-bent on the counter. I can do the same thing in bed. As is often the case, a blessing can also be a curse. I’ve been watching my screen time creep higher and higher.
Foldables Are Great for Taking and Sharing Photos
Having a built-in phone stand expands when and where you can take a picture. It helps you take snapshots of yourself or capture views that would otherwise be difficult, like macro photography close to the ground. It’s akin to upgrading from a professional camera with a fixed screen to one you can rotate.
The inner display helps you review images you take and provides enough detail to make edits without having to zoom in nearly as much. The large 7.6-inch screen also makes it convenient to show your images to a bunch of people.
Having a foldable phone changes the concept of a selfie camera. Rather, your main camera is your selfie camera, and you can see yourself while you frame a shot. Your selfie game instantly levels up.
Foldable phones likethe Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 6don’t have the best camera hardware for the price you pay. That’s one of the downsides of going with this form factor. Yet the addition of a hinge and having this flexibility can have a bigger impact on your photography than having more megapixels, better low-light performance, or more zoom.
I Can Handle More Tasks Without Pulling Out a PC
A book-style foldable is truly an impressive productivity device. I chose the Galaxy Z Fold 5 partly because it allows me touse Samsung Dex to turn my phone into a PC. What I didn’t foresee was how little I actually use DeX. I end up getting most things done without needing to connect my phone to another display.
The inner screen is just large enough to view most web pages comfortably. The S Pen helps me interact with on-screen elements that are too small for a finger. Unfolded, the phone is large enough to type comfortably without becoming unwieldy like a tablet. The inner display onfoldables makes many apps feel like tablet or desktop apps.
The Z Fold, in particular, has a great aspect ratio for office documents and PDFs. I filed taxes from my phone, from start to finish. So far, working with spreadsheets has been the one task that makes me pine for something bigger.
Overall, I find it fascinating that I can do so much with a tiny device that slides into my pocket now. After years of owning boring slab phones,a foldable feels downright exciting. And if you’re looking to buy one yourself,the Galaxy Z Fold 6is one of the best options as of 2024.
