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A bigger cover display and redesigned hinge may be the highlights of the Galaxy Z Flip 5, but the new Samsung clamshell foldable also brings plenty of other minor upgrades. It features the brightest cover screen on any Galaxy foldable yet. The device also supports video output via USB and boasts Wi-Fi 6E. It misses out on Samsung DeX support, though.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 features a folder-shaped 3.4-inch Super AMOLED panel on the outside. The 720 x 748 pixels screen has a 60Hz refresh rate and a 306 PPI pixel density, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on top. Called Flex Window by Samsung, the cover display lets you use various apps through widgets and can also be your viewfinder for taking selfies with the rear cameras. And you can do all of this in bright outdoor environments with ease.
This is thanks to the peak brightness of 1,600 nits (via SamMobile). At this brightness level, the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s cover display is brighter than its main foldable display (1,200 nits) and almost as bright as the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy S23 Ultra’s main displays (1,750 nits). It’s the brightest cover display Samsung has used on any of its foldable phones yet, across both Fold and Flip lineups.
Note that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 uses an under-display photo resistor sensor to control the adaptive brightness of the cover display. It’s located near the hinge, perpendicular to the two rear cameras. If you accidentally cover this sensor with your fingers or something else, the sensor may detect a pitch-black external environment and lower the brightness level. Just reposition your fingers and the brightness level should go up again.
Galaxy Z Flip 5 supports video output via USB but no Samsung DeX
Samsung has upgraded the Galaxy Z Flip 5 to Wi-Fi 6e, making it the first model to support the faster and more reliable Wi-Fi standard. The new Flip also boasts a USB-C 3.2 port, another upgrade from a USB-C 2.0 port on the Flip 4. This brings video output support, allowing you to mirror the content of its screen to an external monitor via a USB cable.
However, despite this improvement, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 misses out on Samsung DeX support. The Korean firm told SamMobile that it tried adding the feature, which lets you use the phone in a PC setup, but canceled the plans due to heating issues. The foldable doesn’t have a sufficient “heatproof performance in the structure,” to efficiently run Samsung DeX. This is a shame but it is what it is. If the lack of Samsung DeX isn’t a dealbreaker for you, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is currently available for pre-order. Samsung will open general sales on August 11.