Comparing Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy S23: Which Phone Should You Buy?

Galaxy Z Flip5 is one of the two recently launched foldable screen models by Samsung, providing users with an exceptionally high-quality option in the premium smartphone segment. So when comparing this smartphone with Galaxy S23, which one is the better choice for users?

Design and Durability

When unfolded, Galaxy Z Flip5 resembles a conventional smartphone. It's taller, wider, thinner, and heavier than its counterpart, the Galaxy S23. However, the successor to Z Flip4 can also fold, giving it a compact form factor similar to the Galaxy S23. Hence, in terms of usability, Galaxy Z Flip5 has the edge.

Both phones are equipped with premium aluminum frames and come with a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back. However, the flexible and scratch-prone main display of Z Flip5 is made of plastic and Ultra Thin Glass (UTG), which is much less durable than the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front of Galaxy S23.

In other aspects, Galaxy Z Flip5 has an additional secondary display on the back, allowing users to quickly view notifications, take selfie photos using the rear camera, check the weather, respond to messages, etc., without opening the main display. This is an experience you can't find on the Galaxy S23. On the other hand, Samsung's latest flagship Galaxy S model supports water and dust resistance, meeting IP68 standards, while the new Z Flip lacks dust resistance with an IPX8 certification.

Camera

• Samsung Galaxy S23: Main 50MP f/1.8, OIS, records 8K video at 30 frames per second; 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (120 degrees), 10MP f/2.4 telephoto lens, OIS, 3x optical zoom; Front camera 12MP f/2.2, records 4K@60fps
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5: Main 12MP f/1.8, OIS, records 4K video at 60 frames per second; 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (123-degree field of view); Front camera: 10MP f/2.2, records 4K@30fps

Galaxy S23's camera system excels overall thanks to its 50MP main sensor and higher resolution selfie camera, coupled with the rear telephoto lens for portrait photography. Z Flip5 only features a dual 12MP camera system on the rear, consisting of a main sensor and an ultra-wide lens, incapable of recording 8K video.

However, don't forget that you can utilize the main camera on the Galaxy Z Flip5 for FlexCam selfies, which will yield significantly higher quality than selfies taken with the Galaxy S23's front camera.

Display

• Samsung Galaxy S23: 6.1-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display; adaptive 120Hz refresh rate; 1080 x 2340 resolution; 425 PPI; Maximum brightness 1750 nits
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Main Display: 6.7-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X display; 120Hz refresh rate; 1080 x 2640 resolution; 426 PPI; Maximum brightness 1200 nits; Cover Display: 3.4-inch Super AMOLED display; 60Hz refresh rate; 748 x 720 resolution

Galaxy S23 features a shorter and brighter display, while Galaxy Z Flip5 sports a larger foldable screen accompanied by the convenient Flex Windows secondary display on the back.

When it comes to display quality, the Galaxy S23 screen is highly rated, but in terms of usability, the Z Flip5 completely outshines. With its two displays and unique foldable design, you can place the Z Flip on a table in Flex Mode to shoot TikTok videos with millions of views, take selfies, and video call with family and friends. You can't get this experience on the Galaxy S23, and it's one of the best features of the Galaxy Z Flip5.

Performance

• Samsung Galaxy S23: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Chipset, 8GB RAM, storage capacity options of 128GB/256GB/512GB
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Chipset, 8GB RAM, storage capacity options of 256GB/512GB

Both phones are equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset and come with 8GB of RAM, but Z Flip5 has a minimum of 256GB ROM, whereas this figure on the Galaxy S23 is 128GB. Neither of these duos has a microSD card slot for expansion.

Therefore, you'll hardly notice any difference in performance between the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy S23. Both pack impressive power to efficiently handle users' daily needs, even when engaging in the most graphics-intensive gaming titles.

Battery Life

• Samsung Galaxy S23: 3,900mAh battery, 25W wired fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5: 3,700mAh battery, 25W wired fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging

Galaxy S23 is equipped with a larger battery and features a smaller screen, hence it will deliver better battery life than Z Flip5, which has two displays.

However, it's worth noting that the difference may not be significant because Flip 5 currently uses the same chip as S23 and therefore can effectively leverage it. Both devices have the same charging speed and allow reverse wireless charging to power your accessories such as earbuds or smartwatch.

Should You Buy Galaxy S23 or Galaxy Z Flip5?

From the comparison above, it can be seen that each phone has its own advantages. If you like the unique foldable design, compactness, then you should choose Galaxy Z Flip5, whereas if you want beautiful photos, strong performance, and longer battery life, then you should choose Galaxy S23.