Two weeks ago, I found myself in the heart of Seoul, South Korea, at Samsung’s electrifying launch event, where I acquired the Samsung Galaxy Fold5, Galaxy Flip5, Watch6 Classic, and Tab S9 Ultra. These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of testing and exploration, as I scrutinised their performance and adaptability in various scenarios. Notably, the Samsung Z Flip5 took the spotlight as my primary phone, effortlessly intertwining style with substance.
Having immersed myself in this tech symphony, I’ve gained valuable insights into how these devices seamlessly intertwine with daily life. From professional tasks to leisurely pursuits, each gadget exhibited its own unique charm, redefining the boundaries of innovation and convenience.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
The Z Fold5 arrives in a sleeker and lighter form, bidding farewell to the hinge gap that once existed. While other foldable devices may possess smoother, more effortless hinges, Samsung’s offering stands out for its solid structure. This hinge ensures secure mid-fold positioning which I noticed to prevent unexpected opening or closing during folding and unfolding processes. Constructed with Samsung’s robust Armor Aluminum frame, both the front and back panels feature Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and the device proudly boasts an IPX8 water-resistant rating meaning it can be fully submerged in water. Throughout my usage over the past weeks, I’ve been pleased to observe the resilience of the device. Notably, both screens remain free of scratches, and the aluminium frame has managed to maintain its pristine condition even in the absence of a protective case.
The Z Fold5 is presented in a range of dapper and neat colours including Blue, Cream, Grey, Icy Blue, and Phantom Black, all adorned with a subtly frosted matte finish. This finish not only adds to the aesthetic of the phone but also left me quite happy with its ability to repel fingerprint marks, making the phone look clear even after extensive use. The device boasts a 7.6-inch interior display and a 6.2-inch front screen. This ensured a dynamic tactile experience allowing me to use the device as a phone and as a tablet when needed. The experience was further enhanced by the absence of a hinge gap, rendering it even more pocket-friendly.
Both screens of the Galaxy Z Fold5 sport Samsung’s vivid AMOLED 2X displays, delivering a spectrum of vibrant colours and rich, deep blacks. Featuring a seamless 120Hz refresh rate, these displays are not only exceptionally smooth but also adaptive, intelligently adjusting between 1-120Hz to optimize power consumption. At the core of the device lies a 7.6-inch foldable panel graced with a resolution of 1812 x 2176. This primary display mirrors many attributes of its cover-screen counterpart, including the 120Hz adaptive smoothness, Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, and HDR support. With a high brightness mode reaching up to 1200 nits, visibility remains optimal even in well-lit environments. Samsung has also enhanced the peak spot brightness, empowering the phone to deliver elevated contrast ratios and illuminate highlights at an impressive 1750 nits when playing HDR content. In my experience, I found the split-screen feature to be remarkably convenient and user-friendly, especially after a brief familiarisation period. The Z Fold5 enables the concurrent operation of up to three apps, and the process of transitioning between these apps proved both intuitive and impressively seamless.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
The notion that size doesn’t hold importance is contradicted by the new Galaxy Z Flip5, both from Samsung’s perspective and mine as well. With other foldable clamshell devices featuring increasingly larger cover screens in 2023, it was essential for Samsung to give its Flip series a boost to stay competitive.
The latest Galaxy Z Flip5 has arguably undergone the most significant transformation within Samsung’s recent lineup of devices, primarily due to the inclusion of a sizable external screen that occupies a substantial portion of the phone’s cover panel. Despite maintaining the same square-edged design, the Z Flip5 does offer a distinct advantage over its predecessors – a novel hinge mechanism. By adopting a water drop-style hinge design that other original equipment manufacturers have long employed, Samsung has, at last, achieved the ability for the Z Flip5 to close with minimal to no visible gap, resulting in a slimmer profile compared to its forerunner, measuring 15.1mm in thickness. Furthermore, despite the new hinge design, Samsung has managed to preserve the Flex Mode feature, enabling users to hold the phone open at various angles for tasks such as video calls, selfies, video watching, and more. On the whole, the Z Flip5 presents itself as an aesthetically pleasing device that undeniably attracts attention. I’ve encountered numerous instances where curious individuals have approached me, intrigued by its distinctive design, sparking inquiries and discussions about the phone.
One notable improvement is the heightened peak brightness, now reaching 1750 nits. While such brightness levels may not frequently be required, the screen remains sufficiently visible in diverse settings, even under sunlight. Nevertheless, the pre-installed PET screen protector on the phone tends to reflect light to some extent, potentially causing visibility challenges in direct sunlight. Nonetheless, for the most part, I haven’t encountered difficulties viewing content while on the move.
While the specifications of the Z Flip5’s cameras remain unchanged from the previous year’s model, Samsung suggests that the new chipset’s capabilities should result in improved processing for better performance in low-light conditions. Based on my personal experience, the phone’s camera performance produces entirely satisfactory images, featuring sufficient detail, accurate colour reproduction, and a dynamic range that necessitates minimal editing before sharing on Instagram. Furthermore, there appears to be an enhancement in the phone’s shutter lag, a similarity we observed in the camera performance of the Galaxy Z Fold5.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic
I’ve been using the larger 47mm version of the Galaxy Watch6 Classic, and although it occasionally posed comfort challenges under certain sleeves, it hasn’t caused any significant issues. Weighing 85 grams, it’s slightly heavier than the Google Pixel Watch, yet I’ve had no trouble wearing it while sleeping. Sleep tracking is a major improvement Samsung has made to this watch. I wear various types of watches, including smartwatches, but only a few are comfortable enough for continuous wear. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic has been on my wrist since I received it, and I’ve hardly taken it off. Its comfort level is a vital aspect – if a watch isn’t wearable, it loses its purpose.
The standard strap is impressive, and the overall design of the Galaxy Watch6 Classic stands out. I was particularly drawn to the silver case and white strap for its classy and modern appearance. While the black version I reviewed is more understated, the watch’s attractive features remain prominent, such as the polished and matte finish case, the coin-edge bezel, and the sapphire crystal’s sheen. A major highlight is the return of the rotating bezel, which was absent in the Galaxy Watch5 series. This iconic Samsung feature enhances the user experience. Rotating the bezel with an index finger to navigate the menu is both simple and intuitive. The precise and well-damped motion streamlines navigation compared to a rotating crown, making it an ergonomic success.
The watch also saw significant improvements in health tracking, particularly in sleep tracking. The sleep tracking system offers an overall Sleep Score, and details on sleep duration, stages, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and snoring. This information is available on the watch’s Tile and in the Samsung Health app. Performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) with the Galaxy Watch6 Classic takes only 30 seconds, and it promptly notifies you of any signs of atrial fibrillation. The results are then stored in the Samsung Health app. Similarly, utilising the Body Composition feature requires a similar amount of time. This feature presents data regarding skeletal muscle, body fat, and body water, along with calculating your body mass index (BMI) and Basal metabolic rate (BMR). While Body Composition is likely to be more universally beneficial, the ECG feature is more suited for individuals with specific medical conditions, and its use should involve consultation with a doctor.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
My primary favourite feature of the Tab S9 Ultra is its display. It’s not just the large size that helps with multitasking, but the display’s clarity and aspect ratio also stand out. Although I don’t usually spend much time streaming shows on a tablet, the AMOLED screen’s sharp and vivid picture quality has caught my attention even when I’m working. The Tab S9 Ultra boasts a 16:10 aspect ratio, which means that when watching shows or movies, there are no black letterboxes on the top and bottom of the screen. This aspect ratio ensures that the content occupies the entire display. The Vision Booster feature, which adjusts brightness based on ambient light, maintains consistent colours and saturation levels.
Another reason I’ve started using the tablet more for media consumption, in addition to work, is its impressive sound quality. The quad stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support not only offer high volume but also provide clear and deep audio, particularly in noisy scenarios. The display’s variable refresh rate, which ranges from 60Hz to 120Hz based on the task at hand, contributes to a smooth experience. Even during actions like scrolling through lengthy web pages or text documents, I haven’t observed any stutter or lag.
Battery life has been exceptional with the Tab S9 Ultra, equipped with an 11,200mAh battery. Samsung claims it can last up to 16 hours on a full charge. While I haven’t precisely tracked the time, I can attest that I’ve only needed to charge it every few days with mixed usage. Whether I’m working with multiple apps open or enjoying media with the tablet off to the side, battery life hasn’t been a concern.
Internally, the Tab S9 Ultra features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, which is the same hardware found in Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series and foldable devices like the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5. This processor has been optimized by Samsung in collaboration with Qualcomm to offer superior performance for tasks like gaming and multitasking. The tablet supports multitasking using standard Android tools, complemented by Samsung’s One UI enhancements. This means you can run two apps side by side, operate a third app in a pop-up window, and even drag and drop content between apps.
