Exploring the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Its Enlarged External Screen Brings Potential

Following my review of the Motorola Razr+ earlier this year, I became enamored with its external screen. The 3.6-inch outer panel outperformed Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4’s 1.9-inch counterpart, proving itself larger and more practical. Since that point, I’ve eagerly anticipated a larger outer display on Samsung’s forthcoming Flip model. Today, my expectations have been fulfilled. Samsung has launched the Galaxy Z Flip 5, featuring a 3.4-inch external screen, an impressive 3.78 times larger than the previous model.

The Z Flip 5 also introduces a new “Flex Hinge,” which enables the device to fold completely shut, leaving no gap between the two halves of the internal screen. Coupled with the usual processor upgrades, doubled base storage, and several software improvements, the Z Flip 5 represents a minor yet significant upgrade, all for the unchanged starting price of $999.

Promising Possibilities with a Larger External Screen

The standout feature of the Z Flip 5 is undoubtedly its enlarged external display, which Samsung has controversially renamed the Flex Window. Despite this unnecessary renaming—the panel doesn’t fold and the previous “Cover” name still aptly applies—it’s clear why this enlarged display offers more functionality. Widgets such as Calendar or Weather can display more comprehensive data for multiple events or days. Buttons are larger, facilitating smoother music control in the media player, and easier timer management.

The larger screen has also allowed Samsung to add two additional shortcut buttons to the Quick Settings drawer accessible from the home screen. Swiping up opens the Samsung Wallet, simplifying daily transactions such as your morning coffee purchase.

However, the 3.4-inch panel doesn’t span the entire rear half of the phone. It’s designed like a file folder, cut to accommodate the dual cameras at the bottom right. This unconventional aspect ratio might challenge some apps, but generally, the software perceives the screen as a regular rectangle. The small tab at the bottom left is typically reserved for a Samsung Pay shortcut or a progress tracker for ongoing activities. For instance, an ongoing timer or music track will be indicated by a small progress bar here.

Due to the expanded widget support on the cover, navigating through them all may seem tedious. While testing, I found around a dozen widgets on the demo unit, but Samsung has introduced a new pinch-out gesture to access the Multi Widgets view for quicker navigation. This feature is exclusive to Samsung’s available widgets on One UI 5 for the Flip 5 and should not be confused with the Android All Apps page.

Photo by Sam Rutherford

Another exciting aspect of the Flex Window is its support for several apps such as Message, YouTube, Google Maps, WhatsApp, and Netflix. In certain countries like Korea, users will also have access to popular apps like Kakao Talk. These apps operate like their full-fledged versions on the external screen. From watching YouTube videos to drafting messages and searching local eateries, the experience on the smaller panel is virtually identical to the larger versions.

Although the practicality of using a full Android on the external display is arguable, Samsung’s decision to limit the native apps on the Flex Window is questionable. However, there is a workaround through an app called Good Lock, which Samsung offers to run any Android app on the smaller screen. This differs from the Moto Razr+, which basically operates Google’s entire operating system on the cover screen.

Samsung’s strategy allows only invested users to experience the full Android interface on the Flex Window. If any issues arise or the display appears unusual, the user is responsible.

One more key difference between Moto and Samsung in the cover screen department is the QWERTY keyboard layout. Both companies allow users to respond to messages and notifications with a full-sized keyboard. While Moto utilizes the entire space for larger buttons, Samsung uses roughly the bottom two thirds, keeping the message or input field at the top for user reference.

I appreciate the larger keys, but Moto’s layout adds an extra step—after typing your reply, you have to navigate back to the app to hit the submit button. On the Flip 5, the Send button is conveniently located above the keyboard, available immediately after typing. A comprehensive comparison of the two approaches, however, requires more extensive testing with a review unit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 features

More about Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 features

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Official Page
• Motorola Razr+ Official Page
• Good Lock App on Google Play Store
• Samsung One UI 5 Official Page
• Detailed review of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4