Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 reportedly launching early to fight Pixel Fold

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Thinner and lighter, too

A leak-based render of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
(Image credit: Technizo Concept / Super Roader)

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 could appear for the first time in "the final week of July," according to reporting from SamMobile, with other sources detailing some important design alterations. Yes, the new Fold could be a lot less bulky. 

The SamMobile report gives July 25-27 as likely dates of Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event, the venue where we'd expect to see the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (and the smaller Galaxy Z Flip 5) launch. This would be a few weeks earlier than the usual mid-August launch that Samsung has held in previous years for new foldables. This could perhaps be in response to the Google Pixel Fold, which is expected to be unveiled May 10 at Google I/O 2023. 

Galaxy Z Fold 5 important design changes

Meanwhile, leaker Ice Universe has offered up alleged measurements for the body of the Galaxy Z Fold 5. And they make for interesting reading when compared to the dimensions of the current Galaxy Fold 4.

The most noticeable change is that when the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is shut, there will seemingly no longer be a gap between the two sides of the phone. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which measures between 14.2 - 15.8 millimeters (0.56 - 0.62 inches) thick, the Z Fold 5 will apparently measure a consistent 13.4 millimeters (0.53 inches) thick instead.

Comparing overall measurements, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will apparently be a mere 0.2mm  (about 0.0079 inches) shorter, slimmer and thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 4 when open. When shut, there seems to be no change, with both the Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 5 measuring 67.1 millimeters (2.64 inches) across. That's still quite narrow compared to a regular smartphone, so we imagine we'll still have the same issues trying to use apps on the cover screen that we had on previous Z Folds.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 will also reportedly be 9 grams (0.32 ounces) lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 4. This will still be a fairly heavy 254-gram (8.96-ounce) phone, but we're glad the phone's mass could be getting reduced all the same.

Meanwhile, the Google Pixel Fold will reportedly weigh a much heavier 10 ounces and will measure 5.5 inches x 3.1 inches x 0.5 inches while folded. This could be one way the Z Fold 5 beats the Pixel Fold. 

When we get our hands on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (hopefully at the end of July as that first rumor has it), we'll be keen to see these apparent design changes for ourselves. We'll also be hoping to try out other rumored changes such as a faster Snapdragon for Galaxy chip, a new hinge design and revised displays. Sadly, it seems like we'll need to wait for next year or later for a big design rework or overhauled cameras though.

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Richard Priday
Richard Priday
Assistant Phones Editor

Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.