Samsung Unpacked: New Galaxy Z Flip 5, Fold 5 and Tab S9

It’s an issue most Samsung flip phone users have had to face, but it looks like it might now be solved thanks to this new tweak.

Lauren Chaplin

6 min read

July 27, 2023 - 8:30AM

Samsung's new foldable phones come with an integrated hinge module with a dual rail structure for extra durability. Picture: Supplied.

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Samsung has kicked off its second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year by unveiling the fifth generation of its foldable smartphones.

In a departure from previous events, the July Unpacked presentation took place in Seoul, South Korea, where audience members were treated to the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold5 and the Galaxy Z Flip5.

While most of the changes to the Fold5 and Flip5 are fairly incremental, as rumours suggested, there has been a big update to the hinge on both phones. In place of the previous U-shaped design, the smartphones now sport a teardrop-style ‘Flex Hinge’, similar to the one found on Oppo’s flip-style Find N2.

This change will help to make the phone and hinge more durable, and allow the phone to fold completely flat. With users raising concerns around the resiliance of the foldable line in the past, this new design could finally see the issue solved.

While it was speculated that a hinge change would also minimise the appearance of the crease on each phone, we’ll have to wait to get our hands on it to see if that’s the case.

Samsung also introduced a new Galaxy Watch6 series, which sees the return of the Watch6 Classic and the fan-favourite rotating bezel, along with a Galaxy Tab S9 series.

You can find out more about the new devices below.

WHAT WAS ANNOUNCED AT GALAXY UNPACKED JULY 2023?

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. Picture: Supplied.

GALAXY Z FOLD5

As the current leader in the foldable phones category, it’s not surprising that Samsung has only given iterative updates to the Galaxy Z Fold5. The camera hardware is largely the same as last year’s model, and the S Pen Fold Edition, while thinner and more compact, is still sold separately.

However, some minor changes have given the Fold5 a big leg up on its predecessors.

Sporting a larger 7.6-inch Main Screen and 1750 nits of brightness, the Fold5 is bigger and brighter than ever before. Samsung has also said the model is the thinnest and lightest from the Fold line so far.

Under the hood is Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (the same chip that powers the Galaxy S23 series), 12GB of memory and storage starting at 256GB, up to 1TB. The update to the processor is also expected to give the Fold5 a longer battery life and better image processing.

An improved Taskbar lets users quickly switch between up to four recently used apps, while a hidden pop-up function allows users to continue watching video content in full screen while chatting to friends in a floating pop-up on the side.

Pricing for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 starts at $2599, with models available to pre-order from today. A new Icy Blue colour is available, alongside Phantom Black and Cream options.

Jump to:Where to preorder.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5. Picture: Supplied.

GALAXY Z FLIP5

The Galaxy Z Flip5 has also now been revealed, with the model sporting a new Flex Window that’s 3.78 times larger than the previous generation. This Flex Window offers a range of new and existing capabilities, allowing users to check the weather, control music playback, check notifications, take photos, reply to texts, access the Samsung Wallet and more, all without opening the device.

Like the Flip4, the Flip5 includes a 12-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 10-megapixel selfie camera. This time around though, the cameras have a new lens coating that aims to reduce lens flare, and improved Nightography capabilities to optimise photos taken in ambient lighting.

The Flip5 packs in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor, 8GB memory and comes in two storage sizes of 256GB and 512GB. You can snap it up in four colour options of Mint, Graphite, Cream and Lavender, with prices starting from $1649.

Jump to:Where to preorder.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 series. Picture: Supplied.

GALAXY WATCH6 SERIES

As for wearables, Samsung announced both the new Galaxy Watch6 and the Galaxy Watch6 Classic, which is returning for the first time in two years.

Building on the Watch5, the Watch6 series now offers better sleep analysis, and includes both Sleep Consistency tracking and Sleep Coaching. There’s also a new Personalised Heart Rate Zone feature to help analyse individual fitness capabilities, and a Custom Workout feature that lets you build your own routine.

Additionally, the Watch6 and Watch6 Classic offer features like blood pressure monitoring, electrocardiogram monitoring, fall detection and body composition.

With 20 per cent larger displays and a peak brightness of 2000 nits, the Watch6 series is bigger and brighter than the previous line. The Watch6 Classic also sees the return of the fan-favourite rotating bezel, which is sure to make Samsung fanatics happy.

Both watches are available to pre-order in Australia from July 26, with general availability starting August 18. The Galaxy Watch6 can be purchased in 44mm in Graphite and Silver or in 40mm in Graphite and Gold. The Galaxy Watch6 Classic is meanwhile available in Black and Silver in 43mm and 47mm.

Pricing starts at $549 for the 40mm Watch 6 and ends at $849 for the 47mm Watch6 Classic.

Jump to:Where to preorder.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. Picture: Supplied.

GALAXY TAB S9 SERIES

Alongside the phones and wearables, Samsung has also dropped three new tablets – the Galaxy Tab S9, S9+ and S9 Ultra. All three devices are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor, and arrive with Dynamic AMOLED 2x displays for a more vibrant viewing experience.

The Tabs come with an IP68 rating, and include an IP68-rated S Pen in the box. They also feature Samsung’s DeX Mode, which transforms the tablets into a full-size desktop experience.

The S9 series arrives in three sizes: 14.6-inch on Tab S9 Ultra, 12.4-inch on Tab S9+, and 11-inch on Tab S9, with each device available in Beige or Graphite. Two connectivity options of Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + 5G are available, with storage sizes ranging from 8GB/128GB to 12GB/512GB.

Pricing begins at $1299 for the Tab S9 (8GB/256GB, Wi-Fi), up to $1949 for the Tab S9+ (12GB/256GB, Wi-Fi + 5G).

Jump to:Where to preorder.

Samsung’s new Galaxy line. Picture: Supplied.

WHERE TO PREORDER THE NEW GALAXY LINE + BEST EARLY OFFERS

If you’re looking to get your hands on Samsung’s latest gadgets, these are the retailers to head to first.

Amazon Australia

See more Samsung deals at Amazon Australia.

Vodafone

See more deals at Vodafone.

Samsung

See more deals at Samsung.

The Good Guys

See more deals at The Good Guys.

Bing Lee

See more deals at Bing Lee.

Optus

See more deals at Optus.

Telstra

See more deals at Telstra.

JB Hi-Fi

See more deals at JB Hi-Fi.

Harvey Norman

See more deals at Harvey Norman.

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Lauren ChaplinConsumer Technology Writer

Lauren is a consumer tech expert with five years’ experience in reviewing and writing about laptops, mobile phones, headphones, televisions and all the gadgets that make our lives easier. A former finalist in the Australian IT Journalism Awards, she previously worked at comparison site Finder as the Senior Shopping Writer where she reported on everything from tech gadgets to the latest home products. When she’s not busy testing new tech products, you’ll find her road testing the latest game releases. Prior to starting her career in journalism, she completed a Bachelor of journalism at the University of South Australia and worked as a media advisor for JB Hi-Fi where she sold the very products she now writes about.

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Samsung Unpacked: New Galaxy Z Flip 5, Fold 5 and Tab S9

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