Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 was a rather iterative update over the Flip 3, but the Galaxy Z Flip 5 did change things up a bit. It delivers a really nice new cover screen, in addition to some other improvements. In this article, we’ll compare the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. We’ve already compared Samsung’s latest clamshell foldable with the Galaxy Z Flip 4, in case you’re interested in checking that out.

As per usual, we’ll first list the specs of both smartphones, and will then get down to business. We’ll first check out their designs, and then move to their displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and audio performance. This comparison will hopefully help you reach a purchasing decision. That being said, let’s get started.

Specs

Galaxy Z Flip 5 & Galaxy Z Flip 3, respectively

– Screen size (main):
6.7-inch fullHD+ foldable Dynamic AMOLED (120Hz, HDR10+, 1,750 nits)
6.7-inch fullHD+ foldable Dynamic AMOLED (120Hz, HDR10+, 1,750 nits)
– Screen size (cover):
3.4-inch Super AMOLED (60Hz)
1.9-inch Super AMOLED (60Hz)
– Display resolution (main):
2640 x 1080
– Display resolution (cover):
720 x 748
260 x 512
– SoC:
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
– RAM:
8GB (LPDDR5X)
8GB (LPDDR5)
– Storage:
256GB/512GB/1TB (UFS 4.0)
128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)
– Rear cameras:
12MP (wide, OIS, PDAF, f/1.8 aperture, 1.8um pixel size), 12MP (ultrawide, 123-degree FoV)
12MP (wide, OIS, PDAF, f/1.8 aperture, 1.4um pixel size), 12MP (ultrawide, 123-degree FoV)
– Front cameras:
10MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1.22um pixel size)
10MP (f/2.4 aperture, 1.22um pixel size)
– Battery:
3,700mAh
3,300mAh
– Charging:
25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless (no charger)
15W wired, 10W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless (no charger)
– Dimensions (unfolded):
165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm
166 x 72.2 x 6.9 mm
– Dimensions (folded):
85.1 x 71.9 x 15.1 mm
86.4 x 72.2 x 15.9-17.1 mm
– Weight:
187 grams
183 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.1
– Security:
Side-facing fingerprint scanner
– OS:
Android 13 with One UI
Android 11 with One UI (upgradable)
– Price:
$999
No longer available
– Buy:
Amazon
No longer available

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: Design

Both of these phones fold right down the middle, and both of them have flat sides with chamfered edges. On top of that, you’ll also find a centered display camera hole on the main display of both phones, while the bezels are quite thin on both too. The Flip 5’s main display does feel a bit better to use, it doesn’t feel as plasticky, it’s hard to explain. The crease, however, is equally bad on both, pretty much.

So, what’s changed? Well, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 does fold flat unlike the Galaxy Z Flip 3. It’s also thinner in addition to that. The biggest change, however, is that cover display. The one on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is much larger, and it has a folder icon shape. It’s much more useful than the tiny cover display on the Galaxy Z Flip 3. The two phones also have a different camera orientation on the back, mainly due to different display types.

These two phones are about the same height, and the same goes for width, and thickness in unfolded form. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is thinner when folded. Both smartphones are IPX8 certified for water resistance, while the Galaxy Z Flip 5 offers better cover display protection, and the same goes for its glass backplate. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a bit heavier, but not by much, that’s not even a difference you’ll feel. Both phones are quite slippery, and both feel really nice to hold and use.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: Display

There is a 6.7-inch fullHD+ (2640 x 1080) main display on the Galaxy Z Flip 5. That is a Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. It supports HDR10+ content, and gets up to 1,750 nits of peak brightness. The cover display on the phone measures 3.4 inches, and it offers a 720 x 748 resolution. That is a Super AMOLED display with 306 ppi, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3, on the other hand, has a 6.7-inch main display. That is a Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 120Hz and HDR10+ support. It has a resolution of 2640 x 1080, and its brightness goes up to 1,200 nits. The cover display on the Flip 3 measures 1.9 inches, and offers a resolution of 260 x 512 pixels.

Both displays are better on the Galaxy Z Flip 5. The main display does get considerably brighter when needed, while it also feels sturdier in a way. The cover display on the phone is much larger than the one on the Galaxy Z Flip 3, and thus much more useful. With just a little bit of tweaking, you can get it to run basically any app, like it would on the main display. Displays on both are quite vivid, and offer good viewing angles, and deep blacks. They’re also more than sharp enough.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy fuels the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Samsung also included 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM on the device, along with UFS 4.0 flash storage. The Galaxy Z Flip 5, on the other hand, is fueled by the Snapdragon 888 SoC, and it includes 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, along with UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 obviously has a more powerful SoC, and better RAM and storage modules.

Does that translate into better performance, though? Well, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is snappier, there’s no escaping that fact. Is it a huge difference, well, no. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 still offers solid performance, but if you want the best of the best, upgrading is the move. When it comes to gaming, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 does handle itself much better with graphically-intensive games. If you don’t plan on playing those, however, both will do the job just fine.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: Battery

There is a 3,700mAh battery included in the Galaxy Z Flip 5, while the Galaxy Z Flip 3 comes with a 3,300mAh unit. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 does have a larger outer display, but it also includes more power efficient components. In theory, it should offer better battery life. Does it, though? Well, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 didn’t exactly offer good battery life, so yes, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 does beat it. It actually offers rather good battery life.

We were able to get around 7 hours of screen-on-time on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, on most days. On the Galaxy Z Flip 3, however, around 5 hours of screen-on-time was the usual number. That’s quite a difference. Do note that your mileage may vary, though, of course. You’ll be using your phone differently, with different apps, and will have different signal strengths. There are also two displays here to take into account.

In terms of charging, neither phone will blow you out of the water, but the Galaxy Z Flip 5 does offer more in that regard. It supports 25W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The Galaxy Z Flip 3, on the flip side, supports 15W wired, 10W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Do note that neither device comes with a charger in the box, though.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: Cameras

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 includes a 12-megapixel main camera (f/1.8 aperture, 1.8um pixel size, OIS), and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (f/2.2 aperture, 1.12um pixel size, 123-degree FoV) on the back. The Galaxy Z Flip 3, on the other hand, has a 12-megapixel main camera (f/1.8 aperture, 1.4um pixel size, OIS), and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (f/2.2 aperture, 1.12um pixel size, 123-degree FoV).

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 does have better camera performance, though that’s understandable. Samsung did not immensely improve the camera hardware in comparison, but it did issues some improvements to the main camera over the two generations. The images are a bit sharper now, while the overall performance is also better. The biggest difference can be noticed in low light, where the Galaxy Z Flip 5 handles itself a lot better.

The ultrawide cameras are far more similar in terms of performance than the main ones. That makes all the sense in the world considering their hardware. There is also a 10-megapixel selfie camera on both phones, and that part is also quite similar. Both do a good job in that regard, though chances are you’ll use the main camera on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, even for selfies, due to the size of its cover display.

Audio

You will find a set of stereo speakers on both of these devices. Both sets are tuned by AKG, and both perform solid output. They’re loud enough, and also detailed enough, but not amongst the best in the business.

There is no headphone jack included here, on either phone. That Type-C port that is included on both phones will have to serve you instead, as you can connect your headphones to both phones that way. If you prefer wireless audio, Bluetooth 5.3 is included on the Galaxy Z Filp 5, while the Galaxy Z Flip 4 offers Bluetooth 5.1 support.