Galaxy Z Fold 5 leak shows a hinge that closes flat - The Verge

Galaxy Z Fold 5 leak shows a hinge that closes flat

Leaked Galaxy Z Fold 5 render shows a phone that can actually close flat

Leaked Galaxy Z Fold 5 render shows a phone that can actually close flat

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The ‘water drop’ hinge rumors were true?

By Richard Lawler , a senior editor following news across tech, culture, policy, and entertainment. He joined The Verge in 2021 after several years covering news at Engadget.

Jun 15, 2023, 9:11 PM UTC |

What appears to be the first official image of Samsung’s next flagship foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, has been posted by MySmartPrice (via SamMobile). While we expect to see a full reveal during Samsung’s Unpacked event in Korea next month, the picture does show a few details about the Z Fold 5 that could help explain how it will compete with Google’s Pixel Fold and all of the other flexible mobile devices that are popping up this summer.

We’ve heard rumors of a “water drop”-style hinge that could help reduce the appearance of a screen crease when unfolded and allow the phone to close practically flat, with the same durability rating as its predecessor. In the image, the folded device looks like it has less of a gap when closed than the Galaxy Z Fold 4 we reviewed last year (although Samsung Display has already shown off a prototype with a slim hinge that can fold both inward and outward if you want to know what might arrive even further in the future).

Galaxy Z Fold 4 folded in half on a desk, showing a larger gap near the hinge than the rendered Z Fold 5 in the leaked image.

Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge

Another clearly visible but minor change shows the camera flash moved off of the camera bump on the back, and the screen bezel looks a bit thinner.

Expected specs listed include screen sizes that are unchanged from the last couple of years, with a 6.2-inch Full HD+ display on the outside cover and a 7.6-inch QHD+ display on the inside, the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC for Galaxy found in the Galaxy S23 phones, 4,400mAh battery with 45W fast charging and 25W wireless charging, a triple rear camera setup with 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, 10MP telephoto camera, and 12MP front-facing cameras for use open or closed.

If you believe in the dream of a versatile phone / tablet combo that’s perfect for multitasking, this is obviously a device to watch out for. However, unlike previous folding phones from Samsung, this one will face competition, including the Z Flip 5 we also expect to see at that Unpacked event, the Pixel Fold, and even Motorola’s next Razr.

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Samsung’s next foldable-focused Galaxy Unpacked will take place in late July

Samsung’s next foldable-focused Galaxy Unpacked will take place in late July

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The company’s summer product showcase will be hosted in Seoul for the first time.

By Jay Peters , a news editor who writes about technology, video games, and virtual worlds. He’s submitted several accepted emoji proposals to the Unicode Consortium.

Jun 6, 2023, 11:48 PM UTC |

Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge

Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event, where it typically reveals new smartphones and other gadgets, is scheduled for sometime in late July, the company announced on Tuesday. For the first time, it will take place in Seoul, South Korea. Like other recent summer Unpacked events, expect the 2023 iteration to focus on foldables.

“The foldable category embodies Samsung’s philosophy of delivering innovation that pushes boundaries to reshape the future of mobile experiences,” TM Roh, Samsung’s president and head of its mobile experience business, said in a statement. “Hosting Unpacked in Seoul holds great significance both as it is a city that has become an emerging epicenter of innovation and culture as well as the foldable category.”

A rumor from May said this year’s Unpacked could take place on July 26th. Moving forward, the Unpacked shows focused on foldables will be held in different cities that “closely align with the designated theme of each event,” Samsung says.

Regardless of exactly when this year’s event happens, the July timeframe means Unpacked will be a bit earlier than usual — last year, it took place in August. At that show, Samsung revealed the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4, so I’m guessing we’ll get updates to both of those smartphones this year: the Z Flip 5 is rumored to get a larger outer display, while the Z Fold 5 is reportedly much thinner while folded. Hot foldable summer indeed!

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