Samsung has announced many new devices today but marked by two primary smartphones: the Z Flip5 and the Z Fold5. As their names suggest, these devices succeed the Flip4 and Fold4 from 2022. By now, we have also fully accepted that the Notes are gone, and their loyal fans can find solace in these bendable devices, which Samsung continues to tune for optimum performance and a generally great user experience. The devices are also expensive and will likely be unaffordable to Kenyans, save for a select few with oil wheels in their compounds and a couple of millions in the bank for miscellaneous expenditures.
The devices are not substanially different from their predecessors, and if you have one fromm 2022, I would advise you keep it up to that time when a gainful improvement will be made.
That aside, here are the specifications for the two devices, and you can go ahead and judge for yourself:
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
| SPECIFICATION | DETAILS |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | July 26, 2023; Exp. Release: August 11, 2023 |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm |
| Folded: 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm | |
| Weight | 253 g |
| Display | 7.6 inches, Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| OS | Android 13, One UI 5.1.1 |
| CPU | Octa-core, Up to 3.36 GHz |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB internal, 12GB RAM, UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera | Triple – 50 MP wide, 10 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide |
| Selfie Camera | Single – 4 MP under display, 10 MP cover camera |
| Battery | Li-Po 4400 mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse |
| Colours | Icy Blue, Phantom Black, Cream, Gray, Blue |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
The Flip5 is perhaps the most improved of the dual with now a bigger cover display that actually looks kind of awesome.
| SPECIFICATION | DETAILS |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | July 26, 2023; Exp. Release: August 11, 2023 |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm |
| Folded: 85.1 x 71.9 x 15.1 mm | |
| Weight | 187 g |
| Display | 6.7 inches, Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| OS | Android 13, One UI 5.1.1 |
| CPU | Octa-core, Up to 3.2 GHz |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB internal, 8GB RAM, UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera | Dual – 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide |
| Selfie Camera | Single – 10 MP wide |
| Battery | Li-Po 3700 mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse |
| Colours | Mint, Graphite, Cream, Lavender, Gray, Blue, Green, Yellow |
Refreshed premium tablets
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series has seen constant refinement over the years, and now we have the new Galaxy Tab S9 series. Like in 2022, Samsung offers three sizes: an 11-inch basic version, a larger 12.4-inch plus-sized version and the ultra model, which features a massive 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. Samsung continues to impress with its innovative tablet lineup.
Price
Galaxy Z Fold5 is available in Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream , along with a variety of cases that offer practicality and style including a Slim S Pen Case, Clear Gadget Case, Eco-Leather Case, and a Standing Case with Strap. Samsung is committed to giving customers Samsung Care+, a support service for accidental screen damage. Customers can register within 30 days of purchasing their Galaxy Flip5|Fold5 and enjoy 1 free screen repair within 12 months.
The Flip5 will cost KES 193,000 for the 256 GB model.
The Fold5 will cost KES 325,000 for the 512 GB model. This is the first time a phone in Kenya has surpassed the KES 200K mark.
We do not have the pricing details for the tablets and the new watches, but that is something Samsung Kenya will communicate in the coming days.
Pre-orders are already open and will be delivered three weeks from today. Customers who preorder will receive a Watch 6 (also announced today) and Buds 2 Pro for the Fold5, and Flip5, respectively.
Samsung says it has already received 70 pre-orders for the bending devices. It is also expecting 3000 pre-orders, and looks forward to selling thousands of these devices, up to 700 units per week. At their asking price, it seems that the numbers are quite ambitious, but maybe Samsung Kenya knows something we do not know.
