Samsung has been on a mission to breathe new life into the smartphone market since 2020 with its Z Flip. The Galaxy Z Flip 5, debuted this year, appears much like its predecessors. However, a deeper delve reveals a host of nuanced improvements that arguably make the Flip 5 the top flip phone available today. Question remains, is it compelling enough to sway iPhone users? The first noticeable upgrade is the current fold, now devoid of a gap, lending it a much neater look. The phone, equipped with a robust hinge, feels sturdy, and opening it one-handedly can be a bit tricky. The phone comes in a variety of appealing colors this year, with the striking sleek mint variant currently being tested. Another noticeable upgrade pertains to the camera lenses, which are now positioned side by side, instead of one below the other, paving the way for a larger cover display.

When the device is folded, the cover screen takes up the whole external space. The main screen, when unfolded, retains its glossy 6.7-inch display. The cover screen, when the phone is closed, is where Samsung has been most innovative this year. Abandoning the old way, Samsung offers a full-screen experience with a bigger 3.4-inch display. The improvement is apparent in greater customizability and adaptability. The redesigned cover screen allows users to select wallpapers, shortcuts, and several useful widgets. Besides, the cover screen can be utilized to capture perfect selfies without stretching out an arm, a feature not offered by iPhones.

The cameras remain largely unchanged, featuring a dual 12-megapixel setup. It offers an array of options to the adventurous, including a "pro" mode that controls everything from focus to ISO. Testing the standard mode revealed decent results despite challenging conditions with low light and restless subjects. The next substantial upgrade lies beneath the surface, a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, paired with 8GB RAM. It enhances the device's speed, helping it to react faster even with several apps open simultaneously. Users can avail up to 512GB of storage, providing ample local space. The battery remains unchanged on paper at 3700 mAh, but the upgraded chipset promises more device running time.

Samsung has slimmed down the device by 2mm when closed while maintaining impressive battery performance. Samsung's tenacity seems to have paid off. They have created a flip phone that is truly a cut above the rest, a premium product distinct from its competition. A recent comment hinted that they've never been more enticed to substitute their iPhone after encountering the Flip 5, creating a Y2K reminiscent allure. The amalgamation of the past with the present could be the breakthrough needed to revitalize the smartphone market and bring back its long-lost excitement.

However, affordability is a concern. At £1,049 for the 256GB version and £1,149 for the 512GB model, the Flip 5 is expensive. Yet, they are, somewhat surprisingly, relatively cheaper than the Flip 4 with equivalent storage when launched. Offering users a plethora of unprecedented features and yet being slightly less pricey than its predecessor, the Flip 5 stands out and is a promising contender in the flip phone market.