Technologies
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 Features I Really Want to See
Commentary: Samsung’s next big foldable phone needs a bigger cover screen and more software capabilities that make use of its foldable form.
Advertiser Disclosure
With the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung made a few changes that went a long way in improving the way its book-style foldable functions as a regular phone. That includes a better camera that’s on par with the Galaxy S22’s, a slightly improved design and a fresh processor. But there are plenty of ways Samsung could further upgrade its large-format foldable phone. And considering Samsung is facing new competition from the upcoming Google Pixel Fold, I hope it takes action.
The biggest change I’m hoping to see in the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s successor (which will likely be called the Galaxy Z Fold 5, though we don’t know that for certain) is more software that takes advantage of its foldable shape. Having a giant screen that fits in your pocket is great. But Samsung needs to provide a more convincing argument if it truly wants foldables to be appealing to more than just early adopters.
The Galaxy Z Fold is on its fourth generation, yet foldables still haven’t had the breakout moment Samsung has been waiting for. Although sales of foldable phones are growing, they will only account for 1.1% of the overall smartphone market in 2022, according to projections from the International Data Corporation.
Samsung is holding its next Unpacked event next month in South Korea, so it’s possible we’ll hear more about the next Z Fold then. Here’s everything I’m hoping to see from the Galaxy Z Fold 5 next year.
More software features
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 offers a giant screen that fits in your pocket. But it needs more than that to win people over.
Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold’s design is what makes it noteworthy. But impressive hardware doesn’t mean much without the software to go with it. Samsung has done a lot to improve the way apps work across the Z Fold’s 7.6-inch inner display in the years since its launch. For example, the Z Fold 4 has a dock that sits at the bottom of the screen for quickly accessing apps, as well as the ability to use the bottom half of the screen as a touchpad when in Flex Mode.
The problem is that these features don’t do a great job at convincing users why they should want a foldable phone in the first place. Instead, they just make the process of using apps on the Z Fold slightly easier and more convenient.
I don’t think any company has answered that question adequately just yet, but I have seen some promising attempts. Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2, for example, turns into a digital book when you open the Kindle app, complete with page-turn animations. It’s worth remembering, however, that the Surface Duo is different from the Z Fold since it consists of two separate displays joined together by a hinge. That could change with Microsoft’s next Duo, however, according to a report from Windows Central. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is also a much better phone overall thanks to its superior camera and smoother software improvements, among other benefits.
Google is also thinking about ways to leverage both the outer and inner screens on its forthcoming Pixel Fold for tasks like language translation. Though we have yet to use the Pixel Fold extensively, it’s refreshing to see ideas that feel new when it comes to how software conforms to foldable devices. Hopefully Samsung will take note.
Samsung was among the first to release a foldable phone, meaning it’s had a longer lead time than most competitors in this department. That’s another reason why I’m hoping to see more ambitious features from Samsung in future versions of the Galaxy Z Fold.
A larger cover screen
The Google Pixel Fold.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is slightly wider than its predecessor, which makes it feel more like a regular phone when closed. However, I’d like to see Samsung take that a step further with the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The upcoming Pixel Fold made me realize how useful it feels to have a cover screen that nearly matches the shape and width of the display on a regular, nonfolding phone. Though I’ve spent only a few minutes with the Pixel Fold, that was enough time to see how using apps could feel more natural on a broader screen.
That said, I imagine making the screen too wide could present some challenges for Samsung, given that doing so would likely impact the shape and aspect ratio of the interior screen too.
An embedded S Pen
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 3 support the S Pen, but you have to buy it separately.
The S Pen could help Samsung address that critical question of who the Galaxy Z Fold is for. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and 4 both support the S Pen, but you must buy it separately and there’s no storage mechanism for it. Instead, Samsung should bundle the S Pen with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and add a way to conveniently store it within or attach it to the device.
Doing so could make the Galaxy Z Fold 5 even more useful for taking notes, sketching and editing documents. That might not be important to everyone, but it could make the Z Fold more appealing to the productivity-oriented crowd that Samsung seems to be targeting. It would also make the Z Fold’s high price a bit easier to swallow since you’ll be getting more for your money.
Samsung hasn’t discussed its plans for the Galaxy Z Fold series. But a report from The Elec says Samsung has cited the addition of an S Pen slot as a key challenge that must be overcome to make foldables more popular. That means Samsung may at least be thinking about bundling the S Pen with its future foldables.
A less noticeable crease
The Galaxy Z Fold 4’s crease still stands out.
Samsung has gradually refined the Z Fold’s design over the years, but the crease hasn’t gone away just yet. Although it’s not always visible, you can feel the crease when running your finger across the screen. Reducing the crease could make the Galaxy Z Fold feel more like a regular tablet when opened.
Samsung may be the leader when it comes to foldable phones, but other companies are making quick progress when it comes to shrinking the crease. Take Huawei and Oppo, the latter of which is one of the world’s biggest smartphone makers.
The screen on Huawei’s Mate XS 2 wraps around the front of the device so that it can function as a regular phone when folded and a tablet when opened — a design that makes the crease barely existent. CNET’s Sareena Dayaram tried Oppo’s new Find N2 foldable, writing that she «hardly ever saw or felt the crease.» These advancements make me wish I saw more progress from Samsung in this regard. There’s a chance Samsung may be looking into how to address this, considering The Elec’s report also suggests Samsung is interested in reducing the Z Fold’s crease.
A thinner design
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 still feels thick when closed.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 has a sturdy build and a wide cover screen. But it still feels cumbersome to use as a regular phone when closed. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 measures 0.5 to 0.6 inch thick when folded, whereas the iPhone 14 and Galaxy S22 both measure roughly 0.3 inch thick. That extra bulk might not bother those who primarily use their Galaxy Z Fold unfolded in tablet mode. But it’s another barrier to adoption for those who aren’t yet convinced of the promise of foldable phones.
If a leak turns out to be true, Samsung may be planning to address the Galaxy Z Fold’s thickness. A well-known leaker who goes by the alias Ice Universe recently tweeted that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will have a new water drop hinge. In a Twitter post replying to Ice Universe’s tweet, display analyst Ross Young said this type of hinge could make the device 0.3mm thinner.
A lower price
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is significantly more expensive than your average nonfoldable phone at a regular price.
With a regular price of $1,800, calling the Galaxy Z Fold 4 expensive might be an understatement. You’ll get a discount when trading in an old device, with Samsung listing the 256GB model for $900 with an eligible trade-in. But that still lands at the high end of the spectrum compared to many nonfolding phones, like those in the Galaxy S22 lineup and Pixel 7 family.
Samsung is at least aware of this conundrum. «It’s definitely a challenge that we are tackling, and we will need to tackle,» TM Roh, president and head of Samsung’s mobile experience business, said in an interview with CNET earlier this year regarding the Z Fold’s price.
Foldable phones are still a nascent part of the broader smartphone market, but changes like these could push them closer to becoming viable alternatives to our everyday devices. Samsung helped popularize the big-screen phones we use today with its first Galaxy Note phone back in 2011. It’s trying to do the same with foldables, but there are clearly still challenges to overcome.
Technologies
Artemis II Astronauts Are Using iPhones to Capture Stunning Space Images
After smartphones were cleared by NASA for space missions, the crew members of the Integrity spacecraft are beaming back lots of iPhone photos.
The four astronauts aboard the Integrity spacecraft now headed home from their historic arc around the moon really are like the rest of us: Sometimes they reach for their smartphones to snap photos.
For the Artemis II mission, iPhone 17 Pro Max phones have been used to capture photos inside the capsule of the astronauts pondering the views of Earth and working on mission objectives. (Technically, NASA refers to them as PCDs – personal computing devices.)
Smartphones were cleared for use in space for the first time in February. In a post on X, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman wrote, «We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world.»
Early in the mission, Commander Reid Wiseman snapped a pair of photos looking out the window with Earth behind him. Mission specialist Christina Koch and her dynamic curls in zero-gravity also captured a pensive view looking out over the planet. All three were made using the front camera — because wouldn’t you want to grab a selfie if you were in space?
The iPhone 17 Pro’s rear cameras are pulling their own weight during the mission, too. During the live broadcast as the crew approached the moon, Wiseman took a photo of the moon’s surface using the iPhone’s telephoto camera at 8x zoom. He turned the screen toward one of the video cameras mounted inside the spacecraft, creating an image of the moon’s surface alone against the darkness of the unlit cabin, with the iPhone’s signature rounded edges and Dynamic Island cutout at the top.
The main photo workhorses on this trip are a Nikon D5 DSLR and a Nikon Z9. The D5 is a model that has been used on several space excursions, and the Z9 is onboard as an experimental camera.
For NASA missions, every piece of equipment must be tested and certified, which is why the previously-approved D5 has a secure spot. Cameras must be resistent to space environmental factors like radiation, and safe if they’re floating around the capsule. However, the iPhones in space now are off-the-shelf models, according to a report by Jackie Watties of CNN.
The moon flyby was especially photo-intensive, with astronauts switching places several times so that two were always at windows with cameras and relating what they could see with their eyes. This photo of mission specialist and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen taking images using one of the Nikon cameras shows how some windows have camera shrouds attached. The shroud ensures that light from the interior isn’t reflected in the glass.
In a particularly relatable photo, Hansen is also using the front-facing camera of a white iPhone 17 Pro — as a portable mirror while he shaves. As the (modified) saying goes, the best selfie screen is the one you have with you.
The iPhone 17 Pro isn’t the first Apple product to go into space. Crew members have taken iPods, iPads and AirPods on missions since the Space Shuttle era. The Mac Portable even went up on a shuttle (and revealed that its trackball in zero-G isn’t the best option).
An Apple representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Technologies
Hades 2, the Award-Winning Sequel, Joins Xbox Game Pass in April
Game Pass Premium subscribers are getting a handful of games, including the remastered Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion.
Hades 2 was selected as one of CNET’s best games of 2025, but don’t take our word for it. The game won Best Action Game at the 2025 Game of the Year awards, Best Game on Steam Deck at the Steam Awards and a bevy of other accolades after its release. If you haven’t had the chance to play this stellar sequel yet, you can on Xbox Game Pass starting on April 14.
Xbox Game Pass, a CNET Editors’ Choice award pick, offers a wide selection of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC or mobile device for as little as $10 a month. And with a subscription to the higher-tiered Game Pass Ultimate ($30 a month), you can access hundreds of games, including Day One releases, each month.
Here are the games Microsoft plans to bring to Game Pass in April. You can also check out other games the company added to the service in March, including Cyberpunk 2077.
DayZ
Coming to PC on April 8, joining Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Essential and PC Game Pass.
This online multiplayer survival game is coming to PC. An unknown virus has turned the population of the post-Soviet country of Chernarus into zombies, and you’re one of the last few survivors. You’ll have to scavenge for supplies among the ruins while fighting off zombies and other survivors alike. But how far will you go to save yourself?
Endless Legend 2 (Game preview)
New to Game Pass Premium on April 8. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Lead your faction to build a great empire that can crush your enemies in this fantasy strategy game. You can play as warriors descended from the stars, cursed knights or hive-minded beasts, but each faction has its strengths, weaknesses and unique philosophies that can influence the rest of the game. And fending off enemies is just one challenge in this game. You’ll have to adapt to the changing environment as well. Will you expand as the tides reveal new treasures, or focus on improving your defenses?
FBC: Firebreak
New to Game Pass Premium on April 8. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
The Federal Bureau of Control is under attack from otherworldly forces, and it’s up to you and your versatile unit to restore order. You’ll fight chaotic entities, leeches and a monster made of sticky notes using guns, grenades and other supernatural weapons. You can play this first-person shooter game on your own or take on the chaos of the FBC with friends in three-player co-op.
Planet Coaster 2
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on April 9.
This might not be the classic RollerCoaster Tycoon, but it’s close enough. You’ll build your own roller coasters and water slides, manage your amusement park and create unforgettable experiences for your guests. It’s unclear if you can launch your coasters off the rails into waiting crowds. Will report back later.
Tiny Bookshop
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on April 10.
I have long dreamed of opening my own bookshop, and until I come into a lot of money, this game will have to do. You can stock your bookshop with different genres and items for sale, set up shop in scenic locations — like near a lighthouse — and get to know the locals in this cozy management game.
Football Manager 26 (PC and console)
New to Game Pass Premium on April 13. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Get ready for a more immersive matchday experience in the latest installment of the Football Manager franchise. You can build a star-studded squad with new transfer tools, and this entry features official Premier League licenses and women’s football for the first time in the series’ history.
Hades 2
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on April 14.
Following the events of the original game, the Titan of Time Chronos has returned and laid waste to the Underworld and Earth. As the immortal princess Melinoe, you’re tasked with stopping the titan and restoring the mythic world. Each time you venture out, you’ll learn more about the world around you and discover the true cause of all the destruction and pain.
Replaced
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on Day One on April 14.
Can AI ever be human? I’m not talking about ChatGPT or Gemini, but REACH, an AI trapped in a human’s body, in this narrative platformer game. You’ll explore an alternate 1980s America that’s scarred from nuclear catastrophe as you try to uncover the secrets of the Phoenix Corps, the same group that created you. It’s a cyberpunk Frankenstein with plenty of exploration and fluid action sequences.
The Thaumaturge
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on April 14.
By definition, a thaumaturge is a miracle worker or magician, and in this roleplaying game, you’re a master of mystical arts that allow you to peer into the hearts and minds of others. After the death of your father, you returned to an alternate 1900s Warsaw to investigate his death, fight supernatural forces and uncover the truth.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
New to Game Pass Premium on April 16. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
A fanatical cult is trying to open gates to the demonic realm of Oblivion, and it’s up to you to stop them and seal the gates forever in the remastered version of this open-world RPG. You can rediscover the world of Cyrodiil (or experience it for the first time in updated glory), encounter unique characters and save the land.
EA Sports NHL 26
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on April 16.
As the NHL regular season winds down, the playoffs and the fight for the Stanley Cup are heating up. And with the latest installment in this EA Sports franchise, you can ensure your favorite team brings home the cup. This entry in the series introduces new gameplay mechanics, such as Ice Q 2.0 and a goalie crease control system, to add additional challenges. So if you want to see the Florida Panthers win the cup back-to-back, or you want to make absolutely sure that never happens, this game is for you.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on April 17.
Modern Warfare redefined the Call of Duty series when it was released almost 20 years ago, and the rebooted version of the classic game drops you right back to where it started. You’ll control CIA and SAS special forces as they attempt to stop rebels from the fictional Republic of Urzikstan. And if the campaign’s not enough, you can hone your skills in the immersive, fast-paced multiplayer.
Little Rocket Lab
New to Game Pass Premium on April 21. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Your family’s dream project has been to build a rocket, and you’re going to fulfill their dream in this cozy, machine-building RPG. But first, you have to build clever contraptions, convert local resources and become the heart of your community before you can complete your ultimate rocket-building task.
Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato
New to Game Pass Premium on April 21. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Miho goes to the pantry to grab a potato for his grandmother’s soup when he lands in a fantastical land. Now he has to find his way back home by following in the footsteps of a mysterious traveler from long ago. You’ll meet quirky characters, gather exotic ingredients and take in vibrant environments in this world of magical realism inspired by Latin America.
Vampire Crawlers
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on Day One on April 21.
From the creators of the indie darling Vampire Survivors comes this turn-based, deck-building, roguelite game. You’ll explore dungeons that might look familiar to Vampire Survivors veterans, fight monsters and build chaotic, broken decks along the way. So be tactical in your choices or blast away every chance you get!
Kiln
Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on Day One on April 23.
Kiln is about creating beautiful pottery filled with artistry and wonder… and smashing it all to pieces in the arena. This online, multiplayer party brawler pits you against others to see which pottery design can withstand the heat and which can dish out a beating.
Two games come to Game Pass Essential subscribers on April 8
Game Pass Essential costs $10 a month and offers access to a relatively small library of games compared to Game Pass Premium and Ultimate. While Microsoft doesn’t regularly add many games to Essential’s library, it’s adding these two on April 8.
Games leaving the service on April 15
While Microsoft is adding the above games to Game Pass, it is also removing five games from the service on April 15, including GTA 5. That means you still have a little time left to complete your main campaign and any sidequests before you’ll have to buy these games separately.
- Ashen
- Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
- Grand Theft Auto V
- My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery
- Terra Invicta (Game Preview)
For more on Xbox, discover other games available on Game Pass now, read our hands-on review of the gaming service and learn which Game Pass plan is right for you.
Technologies
Nintendo Is Offering the Switch 2 for $20 Less When You Buy Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2
This out-of-this-world deal goes live on April 12 and continues until May 9, giving you plenty of time to secure your bundle.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has been out for just over a week, and it has already become a must-see film for fans of the Mario Bros. video games. Nintendo also announced an upcoming deal that makes it easier to take the Super Mario Galaxy home.
Starting on April 12, Mario Bros. fans can get the Nintendo Switch 2 for $20 off with the purchase of a digital or physical Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 bundle. Once live, this deal lasts until May 9 and brings the Nintendo Switch 2 to $430, down from its usual price of $450.
The deal will be available at select retailers, including Walmart, Amazon, GameStop, Target and Best Buy. Not only does this deal coincide with the film’s release, but it’s also a small way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.
Additionally, Best Buy is currently giving away a free collectible 40th anniversary game case with select Mario game purchases if you’d rather not wait until April 12.
Super Mario Galaxy has been around since 2007, and Super Mario Galaxy 2 has been available since 2010 on Wii. These games are still crowd-pleasers, and this offer makes it possible to enjoy both games on the Nintendo Switch 2 for less.
To better enjoy this deal once it’s available, check out our article on everything you need to know about Nintendo Switch 2 games.
CHEAP GAMING LAPTOP DEALS OF THE WEEK
Why this deal matters
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been praised by fans and gaming experts. Like its handheld gaming counterpart, Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 have also remained popular since their releases. If you’ve been looking to buy these games along with the handheld gaming console, then this is one deal to plan for. Keep in mind that it’ll run from April 12 until May 9, so be ready to secure the savings.
-
Technologies3 года agoTech Companies Need to Be Held Accountable for Security, Experts Say
-
Technologies3 года agoBest Handheld Game Console in 2023
-
Technologies3 года agoTighten Up Your VR Game With the Best Head Straps for Quest 2
-
Technologies4 года agoBlack Friday 2021: The best deals on TVs, headphones, kitchenware, and more
-
Technologies5 лет agoGoogle to require vaccinations as Silicon Valley rethinks return-to-office policies
-
Technologies5 лет agoVerum, Wickr and Threema: next generation secured messengers
-
Technologies4 года agoOlivia Harlan Dekker for Verum Messenger
-
Technologies4 года agoThe number of Сrypto Bank customers increased by 10% in five days