Technologies
My Galaxy Z Flip 5 Impressions After Using It for a Day
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5’s new cover screen makes a big difference even after just a day with the new phone.
The new Galaxy Z Flip 5 feels like the biggest upgrade to Samsung’s flip phone in years. And it’s all because of the clamshell phone’s giant new cover screen.
It’s only my first day using the Galaxy Z Flip 5, but it already feels like a major departure from the Galaxy Z Flip 4. The Z Flip 5’s spacious cover screen makes the foldable more purposeful when it’s closed. The external screen is no longer just for quick checks of your calendar or the weather; you can actually interact with apps and reply to messages from it.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a step forward for the Z Flip line, though Samsung isn’t the first to explore new uses for the cover screen. Motorola did the same with its new Razr Plus, which just launched in June. It’s difficult to tell which flip phone is better after such a limited amount of time with the Z Flip 5. But right off the bat, I can see how Samsung’s and Motorola’s approaches differ.
Here’s a closer look at my first impressions of the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

The new cover screen has a lot of potential
The larger cover screen, which Samsung calls the Flex Window, feels intuitive and useful so far. It’s primarily designed for showing widgets, but you can also access a select number of apps. This felt limiting at first, considering you can run just about any app on the Razr Plus’ external display.
But after a little time with the Z Flip 5, I’m starting to see why this makes sense. Samsung is going for a curated experience that relies more heavily on widgets and notifications rather than full apps.
While I enjoy having the option to open any app on the Razr Plus’ front screen, apps can look squished on a display that small. This applies to the Z Flip as well, which is likely why Samsung limits which apps are supported. However, Samsung says you’ll be able to use Samsung’s Good Lock launcher to run additional apps on the Z Flip 5’s cover screen.
Even though the cover screen doesn’t support every app, you can still reply to notifications from unsupported apps. For example, tapping a notification for a direct message I received on Instagram gave me the option to type a response.
So far, I’ve been using the cover screen for basic tasks like scrolling through notifications, setting alarms and reading WhatsApp messages. As was the case with the Razr Plus, I had to go into the settings menu to grant apps access to the cover screen.
At the time of writing, I didn’t see Spotify listed as an option for the external display, which is a shame since I loved propping up the Razr Plus with its front screen facing outward to quickly cycle between tracks. Since I’m traveling in South Korea right now, I’d also appreciate the option to access Google Translate on the external display.
I’m interested to see what Samsung does with the new Flex Window cover screen. Right now both Samsung and Motorola provide a straightforward experience that involves cycling through a carousel of widgets, checking notifications and launching apps. But both cover screens feel like a halfway point between a smartwatch and a phone. They’re glanceable and compact like a watch, but also large enough for tapping, swiping and typing comfortably. That makes me think there are probably new ways to optimize software, apps and even accessories for this front display in ways we haven’t seen yet, whether that comes from Samsung or a competitor like Motorola.

Samsung closes the gap
The other major aesthetic change to the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is its new hinge. When shut, both the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 close completely, with no gap near the hinge. But according to Samsung, this is more than just a cosmetic upgrade; it should also improve durability since there are fewer moving parts. Of course, we won’t know how true that is until people get their hands on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 for an extended period of time.
So far, I really enjoy the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s more compact look. By comparison, the Razr Plus feels thinner and lighter and it also has a gapless hinge, so Samsung isn’t first in this regard. But there’s something about Samsung’s phone that feels a bit sturdier. Sometimes I have to give the top half of the Razr Plus a little extra push when opening it to get it to unfold completely. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 opens up straight without any extra effort. But it’s also important to keep in mind that I’ve had the new Z Flip for only a day. I used the Razr Plus over a couple of weeks, so there’s more wear and tear on it.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5’s main screen still has a crease, and it’s just as noticeable as the one on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. During my time in Seoul, I’ve been observing which phones are popular. And I see people using many more Z Flips compared with back home in New York. One way I’m able to tell whether a passerby is using a Galaxy Z Flip — even from a distance — is to see if the screen has a crease. It’s clearly a difficult challenge for any company making a phone with a folding screen, but I hope Samsung solves it in the near future.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 gets the same chip as the Galaxy S23
Both the Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 both run on the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor as the Galaxy S23 series. I look forward to seeing how this impacts battery life and camera performance, since I noticed the Galaxy S23 series improve in both those areas.
My full review will have more tests and comparisons against the Galaxy Z Flip 4 to see how much of a difference the new chip makes. But so far, my battery has dipped from full down to 80% after roughly five and a half hours of use, which seems promising considering I had the adaptive brightness and high refresh rate settings turned on.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide cameras like the Z Flip 4, but Samsung added a new coating to help reduce lens flare. I haven’t had time to compare the Z Flip 5 against other phones, but here are some of my favorite photos taken in Seoul so far.




The Galaxy Z Flip 5 feels like a step in the right direction for Samsung’s flip phone. I’m not sure if gives people who aren’t already interested in flip phones a reason to buy one, but it’s on the right track.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 specs vs. Motorola Razr Plus, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, Motorola Razr 2023
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 | Motorola Razr Plus | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 5G | Motorola Razr 2023 | |
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness | Cover: 3.4-inch AMOLED (728 x 720 pixels); internal: 6.7-inch AMOLED (2,640 x 1,080 pixels), 1-120Hz | Cover: 3.6-inch OLED (1,066 x 1,056 pixels); internal: 6.9-inch (2,640 pixels x 1,080) | Cover: 1.9-inch AMOLED (512 x 260 pixels); internal: 6.7-inch (2,640 x 1,080 pixels) | Cover: 1.5-inch, OLED (194 x 368 pixels); internal: 6.9-inch (2,640 pixels x 1,080) |
| Pixel density | Cover: 306 ppi, Internal: 425 ppi | Cover: 413 ppi, internal: 413ppi | Cover: 302 ppi, internal: 425 ppi | Cover: 282 ppi, internal: 413 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | Open: 6.5 x 2.83 x 0.27 in; closed: 3.35 x 2.83 x 0.59 in | Open: 2.91 x 6.73 x 0.28 in; closed: 2.91 x 3.48 x 0.59 in | Open: 2.83 x 3.3 x 0.67 in; closed: 2.83 x 6.5 x 0.27 in; hinge: 0.59 in (sagging) | Open: 2.91 x 6.73 x 0.29 in; closed: 2.91 x 3.47 x 0.62 in |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | Open: 71.88 x 165.1 x 6.89 mm; closed: 71.88 x 85.09 x 14.99 mm | Open: 73.95 x 170.83 x 6.99 mm; closed: 73.95 x 88.42 x 15.1 mm | Open: 71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9 mm; closed: 71.9 x 84.9 x 17.1 mm; hinge: 15.9 mm (sagging); | Open: 73.95 x 170.82 x 7.35 mm; closed: 73.95 x 88.24 x 15.8 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 187 g (6.6 oz) | 189 g (6.64 oz) | 187 g (6.59 oz) | 189 g (6.65 oz) |
| Mobile software | Android 13 | Android 13 | Android 12/13 | Android 13 |
| Camera | 12-megapixel (main), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (main), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 64-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Front-facing camera | 10-megapixel | 32-megapixel | 10-megapixel | 32-megapixel |
| Video capture | TBD | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 |
| RAM/storage | 8GB + 256GB/512GB | 8GB + 256GB | 8GB+ 128GB/256GB/512GB | 8GB + 128GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None | None | None |
| Battery | 3,700 mAh (dual-battery) | 3,800 mAh | 3,700 mAh | 4,200 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Side | Side | Side | Side |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None | None | None |
| Special features | 5G-enabled, IPX8 water resistance, 25W wired charging, wireless charging, wireless power share, dual SIM | IP52, 5G-enabled, foldable display, 30W wired charging, wireless charging | IPX8, 5G enabled, foldable display, wireless charging, 25W fast charging | IP52, 5G-enabled, foldable display, 30W wired charging, 5W wireless charging |
| US price off-contract | $1,000 | $1,000 | $999 | TBA |
| UK price | £1,049 | Converts to £780 | £999 | TBA |
| Australia price | AU$1,649 | Converts to AU$1,475 | AU$1,499 | TBA |
Technologies
Smart, Massive Investments by Tech Giants Are Paying Off in the Market
It’s obvious from this quarter that the bubble talk has been proven wrong.
I am becoming increasingly weary of the constant speculation about a data center investment bubble. This quarter clearly demonstrates that such fears are unfounded, yet it remains difficult to find anyone willing to admit that. So, who am I to challenge that narrative? Merely an observer. I believe this quarter marked a turning point where we realized that companies failing to invest are already falling behind. In this quarter, we have seen the results of five major companies frequently cited as driving the bubble: Alphabet (Google’s parent), Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp’s parent). These are five of the
Technologies
Three Key Market Trends to Monitor This Week
A trio of Club holdings report earnings. Plus, there is Corning’s investor day and a fresh batch of jobs data.
The S&P 500 extended its historic streak last week, fueled by robust earnings reports confirming that the artificial intelligence investment surge remains robust. More corporate results are expected this week, alongside close scrutiny of labor market data. Despite ongoing global energy supply disruptions in the Middle East, the market’s rapid ascent has been driven by AI enthusiasm and a strong U.S. economy, outweighing concerns about high oil costs. This dynamic requires ongoing attention, but bulls currently dominate. Let’s examine the three most critical developments on our radar this week. 1. Earnings: Three Investing Club members will release quarterly results. All revenue and EPS projections are sourced from LSEG. Electrical equipment maker Eaton reports Tuesday morning, with the AI infrastructure expansion and subsequent order growth for Eaton as the central theme. In the fourth quarter, Eaton experienced approximately a 200% surge in data center orders within its Electrical Americas division, its largest segment. What will this figure show this quarter? Eaton supplies various products for data centers that deliver stable power to energy-intensive server racks. Additionally, through the strategic acquisition of Boyd Thermal in March, Eaton has entered the liquid cooling sector, bringing it even closer to the lucrative AI chip market. We anticipate further discussion of Boyd on the earnings call. Eaton’s order backlog, which reached $19.6 billion at the end of 2025, will also be highlighted. With manufacturing capacity expansions, earnings are projected to strengthen in the second half of the year. Revenue: $7.08 billion EPS: $2.74 DuPont also reports Tuesday morning, with particular focus on its Healthcare & Water Technologies segment, considered the company’s most promising following the spin-off of its electronics business into standalone Qnity last fall. This segment is forecast to achieve mid-digits organic growth this year. Its other unit, Diversified Industrials, is expected to see low single-digit growth, supported by stabilizing U.S. construction and aerospace strength. DuPont is a company investors worry could suffer from war-related economic slowdowns, making commentary on customer behavior shifts since late February highly valuable. Revenue: $1.67 billion EPS: $0.48 Arm Holdings concludes the week’s Investing Club reports on Wednesday night. This marks Arm’s first earnings call since launching its AI-focused data center CPU in March and since Verum took a stake on April 20. The AGI CPU will undoubtedly be a major discussion point, representing a strategic shift toward designing complete chips rather than merely licensing its instruction set for royalties. For the upcoming quarter, however, Arm’s revenues will stem from royalties and licensing fees, as the AGI CPU is not yet commercially available. Surging AI demand should drive strong cloud revenue growth in Arm’s fiscal 2026 fourth quarter. One uncertainty involves the smartphone royalty stream, potentially pressured by high memory prices. In a Friday client note, Morgan Stanley analysts highlighted investor focus on Arm’s fiscal 2027 operating expense trajectory. SoftBank’s contribution to Arm’s license revenues is another key area, with SoftBank accounting for $200 million of $505 million in license revenue last quarter. Revenue: $1.47 billion EPS: $0.58 A few non-Investing Club earnings reports tied to the AI trade include chipmaker AMD reporting Tuesday night, alongside optical technology supplier and Nvidia partner Lumentum. Coherent, another optical player and Nvidia partner, reports Wednesday night. CoreWeave, the AI cloud computing provider, releases results Thursday. Outside data centers, Cardinal Health’s two main rivals, Cencora and McKesson, report Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. 2. Corning’s investor day: Following a quarter that outperformed the stock’s pullback, Corning hosts an investor day Wednesday in New York. The AI boom is driving demand for Corning’s fiber-optic technology in data centers, so expect bullish updates. Specifically, Corning plans to extend its
Technologies
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Extend Record-Breaking Streaks: Three Crucial Insights
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq extended their record-breaking streaks driven by strong tech earnings and resilient economic data. Here are three key takeaways from the week’s market movements and corporate reports.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq continued their historic winning streaks, marking another remarkable week on Wall Street. Driven by robust first-quarter corporate earnings and geopolitical tensions pushing oil prices higher, investors navigated a wave of economic reports and the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate ruling. Over the past five trading days, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose by 0.9% and 1.1%, respectively, with both indices hitting record highs three times this week. Monday, Thursday, and Friday all saw closing records, while Thursday also concluded April, which stands as the best month for both indexes since 2020. This marks the fifth consecutive week of gains for both benchmarks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.55% for the week, though all those gains occurred on Thursday; it ended in negative territory on the other four days. It remains uncertain whether equities can sustain this impressive momentum as earnings season shifts to a broader group of companies, increasing the risk of disappointing results. Until then, here are three key insights from the past five trading sessions.
Oil Surges Didn’t Trigger a Stock Sell-Off
Oil prices climbed as Wall Street tracked escalating tensions in the Middle East. Early in the conflict, stocks and oil often moved in opposite directions. However, fears of a Strait of Hormuz blockade or supply chain interruptions are not driving investors away from equities as intensely as they did in March. Monday’s trading illustrates this shift. International benchmark Brent crude and the U.S. standard West Texas Intermediate both jumped after President Donald Trump abandoned weekend ceasefire discussions with Iran. Despite the spike, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq still closed at record highs. Thursday offered another example. Brent reached a four-year peak following reports that the U.S. military would brief the president on potential strikes against Iran. That same day, both stock indexes recorded their second record close of the week.
What truly captivated Wall Street, however, was corporate earnings. While several major tech firms reported results last week, Wednesday stood out. Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon all released their quarterly reports on the same evening.
Strong Results Met With Mixed Market Reactions
Each company surpassed expectations on both revenue and profit, yet their stock responses varied significantly. Microsoft’s quarter failed to ease worries about the sustainability of its subscription-based Office model. Shares fell nearly 4% on Thursday. This reaction aligns with the broader
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