Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series has long been celebrated as a pioneer in foldable smartphone technology. With each iteration, Samsung has improved the design, added better features, and refined the experience of owning a foldable device. However, after a year and a half with the Galaxy Z Flip 5, I’ve reached my breaking point—not because the phone physically broke, but because it no longer meets my daily needs.
The upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7, expected to launch in July, may offer significant improvements over previous versions, including a larger outer screen and a slightly bigger battery. But I can’t wait that long. Here’s why my experience with the Z Flip 5 has ultimately pushed me to move on.
The Battery Life Struggle
One of the main reasons I’m abandoning my Z Flip is its declining battery life. In the early days, my Flip 5 comfortably lasted until bedtime with some minor power-saving adjustments. Over time, however, things changed.
I noticed my battery hitting 80% by 9 AM, and by 9 PM, the phone was threatening to die—even with minimal usage. I hardly use my phone during work hours, yet I constantly find myself needing to plug it in. By the time I attended CES in January, I realized I couldn’t rely on the phone for a full day of work at a tradeshow. I even had to transfer all my accounts to a borrowed device just to get through the event.
Software Issues and Unexpected Frustrations
Beyond the battery, another issue emerged after a major software update: Samsung’s One UI 6.1. Ever since this update, my sleep and do-not-disturb modes no longer block notification sounds. No matter how much I tweak the settings, I can’t seem to fix it, which means my phone wakes me up at night.
Additionally, while the internal battery diagnostics claim the battery is still in “Good” condition, my real-world experience says otherwise. Whether it’s premature battery aging or a side effect of the latest software update, I can’t ignore how much my Flip’s usability has deteriorated.
Hardware Trade-Offs: Worth It or Not?
When I first purchased the Z Flip 5, I understood I’d be making sacrifices for the sake of portability and a unique folding design. I accepted the crease in the screen, the inconsistent fingerprint sensor, and even the subpar camera compared to Samsung’s non-folding flagship devices. But over time, these compromises started to feel less acceptable.
A major disappointment was the underutilization of the Flip’s cover screen. At first, I was excited about the potential of the outer display. I even downloaded Samsung’s Good Lock app to manually add my favorite apps to the cover screen. But I soon found that using apps on this tiny screen was more frustrating than helpful. Most apps don’t scale properly, and launching them requires an extra swipe or two, making it more efficient just to open the phone instead.
Samsung’s design choices for the cover screen’s interface also feel unintuitive. Swiping left instead of up for apps and right instead of down for notifications still trips me up, even after months of use. The Samsung Pay shortcut at the bottom further complicates the experience. Ultimately, I found that the only truly useful function of the cover screen was taking selfies with the better rear cameras.
The Search for a New Phone
After CES, I knew it was time to look for a new device. I initially hoped to find a compact phone with a great battery, but options were limited. Then I noticed a trend among other Flip users on Reddit—many were trading in their Z Flip devices for a Galaxy S25, thanks to Samsung’s $500 trade-in offer.
After confirming that the Galaxy S25 was the smallest high-end Android phone available and that its battery life was significantly better than my Flip’s, I decided to make the switch.
The Galaxy S25: A Worthy Replacement?
The Galaxy S25 doesn’t feel as exciting as the Flip, and it doesn’t fit as neatly in my pocket. However, it solves my biggest issues: battery life and usability. As I write this at 5:40 PM, my lightly used S25 still has 80% battery left—something my Flip could never manage in its later months.
The camera quality is another major improvement. While I expected it to be better than the Flip’s, I didn’t anticipate just how much sharper and more reliable it would be.
Will I miss the Flip? In some ways, yes. It was fun to use, and flipping it shut was incredibly satisfying. But at the end of the day, I need a phone that I can depend on, and the Galaxy S25 delivers where the Flip no longer does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did you stop using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5?
The primary reasons were declining battery life, software issues after a major update, and frustration with the cover screen’s limited functionality.
Did the phone physically break?
No, the phone never cracked or developed the infamous green line issue. The hardware was intact, but usability declined significantly.
Did you try fixing the battery issue?
Yes, I checked Samsung’s internal diagnostics, which claimed the battery was still in good condition. However, in real-world use, the battery drained too quickly to be reliable.
What phone did you switch to?
I switched to the Samsung Galaxy S25, primarily for its improved battery life and better overall usability.
Would you consider buying another foldable phone in the future?
Yes, if Samsung (or another manufacturer) improves battery life, refines software usability, and makes the outer screen more functional, I’d be open to trying a foldable phone again.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 was a unique and exciting phone, but after a year and a half, its drawbacks started to outweigh its benefits. The battery life became unreliable, software updates introduced frustrating issues, and the cover screen never lived up to its full potential.
While I’ll miss the portability and fun factor of the Flip, I ultimately needed a phone that could keep up with my daily needs. The Galaxy S25 offers a more practical experience, making it a worthy replacement. That said, if Samsung continues improving its foldable line, I’d be open to trying a future Flip model—just not anytime soon.
For now, I’m sticking with a traditional smartphone that simply works when I need it to.
