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Camera
BatteryWe put the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 through our rigorous DXOMARK Display test suite to measure its performance across six criteria. In this test results summary, we will break down how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Key display specifications:
- 7.6-inch AMOLED, 109.8 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)
- Dimensions: 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm (6.10 x 2.64 x 0.53 inches)
- Resolution: 1812 x 2176 pixels (~373 ppi density)
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
1st
1st
Pros
- Good color fidelity and suitable brightness for HDR10 video content
- Good readability in all tested lighting conditions
- Smooth in most usages
Cons
- Under sunlight, the high brightness mode gives an unnatural aspect to color content
- The crease is visible in most situations
Thanks to good readability and good performances in video and touch, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is the new No. 1 in DXOMARK’s Display ranking. Good readability under sunlight is rare among ultra-premium devices, yet the Z Fold5 achieved very good contrast on content viewed even in bright outdoor conditions. Its brightness, color, and detail rendering make it a great choice for watching videos. Accurate and reactive, the device felt smooth when playing video games, browsing the web, and scrolling in the gallery.
The Galaxy Z Fold5 has a wide color gamut. Although its color rendering was somewhat saturated, the results were nonetheless comfortable and pleasant, except under sunlight.
The Z Fold5’s crease was visible in every condition, especially outdoors; and as with other foldable phones, the device was affected by a jello effect — a slight perceptible lag between the right and left sides of the display that can make content appear a bit “bent.” But our engineers observed no frame mismatches when evaluating the Z Fold5 while watching videos and playing video games.
Note that DXOMARK tested the Z Fold5’s main screen with its protective screen on, per Samsung’s recommendation to consumers.
Although it’s not part of our standard protocol and did not affect scoring, our technicians also measured the cover screen, which achieved peak brightness at 1710 nits and the same color gamut as the main screen; moreover, the cover screen is less reflective than the main screen (4.8% vs. 6.3%).
Test summary
About DXOMARK Display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective and perceptual tests under controlled lab and real-life conditions. Note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still image (gallery) and video apps at their default settings. (For in-depth information about how we evaluate smartphone and other displays, check out our articles, “How DXOMARK tests display quality” and “A closer look at DXOMARK Display testing.”
The following section gathers key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyses performed in DXOMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations under the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Readability
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
160
Readability evaluates how easily and comfortably users can read still content (photos & web) on the display under different real-life conditions. DXOMARK uses its Display Bench to recreate ambient light conditions ranging from total darkness to bright sunlight. In addition to laboratory tests, perceptual analysis is also made in real-life environments.
Our engineers measured the device’s peak brightness at 1682 nits under bright sunlight. In low light and outdoor conditions, the Z Fold5 had more comfortable readability than either the Google Pixel Fold or the Honor Magic Vs used for comparison. The Samsung’s measured brightness was lower in indoor conditions, but the perceptual rendering remained perfectly readable and usable, thanks to well-managed contrast. Further, the Z Fold5 had good readability with the blue light filter (BLF) turned on.
Color
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
164
The color attribute evaluates the capacity of the device to accurately reproduce colors. The measurements taken are for fidelity, white point color, and gamut coverage. We perform color evaluations for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can manage color in the surrounding environment. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. Perceptual analysis of color rendering is against the reference pattern displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 provided a wide color gamut in its default “Vivid” mode, resulting in pleasant and saturated colors in lowlight and indoor conditions. Under direct sunlight outdoors, the high brightness mode made some colorful content appear flat, and when the BLF was turned on, the smartphone shifted to a slightly less orange cast than that of the comparison smartphones.
Video
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
162
Our video attribute evaluates the Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling of each device in indoor and low-light conditions. We measure tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis against our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure that the rendering respects the artistic intent.
As is typical of Samsung devices, the Z Fold5’s brightness and detail rendering make it a good device for watching HDR10 videos. Tested on a 100% gray pattern (which equals pure white), the Pixel Fold had higher brightness than the Z Fold5. However, the average perceivable brightness for videos is closer to 50% gray, and at this level, the Samsung device was brighter than the Pixel. This difference in smartphone tuning means that the Z Fold5 provided a more comfortable viewing experience.
Motion
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
155
The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic contents. Frame drops, motion blur, and playback artifacts are scrutinized using games and videos.
To evaluate touch, DXOMARK uses a touch robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a set of scenarios for smoothness, accuracy and response-time evaluation.
Thanks to good smoothness in all usages, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 achieved a database-leading score for touch.
Artifacts
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
161
Evaluating artifacts means checking for the performance, image rendering and motion flaws that can affect the end-user experience. DXOMARK measures precisely the device’s reflectance and the presence of flicker, and assesses the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other characteristics.
Only slightly detracting from its all-round excellent performance, the Z Fold5 was highly reflective, had low frequency flicker in low-light conditions, and was reactive to unintentional touches.
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