Hands-on With the Samsung Fold5, Flip5, Watch6, and Tab S9!

We may earn compensation from reviewed products. Learn about our editorial policies.

Samsung has just unveiled the new Galaxy Fold5, Flip5, Watch6, and Tab S9.

Last week, I got hands-on with all of these new devices.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year already since the last bunch of flippable, foldable, and wearable devices were launched by Samsung. But here we are, twelve months on and the Korean tech giant is continuing to make devices which are immediately interesting.

Today is a big day for anyone who’s been waiting for the latest versions of Samsung’s biggest products. I was lucky enough to be invited to London last week to check out all of today’s announcements ahead of time, and it was an eye-opening visit.

This is what I learned.

Galaxy Z Flip5: introducing the Flex Window

Samsung is calling the Flip5 the ultimate pocketable self-expression tool and it has one huge update – literally – that really bolsters that claim.

As with all previous Flips, the Flip5 focuses on pocketability, and, at first glance, looks almost identical to the device it replaces. However, Samsung has managed to make it 2mm thinner when closed; not a bad feat for an already incredibly diminutive device.

The biggest change that hits you straight between the eyes (bar the attractive new range of colours) is the 3.4-inch super AMOLED 60Hz Flex Window display on the Flip5 cover. It replaces the 1.9-inch version of the Flip4 and is, clearly, the big draw for the new device.

It’s a smart move by Samsung; the original ‘Sub Display’ on the Flip4 was useful for checking the time and glancing at notifications, but little more beyond that. By comparison, the Flip5’s Flex Window practically fills the closed lid and packs a bunch of features that practically turn it into a fully-functioning smartphone display.

Alongside notifications, the Flex Window also displays new widgets (both first- and third-party) that make full use of that additional screen estate. You can interact far more with the Flex Window, too, including the ability to reply to messages with a full QWERTY keyboard. You can even watch content on it from apps such as Netflix and YouTube.

It’s a great little display and will make the Flip5 a very tempting upgrade for Flip4 owners. The Flex Window has its limits, obviously, but Samsung has managed to pack in enough functionality without making it fiddly to use, which is no mean feat.

One of the coolest uses of the Flex Window is the Selfie FlexCam, which makes full use of the 12MP wide and ultra-wide main cameras and provides a big display for checking yourself out.

The rest of the updates to the Flip5 are relatively minor, save for the processing boost it will have received from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. There’s also an updated Flex Mode which provides more controls for media-based apps when the Flip5 is placed on a surface half open.

The internal display is the same 6.7-inch unit found on the Flip4, which is no bad thing – it’s a great display. As for the battery, Samsung told us that it offers better stamina than the Flip4, despite the addition of that no-doubt power-hungry Flex Window.

The Flip5 starts at £1,049 which is £50 more expensive than its predecessor, and you can order it today. Samsung is also offering doubled storage and up to £650 trade-in for your old device for a limited period.

Galaxy Z Fold5: fully foldable

Next up, we have the Z Fold5, which is the latest iteration of Samsung’s premium foldable smartphone. And it has quite a job ahead of it, thanks to recent competition from the likes of Google and Honor.

The Fold5 doesn’t offer the same eye-catching update as the Flip5’s Flex Window, but there are some interesting changes.

The first and most obvious (if you look for it – which most Fold owners and aficionados will) is the fact that the new dual rail hinge enables the Fold5 to shut completely flat, just like the Pixel Fold. It’s a small detail, but a pleasing one for anyone who found the Flip4’s partial closing jarring.

During the hands-on event, Samsung noted that the Flip5’s internal display is now essentially in line with that of the S23 series. This means it’s considerably brighter than the outgoing version – 1,750 nits at its peak versus 1,300 nits, to be exact.

The main display’s size is unchanged at 7.6 inches, but the Flip5 benefits from smaller bezels all around, which has helped Samsung shave 10g from the device’s weight. It’s also 2.4mm thinner. In the hand, the difference is marginal compared to the Flip4, but I’ve never really had an issue with the form factor or weight of the Flip – it’s one of the most pocketable foldable smartphones out there.

Just like the Flip5, the Fold5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, but it also benefits from a 38% larger vapour chamber than the Fold4 for better cooling. This results in performance boosts of around 18% for the CPU and 32% better graphics.

There are a bunch of OS changes that should be well received, too, including an advanced taskbar, moveable pop-ups and windows, and the ability to have four apps on the screen at once (the Fold4 was limited to three during multitasking).

The Flex Mode panel offers better media controls, just like the Flip5, and S Pen compatibility remains, although the Fold5 also ushers in a brand-new range of cases that provide safe housing for Samsung’s stylus.

If, like me, you were hoping for a wider Cover Screen, you’re not getting one on the Fold5, I’m afraid. This is the same 6.2-inch unit we had on the Fold4, with identical specs. That said, you can still use the Cover Screen to take selfies with the main cameras, and there’s now a dual preview mode which means you can review the framing on both displays when the Fold5 is open.

On the subject of the camera system, it is pretty much identical to the Fold4, bar some minor changes to pixel sizes. This is fine, in my book – the Fold4 has always performed brilliantly for me when it comes to photos.

There are price rises across the board with the Fold5. The 256GB version will set you back £1,749, and the 1TB edition tops out at £2,049. So, this is still an expensive device, but it was always going to be. It’s a mild update compared to the Flip5, but the Fold5 should still hold strong against the competition, thanks to the legion of Samsung fans who will no doubt be waiting to upgrade from older Folds.

Watch6 and Watch6 Classic: the bezel returns!

We’re getting two new Galaxy wearables from Samsung this year – the Watch6 and Watch6 Classic. That’s right – the ‘Pro’ moniker has been retired from the latest lineup (although will remain for the Watch5, presumably, while stocks last).

Samsung refers to the Watch6 as the “ultimate daily driver”, whereas the Watch6 Classic is intended to be a “timeless timepiece design”. The latter no doubt refers to Samsung’s continuation of the round watch face which sets the Galaxy Watch apart from the Apple Watch. And I remain a fan.

There are some fairly big updates to Samsung’s wearable, including 20% larger displays, smoother OS performance, bigger batteries, and, in the Watch6 Classic’s case, the return of the rotating bezel. This is great news for anyone who lamented the decision to swap the physical bezel on the Watch4 with a digital version on the Watch5 (which was, clearly, a lot of people). It was my first experience with the rotating bezel (which is 15% thinner than the previous version) and I can see why so many people called for its return – this is a great way to interact with a smartwatch.

At the heart of the Watch6 series is the Exynos W930 chip, which we’re told delivers 18% faster clock speeds and is joined by a 33% increase in memory capacity, taking the Watch6 up to 2GB from the 1.5GB found in the Watch5.

There aren’t any notable new sensors on the Watch6, but there are some updates to the OS which now offers in-depth sleep insights and personalised fitness coaching with feedback that includes body composition and personalised heart rate zones.

Oh, and there are a bunch of new watch faces which were fun, eye-catching, and really do make great use of the Watch6 circular design.

You can pre-order both wearables today, with the Watch6 starting at £289 for the 40mm edition and topping out at £369 for the 44mm version with LTE. The Watch6 Classic starts at £369 for the 43mm version and £459 for the range-topping 47mm with LTE.

Galaxy Tab S9 Series: weather-ready

Lastly, we were treated to the Galaxy Tab S9, and it’s important for me to note at this juncture that I have never used – let alone owned – a Samsung tablet in my life.

There are three versions to choose from – the S9 (11-inch), S9+ (12.4-inch), and S9 Ultra (a massive 14.6-inch). The latter is absolutely huge but, as a result, a very impressive piece of tech to hold in your hands.

As you might expect, they all feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and you can expect 34% gains in CPU and 41% better graphics as a result, over the outgoing versions of Samsung’s tablets.

What caught my eye, however, is the fact that the Tab S9 s the first Samsung tablet with an official IP68 water resistance rating. It’s also one of the only tablets on the market to offer that genuinely useful feature. It’s something I’ve long wanted on the iPad (particularly the ultra-portable iPad mini). Are you watching, Apple?

The S Pen benefits from the same water resistance rating and now also features bi-directional charging via the magnetic attachment on the rear of the Tab S9. Oh, and GoodNotes is also coming to the Tab S9, too (which, if you weren’t aware, is the most popular note-taking app on iPadOS).

Depending on the size you opt for, the Tab S9 will set you back anywhere between £799 and £1,699, but if you pre-order quickly, you’ll get a free Slim Book Cover Keyboard and 12 months of Disney+ on Samsung.

Wrapping up

To ensure you don’t miss my full reviews of the new Samsung gear, I recommend subscribing to my YouTube channel, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the releases. So, get involved in the comments below!

Before you go

Join my Substack newsletter for tips on becoming a profitable, happy online creator!