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What's the Worst Samsung Phone to Buy in 2023
Samsung's newest foldable phones - the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 - have failed to impress. With high price tags and too few upgrades, they are arguably the worst Samsung phones to purchase this year. There are much better options for your money in 2023.
The Galaxy Fold 5 Offers meager Upgrades for Far Too Much Money
The Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung’s premium foldable phone, launched at an unbelievable starting price of $1,799. With a cost that high, buyers expected revolutionary upgrades over the last model, the Fold 4. Unfortunately, improvements are too few and far between to justify an upgrade.
Minimal Camera Upgrades
One of the most disappointing aspects of the Fold 5 is that it packs the exact same camera setup as the Fold 4:
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50MP Wide Camera
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12MP Ultrawide Camera
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10MP Telephoto Camera
For a phone this expensive in 2023, buyers demand camera innovation, like increased megapixels and zoom capabilities. The unchanged specs seem lazy and unsatisfactory.
No Signficant Battery Life Improvements
Another letdown is that the Fold 5's battery life lasts only about an hour longer than its predecessor. The 4,400 mAh battery reaches just around 11 hours on a charge — not terrible, but after 4 generations we expect more.
Additionally, charging speeds remain painfully slow. It takes about 80 minutes to fully charge the Fold 5. Many cheaper phones now offer super fast charging that the Fold 5 lacks.
Absence of Key Features
Making matters worse, the Fold 5 lacks several other features that buyers look for:
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No S Pen Included: The previous model included Samsung's handy stylus, but the Fold 5 doesn't.
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Not Dust-Resistant: Shockingly, durability does not seem a priority, as the phone isn't properly dust-resistant.
For $1,799, these missing features are unacceptable.
The Galaxy Flip 5 Fails to Impress for the Price
Samsung markets the Z Flip 5 as a more accessible foldable phone with its $999 price tag. However, it doesn’t deliver enough to justify an upgrade from the Flip 4 either.
Recycled Camera Specs
Just like with the Fold 5, Samsung did not upgrade the Flip 5’s camera specs at all. It still has:
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12MP Main Camera
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12MP Ultrawide Camera
In 2023, buyers want camera innovation, making the unchanged camera specs incredibly frustrating.
Unremarkable Battery Life & Charging
The Flip 5 gets about 10 hours of battery life — not bad but not impressive either. However, charging the 3,700 mAh battery takes a sluggish 1.5 hours. Faster charging really should be standard in 2023.
Tiny, Limited Outer Screen
The mini 3.4 inch outer screen lets you glance at notifications when closed, but it’s extremely restrictive if you want to use apps. Samsung promises expanded app support soon, but it’s still disappointing for now.
Both the Fold 5 and Flip 5 fail to move the needle. You’re better off saving your money in 2023.
Better Samsung Phone Options This Year
Luckily, Samsung offers better options that overshadow the Fold 5 and Flip 5, like the S23 series and discounted previous foldable models. Check out the following instead this year:
Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, & S23 Ultra
Samsung’s S23 line comes highly rated. With excellent displays, better camera setups, very fast charging, and all-day battery life, these phones outperform the new folds in crucial areas while costing less.
Discounted Fold 4 & Flip 4
Interested in foldable screens? The Fold 4 and Flip 4 still have nearly identical specs and user experiences to the latest models. Yet they now sell at permanently discounted prices at retailers.
Given the minimal upgrades to the Fold 5 and Flip 5, last year’s models give you the folding tech without overspending.
The Fold 5 & Flip 5 Simply Aren't Worth It
Considering their astronomical prices and small improvements over previous gens, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 are undoubtedly the worst Samsung phones you could purchase in 2023. You’re better off with the impressive Galaxy S23 series or discounted older foldables instead. Don’t fall into the hype and overspend!
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