Samsung unveils new Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 smartphones at CES 2024 in Las Vegas

Samsung showcased its fifth-generation Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5 smartphones at CES 2024 in Las Vegas on January 9. According to the Consumer Technology Association, the Galaxy Z Fold5 was recognized with a CES Innovation Award for its advanced Flex Hinge design and foldable form factor.

Although Samsung officially announced the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5 smartphones on July 26, 2023, at its Galaxy Unpacked event, the devices were prominently featured at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, where the Galaxy Z Fold5 received a CES Innovation Award from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). The award recognized the Fold5’s advanced Flex Hinge design and foldable form factor, highlighting the device’s innovation in smartphone technology, according to CES 2024 Innovation Awards materials.

Samsung’s global newsroom and regional press releases emphasize that the Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 represent the fifth generation of Galaxy foldables, with improvements in hinge design, camera capabilities, and portability.

The company described the Fold5 as 10 grams lighter and 2.4 millimeters slimmer than its predecessor, featuring a new Flex Hinge that allows the phone to close fully flat, eliminating the gap present in earlier models. The Fold5’s main display is a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display with QXGA+ resolution (2176×1812 pixels) and an adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate, while its cover display measures 6.2 inches with HD+ resolution and the same adaptive refresh rate range, according to Samsung’s specifications.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 features a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED foldable main display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and an enlarged 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen operating at 60 Hz. This larger cover screen supports expanded functionality, including running select Android apps while the phone is closed. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and equipped with 8 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, the Flip5 offers storage options of 256 GB and 512 GB. Its camera system includes a 12-megapixel main and ultrawide rear camera setup, complemented by a 10-megapixel selfie camera on the inner display. Samsung markets the Flip5’s FlexCam modes as enabling hands-free and angled photography, according to official product descriptions.

Pricing for the devices remains consistent with their predecessors, with the Galaxy Z Flip5 starting at $999 and the Galaxy Z Fold5 priced between $1,799 and $1,800 in the United States. Regional pricing varies; for example, in Mexico, the Flip5 starts at 24,999 pesos for the 256 GB model, with pre-order promotions offering double storage capacity and accessory bundles. Both devices support all major U.S. carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and associated MVNOs, according to carrier compatibility information compiled by Android-focused outlets.

Samsung offers the Galaxy Z Flip5 in at least eight color options, including four widely available retail colors—Cream, Graphite, Lavender, and Mint—and four Samsung.com exclusive colors: Blue, Gray, Green, and Yellow. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is available in standard colors such as Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream, with Blue and Gray offered exclusively through Samsung’s website. Official cases for the Flip5 range in price from $39.99 to $89.99, providing consumers with various personalization options.

Both foldable smartphones are integrated into Samsung’s broader ecosystem, designed to work seamlessly with the Galaxy Watch6 series and Galaxy Tab S9 tablets, which were also announced at the Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event. Samsung has confirmed that the devices will receive One UI 6.1 software updates incorporating Galaxy AI features during the first half of 2024, extending their functionality beyond the initial launch.

CES 2024 materials and Samsung’s corporate communications do not indicate that the Z Fold5 or Z Flip5 were newly unveiled at the show; rather, their presence and recognition at CES reflect their status as mature, mainstream foldables that exemplify the current state of foldable smartphone technology. Industry commentators and tech outlets have described the devices as iterative updates focused on design refinements such as the gapless hinge and larger Flip5 cover screen, which contributed to the Fold5’s Innovation Award recognition at CES.

The Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 were commercially available globally following their July 2023 launch, with Samsung and its partners employing pre-order incentives such as memory upgrades and accessory bundles to encourage early adoption. The Consumer Technology Association’s recognition situates the Fold5 within a broader narrative of future-oriented mobile design, underscoring Samsung’s ongoing investment in foldable smartphone innovation.