Around five years ago, Samsung launched its first foldable smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. Over time, the Fold Series has expanded to include four more devices, the latest being the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, launched earlier this year. These foldable phones have pushed the boundaries of technology and design and are considered the future of smartphones. Here’s a quick look at the different Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Series models.

1. Galaxy Z Fold
Launched in 2019, Samsung’s first foldable phone was the tablet-sized Galaxy Fold. This device did not have an ideal beginning, as the initial batch sent to reviewers malfunctioned within days of use. Consequently, the brand recalled them, delaying the product’s official launch. In September that year, the Galaxy Z Fold was finally launched for $1,980. The 7.3-inch inner AMOLED display of the Galaxy Fold can be folded in a book style. It features a 4.6-inch secondary display, Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 855 processor, three rear cameras (12 MP wide-angle, 12 MP telephoto, and 16 MP ultra-wide), and two front cameras (10 MP selfie and 8 MP depth). The Galaxy Z Fold has 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.

2. Galaxy Z Fold2
In September 2020, Samsung upgraded the series with the Galaxy Z Fold2, which was more robust and had a refined design. The device has a larger 7.6-inch foldable screen, a bezel-less 6.2-inch cover panel, a higher refresh rate of 120 Hz, a new Snapdragon 865 processor, a 4400 mAh battery, and improved cameras compared to the original Fold. Flex Mode is a talking point of the Fold2, which provides better functionality and serves as a tripod for hands-free selfies or video calls. Samsung also adopted a UWB chip for the first time in this foldable smartphone.

3. Galaxy Z Fold3
The Galaxy Z Fold3 was unveiled in August 2021 as the third generation of Samsung’s folding phones. The device returned with almost the same display measurements and dimensions as the Fold2 but was designed to be thinner and lighter. It has water resistance IPX8 rating and S Pen compatibility, the first in a foldable phone. An under-display 4 MP camera is also added on the main screen, hidden by pixels on top. The Fold3 is available in 256 GB and 512 GB storage options.

4. Galaxy Z Fold4
This model joined the series in August 2022 but hardly differed from the Galaxy Z Fold3. It has the same display size as the Fold2 and Fold3 but is eight grams lighter than the Fold3. Coming to the design, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 has aimed to create a sustainable foldable phone using components made from discarded fishing nets. Samsung has also used recycled parts inside the phone, while the outer body has aluminum frames and a Gorilla Glass Victus cover. The camera has a few upgrades: a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, and a 10 MP telephoto lens. The front camera consists of a 10 MP sensor on the main display and a 4 MP camera on the interior screen. The Galaxy Z Fold4 costs around $1,119.

5. Galaxy Z Fold5
Released in July 2023, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is the latest model in the series. This phone-tablet hybrid boasts a more compact, lightweight design, a new zero-gap hinge, and the cutting-edge and super-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. The Fold5 also features a broader variety of recycled materials than its predecessors. Though the screen size and camera modules remain the same, it has better image processing ability. Furthermore, the S Pen, an optional accessory, has been redesigned, making it slimmer than the previous version. These minor upgrades have improved the big screen experience and are a great example of how far these foldables have come. The Galaxy Z Fold5 starts at around $1,800.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series has come a long way, and each foldable model has demonstrated innovation and design excellence. So far, the Fold series has little competition on the global stage. However, other brands are steadily introducing foldable devices, too, with future-ready specs that offer exceptional versatility and multi-tasking capabilities. Therefore, those looking for a foldable smartphone should research and choose an option after considering their needs. After all, foldable devices are pricey, and one wouldn’t want to be stuck with something they don’t like.