As the months go by, we’re getting closer and closer to the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – but according to a well-placed leaker, the primary camera on the foldable won’t be any different to what we have on the current model.
This comes from Ice Universe (opens in new tab), a source that is usually perfect in terms of mobile predictions. According to the tipster, it’s “impossible to use HP2” in the Galaxy Z Fold 5, so this particular spec won’t be upgraded this year.
That “HP2” refers to Samsung’s 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor, which it managed to cram into the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. What we don’t know is why it’s “impossible” on the Z Fold 5 – maybe physical space constraints or some other technical issue.
Galaxy Z Fold5 continues to use the same camera module as Fold4. It is impossible to use HP2.March 10, 2023
Cameras by number
This brings us back to the main camera module on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: it features a 50MP + 12MP + 10MP triple-lens camera on the back (depending on how it’s folded), a single-lens camera of 4MP under the main screen and a 10MP single-lens camera on the cover display on the ‘front’.
According to this latest leak, those specs won’t change this time – at least not the main camera module. Previously, we had heard that Samsung might increase the primary camera lens to 108MP this time around.
If Samsung sticks to the same schedule as last year, we should see the Galaxy Z Fold 5 debut alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 sometime in August. Perhaps don’t expect a huge leap forward in terms of internal components.
Analysis: Foldable phones still compromise
There’s no question that foldable phones have taken huge leaps forward in terms of quality and durability over the past few years, and Samsung led the way – but this leak shows that the form factor still has its limitations.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 couldn’t match the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in terms of cameras, and it looks like the pattern will repeat itself again this year. If you want the very best in specs, you need a conventional phone right now.
Based on previous rumors, it seems that the design will remain unchanged this time too. The processor should at least get an upgrade, meaning software performance is slightly faster than before.
We were actually quite impressed with the camera setup on the Z Fold 4, so it might not be a disaster that Samsung sticks with the same components this time around, especially if it means the price is lower than last year.