We subjected the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 to our rigorous SBMARK Display test suite to measure its performance Cons six criteria. In this roundup of test results, we’ll look at how it performed in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Main specifications of the display:
- 7.6-inch AMOLED, 109.8 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)
- Dimensions: 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm (6.10 x 2.64 x 0.53 inch)
- Resolution: 1812 x 2176 pixels (~373 ppi density)
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Pros
- Good color fidelity and adequate brightness for HDR10 video content
- Good readability under all lighting conditions tested
- Smooth in most uses
Against
- In sunlight, the high-brightness mode gives an unnatural look to the color content
- The crease is visible in most situations
Thanks to the good readability and the good video and touch performance, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is the new number 1 in the SBMARK Display ranking. Good sunlight readability is rare among ultra-premium devices, yet the Z Fold5 achieved great contrast on displayed content even in bright outdoor conditions. Its brightness, color and detail rendition make it a great choice for watching videos. Accurate and responsive, the device felt smooth when playing games, browsing the web and scrolling through the gallery.
The Galaxy Z Fold5 has a wide range of colors. Even though the color rendition was a bit saturated, the results were still comfortable and pleasant, except in bright sunlight.
The fold of the Z Fold5 was visible in all conditions, especially outdoors; And as with other foldable phones, the device has been affected by a jelly effect: a slight perceptible lag between the left and right sides of the display that can cause content to appear a little ‘wrinkled’. But our engineers did not observe any discrepancies between frames when evaluating Z Fold5 while watching videos and playing video games.
Note that SBMARK tested the Z Fold5’s main screen with the protective screen on, according to Samsung’s recommendations to consumers.
While it’s not part of our standard protocol and didn’t affect the score, our engineers also measured screen coverage, which achieved a maximum brightness of 1710 nits and the same color gamut as the primary screen; moreover, the cover screen is less reflective than the main screen (4.8% Cons 6.3%).
Trial summary
Learn about SBMARK display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, SBMARK engineers perform a series of objective and perceptual tests under real-life and controlled laboratory conditions. Please note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and related still image (gallery) and video apps with default settings. (For in-depth information on how we rate smartphones and other displays, check out our articles “How SBMARK Tests Display Quality” and “A Closer Look at SBMARK Display Tests.”
The following section compiles the key elements of our extensive testing and analysis performed in the SBMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations in the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
How the display readability score is composed
Readability evaluates the ease and comfort with which users can read the still content (photos and web) on the display under various real-life conditions. SBMARK uses its display stand to recreate ambient light conditions ranging from total darkness to bright sunlight. In addition to laboratory tests, perceptual analysis is also performed in real-life environments.
Our engineers measured the device’s peak brightness at 1682 nits in sunlight. In low light and outdoors, the Z Fold5 had more comfortable readability than the Google Pixel Fold or Honor Magic Vs used for comparison. The brightness measured by Samsung was lower in internal conditions, but the perceptive rendering remained perfectly legible and usable, thanks to the well-managed contrast. Furthermore, the Z Fold5 had good readability with the blue light filter (BLF) activated.
Readability in an indoor environment (1000 lux).
From left: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, Google Pixel Fold, Honor Magic vs
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Readability in an outdoor environment (20,000 lux).
From left: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, Google Pixel Fold, Honor Magic vs
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
How the display color score is composed
The color attribute evaluates the device’s ability to reproduce colors accurately. Measurements taken include fidelity, white point color, and gamut coverage. We perform color assessments for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can handle color in its surroundings. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. The perceptual analysis of the color rendering takes place with respect to the reference model displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 delivered a wide color gamut in the default “Vivid” mode, resulting in nice, saturated colors in low light and indoors. Under direct sunlight outdoors, the high-brightness mode caused some colored content to appear flat, and when the BLF was activated, the smartphone switched to a slightly less orange tint than the comparison smartphones.
White point under illuminant D65 at 1000 lux
Indoor color rendering (1000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, Google Pixel Fold, Honor Magic Vs
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Color rendering in sunlight (>90,000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, Google Pixel Fold, Honor Magic Vs
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Color fidelity measurements
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the sRGB color space
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, color fidelity at 1000 lux in Display-P3 color space
Each arrow represents the color difference between a target color pattern (arrow base) and its actual measurement (arrow tip). The longer the arrow, the more visible the color difference. If the arrow remains inside the circle, the color difference will only be visible to expert eyes.
Color behavior on the corner
This graph shows the color shift when the screen is tilted. Each point represents a measurement at a particular angle. The dots within the inner circle show no color change in the corner; those between the inner and outer circle have changes that only trained experts will be able to see; but those that fall outside the outer circle are noted.
How the Display Video score is composed
Our video attribute evaluates each device’s Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling in indoor and low-light conditions. We measure the tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis Cons our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure rendering respects artistic intent.
As is typical of Samsung devices, the brightness and detail rendition of the Z Fold5 make it a good device for watching HDR10 video. Tested on a 100% gray pattern (which is equivalent to pure white), the Pixel Fold showed higher brightness than the Z Fold5. However, the average perceivable brightness for video is closer to 50% gray, and at this level the Samsung device was brighter than the Pixel. This difference in smartphone setup means that Z Fold5 provided a more comfortable viewing experience.
Video rendering in a low light environment (0 lux).
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, Google Pixel Fold, Honor Magic Vs
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Gamut coverage for video content
Primary colors are measured in both HDR10 and SDR. The extracted color gamut shows the extent of color area that the device can reproduce. To meet artistic intent, the measured gamut should match the primary color space of each video.
How the Display Motion score is composed
The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic content. Dropped frames, motion blur, and playback artifacts are examined using games and videos.
These long exposure photos feature the number of frame irregularities in a 30 second video. A good performance shows a regular pattern (a flat gray image or drop-down pattern).
How the Display Touch score is composed
To evaluate touch, SBMARK uses a haptic robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a series of scenarios for evaluating fluency, accuracy and response time.
Thanks to the good fluidity in all uses, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 has obtained a leading score in the database for touch.
This response time test accurately evaluates the time between a single tap of the robot on the screen and the displayed action. This test is applied to activities that require high responsiveness, such as playing games.
How the display artifact score is composed
Evaluating artifacts means checking performance, image rendering, and motion artifacts that can affect the end-user experience. SBMARK accurately measures device reflectance and flicker, and assesses the impact of residual aliasing when playing games, among other characteristics.
Detracting only slightly from its excellent all-around performance, the Z Fold5 was highly reflective, exhibited low-frequency flicker in low-light conditions, and was responsive to involuntary taps.
Aliasing (foreground)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
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