Galaxy S24+ Vs Galaxy Z Fold5

Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£337.00

Versus £997.95 new

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Galaxy Z Fold5
Galaxy Z Fold5
Starting at

Refurbished price:£413.00

Versus £1,770.61 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, is a traditional slab-style smartphone, offering a large, immersive display and a robust camera system. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, launched in August 2023, is a foldable device that transforms from a compact smartphone into a larger tablet-like experience. The primary distinction lies in their form factors, with the S24 Plus prioritizing a conventional, streamlined design and the Z Fold5 offering enhanced screen real estate and multitasking capabilities through its folding mechanism.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S24 Plus is a newer device, released in January 2024, while the Galaxy Z Fold5 was released in August 2023. This difference means the S24 Plus will likely receive software updates for a longer period.
  • Software Support: Samsung typically provides several years of Android operating system updates and security patches for its flagship devices. The S24 Plus launched with Android 14 and One UI 6.1, and the Z Fold5 launched with Android 13 and One UI 5.1.1. The S24 Plus is expected to receive software support for approximately seven years from its release, offering extended longevity.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 Plus features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its display and back, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating strong protection against everyday elements. The Galaxy Z Fold5 also uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its cover screen and back, and has an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in water. Its redesigned hinge allows it to fold completely flat, which contributes to its structural integrity when closed.

Year of Release

2024

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

Both devices are equipped with powerful internal components designed to handle demanding tasks, though their specific processors differ due to their release cycles and regional variations.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus is powered by a current-generation processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Exynos 2400 depending on region), enabling smooth performance for applications, gaming, and multitasking. The Galaxy Z Fold5 features a slightly older, but still highly capable, processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy), which also delivers a responsive user experience across various applications.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both models come with 12GB of RAM, facilitating efficient multitasking and quick app switching. Users can expect fluid navigation and rapid loading times on both devices.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, which generally provides ample power for a full day of heavy use, with some users reporting up to 1.5 days of usage. The Galaxy Z Fold5 has a 4400 mAh battery, which, despite powering two displays, offers decent battery life, often lasting through a typical day for many users.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience is a key differentiator between these two Samsung smartphones, primarily due to the Z Fold5's unique foldable design.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution (3120x1440 pixels), offering sharp visuals and vibrant colors. The Galaxy Z Fold5 offers a dual-screen setup: a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display and a larger 7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display when unfolded. The main display has a resolution of 2176x1812 pixels, providing a tablet-like viewing area.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S24 Plus boasts a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, and an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The Z Fold5's main display reaches a peak brightness of 1750 nits and features a 120Hz refresh rate for both its cover and main screens, providing a fluid visual experience.
  • Viewing Experience: The S24 Plus offers a traditional, expansive smartphone screen ideal for media consumption and everyday tasks. The Z Fold5's larger internal display provides a more immersive experience for content, productivity, and multitasking, though some users note the presence of a visible crease in the folding screen.

Resolution

1440 x 3120

1812 x 2176

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Both devices offer versatile camera systems, capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, though with some subtle differences in their configurations and performance.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP wide-angle sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The Galaxy Z Fold5 also features a triple rear camera system with a 50MP wide-angle sensor with OIS, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The main sensors are similar to those found in previous Samsung flagships, delivering consistent results.
  • Photography Performance: Both phones excel in good lighting conditions, producing images with good detail, color reproduction, and dynamic range. The S24 Plus benefits from newer software enhancements and AI features for image processing. The Z Fold5's camera performs well in various scenarios, with good low-light capabilities for its main sensor.
  • Front-Facing and Video Capabilities: The S24 Plus has a 12MP front camera. The Z Fold5 offers a 10MP camera on its cover screen and a 4MP under-display camera on the main foldable screen, which is primarily suited for video calls. Both devices support 8K video recording at up to 30fps with their main rear cameras.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

4 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond their core features, these devices present distinct practical elements that cater to different user preferences and needs.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy Z Fold5 support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections. The S24 Plus also supports Wi-Fi 7 in some regions and includes Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. Both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
  • Dimensions and Handling: The Galaxy S24 Plus is a conventional smartphone, measuring 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm and weighing around 196-197g, offering a familiar and comfortable in-hand feel. The Galaxy Z Fold5, due to its foldable nature, has different dimensions when folded (154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm) and unfolded (154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm). It weighs 253g, making it noticeably heavier than the S24 Plus, but its unfolded state provides a larger, more expansive workspace.
  • Unique Features: The S24 Plus introduces advanced Galaxy AI features, including live translation and enhanced photo editing capabilities, and supports emergency satellite connectivity. The Z Fold5's primary unique feature is its foldable display, which enables a tablet-like experience and supports the S Pen (sold separately) for note-taking and drawing.

Weight

197 g

150 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

7.6

Mobile network

5G

4G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy Z Fold5 cater to different user needs, each offering a compelling smartphone experience with distinct advantages. Users often praise the S24 Plus for its consistent performance, excellent battery life, and bright, high-resolution display. Its traditional form factor is generally seen as robust and straightforward for everyday use. Some users, however, might find its camera system, while capable, not significantly different from its immediate predecessors. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is frequently lauded for its innovative foldable design, which provides a large, immersive screen for productivity and media consumption. Its multitasking capabilities are a significant draw for those who need more screen real estate on the go. Common criticisms sometimes point to its increased weight and thickness when folded, and the visible crease on the main display.

Users prioritizing a conventional, durable smartphone with long-lasting software support and a powerful, efficient performance for all-day use will find the Galaxy S24 Plus well-suited to their needs. Its streamlined design and advanced AI features make it a strong contender for those seeking a reliable daily driver. Conversely, users who value a versatile device that can transform from a compact phone into a larger, tablet-like screen for enhanced productivity, content creation, or immersive media viewing may lean toward the Galaxy Z Fold5. Its unique form factor and S Pen compatibility offer a distinct experience for those who require more screen real estate and advanced multitasking. Both devices represent quality-assured options, and considering a refurbished model can be an eco-friendly alternative for acquiring either of these advanced smartphones.

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