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So, you've got the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung's latest and greatest foldable phone that finally addresses some of the major issues of previous Fold devices. In all honesty, even considering the lack of any major new features and changes, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is an impressive and functional foldable device, especially when paired up with an S Pen, which is a separate purchase.
But that reveals one of the major shortcomings of a modern phone: to make best use of all its potential, you really have to make it the centerpiece of a robust ecosystem to complement and augment its usefulness.
And when we're talking about those, one company has become a synonym of a rich ecosystem that has just about any solution to your hardware and software needs, be it an accessory or a whole other device to use seamlessly with your phone – Apple. Aside from the iPhone, Apple will happily sell you an iPad, or a MacBook, and a pair of AirPods, of course, and all of these will seamlessly work with one another, giving you a cohesive experience.
Samsung also has a very decent ecosystem, and in this article, we'll briefly discuss how you can make better use of it.
6.6
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
The Good
Improved hinge feels better
Fast and solid performance
Sharp, colorful screen with smooth refresh rate
Wide and detailed sound from the speakers
S Pen (separate purchase) is excellent
The Bad
Battery life is ok at best
External screen can be too narrow for comfortable typing
The crease is shallower, but still very much present
If you have a Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone and a tablet or PC, the dedicated Samsung Flow service is probably the easiest way to get some neat continuity features on your companion device. What's Samsung Flow? Well, in its essence this one is a handover service that allows your phone to communicate with your tablet or a PC, but it allows for so much more:
Notification sync between phone and paired tablet/PC
Handover of content and activities
Smart View that allows you to view your phone's screen on the connected device
Automatically link hotspots
Secure access to your computer
To make use of Samsung Flow, you will need a Galaxy phone as well as the Samsung Flow companion app that's available for Android tablets and Windows PCs. MacOS is not supported right now.
Samsung Hardware Ecosystem & Accessories
Extra functionality: S Pen and S Pen case
The S Pen seems to be the very best accessory you might consider for your Galaxy Z Fold 5. The extra functionality delivered by the stylus is unmatched and unlocks a whole new layer of capabilities for your device.
Take notes? Sure thing. Draw something to pass the time? You got it, buddy. Make a creative screenshot of a select screen area? The world is your proverbial oyster, pal!
With an S Pen in tow, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 turns into the pipe dream of all Galaxy Note users from back in the day, which seemingly always longed for a large S Pen-capable device. Sure, the display crease slightly affects the writing experience, but nothing too extreme.
In order to make best use of the S Pen, you should also consider getting a matching S Pen for the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which is also sold separately.
Samsung S Pen for Galaxy Z Fold 5
The official S Pen accessory for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 unlocks an extra layer of utility to the ultra-functional foldable phone.
Completing your Galaxy ecosystem with a pair of earbuds is paramount, especially if you desire to consume media on the large and vibrant display of the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
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Samsung currently has a bunch of earbuds on sale, namely the excellent Galaxy Buds 2 Pro with their exceptional noise-cancellation and ergonomic design as well as the slightly more compact Galaxy Buds Live. Each of these will pair up nicely with your Galaxy phone for excellent audio quality and excellent addition to your ecosystem.
Get the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and save with a trade-in
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro can now be yours at a tempting $50 off their price tag. But if you have an eligible audio device to trade in, you can get another $75 off their price tag. Grab Samsung's latest high-end earbuds and save now.
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are available at a lower price on Amazon, too
Samsung isn't the only online retailer selling the high-end Galaxy Buds 2 Pro at a lower price. Amazon has also discounted the pair heavily, dropping it down some 51%. The discount only applies to the earbuds in Gray.
Get the Galaxy Buds 2 and save with a trade-in at Samsung
If you're looking for something more affordable, perhaps you'd like Samsung's offer on the Galaxy Buds 2. Right now, these earbuds come with a tempting trade-in discount of between $20 and $40. Take advantage while you can.
Galaxy Buds 2, International version: save big at Amazon
Right now, Amazon sells the international version of the Galaxy Buds 2 at a fantastic price. These earbuds are now more budget-friendly than ever, courtesy of Amazon. The 54% discount only applies to the earbuds in Graphite.
More screen real estate: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series
In case you need even more screen real estate in conjunction with your Galaxy Z Fold 5, then one of Samsung's newest tablets might be an excellent choice. The Galaxy Tab S9 family is with all-new powerful internals, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, bright and vivid displays, and lastly, yet another S Pen, this time included in the box. Being of the same ecosystem allows you to seamlessly connect your Galaxy Z Fold 5 thanks to Samsung Flow.
Galaxy Tab S9+
Samsung's best new tablet, with a large 12.4-inch display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, and an S Pen in tow. Right now majorly discounted.
Even more functionality and screen real estate: Samsung Galaxy Book
Samsung is a rather prolific PC manufacturer, with multiple Galaxy Book laptops on the market. And what's the Galaxy Book to the Galaxy Z Fold 5? Well, it's the proverbial MacBook to the iPhone, so to say.
Being of the same ecosystem allows for seamless unified experience between Samsung's two devices even though one runs Android/One UI 5 and the other comes with Windows 11 out of the box. If you're on the market for a new laptop, then the Galaxy Book 3 could be an excellent buy that will easily and cohesively work in tandem with your phone and earbuds.
Get the Galaxy Book 3 and save at Samsung with a trade-in
The Galaxy Book 3 arrives with 16GB RAM, 512GB of internal storage, a stunning 15.6-inch display, and pretty awesome specs. You can get it today for as much as $732 off its price tag with an eligible trade-in.
The fantastic laptop comes with a tempting discount at Amazon, too. This discount isn't tied to any trade-ins, making it more appealing for those who don't have a spare device to trade in. The laptop now arrives at 21% off its price tag. Get it now and save big.
Peter, an experienced tech enthusiast at PhoneArena, is captivated by all things mobile. His impartial reviews and proficiency in Android systems offer readers valuable insights. Off-duty, he delves into the latest cryptocurrency trends and enjoys sci-fi and video games.
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