Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the WRONG shape — it should be like Surface Duo

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
(Image credit: Windows Central)

Yesterday, Samsung took the wraps off its new foldables for 2023, and they were mostly disappointing. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a minor update over the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which in itself was a minor update over the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which just happened to be a moderate update over the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2.

It's that's three generations of essentially the same phone, with no attempts to address the biggest issue with the Galaxy Fold as a device: its shape. Now, I know there are many Samsung die-hards who think the taller, thinner aspect ratio of the Galaxy Fold is superior to the likes of the Pixel Fold or Honor Magic V2, which opt for wider, more traditional aspect ratios for the outer screen.

Well, I'm here to tell those Samsung die-hards they're wrong. The Galaxy Fold's aspect ratio is terrible in almost all aspects except for when it comes to one-handed typing. That's the only thing it excels at, but that's not a good enough trade-off. The outside screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is still too narrow for comfortable use, and it's the sole reason I'm not buying one.

Microsoft Surface Duo 2. (Image credit: Future)

What Samsung should have done with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a radical design update that followed the shape of the Surface Duo, which is a wider and shorter device overall, but that’s part of what makes Surface Duo so unique. Its shape is awesome, enhancing productivity and feeling bigger than most other foldable phones on the market, thanks to its aspect ratio.

The Pixel Fold is a similar shape to Surface Duo, but it’s not exactly the same as it’s still slightly narrower. So far, not a single true foldable phone has matched the Surface Duo in shape, and I think that’s a crying shame because it’s genuinely the best-shaped foldable out there currently.

The wide screen makes typing with two hands so incredibly easy too, and if it were a true foldable, the size of both screens as one continuous 8.3-inch foldable display would mean most apps are able to extend and flourish as if they were running on an actual Android tablet. Just look at how spacious apps like Outlook look on Surface Duo compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 5:

This is the true foldable experience that I yearn for, but there isn't a single Android OEM currently building a device of this shape. Why? I don't understand why Samsung and other foldable OEMs are opting to remain as close to the "square" aspect ratio as possible. The Surface Duo's shape has already proven that this is the best way forward for UX and comfort.

It's also the best shape for multitasking. Running two apps side-by-side on the foldable screen of a Galaxy Fold is a cramped experience because the screen is too narrow. You can rotate it for a more Pixel Fold-like experience, but nothing is beating the sheer wideness of the Surface Duo's aspect ratio, which is the equivalent of two full-sized smartphone screens side by side.

Unfortunately for us, Microsoft is a bad Android OEM and is doing a terrible job at supporting Surface Duo, and seemingly isn't even in a rush to bring a Surface Duo 3 to market. So, we're all out of options. The Pixel Fold is the closest thing so far, but even then, it's not a perfect replacement. I worry nothing will be a perfect replacement for Surface Duo.

Zac Bowden
Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter and Threads

  • naddy69
    Yeah man. Samsung - THE leader in Android phones - should follow the “lead” of the Surface Duo. A total failure that sold less than 100,000 units in 3 years and is now dead and abandoned.

    Pretty sure Samsung knows what they are doing regarding phones. Whereas Microsoft has no clue about phones, with a long history of failed phones to prove it.
    Reply
  • xenred
    Yeah, they really need to update the shape. Though personally they should just find the best balance. Make it wider than we have now which will be better flr apps, but not too wide that it sacrifice the one hand use.

    If Microsoft release next Surface Duo 3 or whatever it will be called. Then let that have that aspect ratio.

    I think having wider but still able to use one hand while closed is good compromised as it will remain the usability of a normal smartphone but more comfortable to hold. Considering that any foldable is pretty much thicker that most typical slab phone. For anything bigger like multitasking, productivity or heavy media consumption, then opening the folding screen is way to go.
    Reply
  • Painfully_Candid
    Everyone has their preferences, of course. But there's no universe where ANY of those are worth my time or money. They're ugly and, frankly, useless to me.
    Reply
  • jdrison
    xenred said:
    Yeah, they really need to update the shape. Though personally they should just find the best balance. Make it wider than we have now which will be better flr apps, but not too wide that it sacrifice the one hand use.

    If Microsoft release next Surface Duo 3 or whatever it will be called. Then let that have that aspect ratio.

    I think having wider but still able to use one hand while closed is good compromised as it will remain the usability of a normal smartphone but more comfortable to hold. Considering that any foldable is pretty much thicker that most typical slab phone. For anything bigger like multitasking, productivity or heavy media consumption, then opening the folding screen is way to go.
    I have the Fold 4 and have to say I love how it feels in the hand while closed. Any wider and it becomes cumbersome. To me, it is already the perfect compromise since it's THICK. The combination of thickness and width really affect how it fits in the hand. My wife's hands are pretty small and it barely meets one handed use for her. There are essentially no phones on the market for her.

    There are only a few apps that don't scale right and I can live with that. Also Samsung has a feature which helps scale apps that aren't natively designed to work with the aspect ratio while opened. Not perfect, but works pretty well.
    Reply
  • Daniel Rubino
    naddy69 said:
    Yeah man. Samsung - THE leader in Android phones - should follow the “lead” of the Surface Duo. A total failure that sold less than 100,000 units in 3 years and is now dead and abandoned.

    Pretty sure Samsung knows what they are doing regarding phones. Whereas Microsoft has no clue about phones, with a long history of failed phones to prove it.
    Few points of contention:

    1. You don't actually make any arguments, let alone valid ones, against the idea of wider displays besides attacking Microsoft.
    2. Google Pixel Fold clearly borrowed a lot from Surface Duo and has a much wider aspect than Samsung.
    3. Factory tours of Samsung over the last week revealed Samsung is also considering widening the displays a bit

    Pretty sure Samsung knows what they are doing regarding phones.

    Samsung shipments dropped by 37%, according to Counterpoint Research. Between the price and concerns over durability (and yes, even perhaps design), Samsung is far from prefect. Apple, by comparison, only dropped 6%.
    Reply
  • naddy69
    So when did stating facts become “attacking Microsoft”? Samsung has a great track record in phones. MS has a horrible track record in phones. Do you deny either of these facts?

    ”Samsung shipments dropped by 37%”

    Whereas Microsoft’s phone shipments dropped by 100%. Twice. That is another fact. Not an attack.

    What exactly is your “valid point”?
    Reply