Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5

Our Verdict: For Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus versus Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, the recommendation depends mostly on what you want from the hardware. The S23 Plus is ahead for portability, with its Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, a higher-resolution 12MP front camera, and a lighter 195g body; the Z Fold5 is the better match for a larger 7.6-inch screen and its Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. The S23 Plus is the better fit for portability, while the Z Fold5 is the one to consider for display quality.

The S23+ 5G is the cheaper one to own: around £730 over a typical contract, £170 less than the Z Fold5 5G.

Expert Rating
4.2
10 reviews
4.0
12 reviews
Screen
6.6" 7.6"
Display
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1080 x 2340 1812 x 2176
Pixels Per Inch
390 373
Rear Camera
50 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 4 Megapixels
Chipset
Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
Battery
4,700 mAh 4,400 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
Android 13 Android
SIM Type
Nano SIM Nano SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.2 with A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm 158.5 x 67.5 x 14.5 mm
Weight
195 grams 275 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IPX8 - water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£57.33/mo (£30.00 upfront) £71.50/mo (£30.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£289.99 £359.99
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
Expert Rating 4.2
10 reviews
4.0
12 reviews
Screen 6.6" 7.6"
Display Dynamic AMOLED 2X Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1812 x 2176
Pixels Per Inch 390 373
Rear Camera 50 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 4 Megapixels
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
Battery 4,700 mAh 4,400 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS Android 13 Android
SIM Type Nano SIM Nano SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.2 with A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm 158.5 x 67.5 x 14.5 mm
Weight 195 grams 275 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IPX8 - water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Contracts £57.33/mo
£30.00 upfront
£71.50/mo
£30.00 upfront
SIM-free £289.99 £359.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

12 Months

256GB

Phantom Black

Refurbished

5GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£57.33 a month, £30 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5

12 Months

512GB

Phantom Black

Refurbished

5GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£71.50 a month, £30 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is cheaper on contract at £730.46 over the life of the deal from £57.33 per month with £30.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 has the bigger screen at 7.6" compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus's 6.6", the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus has the sharper display at 390 pixels per inch versus 373, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 has a Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus features a 50 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £289.99.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 use?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is powered by the Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 uses the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5?

It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is lighter but the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is more compact. It's 80g lighter at 195 grams, though the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is actually the more compact phone at 158.5 x 67.5 x 14.5 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is slimmer at 7.6mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is rated IPX8 - water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 run?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus runs Android 13 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.