Apple iPhone XS vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone XS delivers a refined flagship experience with its elegant design, powerful A12 Bionic processor, and exceptional Super Retina OLED display at 725 nits brightness. Its dual 12MP camera system with optical zoom produces outstanding photos, though the 2658 mAh battery limits endurance. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 represents cutting-edge innovation with its expansive 7.6-inch foldable display, superior 1750-nit brightness, and more capable hardware featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 12GB RAM. The Z Fold 5 offers a more advanced camera setup with higher megapixel counts and faster 25W charging, plus 5G connectivity and USB-C. However, at $1799.99 versus $999, the iPhone XS provides exceptional value for a standard smartphone. For users prioritizing versatility and future-proof technology despite premium pricing, the Z Fold 5 wins. Those seeking reliable flagship performance at better value should choose the iPhone XS, though it's increasingly dated by 2024 standards.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XS if…
- →First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- →eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- →Excellent Super Retina OLED display
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 if…
- →Slimmer hinge with zero-gap fold eliminates the gap seen on Fold 4
- →Large 7.6-inch inner display for multitasking and productivity
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship performance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone XS
Pros
- First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- Excellent Super Retina OLED display
- Improved Face ID speed over iPhone X
- Premium stainless steel build
Cons
- Small battery at 2658 mAh
- No ultrawide camera
- 5W charger in the box
- Minimal upgrade over iPhone X
- No Night mode for camera
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Pros
- Slimmer hinge with zero-gap fold eliminates the gap seen on Fold 4
- Large 7.6-inch inner display for multitasking and productivity
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship performance
- IPX8 water resistance
- Four years of OS and five years of security updates
Cons
- Very expensive starting at $1799
- Heavy at 253 g
- Visible crease on inner display
- Slow 25W charging for a premium device
- Under-display camera is noticeably lower quality
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone XS | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 13, One UI 5.1.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 177 g | 253 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IPX8 |
| Dimensions | 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm | 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm unfolded |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP cover, 4 MP under-display |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2658 mAh | 4400 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.8 inches | 7.6 inches inner, 6.2 inches cover |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2436 x 1125 | 2176 x 1812 inner, 2316 x 904 cover |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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