Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series was hailed as a revolutionary step in smartphone design, but for one senior editor, the reality fell short of the hype. Sean Hollister, a veteran tech journalist, has shared his disappointing experience with the Galaxy Z Flip 5, citing poor battery life, software issues, and underutilized features as the main reasons for his dissatisfaction.

Hollister's Galaxy Z Flip 5, which he's had for over a year, has been plagued by battery life issues. Despite not using the phone extensively, he found that the battery would drain rapidly, often requiring him to recharge it multiple times a day. This problem was exacerbated by the last big software update, which seemed to further reduce the battery's lifespan. Hollister notes that he's not alone in experiencing this issue, with many other Galaxy Z Flip owners reporting similar problems.

Beyond the battery life issues, Hollister was also frustrated by the phone's software. The sleep and do-not-disturb modes, which are designed to block notification sounds, stopped working after the software update. This forced Hollister to constantly deal with notifications, making the phone more of a nuisance than a convenience.

Another major disappointment for Hollister was the underutilization of the phone's unique features. The outer screen, which was touted as a major selling point, proved to be largely useless. Hollister found that it was often more efficient to simply open the phone rather than trying to use the outer screen, which had limited functionality and a cumbersome interface. The only exception was taking selfies, which Hollister noted was the one unequivocal advantage of the outer screen.

Hollister's experience highlights the challenges that Samsung faces in perfecting its foldable phone technology. While the Galaxy Z Flip series has generated significant buzz, it's clear that there are still significant issues that need to be addressed. With the upcoming release of the Galaxy Z Flip 7, Samsung will need to address these concerns and provide a more seamless user experience if it hopes to retain customer loyalty.

In the end, Hollister's disappointing experience with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 led him to switch to a Galaxy S25, which he reports has better battery life and a more traditional smartphone design. His story serves as a cautionary tale for Samsung and other manufacturers, emphasizing the importance of delivering on the promises of innovative technology.