Watch: We tried 5G with the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 in the Philippines

Apart from its innovative folding design with two screens, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2 is a now and future-ready device. Why? It has 5G connectivity.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G speed test

5G experience on the new Galaxy Z Fold 2!

5G speed test at SM Megamall

Unlike the first PH version of the Galaxy Fold with Snapdragon 855 4G without 5G, the new Galaxy Z Fold2 now loads with the 7nm Snapdragon 865 Plus octa-core processor paired with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 modem with up to 3 Gbps download speeds, Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, mmWave, sub-6GHz, and Global 5G multi-SIM support among others.

To recall, 5G is the fifth generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks. It is the successor of 4G LTE which brings way faster speeds that could make its users' lives easier.

Moreover, local telcos are deploying 5G in the Philippines at a much faster rate. Just a few months following its initial launch, both Globe and Smart are now expanding its 5G footprint.

And of course, we tried if it is working. The good news, it works for both Globe and Smart. This is important as not all smartphones with 5G automatically guarantee that 5G will work on your phone as long as there is a 5G network in your area. Some of those devices are incompatible with our network or are not updated yet to make 5G work.

Using Smart 5G in Poblacion, Makati area, the max download speed we achieved is 616 Mbps for download and 32 Mbps for upload. While roaming around the streets, the average speed is about 513 Mbps with a ping of just 7ms. In Megamall, it ranges from 300 to 500 Mbps.

Around the BGC and C5 area, we were able to try Globe's network with a speed of around 400 to 500 Mbps.

Watch: We tried 5G with the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 in the Philippines

Note: A congested 5G network will still be faster than a congested 4G network.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 Specs

Display: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen w/ 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, QXGA+ 2208 x 1768 at 373 ppi, 6.2-inch Super AMOLED screen w/ 60Hz refresh rate HD+ 2260 x 816 resolution at 386 ppi

CPU: 3.09GHz 7nm Snapdragon 865 Plus octa-core processor

GPU: Adreno 650

RAM: 12GB LPDDR5

ROM: 256GB UFS 3.1

Back Camera:12MP f/1.8 w/ Super Speed Dual Pixel AF, OIS + 12MP f/2.2 w/ 123-degree ultra-wide-angle + 12MP f/2.4 w/ PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom + LED flash

Selfie Camera: 2x 10MP f/2.2

Battery: 4,500mAh w/ 25W fast charging, 11W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging

OS: Android 10 w/ One UI 2.5

Connectivity: WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4/5GHz), 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, OTG, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, dual SIM (nano + eSIM)

Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic, pressure

Others: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, face unlock, stereo speakers, UHQ 32-bit/DSD audio, Dolby Atmos, USB-C, Colors: Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Hinge Colors: Metallic Silver, Metallic Gold, Metallic Blue, Metallic Red

Dimensions: 159.2 x 128.2 x 6.9 mm (unfolded), 159.2 x 68.0 x 16.8 mm (folded)

Weight: 282 g

Price: PHP 109,990

Quick thoughts

It's not the fastest 5G we recorded in the Philippines this year. But, the speeds we got using the 5G network are still faster and more stable than 4G. As long as 5G is available in your area, you will be able to download apps faster, browse the internet smoother, play online games with no drops, and enjoy lag-free HD video streaming on YouTube or Netflix.

This is just the start of 5G in PH and it is good to know that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is 5G-ready.

What do you guys think?