Galaxy Z Flip 5 is first phone in the series to support Wi-Fi 6E

Four models in, it's become abundantly clear that Galaxy Z Flip smartphones aren't meant to be all out flagships. They share many features with Samsung's Galaxy S and Galaxy Z Fold devices but don't have nearly the same level of specs in some areas.

For example, the cameras on the Galaxy Z Flip series, while certainly better than what you find on Samsung's mid-range phones, don't measure up to the cameras on the Galaxy S and Galaxy Z Fold lineups. On the software front, the Z Flip misses out on an important feature like Samsung DeX. And thanks to the compact dimensions, all the Z Flips have to make do with fewer rear cameras and smaller batteries.

And while it may not be something you have noticed, the Z Flip line has also lagged behind Samsung's other high-end phones when it comes to connectivity features, and one of those features is support for Wi-Fi 6E networks. But with the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Samsung has finally changed that.

Samsung's latest foldable flip phone is the first in the lineup that can connect to Wi-Fi 6E networks. Wi-Fi 6E debuted on Samsung's smartphones with the Galaxy S21 Ultra and has made its way into other flagship Galaxy phones and tablets since then, including recent Z Fold models.

Wi-Fi 6E, as the name suggests, is an updated version of the Wi-Fi 6 standard and operates on the 6GHz band instead of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands used by previous Wi-Fi standards. The 6GHz band was first approved for public use in 2020 so it is not as congested as the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, which have been around for far longer.

Wi-Fi 6E networks can be faster, have lower latency, and less interference as a result, and support for them is fast becoming common on top-of-the-line smartphones. However, Wi-Fi 6E networks are not yet available globally. Public use of the 6GHz band needs to be approved by local regulators; your country may or may not have approved it at the time of this writing, though you can check this Wi-Fi Alliance webpage to make sure.

Of course, your router will need to support Wi-Fi 6E as well. Thankfully, availability of Wi-Fi 6E routers isn't affected by whether or not your country has opened up the 6GHz band for public use and you should be able to buy them online through major retailers like Amazon.

And if you're eyeing the Galaxy Z Flip 5, you can pre-order the phone now in most countries for benefits such as delivery before the August 11 release date or a $50 credit.