If you've been waiting for Samsung to add 5G connectivity to its best folding phone, that wait is almost over

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 5G debuted today (July 22) This new version of the clamshell folding phone includes 5G connectivity, a faster processor, and more color options These upgrades make the price $1,449, higher than the original $1,380, but Samsung is offering a rebate of up to $650 if you trade in an eligible phone

The Galaxy Z Flip has an enhanced processor in this edition, in addition to the newfound ability to connect to 5G networks Samsung is using the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 865 Plus processor, an upgrade from the Snapdragon 855 Plus found in the original Galaxy Z Flip

Other than the new processor, there are few under-the-hood changes for the Galaxy Z Flip 5G This includes the phone's 3,300 mAh battery; the 5G connection consumes power and the original Galaxy Z Flip was not exactly a long-lasting device Our battery test lasted 8 hours and 16 minutes, which was below average for a smartphone, but longer than rival models like the Motorola Razr

The Galaxy Z Flip is available unlocked as well as from AT&T and T-Mobile Best Buy, Amazon, and even Samsung itself will sell the Galaxy Z Flip 5G The Galaxy Z Flip 5G includes four months of YouTube Premium Buyers will also have access to Galaxy Z Premier Service and Concierge Support to help set up their new foldable phone

Samsung has made some changes to the phone's appearance The Galaxy Z Flip now comes in new colors, Mystic Gray and Mystic Bronze The originals were Mirror Black, Mirror Purple, and (in some countries) Mirror Gold

Other hardware has not changed The Galaxy Z Flip 5G, as before, features two 12 megapixel cameras on the outside and a 10MP selfie cam on the inside display It also has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage

Expect some tweaks to software features to take advantage of the Galaxy Z Flip's foldability Samsung says it has enhanced the Flex mode feature, which uses both halves of the phone's internal display for different functions

Previously, when the Z-Flip was in Flex mode in the camera app, the top half of the screen became the viewfinder and the bottom half became the on-screen controls

Multitasking has also been improved, allowing two apps to be open and accessible at once using App Pair in the phone's multi-window tray This tray has been integrated with the edge panel to allow access to more apps

Otherwise, it looks a lot like the phone that was introduced in the spring and quickly established itself as the best folding phone ever Underneath the Galaxy Z Flip's screen is a layer of Ultra Thin Glass for added durability, and when folded, it fits neatly in a pocket

The Galaxy Z Flip 5G was widely expected to debut alongside the Galaxy Note 20 at Samsung's August 5 product launch Instead, the foldable phone is scheduled to hit store shelves two days later, on August 7