I have been fairly pessimistic on the subject of Samsung’s lineup of foldable telephones, specifically the Galaxy Z Fold collection. Pessimistic might be too good of a phrase as a result of when the remainder of the market, it is abundantly clear that Samsung is now not the market chief.
Because the rumors and leaks made headlines, no matter pleasure I had for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 shortly dissipated. And through Galaxy Unpacked, the bigger foldable appeared like an afterthought, taking a again seat to the Galaxy Ring and even the Z Flip 6.
I perceive that book-style foldable telephones aren’t as standard, possible as a consequence of their larger costs and the truth that not everybody needs or cares about the advantages of getting a mini pill that matches in your pocket. So, whereas many, together with my colleague Derrek, desire a flip telephone, it is simply not my cup of tea.
Nevertheless, the extra time that I spent utilizing the Fold 6, the extra my disappointment started to fade. Belief me, it got here as extra of a shock to me than I anticipated, particularly after I regarded round on the present state of the foldable telephone market. That being mentioned, whereas Samsung managed to alter my thoughts in some methods, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 continues to be a combined bag.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Worth & availability
Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 6 at its Unpacked occasion on July 10, alongside an array of further Galaxy gadgets. The telephone is at present obtainable after being launched in late July 2024, with a beginning value of $1,899 for the 256GB base mannequin and maxing out at $2,259 for the 1TB model.
Moreover, there are a complete of 5 colours to select from: Pink, Navy, Silver Shadow, Crafted Black, and White. Nevertheless, the latter two colours are solely obtainable if you buy the Galaxy Z Fold 6 immediately from Samsung’s web site.
| Class | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 |
|---|---|
| Show | 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, LTPO (1-120Hz), 2160 x 1856 decision, 20.9:18 facet ratio, 374 ppi, 2600 nits peak brightness, 480Hz PWM dimming |
| Cowl show | 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, LTPO (1-120Hz), 2376 x 968 decision, 22.1:9 facet ratio, 410 ppi, 2600 nits peak brightness, 480Hz PWM dimming |
| Working System | Android 14 (One UI 6.1.1) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB |
| Rear Digital camera 1 (most important digicam) | 50MP, ƒ/1.8, 1.0μm, 85-degree FoV, OIS |
| Rear Digital camera 2 (ultra-wide digicam) | 12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.12μm, 123-degree FoV |
| Rear Digital camera 3 (telephoto digicam) | 10MP, ƒ/2.4, 1.0μm, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Cowl Digital camera | 10MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.22μm, 80-degree FOV |
| Internal Digital camera | 4MP, ƒ/1.8, 2.0μm, 80-degree FOV |
| Battery | 4,400mAh (twin 2,200mAh batteries) |
| Charging | 25W wired charging, 10-15W wi-fi charging 2.0, 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging |
| Weight | 239 grams |
| Dimensions (folded) | 68.1 x 153.5 x 12.1mm |
| Dimensions (unfolded) | 132.6 x 153.5 x 5.6mm |
| Safety | Armor Aluminum body, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (back and front glass), PET display protector (internal show), IP48 water and dirt resistance |
| Colours | Silver Shadow, Pink,Navy |
| Samsung.com unique colours | Crafted Black, White |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Design and Cowl Display
- Wider design and shows really feel much less cramped.
- Noticeably lighter than its predecessors.
If I am so pessimistic, what may Samsung presumably have finished to even change my thoughts within the slightest? Nicely, it truly begins with the boxier design. This transfer brings it extra consistent with what we noticed with the Galaxy S24 Extremely, full with the underside left nook digging into the palm of my hand.
On paper, this design tweak introduced with it a 1.05mm enhance within the dimensions when closed, making for an ever-so-slightly bigger cowl display. It actually did not appear to be a lot, however I’ve observed that my palms really feel much less cramped when typing out messages or jotting down some notes. Actually, it isn’t a lot of a distinction, nevertheless it’s sufficient to be noticeable whereas nonetheless falling far in need of the OnePlus Open or Pixel Fold.
Arguably much more necessary is that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is considerably lighter than its predecessor. By way of numbers, Samsung managed to slim it right down to 239 grams, a staggering drop from the 253 grams of the Fold 5. It is undoubtedly noticeable, and welcome, particularly when utilizing the Fold 6 with one hand whereas the telephone is closed.
I’ve made it this far with out even speaking in regards to the internal show or AI, which is greater than what some corporations can say. That being mentioned, let’s dive into that now, beginning with the internal display.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Hinge
One thing else Samsung modified with the design is that it is now a lot simpler to truly unfold the Galaxy Z Fold 6. There’s just a little bit extra of a spot between the 2 sides of the body. This would possibly sound like a nasty factor, however the outer border of the internal display nonetheless closes tightly in order that mud and particles do not make it by means of.
I found this, as one does, when utilizing the Fold 6 as a fidget toy. I do not even understand how I managed to do it, however I used to be capable of barely open the telephone with only one hand. The one different book-style foldable I have been in a position to do this with is the OnePlus Open.
The explanation why I am pointing this out is as a result of it is simply a lot simpler to unfold the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The hinge feels about as excellent as one can get, even smoother than the Pixel Fold and the Open. To not point out that I do not really feel a lot resistance (in a great way), and the display/hinge does not make discomforting noises. I am hoping the hinge will keep this fashion, nevertheless it’s clearly too early to say with any certainty.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Internal display
- Stunning AMOLED show.
- The crease has improved in comparison with the Z Fold 5.
- The display is way brighter and simpler to view outside.
With the Fold 6 open, I am now looking at a lovely AMOLED show with a refined crease down the center. Significantly, Samsung does make a number of the finest screens. It is only a disgrace and fairly irritating that the corporate will not supply any causes or treatments to those that undergo from PWM. One would assume that if an organization is attempting to achieve as many individuals as doable, it will do one thing or at the very least give a disclaimer that the screens would possibly have an effect on you negatively.
Nonetheless, let’s speak about that crease. If I used to be simply going into this factor blind with out having a Z Fold 5 to match it to, I would in all probability say that the crease is identical with the Fold 6. That is not the case, as I do discover a slight distinction between the 2. It is not a lot, however there’s a distinction. Nevertheless, I am unsure if that is as a result of the Fold 5 is a 12 months previous or if Samsung truly did handle to enhance the crease.
Even nonetheless, there’s one factor that did not take me lengthy to note, as all I needed to do was use the internal display whereas exterior. This factor will get BRIGHT. No, it isn’t going to blind you or something, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly brighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 5. That is as a result of Samsung’s show now reaches a peak brightness of two,600 nits.
This is identical peak brightness degree as Samsung launched with the Galaxy S24 Extremely, surpassing the 1,750 nits discovered within the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The one factor that the Fold 6s most important show does not undertake from the S24 Extremely is the anti-reflective coating. It is not all that shocking since we’re nonetheless working with ultra-thin glass and plastic, however I figured it was price mentioning.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Galaxy AI
- Galaxy AI has some spectacular options, however they’re hit and miss.
- Sketch to Picture is a enjoyable and inventive characteristic, even when it is only a parlor trick.
- Erasing objects from photographs within the Gallery app just isn’t as highly effective as Google Images.
One of many most important attracts of Samsung’s newest foldable telephones is the brand new Galaxy AI options, “Sketch to Picture” being chief amongst them. Earlier than going additional, I invite you to get pleasure from a hearty giggle at my drawings. There is a cause why I take footage and kind on a keyboard for a residing.
Okay, with that out of the best way, I feel that is arguably one of many coolest issues that is doable with Galaxy AI. You possibly can both draw one thing out within the Samsung Notes app or use AI to generate photographs. I do know my “artistry” is on par with a third grader, however c’mon, I anticipated outcomes higher than what I obtained.
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Nevertheless, the place this characteristic managed to impress was when making additions to footage I’ve taken. For the primary one, I attempted to attract a sailboat with shark fins surrounding it. So whereas it did not precisely get what I used to be going for, the top end result was a lot better than anticipated, even including reflections within the water.
Subsequent up was drawing a crown on my son’s head of an image I snapped whereas out at a neighborhood crab home. This one turned out nearly excellent, and you may’t even inform that it is AI-generated, apart from the watermark within the backside left nook. There isn’t any technique to keep away from this, even when utilizing Samsung’s built-in wallpaper generator.
One of many issues right here, at the very least with Sketch to Picture, is that it is actually only a parlor trick, albeit a formidable one. After spending a while with Pixel Studio on the new Pixel 9 telephones, I spotted that typically it is higher to kind out what you need to see, versus attempting to attract it.
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Sadly, that is not at present an choice with Galaxy AI, which is a bit disappointing. Frankly, I did not even know this was an choice I’d need till I used to be messing round with Pixel Studio. However now that I do know it is doable, I hope to see Samsung undertake it in a future software program replace.
So, utilizing Galaxy AI so as to add issues to your footage might be fairly enjoyable. However what about eradicating objects or folks from these footage? In my time utilizing the Fold 6, it has been fairly hit and miss.
After I went to Alexandria to take some footage with the Fold 6 on a lovely and clear day, I stumbled upon the “Windfall.” It is a “copy of the primary ship approved to serve within the Continental Navy,” which for somebody who’s a little bit of a historical past buff, is fairly darn superior.
Though I did not leap on for a tour, I did stroll round till the subsequent tour obtained underway so I may try to snap a number of pics from the shoreline walkway. Nevertheless, there have been a number of smaller boats that have been following behind the Windfall however that does not actually make for a terrific image.
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So, I attempted utilizing the item removing software constructed into Samsung’s Gallery app to do away with the smaller boats. It labored superb with the boat proper behind the Windfall, however it doesn’t matter what I attempted, I couldn’t do away with the opposite boat additional again. Pinch-to-zoom, circling the boat, drawing excessive of it—nothing.
Then, I converted to the Google Images app, pulled up the identical image, and in a number of seconds, it was gone. On the one hand, it is nice having the ability to use Galaxy AI and Images in tandem to make edits. However at that time, why would I even hassle attempting to make use of the native photograph modifying when Google Images goes to do a greater job anyway?
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Efficiency
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is highly effective, however 12GB of RAM falls behind the competitors.
- Samsung does a terrific job with multitasking.
- Good Lock can enhance your expertise.
Samsung makes essentially the most performant and highly effective Android telephone available on the market. Rinse and repeat for each flagship Galaxy telephone, and it continues to ring true with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Truthfully, I may in all probability simply name it right here, as we all know what the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy can do by now.
Very like the cameras, the remainder of the internals stay the identical, that means we have now 12GB of RAM, as much as 1TB of storage, and a 4,400mAh battery. Though it does not actually have an effect on the efficiency, Samsung is falling a bit behind because the likes of the OnePlus Open and Pixel 9 Fold Professional have upped the RAM to 16GB.
It could’ve made sense for Samsung to do the identical, even when it would appear to be overkill. With seven years of promised updates, there is a fairly good likelihood that having further RAM would pay dividends. Solely time will inform if that is the case, however I am unable to assist however really feel just like the Fold 6 is at an obstacle in the long run.
One thing else that should not come as a shock is that even with the entire further software program options, the Fold 6 does not skip a beat. Whereas it is simple to level out how the competitors is leaving Samsung within the rear-view mirror, the truth is that I nonetheless a lot desire the pliability and flexibility supplied by One UI.
Whereas Open Canvas on the OnePlus Open is arguably extra intuitive for multitasking, it simply does not actually work the best way my mind does. I a lot desire the best way that Samsung implements multitasking through break up screens, floating home windows, and the choice to “power” apps to take benefit, even when the builders have not applied the suitable APIs.
And if the “out-of-the-box” expertise is not sufficient, you all the time have Good Lock to take issues up a few notches. Whether or not you are merely utilizing your favourite icon pack or establishing a bunch of Bixby Routines, Samsung actually does supply a “do all of it” expertise.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Cameras
- “Similar” digicam {hardware} falls behind the pack.
- Photos are good in excellent situations.
- Struggles with zoom and transferring topics.
If there’s one factor that I have been screaming from the rooftops for the previous couple of years, it is that we deserve flagship cameras on foldable telephones. I used to be actually hoping that the Fold 6 would lastly be the catalyst for change, however alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Samsung opted to depend on the identical {hardware} it launched three years in the past with the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
It is not a lot that you would be able to’t nonetheless get nice footage out of the Fold 6 since you undoubtedly can. As an alternative, it is extra of the truth that we know that foldable telephones might be outfitted with cameras able to rivaling slab telephones. Do not consider me? Simply take a look at the Vivo X Fold 3 Professional or the Honor Magic V3.
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I am probably not positive what Samsung is doing right here, moreover deciding to rely purely on picture processing to try to offset the outdated {hardware}. However if you pay $1,800 for a telephone, you anticipate it to be on the prime of the category, and that is simply not the case with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
With my mini-rant out of the best way, I discovered the identical factor that I normally discover when utilizing cameras on Samsung foldable telephones — they’re good, and even nice, so long as the situations are excellent. As quickly as a wrench will get thrown, you are on the mercy of regular palms and regular topics.
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An excellent instance of that is after I tried to take footage of my six-month-old son. He is a wiggle worm within the truest sense, always transferring round and reaching for one thing. Evidently, it is nearly like he is unintentionally offering the “final digicam stress take a look at.”
In a single occasion, he had woken up from a nap, and I walked down the hallway to get him up. Seeing as he just lately discovered to sit down up on his personal, I used to be greeted with this cute and goofy face me earlier than I even made it into his room. I did what most individuals would do: I grabbed the Fold 6 and tried to snap a fast image.
For some further context, the hallway was darkish, and I used to be nonetheless about 20-25 ft away from him, as I did not need him to maneuver an excessive amount of if I have been to truly go into the room. As an alternative, I simply pinched to try to zoom in and get a more in-depth look from afar.
Nevertheless, I could not have been extra disillusioned within the outcomes.
Not solely was he now not me by the point the image was captured, however he was nearly unrecognizable. The quantity of processing finished to the image has mainly ruined it fully, which, in flip, ruins a second that I will by no means have again. Certain, the identical state of affairs will in all probability play out once more, however I do know that if the Fold 6 is the telephone in my pocket, I am higher off simply taking a psychological snapshot and going to get him out of the crib.
Have been the situations excellent? Nope. And that is my level about these cameras. If I had my iPhone or the Pixel 8 Professional in my pocket as an alternative, that image would in all probability end up loads higher. I am unable to say with any certainty that might be the case, as a result of it isn’t like I may put life on pause for a split-second so I may seize one other telephone.
So, as an alternative of getting a hilarious image to ship to household and buddies, I’ve a blurry mess that appears extra AI-generated than what I get after I use Sketch to Picture.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Competitors
Gone are the times when Samsung and its Galaxy Z Fold was the one recreation on the town. By way of book-style foldable telephones, Samsung’s stiffest competitors comes from OnePlus and Google. The previous burst onto the scene in late 2023 with the launch of the OnePlus Open, which is actually the Oppo Discover N3 with OnePlus branding.
In the meantime, Google has the Pixel Fold, which comes with its personal listing of advantages and pitfalls. Nevertheless, that should not be the case for an excessive amount of longer as Google introduced the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. Nevertheless, we’ll have to attend and see how the telephone performs and whether or not it arrives as a very viable different.
That is just about all we have now if Samsung’s competitors domestically. The story dramatically shifts when contemplating world markets as Honor, Vivo, and others have caught up and surpassed Samsung’s choices. Notably, Xiaomi just lately unveiled the Combine Fold 4, with an preliminary launch in China forward of a worldwide launch at a later date.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Do you have to purchase it?
It is nonetheless troublesome to resolve whether or not to purchase the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Exterior of the OnePlus Open and Pixel Fold 9 Professional, there aren’t many simply accessible alternate options within the U.S.
With the previous, you will not have the ability to stroll right into a service retailer and choose one up, and even with trade-in offers, that is a troublesome capsule to swallow. Nevertheless, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold already appears to be fairly a formidable second exhibiting for Google, however you’ll be able to’t purchase it simply but.
It is not like I hate the Galaxy Z Fold 6; it is simply that I want that Samsung can be an innovator within the area as an alternative of simply sitting again and counting its money. Sure, the design is a shocking enchancment over the Fold 5, and the efficiency continues to be top-notch. But it surely simply type of sucks to see the smallest of updates arrive for a telephone that prices $1,800 from an organization that has the potential for a lot extra.
All of that being mentioned, till we will spend some high quality time with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 continues to be the most effective foldable for almost all of individuals.
The most effective Galaxy Z Fold
Although Samsung hasn’t applied any significant upgrades, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 continues to be the corporate’s finest foldable gadget ever launched. A better price ticket and iterative replace make this a troublesome promote, even for the most important of foldable followers.