Only a few years ago, phones with foldable screens were considered a niche concept, often dismissed as an expensive and potentially fragile novelty. Today, numerous mobile phone manufacturers are exploring the foldable form factor. Samsung has distinguished itself by consistently developing its foldable technology, now offering the sixth iteration of both the Fold and Flip models. With each generation, improvements have been made, and the technology has matured. In this review, we conduct an in-depth analysis of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 to determine if it’s a viable option for users considering a transition to foldable phones.
First Impression
Upon unboxing the test unit, its robust construction was immediately apparent. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 exhibits a level of solidity that surpasses many conventional, non-foldable mobile phones. The device sits completely flat, and feels rigid in hand, inspiring confidence in its build quality. The hinge mechanism on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 operates smoothly and feels durable, allowing movement in only one direction. Despite having undergone prior testing, our review unit maintained its structural integrity.
The Screen
The display is a critical aspect of any foldable phone. A crease is inherent to the design, and its visibility is a key factor. In the Galaxy Z Flip 6, the crease is among the least noticeable currently available. While visible when the phone is off or under strong lighting, it becomes less apparent during typical usage. The smooth, factory-applied screen protector further minimizes the tactile perception of the crease, a notable improvement over screen protectors found on previous generations of Samsung’s foldable phones.
The Z Flip 6 boasts a 120Hz AMOLED display, which renders scrolling exceptionally fluid and responsive. With a reported peak brightness of 2600 nits, the screen remains easily visible even in direct sunlight.
Prior to evaluating the Z Flip 6 as a daily driver, the practical advantages of a foldable screen, beyond its compact folded size, were not fully appreciated. However, Samsung’s advancements in foldable technology are evident. The hinge is engineered to hold the phone securely in various partially open positions. This functionality proved useful when using the Z Flip 6 as a miniature laptop, displaying a YouTube video on the upper portion of the screen while reading emails on the lower portion. While the split-screen real estate is limited, it suffices for casual browsing. The phone’s ability to function as its own stand proves surprisingly practical. This is particularly useful in scenarios where hands-free operation is desired, such as following instructional videos.
It is important to note that this is not a long-term durability test, and the long-term resilience of the foldable screen remains to be seen, particularly given the issues experienced with previous generations.
The Outer Screen
The external display offers a stylish and responsive interface, but its functionality is somewhat restricted. It primarily serves to display specific widgets and notifications. By contrast, the Motorola Razr 40 and Razr 40 Ultra offer a more expansive external screen experience, effectively mirroring the functionality of the primary display. The Z Flip 6’s limitations frequently necessitate opening the phone for tasks that could potentially be handled on the external screen, which impacts battery efficiency.
Performance
The Z Flip 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a flagship-tier chipset also found in high-performance gaming phones and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. This processor delivers exceptional performance across a range of tasks. Demanding mobile games and console game emulation (including PS2) run smoothly. While the phone exhibits some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load due to the absence of active cooling, its overall performance remains impressive. The Z Flip 6 is more than capable of handling typical daily workloads.
The Camera
As part of our daily usage assessment, the camera’s performance was a key area of focus. The speed and responsiveness of the camera are noteworthy. The device can capture a photo in under a second from a double-press of the screen button. This rapid capture rate is invaluable for capturing fleeting moments, such as those involving children. Slower phones often miss these opportunities due to processing delays.
The overall image quality is acceptable. We compared the Z Flip 6’s camera to that of the Pixel 6a, a previous-generation budget phone. The results, as shown in the comparisons below, are comparable, with a slight edge for the Pixel 6a. This is notable given the age and price difference between the two models. The primary difference lies in color rendition, which may be a matter of subjective preference. The relatively small difference between the devices highlights the increasing importance of software processing in modern smartphone cameras. Upon closer inspection, images from the Z Flip 6, particularly of faces, can exhibit artifacts when zoomed in. The phone appears to apply digital processing that can result in unnatural blurring or distortions, especially around facial features. Consequently, capturing portraits from a distance may not yield optimal results, suggesting a preference for close-range portrait photography.
Galaxy AI
Given Samsung’s emphasis on AI integration in the Galaxy Z Flip 6, we evaluated the included AI-powered features. These include image editing capabilities such as object removal, similar in function and result to Google Pixel’s Magic Eraser. This feature can be useful for removing unwanted elements from photos.
Another AI function allows users to create a rudimentary drawing on an image, which the Galaxy AI then attempts to translate into a more realistic depiction. While this feature provides an interesting novelty, its practical utility may be limited, as shown in the example below.
A more practical and potentially useful AI feature is the built-in interpreter, which leverages the phone’s unique form factor. Users select the desired language for communication, and the phone is held in a partially folded position. Each party can then view the translated text on their respective screen in near real-time. While functional, the absence of Swedish as an available language pack limits its utility in our context.
Handling
The return to a flip phone form factor evokes a sense of nostalgia after years of using conventional rectangular smartphones. However, some handling aspects require consideration. One-handed operation can be challenging. Retrieving the phone from a pocket and opening it with one hand while holding an object in the other is difficult. The fingerprint reader’s placement is slightly too high for convenient access with either hand. Users who typically hold their phone in their right hand may find it more manageable. Furthermore, we have some concerns regarding the long-term durability of the screen and hinges. After only a few days of use, occasional subtle cracking sounds can be heard and felt when opening or closing the screen, which raises concerns about its resilience.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers a unique and compact form factor. It features two high-quality screens and a powerful processor. However, comparable performance and display quality can be found in phones from other manufacturers at a significantly lower price point. The premium price reflects the foldable design and Samsung’s brand recognition. The maturity of Samsung’s foldable technology is evident in the device’s overall functionality. However, the limited functionality of the outer screen remains a point of concern, despite repeated feedback from reviewers across multiple generations. While this review has highlighted areas for potential improvement, the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s innovative design has prompted some of our Google Pixel enthusiasts to consider switching to Samsung’s ecosystem.
Samsung provided review units for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted with the reader and consumer as the primary focus.
