Just a few years ago, phones with foldable screens were considered by many to be a niche concept, potentially fragile and prohibitively expensive. Today, numerous mobile phone manufacturers are exploring the foldable form factor. Samsung has taken a leading position, now offering the sixth iteration of both their Fold and Flip devices. With each generation, previous technical challenges have been addressed, making it an opportune moment to evaluate the viability of foldable phones. In this review, we will thoroughly examine the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 to determine if it warrants consideration for users contemplating a switch to foldable technology.
First Impression
Upon unboxing the review unit at our editorial office, the initial impression was one of robustness. It initially seemed as though an incorrect product had been dispatched. The device presented a completely flat profile with no discernible flex when handled. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 exhibits a level of structural integrity surpassing that of many conventional, non-foldable mobile phones. The hinge mechanism inspires confidence, operating with a deliberate and unidirectional movement. Despite having undergone prior testing, our review unit exhibited remarkable stability.
The Screen
The primary point of assessment for any foldable phone is naturally the display. A crease is inherent in the design of foldable screens. On the Galaxy Z Flip 6, the crease is notably subtle compared to other foldable devices currently available. While visible when the phone is off or under strong backlighting, it becomes less noticeable during typical usage with the screen illuminated. The factory-installed screen protector, characterized by its smooth surface, minimizes tactile perception of the crease while scrolling. Previous iterations of Samsung’s foldable phones have featured screen protectors with less refined textures.
The display’s performance encourages prolonged interaction. The 120Hz AMOLED screen delivers a fluid visual experience, rendering even rapid scrolling operations smoothly. Furthermore, the screen boasts a reported peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
Prior to using the Z Flip 6 as a primary device for an extended period, the advantages of a foldable screen beyond size reduction were not fully apparent. However, it is clear that Samsung has leveraged several generations of development to enhance the utility of the technology. The hinge possesses sufficient rigidity to maintain various angled positions. This feature proved beneficial when positioning the Z Flip 6 as a miniature laptop, enabling simultaneous viewing of YouTube content on the upper portion of the screen and email access on the lower portion. While the split-screen areas are not expansive, they are adequate for basic browsing tasks. The integrated stand functionality offers practical utility. Users who have attempted to follow instructional videos on their phones while using both hands will appreciate this feature.
As this is not a long-term durability test, it is important to acknowledge that assessing the long-term resilience of the foldable screen remains challenging. Previous generations have encountered issues in this regard.
The Outer Screen
The outer screen is responsive and visually appealing, but its functionality is somewhat restricted. Its capabilities are limited to displaying notifications and running specific, pre-configured widgets. In contrast, the Motorola Razr 40 and Razr 40 Ultra offer broader functionality, allowing users to utilize the outer screen as a near-complete extension of the primary display. The Z Flip 6’s limited outer screen often necessitates opening the phone to perform tasks, potentially increasing battery consumption by requiring frequent activation of the larger inner screen.
Performance
The Z Flip 6 is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a top-tier mobile processor currently available. This is the same chip found in high-performance gaming phones and devices such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Performance is exceptional; the Z Flip 6 handles demanding tasks with ease, including graphically intensive mobile games and console game emulation (including PS2). While the phone may exhibit some thermal throttling due to the absence of active cooling, the overall performance remains impressive. The Z Flip 6 is capable of handling virtually any everyday use case.
The Camera
As previously mentioned, the Z Flip 6 was integrated into our daily routine and used extensively. Beyond general usage, the camera is a frequently accessed feature for many users. The camera’s responsiveness is noteworthy. Activating the camera and capturing an image takes less than a second from a double-press of the screen button. This speed is highly advantageous for capturing fleeting moments, especially for those with young children. Slower phones often miss such opportunities due to processing delays.
Image quality is generally acceptable. We compared it to a Pixel 6a, a budget-segment phone that is now relatively old. The results are presented below. Image quality is comparable, with a slight edge for the Google Pixel 6a. This is notable, given the age and price differential between the two models. The primary difference lies in color handling, which is largely subjective. The fact that the difference is not greater indicates the significance of software processing in contemporary mobile photography. Upon close examination, images from the Z Flip 6, particularly faces, exhibit some anomalies when magnified. There’s a degree of blurriness, and the phone appears to apply digital adjustments around perceived faces that are not entirely successful. Consequently, we limited portrait shots from a distance, as cropping resulted in unsatisfactory images. It is advisable to maintain proximity to the subject when taking portraits.
Galaxy AI
Samsung has emphasized the integration of AI in the Galaxy Z Flip 6 in its marketing materials, so we assessed the included AI-powered features. Several image editing functions allow users to isolate and extract individuals or objects from images, similar to Pixel’s Magic Editor. This feature can be useful for removing unwanted elements from photographs.
One particular function transforms simple drawings into realistic images. This feature, while intriguing, may not offer widespread practical application, as demonstrated in the example below.
The integrated interpreter is a potentially useful AI function that leverages the phone’s unique design. After selecting the desired language, the phone is folded into a half-open position, displaying translated text for each party on their respective screens. It operates in near real-time. Unfortunately, Swedish is not currently supported as a language option.
Handling
Using a flip phone again after years of conventional rectangular designs evokes a sense of nostalgia. However, single-handed operation is challenging. Holding an object in one hand makes it difficult to retrieve the phone and open the screen with the other. The fingerprint reader’s placement is somewhat high, making it difficult to access with either hand. However, users who predominantly hold the phone in their right hand may not encounter this issue. Durability concerns persist regarding the screen and hinges. After only a few days of use, a subtle cracking sound was occasionally observed during opening and closing, raising potential long-term reliability questions.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a compelling device with a compact form factor, two high-quality screens, and a powerful processor. However, comparable specifications can be found in devices from other manufacturers at a significantly lower price point. The premium associated with the Z Flip 6 is primarily attributable to its unique form factor and the Samsung brand. Samsung’s expertise in foldable screen technology is evident in the device’s seamless operation. However, the limited functionality of the outer screen remains a significant drawback, despite consistent feedback from reviewers. While this review highlights areas for improvement, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a genuinely innovative device. Some long-time Google Pixel users at our editorial office are seriously considering switching to the Samsung ecosystem for the first time in years.
Samsung provided review units for this test. The provision of review units does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted with a focus on providing impartial assessments for readers and consumers.
