Samsung nailed the flip foldable with Galaxy Z Flip5. Having carried the device for months across two reviews, the durability has come to match its usability. Samsung seemed to have ironed out all of the compromises when it comes to the form factor and the hinge arrangement. And, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 takes the safest path for a follow-up. Improving the littler things around the device while keeping the obviously durable form and convenient hinge.
Folded Perfectly
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is almost identical to Galaxy Z Flip5 in silhouette. It keeps the straight vertical sides with geometrically pleasing rounded corner on the horizontal profile. And as mentioned in our introduction, there was no need to change the form since Z Flip5 offered a flat fold with no-gap and splash resistance in a neat and pocketable package.
When folded the large outer hinge dominates one angle, offering one of two subtle Samsung logos adorning the device. Where Galaxy Z Flip5 wore glossy and polished details, like its mirror aluminium frame and shiny rear plastic colour accent, Z Flip6 goes for a sandblasted and matte look.
Read More: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 Unpacked with Features Key to Foldable Future
Our Silver Shadow review model looks incredible. The details muted and offers a very professional visage, allowing the wow factor of the foldable tech to shine.
Living the Foldable Form
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6’s pivot to matte and dusty gives the device a little extra grip, even though its predecessor was not lacking in this department. Galaxy Z Flip6 is extremely easy to hold, folded or unfolded. At 15.1mm thick when folded, it’s easy to pocket or use its outer screen in one hand on the go.
When unfolded, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is just 6.9mm thick. The hinge offers a reassuring resistance, and like its predecessor stays put at any angle. That is unless it’s almost full open or closed, when it snaps gently to the full position, this is a nice touch.
Read More: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 long-term review – Foldable Living
You can use Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 as its own tripod, or like a little laptop with UI changes to get the most out of many apps. You can fold it a little and balance it on its side to watch a video. The device offers great flexibility with its form factor while never feeling delicate or like it needs kid gloves.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is available in Ireland. 256GB storage model at €1,239, and a 512GB at €1,349. Galaxy Z Flip6 is available in Silver Shadow alongside Yellow, Blue and Mint colour options.
Inner and Outer Displays
The 3.4-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow outer display has seen some functional improvements over its predecessor. There are now more widgets to assign to the quick menu. You can also flip back and forth between info screens of various widgets. Another nice upgrade is the provision of AI-powered quick responses to messages opened on the outer display.
The inner display is a 6.7″ AMOLED that can reach higher brightness levels than the previous model. This further enhances sunlight legibility, and hides what little of the crease can be seen at certain angles in bright light.
Read More: Samsung S90C OLED (2023) 65-inch review – Contrast King
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6’s display looks as good as any flagship device with few signs of its foldable type when laid flat. The flexible display cover has less of a furrow at its bend, which only makes the foldable nature of the display disappear all the more when opened.
One more addition has been made to the display – the inner screen is no LTPO, allowing for a variable refresh rate from 1-120Hz. This allows for maximum smoothness with less power used overall.
Pocket Powered
The chipset of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 sees a change to the chipset with the third generation of Snapdragon 8 aboard. This sees a little upgrade to core speeds, but a bigger jump in efficiency to get that bit more from the battery.
In practice, this keeps Samsung Z Flip6 snappy in everyday use, allowing to flip back and forth between a dozen apps at ease. The highest-end 3D gaming could make the device a little warm, but otherwise kept the action at 60fps with games running on ‘high’ settings.
Photo Flip
In our review of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, we were impressed by the robust AI imaging features, some of which are hinged upon the folding design, no pun intended.
Samsung Z Flip6 allows for hands-free video or photography without a tripod or stand. Users can shoot hands-free video or capture full group selfies at various angles. Partially folding Z Flip6 with the camera will activate the FlexCam mode.
Read More: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 review – Creases Ironed Out
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 users can take selfies right from the Cover Screen with the main camera via the Quick Shot applet. Users can also use Portrait Mode as well as see previews in the actual photo aspect ratios when using Quick Shot.
Using Quick Shot also allows Galaxy Z Flip6 user to begin video recording in Portrait Mode, then seamlessly switch to Flex mode while recording hands-free. Flex mode also allows users to control their shot from either half of the inner screen or use the outer screen to focus, add a timer or pinch zoom.
Main Camera Upgrade
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 uses a dual lens camera setup. The main sensor is a 50MP wide angle lens, the other is an ultra-wide. The 50MP main snapper is a significant upgrade over Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5’s 12MP wide sensor, and puts Z Flip6 closer to par with non-foldable premium devices.
In daylight and well-lit environments, Samsung Z Flip6 produces some outstanding images. The colours are saturated and vibrant by default, contrast is excellent. Photos from Galaxy Z Flip6 can pop, or have an artistic quality to them, even before the excellent editing and AI adjustment suite has been opened.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S24+ long-term review – AI Companion Settles In
Another upgrade to the camera experience is the addition of a 2x optical zoom to the huge 50MP lens. AI noise reduction is used to deliver some impressive shots out to 10x hybrid zoom. Galaxy Z Flip6 performs much better than Z Flip5 at zooms beyond 5x, as well as offering a noticeable bump to 2x with the optical zoom.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6’s outer FlexCam gets a new trick with Auto Zoom. The feature automatically frames the subject so you don’t have to worry so much about positioning yourself and your subjects. It works well for single shots with or without a feature in the background, but it works especially for group shots. Auto Zoom tucks everyone in with minimal dead space and even less fuss.
Stamina Boost
Our long-term review of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 remarked that the device put in a respectable shift, next to other Samsung and Android devices. However, it could tire quickly under load. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 comes with a 4,000mAh battery that gives a noticeable boost to stamina, especially on busier days.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 does not, however, see any major upgrade to its charging capabilities. It charges via USB-C at a maximum of 25W, which will fill the device from 0-100% in around 95-100 minutes. The device can go from 0-28% in around 15 minutes. While these are bettered by many non-foldable devices in the same price bracket, they are still quick enough to be convenient.
Read More: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE review – Ultra Light, Ultra Value
15W wireless charging is a more competitive figure, for those who prefer to go cable free. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 also features 5W reverse wireless charging to charge your Galaxy Buds or your bud’s phone in a pinch.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Specifications
| Chipset: | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) CPU – 8-core (1×3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3×3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2×2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2×2.2GHz Cortex-A520) GPU – Adreno 750 |
| RAM: | 8GB, 12GB (reviewed) |
| Storage: | 256GB (reviewed), 512GB |
| Display: | Main: 6.7″, 1080 x 2640 pixel Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 1-120Hz, HDR10+ Outer: 3.4″, 720 x 748 pixel Super AMOLED FlexWindow, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Camera: | – 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS – 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+ |
| Selfie Cam: | Photo: 10 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), HDR Video: 4K@30fps/60, 1080@60 |
| OS: | Android 14, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Battery: | Li-Po 4,000 mAh |
| Charging: | – 25W wired, QC2.0 – 15W wireless – 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Connectivity: | – Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct – Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE – GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Dimensions: | Unfolded: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9mm Folded: 85.1 x 71.9 x 15.1 mm |
| Weight: | 187 grams |
| Colours: | – Yellow, Silver Shadow (reviewed), Mint, Blue |
Pricing and Availability
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is available in Ireland. 256GB storage model at €1,239, and a 512GB at €1,349. Galaxy Z Flip6 is available in Silver Shadow alongside Yellow, Blue and Mint colour options.
