It’s been almost five years since Samsung launched the first foldable smartphone in the Galaxy series. Since then, there have been several Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold models, and the Koreans are investing heavily in the foldable form factor. Nevertheless, foldable mobile phones make up only a fraction of the Swedish mobile market.
It’s as if consumers aren’t quite convinced of the cleverness of being able to fold their smartphone in half, but that doesn’t make Samsung give up. In fairness, the Korean mobile maker is dominating the market, while other manufacturers who have also tried their hand at foldable phones – including Motorola and OnePlus – are not gaining a foothold.
As usual, Samsung is back this year with new versions of its two foldable flagships, the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold, which the Koreans presented at a big Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris today.
Both the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold 6, as the latest phones in the series are called, at first glance look a lot like last year’s models, but there are actually more improvements over their predecessors than we’ve been used to in recent years .
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 has received a more symmetrical design. For example, the screen no longer has rounded corners. (Photo: Peter Gotschalk)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
For the first time since the Fold was first launched in 2019, the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 is IP48 certified, which means the foldable phone now offers some protection once morest dust and, of course, water resistance. Both the front screen and the back of the phone are also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
The new phone will be slightly wider and less tall than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, measuring 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm (unfolded) and weighing 239 grams, which is 14 grams less than its predecessor. In addition, the screen no longer has rounded corners and overall the design seems more compact, although the screen size itself has not changed.
The main screen (Dynamic AMOLED 2X) remains 7.6″ (2160 x 1856 pixels) while the outer screen grows slightly to 6.3″ (2376 x 968 pixels). Both screens will have a refresh rate of 120 Hz and an impressive brightness of 2,600 nits. Just like its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a 4,400 mAh battery, which unfortunately can still only be charged at up to 25 W, as well as Android 14, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 12 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of built-in storage . The phone’s “vapor chamber” is 1.6 times larger than its predecessor, which, thanks to faster and better cooling of the processor, lowers the device’s surface temperature and ensures high performance, Samsung promises.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 also has new AI features, including the ability to draw sketches on photos that will be “translated” into “real” additions to the image (Photo: Peter Gotschalk)
On the camera front, not much has changed since last year (or the year before!). The Galaxy Z Fold 6 also gets three lenses: a 50-megapixel regular wide-angle lens (f/1.8 with optical image stabilization), a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens (f/2.2) and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens, also with optical image stabilization and 3x optical zoom. In addition, there are two selfie cameras of 10 megapixels (placed above the small screen on the front) and 4 megapixels placed under the foldable screen as a so-called Under Display Camera, which is also the same setup as in the predecessors. However, the AI-based ProVisual Engine, which we recognize from the Galaxy S24 series, will provide improved zoom functionality, Samsung promises.
And the camera isn’t the only one getting new AI features, as Galaxy AI, which launched with the Galaxy S24 series, has also found its way to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with a number of new features specifically tailored for the foldable display. For example, “Conversation mode” means that your interlocutor can both listen to and read the translation on the phone’s external screen when you use the so-called Interpreter function to live translate what you say in your own language. Live Translate, which translates phone calls right on your device in real time, now finally supports third-party apps, so it can be used with the likes of WhatsApp and Messenger.
“Conversation mode” means that your interlocutor can both listen to and read the translation on the phone’s external screen when you use the so-called Interpreter function to live translate what you say in your own language. (Photo: Peter Gotschalk)
Of course, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 also comes with the S-Pen, and it also has new AI features, including the ability to draw sketches on photos that will then be “translated” into “real” additions to the image. For example, you can draw a pair of glasses on a picture of your dog, and in a moment “Sketch to Image”, as the AI function is called, ensures that the dog in the picture is now wearing a pair of real sunglasses.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is available in the colors Silver Shadow, Pink and Navy. The cheapest model with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of built-in storage costs SEK 24,990. The phone will be available in stores on July 24.
The camera on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 has been significantly upgraded to a 50-megapixel main sensor with 2x optical zoom. (Photo: Peter Gotschalk)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Samsung’s flip phone also gets the new IP48 certification, and in addition, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 gets a reinforced aluminum frame and both screens (6.7″ main screen with 2640 x 1080 pixel resolution and 3.4″ front screen with 748 x 720 pixel resolution, both with up to 120 Hz refresh rate) will also be protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, like its predecessor.
FlexWindow gets a unique AI-supported function in the form of “Suggested replies”, which analyzes your recent messages to suggest a tailored response. (Photo: Peter Gotschalk)
In a few key areas, the flip phone offers significant improvements over last year’s model. Like the Z Fold 6, the Z Flip 6 comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM (and either 256GB or 512GB of built-in storage), but for the first time the device also gets vapor chamber cooling to handle the processor’s increased performance, while the battery is upgraded to 4,000 mAh (from 3,700 mAh).
The camera also gets a significant upgrade to a 50-megapixel main sensor with 2x optical zoom, replacing the predecessor’s 12-megapixel sensor. In addition, there is a 12 megapixel 123˚ ultra-wide angle. The camera’s night mode and other functions can be used directly in Instagram, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6 also gets the AI-based ProVisual Engine and thus, for example, improved automatic zoom function.
The previously visible screen fold has almost disappeared on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Photo: Peter Gotschalk)
The front screen – which Samsung still calls FlexWindow – offers new options and widgets, including new widgets for Samsung Health and SmartThings. In addition, the phone can now display multiple apps and widgets simultaneously on the front screen, and just like the front screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, FlexWindow will support “Conversation mode” when you use the Galaxy AI “Interpreter” feature to live translate it you say in your own language. FlexWindow will also get another unique AI-backed feature in the form of “Suggested replies”, which analyzes your recent messages to suggest a tailored response, including messages in third-party apps such as WhatsApp and Messenger.
This year, Samsung’s flip phone comes in the colors Blue, Yellow, Silver Shadow and Mint. For the smallest model with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of built-in storage, Samsung is asking SEK 14,990. The mobile will also land in stores on July 24.
Ljud & Bild specifies that the travel expenses for this report were paid by the manufacturer.
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(b. 1973): Editor-in-Chief L&B Home. Peter has worked for Ljud & Bild since 2012. He has been active as a technology journalist in many media since 1998, including as editor-in-chief of the gadget magazine GEAR and as a journalist for the magazines PC World and Privat Computer. Peter writes regarding mobile phones and other wearable devices as well as technological innovation, including 5G, electric mobility and smart homes.
