Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: A Refined Foldable Experience with Minor Upgrades

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Review: The Same, Only Better

Key Takeaways Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6 boasts a sleek design, improved camera, and better battery life. Samsung took a safe approach with the Z Flip 6, offering minor upgrades but raising prices. While the Z Flip 6 may not bring many groundbreaking changes, it excels in build quality, performance, and a camera suitable for everyday use. It seems like folding phones are still relatively new, but Samsung is now in its 6th generation, and they're getting better with each release. Unfortunately, the new Galaxy Z Flip 6 looks identical to last year but packs several notable upgrades over the previous generation. While the competition is heating up, Samsung is getting complacent and raising prices. It might still be the best folding phone for most people. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 8/ 10 The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a sleek, foldable smartphone with a dynamic AMOLED 6.7-inch internal display and a robust hinge mechanism. Powered by the latest Snapdragon processor, it offers exceptional performance, a greatly improved dual-camera system, and Flex Mode for hands-free selfies and video calls. ProsExcellent build qualityImproved IP48 dust and water resistanceBetter 50MP main cameraLonger battery life ConsThe cover screen has to get betterFrustrating price increaseSpeakers aren't that great $1100 at SamsungSee at T-MobileSee at VerizonSee at AmazonSee at AT&T How We Test and Review Products Price and Availability The Galaxy Z Flip 6 retails for $1,099.99 with 256GB of storage, $100 more than last year's Fold 5. You can also upgrade to 512GB of built-in storage for $1,219.99. It's available from almost every carrier or third-party retailer. Both storage models have Qualcomm's Snapdragon Gen 3 CPU (for Galaxy) with 12GB of RAM. This year, Samsung offers all sorts of colors, including Silver Shadow, Blue, Mint, or Yellow. Those who buy directly from Samsung can also opt for Crafted Black, White, or Peach. Specifications SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 3 for Galaxy Display 6.7-inch AMOLED (2640 x 1080) adaptive 120Hz inside screen, 3.4-inch AMOLED (720 x 748) 60Hz cover screen RAM 12GB Storage 256GB, 512GB Battery 4,000 mAh Ports USB-C Operating System Android 14 / One UI 6.1.1 Front camera 10MP, f/2.2 Rear camera Main: 50MP, f/1.8 OIS, Ultrawide: 12MP, f/2.2 Connectivity 5G, 4G LTE, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, UWB Dimensions Unfolded: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm, Folded: 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9 mm Colors White, Black, Yellow, Silver Shadow, Mint, Blue, or Peach Weight 187g Charge speed 25W wired, 15W wireless, Wireless PowerShare IP Rating IP48 Expand A Very Familiar Design Close Samsung fixed two of the biggest complaints with this release: the camera and battery life. An upgraded primary 50MP camera matches the prowess of Samsung's flagship Galaxy S24 series, plus there's more RAM, a bigger battery, and the latest Snapdragon processor built with AI in mind. Unfortunately, the phone looks nearly identical to the Z Flip 5 and comes with a $100 price increase. The only visible difference between the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Flip 5 reviewed on HTG last year is the chrome rings around the camera sensors. Otherwise, you'd never be able to tell the difference. That said, eagle-eyed folding fans will notice the sides are matte instead of glossy and a bit more flat and squared off. Thankfully, it's still comfortable to hold and use, even with one hand. It's largely the same phone with the same cover display and a tiny gap when shut, but it is better on the inside. I'm torn on whether to call this complacency by Samsung, or if they've instead found a tried and true design that's stylish, pocketable, and durable. If it's not broken, don't fix it. As a result, almost nothing changed. The Flip 6 has the same glass and metal body as before. The hinge feels excellent, and every part of the design looks and feels premium. The hinge is important on a folding phone; I have no complaints here. It's solid yet smooth, doesn't creak or make any noises, and is easy to snap open, set at specific angles, and close with ease. This is a nice phone! Also, like all other models before it, the Z Flip 6 is still incredibly slippery. The squared-off sides make it a little easier to hold, but you'll probably want a case or a sticker skin to give you a better grip. The phone is not the easiest to open with one hand. While you can slide a finger (and fingernail) between the screen and flick it open with your wrist, I doubt Samsung loves that idea. Plus, I'm afraid my nails will scratch the plastic screen over time. Once it's open, the fingerprint sensor (inside the power button) works well, but I had the occasional issue trying to unlock the phone while it was closed to use the cover screen. My only other complaint is that the speaker sounds worse than last year, or the previous Samsung phones I own. It doesn't sound very full and boomy with bass, but you can physically feel it vibrating the back glass and your fingers while holding the phone, and not in a good way. The Inner Screen Is Where Things Shine I was happy to see Samsung increase the outer cover screen size over the last few generations. Sadly, with the Flip 6, there are no major changes in terms of size, specs, or experience on the cover display. On the outside, it's still 3.4 inches with a 60Hz refresh rate, and while there are better widgets and easier controls, putting apps or making full use of the outside screen is still cumbersome. I shouldn't have to download Good Lock, find some modules, or search for YouTube videos explaining how to put apps on the outside screen. That's a poor experience and something I expected to improve this year. Unfortunately, Samsung made no effort to match the great outside screen experience of the RAZR competition. Thankfully, the inside screen, which you'll use the most, is vastly better than previous generations. Samsung reportedly used more layers for improved durability, and now it gets insanely bright at 2,000 nits of peak brightness. Using this thing outdoors is no problem. The viewing angles are great, and everything looks crisp and clear. So far, the center folding crease is less visible than in previous generations, less prone to damage from pokes or pressure, and even IP48 resistant to water and small dust particles. You don't need to worry (as much) about dirt getting inside the hinge and damaging the display. Essentially, the outside cover screen still needs work, while the screen on the inside is better than ever. Improved Cameras Close Perhaps the biggest and most welcome upgrade is in the camera department. Camera quality was the biggest complaint when reviewing the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Its 12MP wide camera wasn't up to the usual Samsung standards, especially at this price point. This time Samsung added a beefy 50MP camera. The Z Flip 6's 50MP shooter features 2x optical zoom, 10x digital zoom, and night photography with HDR video support. It's nearly the same great camera experience you get with the Galaxy S24 series, including all the AI enhancements. Aside from that main camera, the rest of the experience is on par with previous Flip models and nothing to write home about. Close I've included a few sample images, taken outside in varying weather conditions, indoors, or close-ups of my pup. Overall, the results are decent, with sharp details and plenty of contrast. Zooming to 2x or using the front camera delivers fairly decent photos, but it could always be better. Videos are sharp, and Samsung's "Super Steady" and "Portrait Video" modes are as excellent as ever. The inner screen still has its usual 12MP camera, which delivers the typical quality of Samsung selfie cameras. However, you're better off closing the phone and using the rear 50MP camera and the cover screen as a viewfinder, as this will yield significantly better results. Software and AI Goodies One UI, Samsung's fancy version of Android, is better than ever with One UI 6.1.1, which shipped with the Z Flip 6. Any Samsung owner will feel right at home with the entire experience. It's easy to use, full of additional features, and gets updated frequently. More importantly, the Flip 6 is guaranteed to get seven years of software support. As usual, Samsung delivers tons of customization anywhere and everywhere, some of which flows into the cover screen. I'm sad to report that cover screen customization, or the ability to easily add apps, is still one of this phone's weakest links. It's doable but needs to be more accessible for average users. I'd also love more apps that take advantage of dual-screen mode while partially folded. Naturally, the star of the show is all the Galaxy AI goodies, especially some additional features in the latest version of One UI. There are still Google's Circle to Search, photo enhancements, Interpreter mode, and everything that debuted with the S24 series, but these flagship foldables also have "Drawing Assist" and "Photo Assist." The first one is generative AI, and you can doodle on the screen and use Galaxy AI to create an image from your drawing in several different styles. AI doodles are fun, but editing your own photos is even better. The trees by my front door do not exist! That's AI. Close Photo Assist is similar, yet it's found in the gallery app and uses generative AI to enhance any photo by adding a dog, car, trees, and other items. Scribble on the screen with your finger, and Galaxy AI does a relatively good job of understanding what you want, then spits out several options for you to add to the photo. The trees by the front door are 100% fake, but at first glance, they look normal. Samsung's AI did an okay job of understanding my terrible artistic skills, and the results are hit or miss. The plants look real and natural, but when I tried to put a dog by the pool, it thought I wanted a cow or squirrel. Either way, this tool automatically adds an "AI-generated content" watermark to the bottom-left corner of every image. Overall, these AI additions are fun, but that's about it. You'll likely use Samsung's other Galaxy AI features more often. Battery Life Gets An Upgrade Another notable change this year that may persuade older Z Flip 2 or 3 owners to upgrade is battery life. Samsung managed to cram a larger 4,000mAh battery inside the Flip 6, which everyone can appreciate. It's still a phone you'll need to charge daily and may not last as long as the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it's indeed a good jump from previous generations. Performance and battery life have been excellent for everyday tasks, browsing social media, and using AI features. At first, I was worried about the 4,000mAh battery, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well it performed. It certainly lasts longer than the 3,700mAh battery from the Flip 5, but we can also contribute the increased longevity to the Snapdragon Gen 3 chipset. You can enjoy up to 25W fast charging, although the charger isn't included in the box. Like most Samsung phones, it went from 0 to 50% in under 30 minutes, quickly got to 80%, and then slowed down for the final bit. It's fast enough, but I wish it matched some of the recent competition or that the 15W wireless charging supported Qi2. Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6? I've toyed with folding phones a bit and was quick to dismiss them, as I'm sure many of you do. After spending two weeks with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, I'm seriously considering getting one to be my daily driver. This is a well-rounded phone with much to offer; it's fun and a conversation starter. It's probably the best folding phone for most people. Eventually, I might get sick of constantly having to fold it open, and I still have longevity concerns with the screen on the inside. It's almost always shut until I need it, meaning everything stays safe. I noticed I was distracted by my phone less throughout the day, and my screen time went down, which I'm perfectly okay with. That's probably not Samsung's intention, but I'd see notifications on the cover screen, swipe them away, and be done. Only when it was pressing would I open the phone, which led to fewer moments when I'd hop on my device and get distracted by social media. Don't get me wrong, the Z Flip 6 isn't perfect. There are plenty of areas for improvement and Motorola's RAZR series has some notable software advantages. The Z Flip 6's cameras could still be better, and the price increase isn't ideal. It was already expensive for a phone that's not as good as the flagship Galaxy S series, and now it's $100 more. That puts it in an odd spot. Throwing the compact Z Flip 6 in my pocket has been a joy for the last few weeks, but there aren't many advantages over getting a regular phone. It's a cool device and would be suitable for a first-time folding phone buyer. However, those looking for a huge screen that'll let you get more done may want to consider the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 instead. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 8/ 10 The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a sleek, foldable smartphone with a dynamic AMOLED 6.7-inch internal display and a robust hinge mechanism. Powered by the latest Snapdragon processor, it offers exceptional performance, a greatly improved dual-camera system, and Flex Mode for hands-free selfies and video calls. $1100 at SamsungSee at T-MobileSee at VerizonSee at AmazonSee at AT&TSee at Best Buy

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6 is great but it's no longer the slam dunk foldable choice

Nearly five years after Samsung's first foldable phone hit shop shelves, the company has arguably cornered the market regarding the flexible phones you see out and about on the streets. The technology from its rivals, Motorola, Google, and Chinese manufacturers, such as Oppo, Huawei, and Xiaomi, has proven interesting. Still, you rarely see any normal person using one of these phones. You rarely even see one of the company's Fold handsets in a normal person's hands. If I spot a foldable phone in the street, it's almost certainly a Galaxy Z Flip model of the five the company has released so far (Samsung skipped over the Galaxy Z Flip 2 name in 2021). That'll continue to be the case for this year, but is the Galaxy Z Flip 6 worthy of the title of the most prolific foldable phone? It's the default option for those who want a clamshell foldable phone in 2024, but competition from rivals is hotting up, and it may be time to look elsewhere for alternatives away from Samsung. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 7.5/ 10 The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is Samsung's most evolved take yet on the flip-style foldable form factor. Its 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen supports Galaxy AI features without opening the device, along with upgraded widgets and suggested replies. However, its gorgeous 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED folding display will still have you flipping the phone open quite a bit. ProsBetter battery life than everFantastic inner screenThe best design yet ConsLimited outer screenStill only 25W chargingWhy is it $100 more? $1100 at Samsung$1100 at Amazon$1100 at Best Buy Availability and network Everywhere you get your phones, but why the extra $100? Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6 is available in all the usual places, so you can buy it from Amazon, Best Buy, and most electronics retailers. You can also get it on practically all US carriers, and if you buy the unlocked version, you'll be able to use it on an MVNO of your choice. The phone was revealed in mid-July alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Ring, and Galaxy Watch 7. The Z Flip 6's release date was July 24, but some people received the phone earlier if they preordered the handset. The biggest change this year is that it's $100 more than the Galaxy Z Flip 5. 2023's phone had a satisfyingly round price of $1,000 for the 256GB version, but that has jumped up to $1,100 for the basic version this year. The 512GB variant of the phone is $1,219. Expect to see those prices drop slightly throughout the year. Colors available include Yellow, Mint, Silver Shadow, and Blue from most retailers, with the Online Exclusive colors consisting of White, Peach, and Crafted Black. Specifications SoC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy Display type AMOLED (internal and external) Display dimensions 6.7" (main), 3.4" (cover) Display resolution 2640x1080 (main), 720x748 (cover) RAM 12GB Storage 256GB or 512GB Battery 4,000mAh Charge speed 25W Super Fast Charging Charge options Wired or wireless Operating System One UI 6.1.1 (Android 14) Front camera 10MP f/2.2 Rear camera 12MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide), 50MP f/1.8 (wide) Dimensions 85.1x 71.9 x 14.9mm (folded), 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9mm (unfolded) Weight 187g IP Rating IP48 Colors Silver Shadow, Blue, Mint, Yellow Stylus No Price $1,100 Expand Design and display Minor changes this generation Close If you've used a Galaxy Z Flip phone in the past, you'll know most of the design language of Samsung's latest clamshell. There are tweaks to make it the most easy-to-use foldable yet from the company, but there aren't many huge design differences, especially compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Most of the changes are difficult to spot with the naked eye. This is the best feeling and looking clamshell phone from the company so far. I've been using the Blue version of the handset, which feels premium while also eye-catching. I've had multiple compliments on the look of the phone over my testing period, but I'd argue most people wouldn't have noticed this is the new generation phone over the last couple of years of handsets. This is the first Flip phone to feature an IP48 rating, which means it's more dust-resistant than previous iterations. Note that the dust resistance is still limited here, so you will want to avoid elements like sand getting to interact with the Z Flip 6. The hinge technology makes the screen more durable than ever, and JerryRigEverything's durability test proves it's doing well from that point of view. You'll still want to be careful, and I'd recommend getting one of the best Z Flip 6 cases to protect it from drops, but any improvements Samsung makes in this area are essential. The brushed metal effect around the handset feels good, but it won't be to everyone's taste. One small but notable design choice is how the cameras now have an outline of the color of the rest of the phone to help them stand out. The phone's dimensions are almost identical to those of the Galaxy Z Flip 5, at 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9mm, unfolded weighing 187 grams. That weight feels good in the hand without proving too heavy. The only minor difference in dimensions is that the phone is slightly thinner when folded at 14.9mm, which is likely because the screen now fits tighter together and tweaks the company has made to the hinge tech. The way the phone folds together feels tighter than previous generations, making it feel more secure. The outer screen on the Z Flip 6 remains the 3.4-inch Super AMOLED with a resolution of 720 x 748. It's fine, but it's far from great. We've seen the new Motorola Razr+ feature, which is a better outer screen tech than Samsung's offering here. It makes you less likely to use this outer display, which is meant to be one of the big benefits of using a foldable phone. This screen remains basic compared to alternatives like Motorola, and it's one way that Samsung feels like it's being left behind in this race. Inside is the 6.7-inch AMOLED with a resolution of 1080 x 2640. The big upgrade this year is improved brightness, which is noticeable at 2600 nits compared to the 1750 nits on the Z Flip 5. The inner display is best for most daily tasks, but it did mean I was often opening the phone for tasks I wanted to be able to do from the front display. The more you open the phone, the more battery you're using. The company's Adaptive screen refresh rate looked good while scrolling through apps. It smartly switched between 120hz for available services and reduced it to save battery life when it wasn't necessary. If you've never used a clamshell foldable before, just know you'll need to use two hands with this product regularly. The long screen means you often can't reach the top of the screen with the hand you're holding it with. It's just something worth noting if this is your time making the switch from Candybar to Foldy. Other hardware and what's in the box Little else extra The speakers on the Z Flip 6 are good enough for watching the odd YouTube video or listening to a podcast, but I wouldn't recommend them to someone looking for a rich audio experience. If you're looking for better speakers, you likely want to opt for Samsung's bigger foldable choice. As with most recent Samsung products, don't expect much in the box. There's no charger, no case, not much at all. There is a USB-C charging cable and a SIM tool, but that's all you'll get. It feels frustrating that Samsung doesn't include its 25W charger by default here with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, considering what it costs, but this is the case with most major manufacturers in 2024. Software and performance It's all about AI The Z Flip 6 comes with Android 14 software with the company's latest One UI 6.1.1 skin on top. One of the big highlights is that you'll get seven years of software updates from Samsung if you buy this phone, taking you through to Android 21 (or whatever Google decides to call it). That's far better software support than the four years you used to get on Samsung products, and it makes investing this amount of money in a phone a touch more palatable, knowing that you'll be able to remain using it safely until 2031 or even later. Samsung's software is beginning to feel purpose-built for foldable phones, and it's one of the key highlights on the phone's main screen. The company has worked out many of the teething problems it had in its early iterations, aside from one big one. My biggest gripe with the Z Flip 6 is its limited cover display. As a default, you're still using widgets on this smaller screen, and Samsung is restricting it to the apps it wants you to be able to use. At launch, those are limited to Calculator, Calendar, Clock, Contacts, Gallery, Global Goals, Google, Health, Phone, Reminder, SmartThings, Spotify, Voice Recorder, and Weather. Only two of those are third-party services, and while Samsung assures us more support is incoming, it feels like this company should have had this all prepped and ready to go. These available widgets largely work well, and the way Samsung has introduced them is strong. Most functionality is possible through the outer screen, which wasn't the case in early iterations of this phone. The main third-party option right now is Spotify, which is okay, but it only allows you to choose from eight of your most recently played artists rather than allowing you to search for what to play. You can pause and skip tracks, but you need to open up the phone to do anything more useful. If you want to use more apps on your cover screen, you can do so through a Good Lock feature called Multistar. The app needs to be downloaded from Samsung's service, allowing you to select the apps you want to load on your cover screen. You can then boot them up from a dedicated Multistar widget. This means the apps won't allow for specific widgets, and the small screen isn't always suitable for every service. Don't expect an experience optimized for an odd aspect ratio 3.6-inch screen. Samsung's software is beginning to feel purpose-built for foldable phones, and it's one of the key highlights on the phone's main screen. It's a workable alternative, but I don't understand why Samsung continues to bury this important functionality within a service most people won't know where to find. Do turn this on if you buy the Galaxy Z Flip 6, but just know you're likely to come across some frustrations that will likely mean you're opening up the main display to access full functionality across your apps. Taking Spotify as an example again, using it through Multistar offers near-perfect functionality. You can search for artists, scrub through tracks, access playlists, and do everything else you can do on the main app. I'd argue this is more helpful than the widget, and I found myself often returning to use it rather than Spotify's own purpose-built application. Close The first two photos show Spotify's widget, the second two photos show the app used through Multistar Elsewhere, Samsung's big focus for this year is Galaxy AI technology. It's building its Galaxy AI services into all of its apps at the moment, which means the phone is inundated with areas where you can use the service to help supercharge your life. For example, you can now use it to summarize voice recordings, so you can record a work meeting and then have a shorter version to refer back to alongside the transcription. Related 10 best Galaxy AI features every Samsung owner should try From writing assist to live call translate Many of these features debuted on the Galaxy S24 series earlier this year, and they've now made their way to these foldable phones. The exclusive features are small, but there are a few notable highlights. One feature I haven't had the opportunity to test in full yet is called Samsung's Interpreter Mode. You may have seen this in the company's ads, where it allows you to talk into the phone's translation app, and it'll then display the translated text on the phone's outer display while you use the inner display to see the incoming messages in your native tongue. There are many other Galaxy AI features in the camera app. Most of these are fun things I've played with for a couple of hours, but I don't expect them to change how I take photographs. These include AI-generated portraits that make you look like an anime character or sketch out your face. Close The original photo, then in Comic, 3D Cartoon, Watercolor, and Sketch The most fun is Sketch to image; this feature allows you to draw on top of any photograph you have, and Galaxy AI will then introduce AI elements to the photo. The example used in Samsung's marketing is you can put sunglasses on pets, so I tried to do that and got the following result: Close Some of the results are strange, as we're consistently finding with most AI services. My colleague Taylor Kerns managed to accidentally give his dog a Pokemon-themed bong in one example, and one hat I tried to draw on my cat turned into a tombstone. It comes down to how good your drawing is and whether the AI can realize what you want, but it's a fun tool to play around with. I wouldn't say it's a reason to buy this phone. Related I didn't care about Galaxy AI until it gave my dog a Pokémon bong Sketch to image can do some very silly things 1 Throughout my week with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, I've found the phone to have top-tier performance and can handle any activity I want to throw at it. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset inside is working well, and the company's move to upgrade the base model to 12GB of RAM has given the phone more grunt than previous versions. The phone never felt hot, even during more intensive sessions such as mobile gaming, and I've found it able to cope with multitasking elements. There were rumors of Samsung switching away from Qualcomm for this generation, but it made the right decision and kept the more powerful alternative on its foldable for 2024. Camera A notable step up Samsung has heard our criticism of its foldable cameras, and it's moving in the right direction on the Galaxy Z Flip 6. This is a remarkably similar camera to the standard Galaxy S24, with a 50MP f/1.8 main sensor taking on the brunt of the hard work. There's then a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera with a 123-degree field of view. The big difference from the Galaxy S24 is there isn't a telephoto camera here, which some users may miss. Focusing on the main camera, I found the images detailed in a way I haven't done on previous Samsung flip foldable phones. Everything was clear throughout all of my camera samples. The camera defaults to 12MP pixel-binned photos, but you can also change it to 50MP within the settings. I found both produced good results that were far better than previous foldable phones from the company. Close I believe the colors were oversaturated a little, but that's a matter of personal preference. Depending on which side of the fence you sit on, Samsung is often criticized or praised for this. Close The ultra-wide camera proved good, but it's noticeably weaker than the main camera, with some shots losing some of the detail you may expect from this sort of camera. I also missed the telephoto element on this phone. I kept jumping into the zoom on the phone, surprised to see it would only go up to 10x compared to Samsung's other phones. This probably isn't a problem for everyone, but if you're moving from a phone with a strong telephoto camera, know that you'll lose this here. Close The ultra wide camera, standard, 2x zoom, 5x zoom, 10x zoom, and selfie The internal selfie camera on the Z Flip 6 is fine, but it won't be your go-to choice. It's designed for video calls when you've got the phone unfurled, but I always found myself using the main camera with the cover display whenever I wanted to take a selfie. The fact you've got the option to switch between the two is helpful, and it instead means you're just using the standard 10MP selfie camera on the odd occasion when you need to. It has never made sense to me that Samsung's foldables had to include worse cameras than its flagship line. When spending this much on a smartphone, you want the full package. Samsung isn't quite there yet with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, but it's closer than ever, and I think there are only a few scenarios where you'd struggle to Battery life and charging Extra capacity is a big help The good news is that battery life here is better than previous iterations. The cell is 300mAh bigger than last year at 4,000mAh, and it's clear that Samsung has made some refinements here to improve the battery life. It's still not fantastic, but the Galaxy Z Flip 6 would get me through daily without recharging. Even on my busiest day of using the phone in the city center, I found the battery remained with 5% left at the end of the day, ensuring I made it back home without any issues. I can't help but think about how, if the outer display was better used on this phone, I would end up experiencing far better battery life. Little else has changed on the Z Flip 6 regarding battery. There's 25W wired charging, which is fast falling behind the competition. This is an area I'd have loved to have seen Samsung improve on this year. Wireless charging is at 15W, which is to be expected, and there's 4.5W reverse wireless charging for your accessories. Without a charger included in the box, you'll likely want to buy your own 25W wired charger to ensure you can get the best results. Competition Samsung has some serious competition now In the US, Samsung hasn't had much competition in the flip-foldable space. Motorola is the main competitor, and most of the exciting other handsets on the market have been from Chinese manufacturers that don't sell in the country. This year is a little different, with the Motorola Razr 2024 series picking up the gauntlet and making an exciting edition of its handset. Motorola's foldable phones have never been that exciting and often trail Samsung, but they're a genuine contender in 2024, and they're arguably better in a couple of key ways, with the outer display performing better than on the Samsung. The other big competitor here is Samsung itself. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a remarkably similar phone, and it launched at a lower price. In the last 12 months, that price has fallen even further. The big thing to note here is that you'll only get a guaranteed three years of software updates from the older generation. Samsung offered four years, and we're already one year through that. The other options you have are book-like foldables, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or OnePlus Open. These are ultimately a different proposition, and they're unlikely to be what you're looking for if you're after a clamshell foldable. However, bear these in mind as an option for your foldable phone if you're looking for something different. Should you buy it? If you like the polish of Samsung, it may be ideal The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a largely boring iteration of Samsung's design for the last five years. As I noted at the start of this review, if you see a foldable phone on the street, it's likely a Galaxy Z Flip. I do find it difficult to tell the difference between each model, though, as Samsung's iteration has been slow on this series. I'm also not sure that it will continue to be the default foldable option in the years to come if Samsung refuses to make any big changes to its design in the next few years. This is by far the best Galaxy Z Flip phone the company has released with this year's tweaks failing to set headlines alight, but the changes are helpful in your everyday phone. That said, if you own a Galaxy Z Flip 4 or 5, you're going to feel disappointed by these changes, and you may look toward the Motorola Razr+ (2024) with some jealousy. If this is your first time opting for a foldable handset, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a great option. It's likely to be one of the best ways the company holds this design, and at least for the next few years, it's going to give you a great experience. Samsung's move of seven years of software updates over the Z Flip 6 series is also a huge boon for everyone who wants to buy a phone and keep it for the better part of a decade. That said, I'm not sure what that extra $100 over last year's 9 out to 10 phone gets you. Everything is slightly better, but there aren't any game-changing updates I can point to that I would recommend a Galaxy Z Flip 4 or 5 owner should opt to upgrade right now. If that's you, I'd likely hold off until 2025 to see what Samsung does next. If you're keen to jump into the world of foldable phones and that extra price doesn't put you off, you may want to upgrade right now. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 7.5/ 10 The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is Samsung's most evolved take yet on the flip-style foldable form factor. Its 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen supports Galaxy AI features without opening the device, along with upgraded widgets and suggested replies. However, its gorgeous 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED folding display will still have you flipping the phone open quite a bit. $1100 at Samsung$1100 at Amazon$1100 at Best Buy Related Best foldable phones in 2024 Flip phone or folding tablet, there's something for you

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: 7 common problems and how to solve them

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 offers incredible promise. These phones have fantastic screens, sport a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, and get up to 2,600 nits peak brightness. Samsung has gone out of its way to design them as thin and compact as possible, making them great for everyday use. Like Samsung's premium lineup of phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is not immune to problems. You might experience software issues, app crashes, unexpected battery drain, and network loss. This guide focuses on these common challenges and the best ways to repair them. Read our review Review: The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has cost Samsung its head start in the foldable race A real tortoise-and-hare situation 15 Common problems with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 There's a possibility your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 will have issues. The common problems you may encounter are the following: Broken display and hinge Delayed notifications Wi-Fi connections problems Bluetooth connection problems Battery drain Dimmed screen Apps not working correctly, including freezing, crashing, and unresponsiveness Check for software updates Setting up a new Galaxy Z Fold 6 takes time. You may still need to update the software from the initial setup. There's an easy way to check if a new software update is available. Open Samsung settings, select Software update, then tap Download and install. Checking if your foldable is up-to-date ensures it gets the latest security patch and bug fixes while fixing performance issues. Restart your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Restarting your Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a simple solution that can solve many problems. Restarting your Samsung device terminates all background processes that could slow down your phone, clears temporary files, and allows system changes to take full effect. It can also alleviate heating and battery drain problems from processes that failed to close correctly. To restart your Galaxy Z Fold 6, hold the side and volume down buttons simultaneously, then select Restart from the Power options menu. You can also command Bixby to reboot your Galaxy Z Fold 5. Say, "Hey Bixby, reboot the phone." Refresh your notification settings Delayed notifications can happen for several reasons. For one, you might still need to disable Do Not Disturb mode from your Notification settings. Or two, if you have not used an app regularly, Samsung puts these apps in deep sleep to limit the background activity and permission usage, along with silencing notifications. As a result, notifications of deep sleeping apps become blocked. You can activate these apps from the App menu or inside your Battery settings. Here's how to do it: Open Settings. Tap Battery. Select Background usage limits. Close Tap Deep sleeping apps. Select an app and tap Enable. Close From your App menu: Open Settings. Tap Apps. Select an app and tap Notifications in App info. Close Toggle on Allow notifications. Alternatively, select Settings > Notifications > App notifications to select apps in bulk. Related 16 common Android notification problems and how to fix them Stay informed on your Android phone Manage your app permissions If your apps are not working properly, it could be because you haven't enabled the proper app permissions. To manage permissions, read the steps below: Go to Settings. Tap Apps. Choose an app. Tap Permissions. Close Select the required permissions and tap Allow only while using the app or Ask every time. Visit Settings > Location > App permissions to set location permissions. Reset your Bluetooth connection Bluetooth connection problems can occur when installing new wireless earbuds, speakers, headsets, and wearables. A few factors can contribute to Bluetooth connection issues. The first is a problem with the device software if it isn't up-to-date or there are compatibility problems. But chances are you purchased your new speakers or wireless earbuds knowing that it works with your phone. The second most common reason is interference. This happens if you have too many devices or environmental factors that block device communication. The easiest solution is to restart the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and your device. Then, reset the Bluetooth connection by turning it off and on again through your Quick Access menu or Connection settings. If that doesn't work, re-pair both devices and see if it fixes the issue. Close Change Performance profile to light The Galaxy Z Fold 6 can handle a lot. It's been optimized to handle a heavier load than most phones. These phones have 12GB and are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Gen 3 chipset. Even with a strong backing, your device could overheat, even if it shouldn't. You can change the performance profile to light to mitigate the heat and battery drain. To learn how, check the steps below. Go to Settings. Tap Device care. Tap Performance profile. Select Light. Close Reset Wi-Fi and change your network settings No device is immune to a fair share of network problems. However, the network problems can be caused by your internet service provider. If you know this is only a problem with your Galaxy Z Fold 6, reset your settings, restart your router, or turn on Intelligent Wi-Fi to resolve the issue. Here's how: Open Settings Tap General Management Select Reset > Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings. Tap Reset settings. Close Enable Intelligent Wi-Fi Open Settings. Tap Connections. Tap Wi-Fi. Close Select the overflow menu (the three-dot icon) in the upper-right corner. Choose Intelligent Wi-Fi. Close Toggle on Switch to mobile data and Prioritize real-time data. Selecting Switch to mobile data may use your mobile data if you're experiencing an unstable connection or network throttling. Prioritize real-time data proritizes your games, video calls, and apps that are more sensitive to lag. It gives your device a smoother experience but puts fewer resources into your background data usage. Related What's the difference between throttling and network prioritization? Providers can throttle or prioritize data. Here's how each affects you Reset adaptive brightness or manually set the brightness The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a 7.6-inch main screen and up to 2,600 nits peak brightness. You never get the exact nits labeled in the specs sheet. It is just a relative measurement. If you feel the screen is too dim, reset the adaptive brightness setting or turn it off to manually change the brightness. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 also has a toggle for Extra brightness. Be aware that maximizing the brightness drains the battery faster. Below, we teach you how to manually turn up the brightness. Open Settings. Tap Display. Toggle off Adaptive brightness. Close Move the Brightness slider to the right. You can also manually change the Brightness using the Quick Access menu. Related How to reset Adaptive Brightness settings on your Android phone Adaptive Brightness is awful, but a quick reset may save your from dreaded screen blasts Emergency fixes you can try These are options for last-ditch efforts to fix your Galaxy Z Fold 6. If you suspect it is a software issue, consider the following fixes: Booting phone into safe mode: If you suspect a third-party app is causing problems, use safe mode. Only system apps are enabled while your Galaxy Z Fold 6 is in safe mode. Repair Apps with the Android Recovery menu: Use this if you suspect your system apps are not working properly. You can also use the Android Recovery mode to boot your phone to safe mode and perform a factory reset. Factory reset: This wipes all your data, and the software returns to its original unboxed state. However, you lose all your accounts and apps. Therefore, it is recommended that you back up your data before using this option. Related How to use Android's recovery mode You might actually need to use it on your device one day What to do if your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a broken display or hinge Samsung ensured the Galaxy Z Fold 6 was durable enough to receive an IP48 rating, but accidents happen. Contact Samsung support for repairs if you damage your display or hinge. Similar to Google's policy for the Pixel Fold, the warranty should cover it, especially if the phone is new. Otherwise, you'll pay out of pocket to an authorized repair shop. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 7.5/ 10 Samsung's latest foldable takes some cues from the Galaxy S24 Ultra, with a boxier design and an all-matte finish. It features a slightly wider cover display for a more comfortable typing experience, as well as new Galaxy AI features and an upgraded ultra-wide camera. $1900 at Samsung$1900 at Amazon$1900 at Best Buy

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 setup and hands on review

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 represents a significant milestone in the evolution of foldable smartphone technology. If you would like to learn more about what you can expect in the box and how to set up your new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 folding smartphone. Zollotech has created an interesting in boxing video, setup guide and hands-on review of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. For those transitioning from another Samsung device, the initial setup process is straightforward and intuitive. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 features an armor aluminum frame, which ensures durability while maintaining a lightweight design. The new dual rail hinge design enhances the phone's robustness without compromising its sleek profile. Measuring slightly shorter and wider than its predecessors, the device is just 5.6 mm thick and weighs 239 grams. This design evolution offers several benefits: The Galaxy Z Fold 6 features impressive display specifications: The high brightness levels of the main display ensure excellent visibility, even in bright outdoor conditions, making it ideal for various use cases, from productivity to entertainment. Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, delivering high performance and efficiency. The device comes with 12 GB of RAM and offers storage options of 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB, catering to different user needs. The 4400 mAh battery supports various charging options: These charging capabilities ensure that you stay powered throughout the day, regardless of your usage patterns. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 features a versatile camera setup that allows you to capture high-quality photos and videos in various conditions: Whether you're taking landscape shots, portraits, or selfies, the Galaxy Z Fold 6's camera system delivers impressive results. Running on Android 14 with One UI 6.1.1, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 integrates advanced AI features from the S24 Ultra. New functionalities, such as the sketch-to-image feature and interpreter mode, enhance the user experience, making the device more intuitive and user-friendly. These AI-driven features cater to a wide range of user needs, from creativity to communication. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 supports the latest connectivity standards, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and reliable connections for seamless streaming, downloading, and sharing. The device also features IP48 dust and water resistance, providing added durability and peace of mind. However, it's worth noting that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 does not support expandable storage, which may be a consideration for some users. Priced at $249.99, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the perfect companion to the Galaxy Z Fold 6. These earbuds offer a range of features, including: Whether you're listening to music, watching videos, or taking calls, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro deliver an immersive and personalized audio experience. Setting up the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a seamless process, especially if you're migrating from another Samsung device. The setup involves configuring Galaxy AI features, selecting display modes such as dark mode, and setting up the fingerprint sensor for added security. The familiar design, coupled with minor but meaningful improvements, contributes to a smooth user experience. The enhanced AI and software features further elevate the user experience, making the device more intuitive and efficient. However, it's worth noting that users sensitive to PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) may need to adjust settings to mitigate potential discomfort. While the battery capacity of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 remains unchanged from previous models, the device does see a slight price increase. However, Samsung offers attractive trade-in deals that can help offset the cost, making it more accessible to a wider range of users. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 represents the pinnacle of foldable smartphone technology, combining innovative design, powerful performance, and innovative features to deliver a premium user experience. For more information jump over to the official Samsung website