Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review: Sammy’s finest flip yet flatters to deceive

Regardless of its title, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is Samsung’s fifth flip cellphone in as a few years, with the corporate skipping the ‘2’ branding. 

For the primary few generations, it was the clear market chief, with no practical various within the UK and US. However extra not too long ago, Motorola’s revamped Razr Extremely (also called Razr+) line has provided robust competitors. 

That’s very true in 2024, the place the Razr 50 Extremely/Razr+ (2024) provides a compelling expertise for much less cash than Samsung. 

Does the Z Flip 6 do sufficient to re-establish it because the go-to flip cellphone model? I spent every week utilizing it as my foremost smartphone to search out out. 

Design & Construct

• Close to-identical design to Z Flip 5
• Premium construct, together with strong hinge
• Improved IP48 water and mud resistance

The design of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is nearly an identical to its predecessor, for higher and for worse. 

It capabilities identical to another clamshell foldable, with a big, common cellphone display screen that folds in half to disclose a small cowl show. Samsung has caught with the identical 3.4-inch panel for the latter, regardless of Motorola growing the duvet display screen of its Razr 50 Extremely to 4 inches.  

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

By comparability, the Z Flip 6’s cowl display screen appears to be like dated, with pretty chunky bezels across the display screen. These finish abruptly on the backside to make room for the cameras and flash. I don’t need to make this a comparability overview, however the Razr 50 Extremely’s model covers just about your complete entrance of the cellphone – I can’t see why Samsung can’t do the identical. 

Opening the machine reveals a way more modern-looking inside show, although there are a few clear giveaways that it’s a foldable. 

The obvious one is the crease, which separates the display screen into two halves. It’s a standard concern for folks new to a folding cellphone, however Samsung has minimised its influence. You may solely see it when wanting from an angle, whereas the delicate indent has no tangible impact on scrolling. 

You’ll additionally need to make do with plastic across the fringe of the show, which appears to be like a little bit low-cost however helps cushion the cellphone when it’s being closed. Even when you shut it with some power, there’ll be no injury to the display screen inside. 

And that spectacular sturdiness is a working theme for the Z Flip 6. Elsewhere, the machine is made out of a troublesome mix of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (which guarantees to outlive drops of as much as 1m onto exhausting surfaces) and aluminium. 

The latter extends to the hinge, which feels impressively strong. Until you’re very heavy-handed, I’d be assured in it surviving a number of years of each day utilization. I used to be in a position to open and shut the machine one-handed (albeit with some problem), and in contrast to early variations, the Z Flip 6 folds fully flat. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Samsung has additionally upgraded the mud resistance, with the Z Flip 6 (and Z Fold 6) now boasting an IP48 ranking. That is the primary time its foldables have had official safety from mud, with any ‘stable objects bigger than 1mm’ unable to penetrate. 

Nonetheless, as I came upon on the seashore, it’s nonetheless weak to smaller particles equivalent to sand, the place grains can quickly get lodged within the hinge mechanism. I can’t see the way you’d get the complete safety on a folding cellphone, although, so it’s a sacrifice you could make. 

The ‘8’ in IP48 means the Z Flip 6 retains flagship-level water resistance, with the machine rated to outlive submersion in as much as 1.5m of contemporary water for as much as half-hour. 

In case you’ve by no means used a flip cellphone earlier than, it’s additionally price emphasising simply how compact the Z Flip 6 is. When folded, it’s a lot thicker than an everyday cellphone, however takes up round half of the whole footprint.  

Mixed with a weight of simply 187g, I usually couldn’t even inform when it was in my pocket. Flip telephones usually could be a game-changer for girls, who usually need to put up with a lot smaller pockets. 

Samsung continues to construct a fingerprint scanner into the ability button, and it’s naturally positioned on the suitable when open or closed. I discovered this typically quick and dependable, although there have been a couple of extra failed makes an attempt than I hoped. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The Z Flip 6 additionally includes a new vary of with Blue, Yellow, Mint and Silver Shadow broadly accessible and Crafted Black, White and Peach unique to the corporate’s web site. I examined the Blue model for this overview, which is pretty pale and nondescript, as are the Yellow and Mint (proven in pictures right here) that I’ve additionally seen in particular person.  

Whatever the color you select, the underside half of the again of the cellphone has a grippy matt coating over the glass, which limits seen fingerprint smudges and makes it snug to make use of case-free. A delicate tweak this 12 months is that the cameras have colour-matched rings round them, which can be divisive.  

The ultimate factor to say on this part is the haptic suggestions, which matches the S24 Extremely and Z Fold 6 as a few of the greatest round. You may count on delicate but practical vibrations whereas typing, switching between apps, taking pictures and extra. The depth of this suggestions may be customised, or it may be turned off altogether. 

Screens & Audio system

• 3.4-inch AMOLED cowl display screen
• 6.7-inch AMOLED inside show, 120Hz LTPO
• Twin stereo audio system

I want Samsung had made the Z Flip 6’s cowl display screen larger, however I can’t complain in regards to the high quality of both show right here. 

Each the 6.7-inch (1080 x 2640) inside panel and three.4-inch (720 x 748) cowl show are wonderful OLEDs, providing wealthy, vibrant colors and deep blacks. Neither are the best decision round, however element and readability definitely aren’t missing. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The duvet display screen is primarily useful, exhibiting at-a-glance data or slimmed-down variations of apps. It’s not the place you’ll be watching motion pictures or scrolling social media, so it ought to come as no shock that the interior show has a couple of further options. 

Alongside that larger decision, the primary one is a 120Hz refresh price (versus 60Hz), making certain navigating the cellphone feels further fluid and responsive. As an LTPO panel, it may possibly mechanically drop as little as 1Hz to save lots of energy, although there’s no approach to repair it at something above 60Hz. 

I additionally recorded a most brightness of 693 nits, considerably larger than the 426 nits that the duvet display screen can output. However crucially, each are clearly seen in shiny out of doors environments, particularly when you flip off auto brightness and activate the ‘Further brightness’ mode. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The Z Flip 6 boasts the standard twin stereo speaker setup, with one downward-firing speaker combining with the earpiece. The audio is full-bodied, combining robust readability with a pleasant hit of bass and avoids distortion at excessive volumes. 

Specs & Efficiency 

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen for Galaxy chipset and 12GB RAM
• Robust efficiency, however susceptible to overheating
• 256- or 512GB of non-expandable storage

Like most Android flagships in 2024, the Z Flip 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Particularly, it’s the ‘For Galaxy’ model we’ve seen on the S24 Extremely and Z Fold 6, which suggests it’s been overclocked barely in comparison with Qualcomm’s common chipset. 

In contrast to the common Galaxy S24 and S24+, there’s no shift to the Exynos 2400 in sure areas. From testing each variations of the S24+, we all know that this can be a good transfer for the Z Flip 6. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

In case you’ve learn any opinions of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered cellphone, nothing I say about efficiency will come as a shock. The Z Flip 6 delivers constantly very good efficiency throughout a spread of situations. 

Throughout the likes of internet looking, calls and texts, social media, watching movies and taking and viewing pictures, there was no slowdown or hesitation by any means. Switching between apps is fast, as is utilizing two apps side-by-side in ‘Flex Mode’ or displaying data on the interior and canopy shows concurrently. 

As anticipated, this robust efficiency extends to gaming. The likes of Asphalt Legends Unite, Genshin Influence and PUBG Cellular had been all clean and lag-free, making for a very pleasurable expertise. 

No less than for some time, anyway. The Z Flip 6’s tendency to overheat made the again of the cellphone uncomfortably scorching to the contact after just some minutes. Over time, this resulted in a drop in body price. 

Extra irritating is the machine can get scorching even throughout basic on a regular basis utilization. I perceive that the folding mechanism makes warmth administration harder, however I hoped for higher from a fifth-generation cellphone. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

By way of storage, you possibly can select between 256- and 512GB on the Z Flip 6. There’s no help for expandable storage, although, so ensure you get sufficient. 

Both means, you get a wholesome 12GB of RAM which is 50% greater than the Z Flip 5.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 benchmarks

Cameras

• Upgraded 50Mp foremost sensor
• 12Mp ultrawide, however no telephoto
• 10Mp inside selfie digital camera

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 boasts a major digital camera improve. Samsung has changed the 12Mp sensor from the Z Flip 5 with a 50Mp one, bringing it according to each the Galaxy S24 and S24+. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Megapixel depend doesn’t instantly correlate to picture high quality, however I’m happy to report a giant step ahead for pictures from the primary lens. 

The most important enchancment is consistency. The Z Flip 6’s foremost digital camera takes detailed, well-exposed photographs nearly each time, whereas retaining the superb dynamic vary of its predecessor. 

In vibrant environments, pictures are vivid and attention-grabbing, albeit not fairly true to life with the standard color saturation Samsung traditionally prefers. That is much less of a problem in additional muted situations, the place pictures are way more correct.  

Nonetheless, I used to be constantly impressed with the pictures the cellphone took of each city environments and the pure world. 

In low-light situations, the long-exposure evening mode mechanically kicks in, although you possibly can toggle it off. It makes a marked distinction to the brightness, whereas retaining key particulars and minimising noise. 

You’ll even be utilizing the primary lens for portrait-style pictures. The Z Flip 6 produces a gorgeous background blur (which you could alter earlier than you’re taking the shot), whereas edge detection is usually good. It’s not fairly Honor 200 Professional-level, however spectacular nonetheless. 

Total, I don’t see a major drop-off in high quality in comparison with the S24 Extremely’s 200Mp foremost sensor, which is a giant praise. 

And in contrast to some telephones, I wasn’t reluctant to change to the 12Mp ultrawide lens. There’s a small drop-off in dynamic vary and publicity is extra variable, however it didn’t cease me capturing some nice pictures that wouldn’t have been attainable in any other case. 

Samsung continues to prioritise an ultrawide lens over a telephoto, with Motorola taking the alternative method on the Razr 50 Extremely. It means the Z Flip 6 isn’t the cellphone to purchase if zoom photographs are essential to you – the digital model turns into grainy at something past 2x, and doesn’t transcend 10x. 

If I had to decide on between the 2, I’d go for an ultrawide. However the lack of a telephoto can be irritating on the likes of live shows, and I believe the objective for future flip telephones needs to be to incorporate each. 

It’s additionally price mentioning the interior digital camera accessible when the cellphone is unfolded, which stays a 10Mp sensor. It’s nice for video calls, however I’d extremely advocate utilizing the primary digital camera to take higher-quality selfies as a substitute. You continue to get a preview of the shot on the duvet display screen, and nonetheless get the choice for that background blur.

See extra of my digital camera samples within the slideshow beneath:

The Z Flip 6’s foremost lens can seize video in as much as 4K at 60fps, with OIS (optical picture stabilisation) making certain it stays principally regular. Footage is above common in terms of Android telephones, however nonetheless a disappointment in comparison with stills. The iPhone stays the gold commonplace on this space. 

Battery Life & Charging

• Upgraded 4000mAh battery
• 25W wired charging
• 15W wi-fi, 4.5W reverse wi-fi

Samsung has upgraded the battery capability on the Z Flip 6 – it’s now a 4000mAh cell. For context, that’s the identical because the Motorola Razr 50 Extremely, however nonetheless effectively behind most non-folding telephones. 

Sadly, it exhibits.

The Z Flip 6’s battery life is underwhelming, to the extent that I used to be usually anxious about making it via a full day. These had been typically heavier utilization days, involving GPS, excessive brightness and plenty of cell information utilization – issues shall be extra snug when you’re working from house, for instance. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

This was partly a consequence of the way in which I used the cellphone. Fairly than counting on the duvet display screen for key actions, I usually ended up opening the machine anyway. I additionally had the duvet show set to change off after 30 seconds (the longest choice), although that doesn’t clarify the drop-off in share whereas in my pocket. 

I hoped the bigger capability and improved Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 effectivity would result in tangible battery life enhancements, however that’s not the case. 

Sadly, the charging scenario is even worse. Samsung is persisting with simply 25W wired charging, and there’s no charger within the field. Utilizing a 100W one I had at house, it reached simply 34% in half-hour, with a full cost taking slightly below two hours. 

I’m not anticipating super-fast charging on a foldable, however absolutely Samsung might’ve matched the 45W speeds accessible on the S24 Extremely. Qi wi-fi and reverse wi-fi charging are handy, however at 15W and 4.5W respectively, they’re even slower. 

Software program & Apps

• One UI 6.1 over Android 14
• Irritating cowl display screen software program
• Seven years of OS and safety updates

On the interior show, the Z Flip 6 runs the identical software program as another Samsung cellphone – One UI.  

The model on my overview pattern is One UI 6.1, which relies on Android 14. As normal, Samsung has made loads of tweaks to the expertise on Google’s Pixel telephones, together with a redesigned fast settings panel, icons and app drawer. 

Personally, I discover it simpler and extra intuitive to make use of, however that comes all the way down to familiarity and private choice. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Frustratingly, Samsung pre-installs its personal model of practically each inventory Google app. The likes of Cellphone, Digital camera and Settings are nice, and I like that they prioritise one-handed utilization by protecting key buttons within the backside half of the display screen. 

However when there are duplicates of a picture gallery, calendar, calculator, clock, information, notes, voice recorder and even contactless cost app, issues begin to really feel cluttered. I’ve no downside with Samsung making these apps, however a minimum of let me uninstall all of them if I don’t need them. 

A key promoting level of all flagship Samsung telephones in 2024 is Galaxy AI. The Z Flip 6 has all the identical AI options because the Galaxy S24 telephones (and loads of older fashions), together with transcription instruments, photograph modifying help and stay name translations. 

Nonetheless, the Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 get a couple of new ones. Probably the most thrilling is a ‘Dialog mode’ throughout the present Interpreter app, which provides real-time textual content and audio translation between a number of totally different languages – together with whereas offline when you obtain the related language packs. 

I’m impressed with how seamlessly it really works, and it seems to be correct more often than not. Having the ability to use the duvet display screen for two-way visuals is a good thought, too. 

Elsewhere, Chat Help is usually efficient at crafting messages, emails or social media posts. A Sketch to Picture device turns something you draw onto a picture into the actual factor, whereas Portrait Studio creates genuinely spectacular art work out of your selfies or portraits. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Except for doubtlessly the Dialog mode, there’s nothing right here that can basically change the way in which you utilize your cellphone. However they’re all both enjoyable or genuinely helpful – I haven’t discovered any filler. 

Nonetheless, little or no of this is applicable to the duvet show, which provides a really totally different software program expertise. It’s remarkably restricted by default, providing entry to only a handful of key widgets. 

This may be prolonged to incorporate key apps equivalent to Google Maps inside Settings, however you need to bounce via numerous hoops to get any app working.  

It’s important to obtain Samsung’s ‘Good Lock’ app from the Galaxy Retailer, then set up and open ‘MultiStar’. From there, faucet ‘I ♡ Galaxy Foldable’, allow the ‘Launcher Widget’ and faucet any apps you need to add to the duvet display screen. Lastly, go to Settings and add the Good Lock widget. 

I’d advocate everybody who buys the Z Flip 6 tries this, if solely to grasp simply how irritating utilizing these apps on such a small display screen is. I’d hoped this is able to be a deterrent to senseless display screen time, however I simply ended up opening the cellphone anyway. 

I can’t perceive why Samsung wouldn’t observe Motorola’s method and allow you to run any app on the duvet display screen with out a lot further trouble. 

One space the place the Z Flip 6 has the clear higher hand is software program help. Samsung is providing seven years of each main OS and safety updates, which means it’ll nonetheless be protected to make use of in 2031.  

That’s one of the best dedication of any flip cellphone on the time of writing, and solely a handful of different handsets can match it. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Value & Availability

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 begins at £1,049/$1,099.99. That will get you a mannequin with 256GB of storage, although stepping as much as the 512GB model I examined prices £1,149/$1,199.99. 

It’s accessible outright from a spread of shops, together with Samsung and Amazon within the UK and Samsung and Amazon within the US. 

See our prime contract suggestions within the UK beneath.

And when you’re within the US, you’ll see one of the best choices for the 256GB mannequin beneath.

It’s price noting that the beginning value is an identical to the Z Flip 5 within the UK, however $100 dearer within the US. 

The apparent flip cellphone various is Motorola’s Razr 50 Extremely/Razr + (2024), which has a decrease £999/$999 beginning value. Elsewhere, the common Razr 50/Razr (2024) and Nubia Flip 5G are way more inexpensive. 

See extra options in our greatest flip cellphone chart.

Do you have to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6? 

Doubtlessly, however provided that you’re on the lookout for a selected kind of flip cellphone.  

If top-tier efficiency, an excellent foremost digital camera and lengthy software program help are your prime priorities, the Z Flip 6 is the way in which to go. Throw in two high-quality shows, respectable water and mud resistance and helpful AI options, and also you’ve bought your self a compelling flip cellphone. 

Nonetheless, the issues are extra plentiful and extra impactful for a fifth-generation cellphone than you’d count on.

The irritating cowl display screen expertise is nowhere close to pretty much as good as on the Razr 50 Extremely, whereas the mixture of underwhelming battery life and sluggish charging is difficult to tolerate. Overheating is way from very best, too.

In the end, Motorola’s 2024 flip cellphone is a greater purchase than Samsung’s for most individuals, so I can’t advocate the Z Flip 6. In case you’re set on Samsung then the Z Flip 5 is probably going a greater worth alternative, although it doesn’t have the identical software program help promise. 

Specs

• 3.4-inch, 120Hz AMOLED cowl show  
• 6.7-inch, 1-120Hz LTPO AMOLED foremost show  
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3  
• 12GB RAM  
• 256/512GB storage  
• 50Mp, f/1.8, OIS foremost digital camera  
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digital camera  
• 10Mp, f/2.2 selfie digital camera  
• 4000mAh battery 
• 25W wired charging  
• 15W wi-fi charging 
• 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging 
• Twin stereo audio system  
• IP48 water and mud resistance  
• Gorilla Glass Victus 2 again 
• 5G  
• 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm (open), 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9 mm (closed) 
• 187g  
• One UI 6.1 over Android 14