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Professionals
- Bigger and extra symmetrical entrance display
- Improved design with much less crease
- Interior display is among the many greatest on a foldable cellphone
- Higher ultrawide digital camera
- 7 years of software program upgrades
Cons
- $100 costlier than the Galaxy Z Fold 5
- No main enhancements to charging speeds or battery life
- Most new software program options aren’t particular to foldable design
With the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung lastly achieved its objective of constructing a foldable that may really replicate the expertise of a conventional cellphone whereas doubling as a smooth pill. Roughly 5 years after the original Galaxy Fold’s launch, Samsung’s book-shaped gadget has gotten lighter, slimmer, extra sturdy and pure to make use of as a phone; a seemingly mundane however vital enchancment.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6’s new design, clearly impressed by the Galaxy S24 Ultra, is its most placing improve. Samsung has additionally thrown in some new AI-powered software program options, an ultrawide digital camera sensor that is higher at capturing images at the hours of darkness and a recent processor to match the one contained in the Galaxy S24 lineup.
Sadly, these upgrades come at a value: $1,900 to be actual. Samsung’s already costly foldable phone is $100 pricier than it was final yr, proving that the Galaxy Z Fold is certainly a luxurious gadget. The Galaxy Z Fold 6’s svelte construct is a step ahead, however Samsung’s worth hike seems like a step backward, particularly because the firm launched important adjustments like a brand new hinge and a lighter design with out elevating costs in years previous.
I have been having fun with utilizing the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and I can see why it may be exhausting to return to an everyday cellphone as soon as you’ve got used it. Samsung additionally hasn’t supplied the 2 greatest issues I am in search of in tablet-style foldable telephones: extra inexpensive costs and modern software program that makes higher use of their twin screens. As an alternative, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 seems like an try and deliver foldables in control with common telephones in areas like design and digital camera high quality — a modest step ahead somewhat than a serious leap ahead.
Learn extra: This Galaxy Ring Feature Shows How Samsung Can Stand Out From Oura
Watch this: Galaxy Z Fold 6: My Day in Paris With Samsung’s New Telephone
Galaxy Z Fold 6 design and show
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is lighter than final yr’s cellphone.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has no drawback masquerading as an everyday cellphone when closed. Not solely is the duvet show barely bigger (6.3 inches versus 6.2 inches on the Z Fold 5), however the borders framing the display are extra symmetrical. The corners of the cellphone have a sharper and extra angular look, very like the Galaxy S24 Extremely.
Taken collectively, these adjustments make the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s exterior look much less like a canopy display and extra like an everyday standalone cellphone. It is not nearly how the cellphone appears to be like; the flatter edges are simpler to grip, and the roomier show supplies a barely larger canvas for taking images whereas the cellphone is closed. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 can also be about 14 grams lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and the distinction is noticeable as quickly as you decide it up. It additionally has a sturdiness ranking of IP48 not like earlier Folds, which means it ought to have some safety in opposition to overseas objects like particles along with water resistance.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 (left) subsequent to the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (proper).
Such adjustments are vital for Samsung to compete with the $1,800 Google Pixel Fold and $1,700 OnePlus Open, each of which have wider outer shows meant to make their respective telephones really feel straightforward to navigate when closed. I used to want the Pixel Fold’s wider form when closed over the Z Fold’s, however the Z Fold 6 seems like the suitable mixture of being expansive sufficient to keep away from compromising the cellphone expertise with out feeling too broad.
The inner tablet-sized display nonetheless measures 7.6 inches like that of the Z Fold 6’s predecessors. The crease is barely much less noticeable this time round due to an extra show layer and a extra sturdy hinge. The brand new sharper corners additionally give the Z Fold 6 a cleaner and extra streamlined look when opened, type of like that of a sheet of paper or an e-reader.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6’s flatter edges give the gadget a sleeker really feel.
Roaming round Paris, the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s spacious display got here in helpful for viewing Google Maps and searching images taken whereas wandering the town on a bigger show. Though I normally want to dedicate all the inner display to 1 app, cut up display mode was surprisingly helpful whereas touring, notably for pulling restaurant suggestions from a chat in WhatsApp and plugging them straight into Google Maps with out having to change between apps.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 AI and software program options
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes with some new AI software program options.
Samsung, like the remainder of the tech trade, is enamored with generative artificial intelligence, and it is in search of new methods to implement the expertise in its most vital merchandise.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 are the corporate’s newest try and just do that with new options that recast selfies in numerous inventive types, generate full photographs from tough sketches, leverage each of the Z Fold’s screens to translate conversations and extra. That is along with present options for erasing objects from images, summarizing notes, translating cellphone calls in real-time, and looking out Google simply by drawing a circle round an object on the display.
Portrait Studio, the device that stylizes images of individuals, is a whole lot of enjoyable to mess around with. I went down a rabbit gap reworking selfies into 3D cartoons, watercolor work and sketches, stuffed with curiosity about how Samsung’s AI would interpret my photographs. Typically the outcomes have been flattering and considerably correct; different instances they have been unrecognizable. A cartoon model of me, as an illustration, had blue eyes despite the fact that my eyes are brown.
Samsung’s Portrait Studio device turns selfies into paintings, however not all the outcomes regarded like me.
Sketch to Picture, as its title implies, can generate an image in a particular type based mostly on a drawing. I am a horrible artist, so my sketches are in a lot want of refinement. Like Portrait Studio, Sketch to Picture was considerably inconsistent however nonetheless a whole lot of enjoyable.
Typically I used to be impressed by the outcomes, as was the case when the cellphone morphed my barebones drawing right into a watercolor portray of the Eiffel Tower. Different instances, the pictures have been shocking. Once I drew a easy stick determine, for instance, the AI got here up with a determine that regarded prefer it belonged in a Tim Burton flick.
Regardless, Sketch to Picture and Portrait Studio are pleasant and entertaining, nevertheless it’s exhausting to think about how I’d use them frequently. Samsung’s Composer function, which may generate textual content for messages and social media based mostly on prompts, appears extra helpful in concept. However to date, it is given my a really comparable sounding prose whether or not I used to be replying to a buddy’s message or drafting an Instagram caption, simply with completely different key phrases.
Samsung’s sketch to picture function ought to be capable of flip this tough drawing into an precise picture.
What I am actually hoping to see are new options that benefit from the truth that the Galaxy Z Fold has two screens. Samsung is heading in the right direction with the brand new dialog mode in its Interpreter translation app. On this state, the app can show translated textual content on the duvet display going through outward and the internal display on the identical time, with the objective being to make it in order that each contributors in a dialog can simply see translations on the identical time.
You may must put the cellphone in flex mode — i.e. bent midway — to make use of the app on this means, though it does not kick in mechanically. There is a tiny button close to the highest of the display that triggers dialog mode, which wasn’t instantly apparent to me at first.
Samsung’s New Galaxy Z Fold 6 Appears Good for Being So Sq.
I figured a go to to Paris’ bustling Le Marché des Enfants Rouges, a energetic meals market, can be the proper place to place this to the check. I held up the Galaxy Z Fold in Flex mode as I ordered lunch from probably the most crowded stall out there, nevertheless it was exhausting to deal with the dialog since I used to be too busy trying on the display to verify it was getting my phrases proper. For the reason that market was so crowded, the cellphone stored detecting speech from different close by customers.
I like the idea, nevertheless it ended up being simpler to gesture, level and use the few French phrases I do know to order my lunch somewhat than fussing with the cellphone. Dialog mode looks like it might solely be helpful in just a few choose circumstances the place there is not a lot outdoors noise, comparable to when speaking with a cab driver. To not point out, this function is not completely new; Google beforehand launched an analogous translation device on the Pixel Fold.
Samsung’s AI options will be spectacular once they work, however I used to be actually hoping to see extra options which might be particular to the Z Fold’s distinctive form. Samsung hasn’t mentioned when or if Sketch to Picture and Portrait Studio will come to the Galaxy S sequence, however there isn’t any purpose why they could not. The one new function that actually requires a foldable display is dialog mode within the Interpreter app. Not all these options really feel unique both; Apple, for instance, not too long ago introduced upcoming iPhone options for producing photographs based mostly on drawings.
Extra from Samsung Unpacked
As an alternative, I am hoping Samsung finds artistic new methods to make the duvet display stand out. For instance, the most effective issues about utilizing the Galaxy Z Fold is that it has a built-in kickstand. Stand it up like a tent or bend it midway backward in flex mode, and you’ve got a straightforward method to prop up your cellphone whereas watching a YouTube video or listening to Spotify.
Samsung ought to lean into that facet of the Galaxy Z Fold in an even bigger means. What if leisure apps had particular widgets and interfaces for Flex mode? Or higher but, what if the house display was higher optimized for panorama orientation when in Flex mode? What I am actually in search of is a Samsung model of Apple’s Standby mode, which primarily transforms the iPhone right into a miniature good show when turned sideways and plugged in. A function like this looks like a no brainer for the Galaxy Z Fold.
In a future replace, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be capable of run Google’s Gemini overlay (i.e. the mini-window that pops up) in multi-window mode, which is a step in the suitable course.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 cameras
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has almost the identical cameras because the Z Fold 5.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a 50-megapixel major digital camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera and 10-megapixel telephoto digital camera, identical to the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The one notable distinction this yr is that Samsung up to date the ultrawide digital camera’s sensor to assist it carry out higher in low gentle, which I discovered to be correct when testing the two phones’ ultrawide cameras side-by-side.
Digicam high quality is not the highest purpose to purchase a foldable cellphone, however a cellphone as costly because the Galaxy Z Fold 6 ought to have glorious cameras. Though the Z Fold 6’s digital camera system is a step under the Galaxy S24 Extremely’s, it nonetheless takes detailed and colourful images that have been in lots of circumstances higher than these from its rivals.
Samsung’s cameras usually excel in relation to coloration. Pictures captured on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 regarded vivid and vibrant, which typically resulted in the perfect picture of the bunch when in comparison with the Google Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open.
Have a look at this picture of a slice of cheesecake, for instance. Samsung’s picture has the suitable stability of brightness, boldness and element, making it punchier than the opposite two.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
This picture of a slice of cheesecake was taken on the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Google Pixel Fold
This picture of a slice of cheesecake was taken on the Google Pixel Fold.
OnePlus Open
I used the OnePlus Open to take a photograph of this slice of cheesecake.
There are some areas by which the Pixel Fold pulled forward of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, particularly in relation to nighttime images and the ultrawide digital camera. Within the images under, you may discover Google’s picture of a constructing in Paris at evening is brighter than Samsung’s.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
This picture of a constructing in Paris at evening was shot at a 2x zoom on the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Google Pixel Fold
The Google Pixel Fold captured this picture of a constructing at evening in Paris at a 2x zoom.
Equally, this picture of the Arc de Triomphe taken with the Pixel Fold’s ultrawide digital camera has extra element and crispness to it than Samsung’s, each within the monument itself and the encircling bushes.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung’s ultrawide shot of the Arc de Triomphe
Google Pixel Fold
This picture of the Arc de Triomphe was taken on Google’s Pixel Fold.
With regards to the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s internal digital camera, there’s excellent news and unhealthy information. First, the unhealthy: The digital camera nonetheless solely has a low-resolution 4-megapixel sensor. Now, the great: Because of the way in which Samsung processes photographs, images taken with it do not look half unhealthy. I truly most popular the selfie taken with the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s internal digital camera over the one taken with the Pixel Fold’s 8-megapixel inner digital camera.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
This selfie was taken with the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s 4-megapixel inside digital camera.
Google Pixel Fold
Google’s model of the identical picture.
The OnePlus Open’s selfie would have been my favourite of the bunch. The digital camera’s placement to the far proper of the display made it troublesome to border pictures, as you may see in my try under.
OnePlus Open
The positioning of the OnePlus Open’s selfie digital camera made it exhausting to get shot.
Total, the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s cameras really feel like what you’d anticipate from a premium cellphone, they usually’re among the many greatest you may get from a foldable. The Z Fold 6’s excessive worth additionally means the bar is even larger than earlier than.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 battery life and efficiency
The Galaxy Z Fold 6’s battery life can final all day, however display brightness and different elements will affect how a lot you get out of it.
The most important theme with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is how Samsung is closing the hole between its foldable telephones and customary Galaxy S telephones. That holds true in relation to the processor, too. The cellphone runs on a model of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip optimized for Samsung’s Galaxy telephones, identical to the Galaxy S24 lineup.
Samsung’s new foldables will obtain new variations of Android for seven years together with the Galaxy S24 household. There’s additionally a bigger vapor chamber within the Galaxy Z Fold 6 to enhance its cooling system.
Whether or not I used to be enjoying demanding video games like Diablo Immortal, working a number of apps on the Z Fold’s massive display, recording video or processing edits utilizing Portrait Studio, the Z Fold 6 by no means lagged, stuttered or felt sizzling to the contact. It did get heat when working benchmark checks meant to measure common computing (Geekbench 6) and graphics efficiency (3DMark Wildlife Excessive). Nonetheless, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 carried out so much larger than the Google Pixel Fold and the OnePlus Open on Geekbench 6 and about the identical because the OnePlus Open on 3DMark, as proven under.
Geekbench 6
| Galaxy Z Fold 6 | Pixel Fold | OnePlus Open | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Core | 2,152 | 1,458 | 1,571 |
| Multicore | 6,574 | 3,540 | 4,556 |
3DMark Wild Life Excessive
| Galaxy Z Fold 6 | Pixel Fold | OnePlus Open | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Wild Life Excessive | 3,912 | 1,733 | 3,641 |
Battery life on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is definitely sufficient to final a full day, however how a lot you get out of the gadget will rely upon how typically you employ the inner display and show brightness. Battery life sometimes dipped to concerning the mid to excessive 30s after roughly 15 hours of use. On days after I spent extra outing in shiny daylight snapping images, the battery stage dropped to the excessive 20s and low 30s after about 14 hours of use.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has the identical battery capability and charging speeds because the Galaxy Z Fold 5, not like the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which received a battery improve in comparison with its predecessor. I want Samsung had made some enhancements on this space to assist justify the Z Fold 6’s larger worth.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 general ideas
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is Samsung’s greatest book-style foldable but. However it’ll value you.
There is not any denying that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a powerful piece of {hardware}. I used to be taken with the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s light-weight construct and chic design from the second I picked it up, and I am delighted to see that the crease is not as distracting because it was once.
By elevating the Galaxy Z Fold’s worth, it seems like Samsung is giving up on attempting to make book-style foldables mainstream. The corporate clearly sees the Z Fold as a premium gadget that prospects will probably be prepared to pay prime greenback for, and it appears content material to proceed in that course somewhat than making the Z Fold extra accessible. For that larger worth, I would wish to see extra distinctive software program options made only for the Galaxy Z Fold and enhancements to charging speeds and battery life.
Many carriers and retailers provide reductions that knock down that top worth, however these offers normally include situations like buying and selling in an eligible gadget or opening a brand new line of service.
If you may get previous the sticker shock, there’s so much to like concerning the Galaxy Z Fold 6. I simply do not know the way many individuals are prepared to fork over $1,900 to expertise it.
How we check telephones
Every phone tested by CNET’s reviews team was utilized in the actual world. We check a cellphone’s options, play video games and take images. We look at the show to see if it is shiny, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and construct to see how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP ranking for water resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes utilizing standardized benchmark instruments like GeekBench and 3DMark, together with our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and enjoying graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges.
All of the cameras are examined in a wide range of situations from shiny daylight to darkish indoor scenes. We check out particular options like evening mode and portrait mode and examine our findings in opposition to equally priced competing telephones. We additionally take a look at the battery life by utilizing it each day in addition to working a sequence of battery drain checks.
We consider extra options like assist for 5G, satellite tv for pc connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus assist, quick charging speeds and foldable shows, amongst others that may be helpful. We stability all of this in opposition to the value to provide the verdict on whether or not that cellphone, no matter worth it’s, truly represents good worth. Whereas these checks might not at all times be mirrored in CNET’s preliminary assessment, we conduct follow-up and long-term testing in most circumstances.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Z Fold 5 vs Z Fold 4
| Samsung Galaxy Fold 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 | |
| Cowl show measurement, tech, decision, refresh fee | 6.3-inch AMOLED; 2,376×968 pixels; 1-120Hz variable refresh fee | 6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,316×904 pixels; 1-120Hz variable refresh fee | 6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,316×904 pixels; as much as 120Hz |
| Inside show measurement, tech, decision, refresh fee | 7.6-inch AMOLED; 2,160×1,856 pixels; 1-120Hz variable refresh fee | 7.6-inch AMOLED; 2,176×1,812 pixels; 1-120Hz variable refresh fee | 7.6-inch AMOLED; 2,176×1,812 pixels; as much as 120Hz |
| Pixel density | Cowl: 410 ppi; Inside: 374 ppi | Cowl: 402 ppi; Inside: 374 ppi | Cowl: 402 ppi; Inside: 374 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | Open: 6.04×5.21×0.22 in.; Closed: 6.04×2.68×0.48 in. | Open: 6.1×5.11×0.24 in.; Closed: 6.1×2.64×0.53 in. | Open: 6.11×5.12×0.25 in.; closed: 6.11×2.64×0.62 in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | Open: 153.5×132.5×5.6mm; Closed: 153.5×68.1×12.1mm | Open: 154.94×129.79×6.1mm; closed: 154.94×67.06×13.46mm | Open: 155.1×130.1×6.3mm; closed: 155.1×67.1×15.8mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 239 g (8.43 oz.) | 253 g (8.92 oz.) | 263 g (9.27 oz.) |
| Cellular software program | Android 14 | Android 13 | Android 12L |
| Digicam | 50-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) | 50-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto) | 50-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto) |
| Entrance-facing digital camera | 4-megapixel (internal under-display selfie); 10-megapixel (cowl selfie) | 4-megapixel (internal under-screen); 10-megapixel (cowl display) | 4-megapixel (internal under-display); 10-megapixel (cowl display) |
| Video seize | TBD | 8K | 4K |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen Plus 1 |
| RAM/storage | 12GB + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 12GB + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 12GB + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Expandable storage | None | None | None |
| Battery | 4,400 mAh | 4,400 mAh | 4,400 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Facet | Facet | Facet |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None | None |
| Particular options | IP48 ranking, 25W wired charging, wi-fi charging + powershare, 3x optical zoom (as much as 10x digital and 30x House Zoom with AI Tremendous Decision tech) | 5G-enabled, IPX8 water resistance, S Pen assist, 25W wired charging, wi-fi charging, wi-fi energy share, triple SIM | 5G, 30x area zoom digital camera, IPX8, 25-watt fast-charging (no in-box charger) |
| US worth begins at | $1,900 (256GB) | $1,800 (256GB) | $1,800 (256GB) |
| UK worth begins at | TBD | £1,749 (256GB) | £1,549 (256GB) |
| Australia worth begins at | TBD | AU$2,559 (256GB) | Converts to AU$2,960 (256GB) |
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