Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 changed my mind about foldable phones

In the saturated smartphone market, it is rare to find a device that can be declared a clear winner in its category. Yet, Samsung seems to have achieved the impossible with the Galaxy Z Flip 6. This compact foldable device not only surpasses its competitors but also succeeds where its larger sibling, the Z Fold 6, failed—to convince the market that foldable smartphones are the future. Even the staunchest skeptics of foldable phones, like myself, must admit that this is not a gimmick but a practical and useful device offering a unique user experience, despite a few compromises. Here is the full review:

Design with Notable Improvements

The new Galaxy Z Flip 6 features interesting upgrades, though they may not be immediately apparent. The external design is almost identical to the previous model, with the same dimensions and weight (187 grams), which might disappoint those expecting a dramatic change. However, Samsung offers a new range of colors—sky blue, yellow, green, and space silver—that add a refreshing touch to the device.

One subtle design change is the addition of colorful rings around the lenses that match the body color of the device. On the other hand, perhaps the most significant (and important) improvement is the enhanced durability. The Z Flip 6 now has an IP48 rating, an upgrade from the IPX8 rating of its predecessor. This means the new device is resistant to dust and particles, in addition to water resistance that was present in the previous model. This is a critical improvement for users seeking a more durable device for everyday conditions.

And some dry details: the speaker is located at the bottom of the frame, next to the USB-C charging port. The SIM card slot is positioned on the upper left side (don’t worry, the device also supports eSIM), the volume buttons are on the right side, and below them is the power/lock button, which also serves as a fingerprint reader.

Internal Display

Let’s face it, you’ll spend most of your time with the new Flip 6 staring at its large, foldable internal screen. This 6.7-inch display is a visual feast, with Full HD quality, extremely flexible, and exceptionally sharp. If you remember the crease ("the fold") from the previous generation, you’ll be pleased to hear that it is almost invisible in this generation. Seriously, it’s barely noticeable. I even found myself running my finger repeatedly over the crease just to understand how smooth the screen is (yes, I know it’s strange).

Despite trying to fold and unfold the Flip 6 for a week with varying intensities, it felt strong and durable. *Of course, a week is not enough to determine if it will truly last over time.

And wait, there’s more. This year, Samsung has also upgraded the brightness to a maximum of 2600 nits—about 50% more than the previous generation. This means the screen looks excellent even in direct sunlight, making it readable and easy to use in any situation, whether you’re at home, outside, or even in your car.

External Display

The external screen of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is indeed the same size as the previous model, but it offers a significant upgrade in user experience. Again this year, its 3.4-inch size allows for a convenient glance at notifications and various basic functions, controlling them, and even replying to messages using a full QWERTY keyboard—all without opening the device. Add to that the ability to view daily and monthly schedules, and you get a real “control center” on the outside. While we would have liked to see a larger external screen (like the Motorola RAZR), the software certainly compensates for this.

Performance

You may have missed it, but we’ve reached an exciting turning point: small foldable phones now offer nearly identical performance to regular devices, making them increasingly attractive options. This year, the device comes with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, along with an increased 12GB of RAM, allowing it to even outperform the current flagship device, the Galaxy S24.

And in practice? No matter what I threw at it—apps, games, browsing—the device performed smoothly without any significant overheating. So yes, the Flip 6 proves that a foldable smartphone no longer has to compromise on performance, but battery life still remains a weak point. Although the battery has increased to 4,000 mAh, the usage time has not significantly improved compared to the previous model.

As expected, Samsung has emphasized incorporating advanced AI capabilities into its new foldable series, similar to what we’ve seen in the Galaxy S24, with what it calls "Galaxy AI". Among the new features are Circle to search (originally developed by Google) and smart photo editing, which have been discussed in other reviews of the company’s devices. This upgrade is a necessary step in today’s smartphone world, and over time, we’ll likely get used to it and take it for granted.

Camera

Besides all the unique innovations for foldable devices, the Flip 6 is equipped with an upgraded camera system that will satisfy most users, with a 50-megapixel sensor (compared to 12 megapixels in the previous generation) capable of producing good photos in various lighting conditions. On the other hand, in somewhat tougher lighting conditions, the sensor struggles a bit.

And yes, it’s not Samsung’s most advanced camera system (like in the S24 Ultra), but it certainly delivers impressive results in most conditions. It’s likely that next year we’ll see further hardware upgrades, but even now Samsung can be proud of the device’s impressive camera software. However, to win in the camera category, a significant improvement is needed in the camera’s ability to handle challenging lighting conditions.

(Still) Not Like the Old Flip Phones

Another issue I encountered, which I would expect Samsung to address in future models, is the difficulty of opening the device with one hand, such as when one hand is occupied and I want to quickly answer a call. While technically possible, the risk of it slipping from your fingers and getting damaged is too high. Almost always, I had to use both hands to open the device, which feels like a major oversight given the compact and portable nature of the device.

Bottom Line:

Let’s start with the end: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is not the perfect smartphone, and certainly not the best phone you can buy for NIS 4,100. But if you’re willing to make a few very minor compromises to own a foldable smartphone, the Flip 6 offers a fantastic experience. Its large external screen allows you to perform simple tasks without opening up to all the smartphone’s temptations. In this sense, it’s a useful tool in the battle for your attention, and the best option in its category.

The Flip 6 is also water and dust resistant, the crease on the screen is almost imperceptible, and it feels stronger and more stable than its predecessors—a significant advantage for foldable smartphones. Additionally, it comes with the most advanced chip, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The camera has also been significantly improved in the new model. In conclusion, the Flip 6 is a safer and better choice in many ways, and it is likely to remain the best-selling foldable. But it’s no longer alone in the arena, and Samsung will need to keep improving to maintain its lead.