Just before the official launch, we were allowed to test-drive the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, giving us the chance to examine all of the new artificial intelligence capabilities, the improved construction, and other improvements that Samsung believes will ultimately make foldables more widely available. However, as I hold the Galaxy Z Fold 6, I can’t help but question whether Samsung really knows who the intended market is for this product. Although the Z Fold series is designed for enthusiasts and hardcore users, as the manufacturer has made clear, the most recent version misses the major enhancements that rival devices like the Honor Magic V2 and Vivo X Fold 3 have brought. Some enthusiasts and power users feel that the most recent version lacks innovation and significant improvements users questioning its value.
The price rise of $100 for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which comes without any revolutionary new features, is one of the most noticeable adjustments. The item is now even more out of reach for regular people due to the price increase. When you consider that Samsung invented the foldable phone market, this is an odd decision for a corporation of that caliber. Still, it appears that the Galaxy foldables will not receive many noteworthy changes for another year. Concerns are raised over the device’s value proposition by the $100 price increase, which brings the starting price to $1899.
Preorders for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 begin on July 10, 2024, with general availability starting on July 24. The model with 256GB storage is priced at $1899, while $1999 gets you 512GB, and $2099 offers 1TB of storage. Preorders through Samsung.com come with a free storage upgrade, allowing customers to get the 512GB model for the price of the 256GB model, and so on. All Galaxy Z Fold 6 models come with 12GB of RAM and include a free one-time screen protector replacement. Models purchased through carriers include one year of Samsung Care+ for free. This comprehensive warranty and storage upgrade offer attempt to add more value to the high price point, but whether it is enough to sway consumers remains to be seen.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is available in three main colors: Silver Shadow, Pink, and Navy. Customers who order through Samsung.com have additional options of Crafted Black and White colorways. However, if you pick up a Galaxy Z Fold 6, you might struggle to notice many differences from last year’s model. Samsung’s strategy has been to deliver iterative updates each year, gradually improving on the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s radical design. While these new color options provide a fresh look, the lack of substantial design changes may leave some feeling that the update is purely cosmetic.
This year, Samsung has reduced the overall thickness by a full millimeter, shortened the phone by 1.4mm, and made it 1mm wider than the Z Fold 5 when closed. The hinge design results in the phone being 2.5mm wider when unfolded. Despite being slightly wider when closed, the outer display is 3mm wider, making it easier to type on and use daily. Samsung has also squared off the corners, giving the phone a book-like appearance when fully opened. These small design tweaks aim to improve the user experience, but they may not be enough to justify the upgrade for existing Z Fold users.
The Fold 6 now boasts an IP48 water and dust-resistance rating, meaning it’s better protected against accidental drops into sand or water. This is the first time the series has included dust resistance. The phone also features a new floating edge design, providing a full lip around the edges for easier opening. This design improvement addresses one of my longstanding complaints about the series—the difficulty of opening the device when closed due to its flat, flush edges. While these enhancements are welcome, they may not be compelling enough for users who are looking for more significant innovations.
Despite these enhancements, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 remains a thick phone when folded. It is, however, noticeably lighter at 239g, which puts it on par with the best foldable phones. Yet, the cameras remain unchanged from the Galaxy S24, a phone that costs less than half the price. This decision feels especially egregious given the competition from devices like the OnePlus Open or Honor Magic V2, which are thinner and boast superior camera hardware. The lack of camera improvements is a significant drawback, particularly for a device at this price point.
Samsung has also increased the price of the Z Fold 6 by $100 while retaining the same three-year-old camera hardware as the $799 Galaxy S24. Although Samsung claims the ultrawide camera uses a newer 12MP sensor, the specifications are identical to previous models. The main and telephoto cameras, which are used most frequently, remain underwhelming. This decision to stick with outdated camera hardware, coupled with the price increase, may disappoint users who expect cutting-edge technology in a premium device.
On a positive note, Samsung’s S Pen case from last year returns with minor design tweaks, making it even better. The phone’s reduced thickness means that adding a case feels less bulky. Each phone color has a matching case, and some S Pen models feature a shiny button for added flair. The S Pen itself remains excellent, albeit unchanged from last year, except for the shiny button. While the S Pen enhancements are a plus, they may not be enough to justify the device’s high cost for those who are not heavy stylus users.
The displays have seen significant improvements, with both screens now reaching a maximum brightness of 2600 nits. The outer display is fully LTPO, allowing it to dynamically scale from 1-120Hz, compared to last year’s model which could only drop to 48Hz. Samsung has also doubled the PWM rate on the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s displays to 480Hz, matching the Galaxy S24 series. This change may help reduce flickering, though it’s not enough to alleviate issues for those highly sensitive to it. The improved display features are noteworthy, but whether they will be a deciding factor for potential buyers remains uncertain.
The crease on the inside folding screen has been moderately improved, although not to the same degree as seen on the Galaxy Z Flip 6. While it’s flatter than ever, it remains noticeable when the phone is held at an angle. This makes the screen better for watching videos and drawing, which is beneficial given Samsung’s addition of new AI drawing tools. The improvements to the crease are a step in the right direction, but the visibility of the crease may still be a concern for some users.
AI features are a significant part of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 experience. Samsung has introduced tools that enhance the device’s functionality, particularly for doodling and art creation. The AI doodle feature can transform rudimentary sketches into professional-looking art, making it accessible for users with varying artistic skills. This feature is also useful for marking up photos, allowing users to add elements like boats to a vacation picture or enhance pet photos. The AI doodle feature is a fun and innovative addition, but its appeal may be limited to users who enjoy creative tasks.
Circle to Search, Google Gemini, and new AI camera features like Portrait Studio—which provides a variety of artistic filters—are also included in the Z Fold 6. Thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the Z Fold 6 may now include these features—which were first seen on the Galaxy S24 Ultra—with on-device processing. Productivity tools that are more useful on a large-screen tablet like the Z Fold 6 have been released by Samsung under the Note Assist app, including document summary and translation. The key distinction is that the new model has the ability to analyze data on-device, since many of these functionalities were already present on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The usefulness of the device is improved by these AI features, yet they might not be attractive enough to justify the high price for all users
For many customers, the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s $1899 price tag might not be justified in spite of these improvements. When weighed against more inventive and reasonably priced competitors in the foldable phone market, Samsung’s mediocre upgrades and exorbitant price tag cast doubt on the device’s viability. Potential customers, especially those seeking more meaningful upgrades in their next device, may be put off by the large price hike and the absence of noteworthy enhancements.
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