The expanded AI capabilities, brighter screen, better camera, and larger battery are all included in the sixth-generation foldable
In 2024, Samsung’s well-liked foldable Z Flip phone will make a reappearance, boasting a faster processor, notably longer battery life, and improved AI functions.
This year, Samsung debuted the smaller foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip 6, with the Z Fold 6, which resembles a book. It folds the Galaxy S24+ in half, converting the large-screen phone into a small clamshell with its flat sides and slab-like shape.
Overall, the new Flip has a lot of small improvements, although one of them isn’t related to price. Starting price is £1,049 (€1,199/$1,099/A$1,799), up $100/A$150 over the previous year. This places it more expensive than its flip-phone competitors and on par with the S24+ at launch.
The phone looks more sleek and sophisticated thanks to a revised exterior that includes flattened sides and a matte aluminium finish. The same 3.4-inch outside cover screen shows the clock, date, quick settings, notifications, and other widgets. It lacks the capability of some of its competitors, like Motorola, although it can run a small selection of apps, including maps or WhatsApp.
Compared to its predecessor, the 6.7-inch interior screen is brighter, smoother, and more responsive, which makes it much easier to view outside in the sun. It also becomes less obvious to the touch and eye at the point where it folds. Though it still requires more care to prevent scratches and damage because it is made of softer material than a typical phone, the folding display is still a great method to integrate a huge screen into a more compact form.
Technical details
- Main Screen: 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED Infinity Flex Display (425ppi)
- Cover Screen: 3.4-inch AMOLED
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB or 512GB
- Operating System: One UI 6.1 based on Android 14
- Camera: 50MP + 12MP rear, 10MP front-facing
- Connectivity: 5G, nano SIM + eSIM, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and GNSS
- Water Resistance: IP48 (1.5 meters for 30 minutes)
- Folded Dimensions: 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9mm
- Unfolded Dimensions: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9mm
- Weight: 187g
Functionality with a two-day battery life
The Flip 6’s internal components include the same top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip as the S24 Ultra, together with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of minimum storage, which should be sufficient for the majority of customers. Because of this, it is among the fastest Android phones available and can handle any work you throw at it. The Flip 6 outlives its predecessors because to the chip’s increased efficiency and a bigger battery.
The phone lasts about 48 hours between charges with moderate use, which includes using the screen for about three hours a day and using 5G for a few hours. It should be able to withstand even the busiest days, but you’ll need to recharge it around every other day.
Using a 25W charger—which is not included in the box—a full charge takes about 90 minutes. Wireless charging is also supported by the Flip.
Android 14 with extensive AI features
After it is released, the Flip 6 will receive software and security upgrades for seven years. It runs One UI 6.1, which is based on Android 14. Together with Google’s Pixel 8, it is now among the phones with the longest support durations; the only other phone with a longer support duration is Fairphone.
Like the S24 series, it has a comparable array of AI functions, including voice transcription, translation services, many tools for summarising online information and notes, and AI support for expedited message responses and proofreading.
Additionally, the phone is compatible with Google’s amazing Circle to Search and Gemini AI chatbot. Interpreter mode, a recent innovation from Samsung, shows translated text on the cover screen. This enables real-time conversation translation when you hold the phone in an L-shape and display it to another person.
The gallery app contains one of the most exciting new features: Photo Assist. Rough, hand-drawn designs can be transformed into precisely proportioned, photo-realistic objects that fit in perfectly with the surroundings. Even from simple finger sketches, it may produce eye-catching photos that don’t look Photoshopped with a little trial and error. The tool creates watermarked AI-generated photos, and it’s very fun to use.
Improved camera
The Flip 6 has a brand-new 50-megapixel primary camera, along with an internal 10-megapixel selfie camera and an external 12-megapixel ultrawide camera.
At its default resolution of 12MP, the main camera produces high-quality shots with exceptional detail and colour balance, adeptly handling a range of lighting circumstances. It has an in-sensor zoom of 2x that works well in high light and a digital zoom of up to 10x. Although it can capture crisp, full-size 50MP photos in strong light, most users will probably get better results using the default mode. Both group photos and landscapes may be captured with the 12MP ultrawide camera.
Although the phone’s internal camera is strong, it captures better selfies when the primary camera uses the cover screen as a viewfinder, just like older Flip phones. There are lots of interesting and helpful options in the camera app. This year, the Flip has a new auto-framing mode that lets you set it up to track your movements around an area while taking pictures when you show it your palm.
The ability to endure
Although Samsung does not state how long the battery should last, it should be able to withstand more than 500 full charge cycles while still holding at least 80% of its initial capacity.
In most cases, the phone can be fixed; internal screen replacements are about £350. Samsung offers Care+ accidental damage insurance and a self-repair program that reduces repair prices to £119.
Aluminium, glass, and plastic that have been recycled are used to build the Flip 6. Samsung provides recycling and trade-in options for used electronics. The company does not offer impact assessments for specific items, despite the fact that it produces annual sustainability reports.
Price
The starting price for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is £1,049 (€1,199/$1,099/A$1,799).
By contrast, the Galaxy S24+ costs £999, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra costs £1000, and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 costs £1,799.
Conclusion
With a few minor design improvements and a notable increase in battery life, the sixth-generation Flip is a moderate update that maintains its competitiveness with other high-end phones.
It appears more contemporary thanks to the newly flattened sides and coloured accents. The inside screen is comparable to the best flat phone screens in terms of colour, smoothness, and brightness. It should survive through even the most rigorous days because to its two-day battery life, while its updated main camera and additional AI functions provide useful improvements.
Although it has a nice appearance, the external screen is not as big or functional as its rivals. But no other flip phone extends its usability and boosts its resale value like this one, with seven years of software support starting from the date of release.
One of the greatest flip phones out there for cramming a big screen into a small package is still the Z Flip 6. But folding screens aren’t as durable as regular phones, so they need to be handled carefully and may need expensive repairs.
