New Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Review: A Cutting-Edge Blend of Refinement, AI Innovation, and Premium Design

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 represents the newest development in Samsung’s growing foldable lineup and follows the relatively well-received Galaxy Z Fold 5 from the previous year. What are the updates for this year? While the specifications might seem similar at first glance, there are significant enhancements and an ambitious implementation of AI (artificial intelligence) functionalities that stand out.

In comparison to other flagship models released in 2024, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 firmly establishes itself among the elite, and we will delve into the details shortly. However, the pricing is less favorable. To put it in perspective, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 launched in 2022 with a starting price of Rs. 154,999 for the 12GB + 256GB version, and the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which debuted last year, was priced similarly. This pricing segment already places these devices in the ultra-premium category. This year, however, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 raises the pricing bar with a starting point of Rs. 164,999 for the base model of 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. For those interested in more storage, the cost climbs to Rs. 176,999 for the 512GB version and an eye-watering Rs. 200,999 for the 1TB option. Now that we’ve covered pricing, let’s explore what the Fold 6 brings to the table this year and if it’s worth your consideration.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Design: Thinner and lighter

• Dimensions — 153.5×68.1×12.1mm (folded) | 153.5×132.6×5.6mm (unfolded)
• Weight — 239 grams
• Durability — IP48 (water resistant)

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has abandoned the rounded edges of the Fold 5, opting for a flatter profile instead. This transition results in a more rectangular design with sharper corners. This is immediately noticeable when comparing the Fold 6 to last year’s model. Moving on to the bezels, the Fold 6 features narrower borders around the display and a wider cover screen, greatly enhancing daily usability relative to its predecessor.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 weighs 239 grams

 

In terms of size, the Fold 6 has successfully reduced both thickness and weight. This new model is slimmer than its predecessor, measuring 12.1mm when folded and 5.6mm when opened. At 239 grams, the Fold 6 feels considerably lighter during everyday use compared to the Fold 5, which weighs 253 grams. Additionally, Samsung has achieved an impressive balance in weight distribution. This improvement makes the Fold 6 more convenient for one-hand operations, such as texting and photography.

The device is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back

 

The sturdy aluminum frame of the Fold 6 provides a solid feel, enhanced by a newly introduced scratch-resistant matte finish. Samsung has also included Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front display and rear glass for added protection. Moreover, this year’s model boasts an IP48 rating, indicating improved water resistance, although it remains susceptible to dust, so care should be taken not to expose it to sandy conditions.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 has an IP48 rating for water resistance

 

When it comes to color options for foldables, I feel that flip or clamshell designs usually have more playful choices than the standard book-style variants. However, Samsung is changing that narrative by offering several appealing colors. The Fold 6 is available in Pink (yes, really!), Navy, Crafted Black (Special Edition), White (Special Edition), and Silver Shadow, the latter being the version I received for review. I would have loved to try the White variant, but the Silver Shadow color tends to grow on you over time and is likely a more practical choice for long-term use.

The Fold 6 features an enhanced hinge mechanism

 

Discussing advancements, the hinge of the Fold 6 has been overhauled to make it both lighter and sturdier. At its Unpacked briefing, Samsung showcased multiple enhancements to the hinge, such as dual rail construction and shock resistance. The phone comfortably snaps shut when folded, instilling confidence in its durability for everyday tasks.

Moving to the crease, which remains a hot topic regarding foldable devices, there is both good and bad news. The bad news is that it is still visible. The good news is that it has been reduced, and Samsung is making strides to improve the hinge design with each new version. This year’s model features enhanced protection for the main screen, although specific details have not been disclosed. However, it is now thicker and built to withstand wear better.

The main display of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 spans 7.6 inches

 

The retail package includes the phone, standard documentation, a SIM ejector tool, and a USB Type-C cable. It would be a nice touch if Samsung considered including a case in their foldable’s retail packaging, especially given the premium price point, or possibly even offering it as part of a bundle. For buyers, any additional value is often appreciated.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Display: Exceptional display on a Samsung foldable, to date

• Display — 7.6-inch main screen & 6.3-inch cover screen
• Display type — Dynamic LTPO AMOLED
• Display protection — Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (cover screen)

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 stands out in the flagship smartphone landscape, especially with its display performance, which I found to be particularly impressive. Although the specs are not drastically different from its predecessor, the Fold 6 still surpasses the Fold 5 in display quality. The Fold 6 features a slightly wider cover screen, measuring 6.3 inches versus 6.2 inches on the Fold 5. The main display boasts a resolution of 1856×2160 pixels with a pixel density of 374PPI, while the cover screen offers 968×2376 pixels and a density of 410PPI.

The Fold 6 provides a 91 percent screen-to-body ratio

 

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 delivers a phenomenal display (both main and cover) for a variety of activities, from gaming to multitasking, streaming, reading, and more. With a peak brightness of 2600 nits, the visibility in sunlight is outstanding. The adaptive 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth animations and seamless transitions during daily use. The Fold 6 offers support for both HDR10+ and HDR10 standards and comes with Widevine L1 certification.

The 7.6-inch main display is among the best available for media consumption. The under-display selfie camera is almost perfectly concealed, allowing you to utilize the entire screen effectively.

Interestingly, the Fold 6 is wider than the Fold 5; however, the specifications of the main display have not changed significantly. Samsung has translated the slight width increase into improved resolution and aspect ratio. The cover display is now more user-friendly thanks to its expanded 6.3-inch size, which is ideal for quickly typing messages, emails, or engaging in social media conversations.

The cover display measures 6.3 inches and boasts a 410PPI pixel density

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Performance: Setting standards for other foldables

• Processor — Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)
• RAM — 12GB LPDDR5X
• Storage — 256GB/512GB/ 1TB UFS 4.0

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is powered by the high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, delivering responsive real-world performance. It doesn’t falter under any circumstances—whether multitasking, gaming, streaming, or photo/video editing. The Fold 6 surpasses other foldable phones of 2024 in terms of performance. Gaming, in particular, is handled exceptionally well, as I enjoyed playing titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt Legends Unite. Interestingly, Samsung has opted for a larger vapor chamber on the Fold 6, which positively impacts thermal management, with no overheating issues noticed.

The device includes 12GB of RAM and is offered in three storage configurations

 

If you’ve ever questioned whether foldables are equipped for demanding tasks, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 serves as a definitive answer. In our benchmarking tests, the Fold 6 performed exceptionally well, as anticipated, with results detailed in the table below.

Benchmark	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Cover/ Main)	Vivo X Fold 3 Pro (Cover/ Main)	OnePlus Open (Cover/ Main)
AnTuTu v10	1,642,118 / 1,695,896	2,051,650 / 2,063,526	1,305,500 / 1,264,480
PCMark Work 3.0	18,688 / 18,460	14,489 / 14,251	10,276 / 10,521
Geekbench 6 Single	2,216/ 2,197	2,143 / 2,167	1,426 / 1,056
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,725/ 6,689	6,562 / 6,800	4,096 / 4,114
GFXB T-rex (fps)	120 / 120	120 / 120	60 / 60
GFXB Manhattan 3.1 (fps)	120 / 120	120 / 105	60 / 60
GFXB Car Chase (fps)	119 / 119	102 / 67	60 / 46
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL	Maxed Out / Maxed Out	Maxed Out / Maxed Out	Maxed Out / Maxed Out
3DM Slingshot	Maxed Out / Maxed Out	Maxed Out / Maxed Out	Maxed Out / Maxed Out
3DM Wild Life	15,678 / 15,210	Maxed Out / Maxed Out	Maxed Out / Maxed Out
3DM Wild Life Unlimited	18,786 / 17,898	17,985 / 18,721	13,731 / 13,731

The Fold 6 features speakers that are powerful enough to fill a modest room, with impressive clarity. Call quality is excellent, and the foldable maintains strong network connectivity even in weaker signal areas. I thoroughly enjoyed typing on the Fold 6’s cover screen, which is enhanced by a potent haptic motor. It’s commendable that Samsung has improved foundational elements while focusing on the premium segment. Overall, the Fold 6 performs admirably.

The Galaxy Fold 6 comes with stereo speakers

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Software and AI: Adding value

• Software — One UI 6.1.1
• Version — Android 14
• Latest security patch — June, 2024

Running One UI 6.1.1 based on Android 14, the Galaxy Fold 6 presents a familiar interface akin to other premium Galaxy models, with minimal bloatware. The transition from the cover to the main screen is fluid, with most applications launching smoothly. Samsung promises seven years of Android and security updates for the Fold 6, potentially allowing users to keep the device until 2031. This is reassuring, as is the phone’s water-resistance rating—though it may go unused, it offers peace of mind.

Samsung’s recent foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, integrate numerous AI capabilities. This ensures Samsung remains competitive in the AI arena as rivals introduce similar features. For example, Apple will unveil its AI efforts with the iPhone 16 next month.

Both Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 feature various AI functionalities

 

Samsung laid the groundwork for this AI push back in January with the launch of the S24 series, providing a robust framework to build on with the Fold 6 and Flip 6. In my Flip 6 review, I discussed these AI features, many of which are quite enjoyable to use on the Fold 6, thanks to its larger screen.

One of my top picks is Samsung’s Notes application. The Note assist functionality includes a variety of AI features, such as automatic formatting, note summarization, transcription of voice recordings, auto-generating note covers based on content, grammar and spelling corrections, and text translation. It also supports PDF overlay translation for quick document translations—a feature not readily available for free online. During my Fold 6 review, the Notes app was consistently on my home screen, serving as my primary tool for various work tasks.

Another favorite was the Sketch to Image feature, which allows users to explore creative endeavors, even for those lacking artistic talent. The function is impressive enough to make anyone feel capable of drawing. I also tested the Interpreter’s conversation mode, which performs real-time translations remarkably well.

The Portrait Studio feature in action on the Fold 6

 

Portrait Studio allows users to convert their photos into 3D cartoons or various preferred styles, while the Photo Assist feature provides robust AI editing tools. For avid readers, the Fold 6 excels with its browsing assist, capable of summarizing web pages or assisting with translations. Additionally, the AI-powered chat assist can compose messages based on user requests, help adjust text tonality, and check for grammatical errors.

The Portrait Studio feature on the Fold 6

 

While these combined features can help streamline daily tasks, their effectiveness ultimately depends on user engagement and their relevance to one’s work. Personally, I found these tools useful and enjoyable to explore.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Camera: Adequate but not the market leader

• Main camera — 50-megapixel, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, f/1.8 aperture, AF
• Telephoto camera — 10-megapixel, PDAF, 3x zoom
• Ultra-wide camera — 12-megapixel, f/2.2 aperture
• Selfie — 4-megapixel, f/1.8 aperture & 10-megapixel cover screen front camera with f/2.2 aperture

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 retains the rear camera setup featured in the previous Fold 5 and Fold 4, with the significant upgrade being a revamped ultrawide sensor for improved low-light performance. The selfie cameras remain unchanged from last year.

The primary camera is a 50-megapixel sensor

 

When it comes to capturing images, the Fold 6 is capable of producing outstanding daylight photographs. The images exhibit excellent detail, accurate and vibrant colors under bright conditions. The dynamic range is commendable, and focus is reliable, delivering pleasing skin tones in portrait shots.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 daylight camera samples (tap to see larger image)

In addition, the bokeh photography performed well, with good depth estimation across a range of portrait photos.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 camera samples (tap to see larger image)

Turning to the ultrawide camera, images in well-lit conditions are generally decent, showcasing good detail and dynamic range. However, it’s surprising to note the lack of autofocus, which could lead to soft focus outcomes if you rely on the Fold 6 as your go-to point-and-shoot camera. The telephoto camera also performs competently.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 camera samples (tap to see larger image)

In low-light scenarios, images can be less than satisfactory due to various factors, including inconsistent focusing. Many low-light shots displayed excessive noise and underexposed subjects in several cases.

The zooming capabilities are also disappointing. The Fold 6 does not excel at capturing clear zoom images, that much is evident.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 night camera samples (tap to see larger image)

 

 

The 4-megapixel under-display camera on the main screen is suitable primarily for video conferencing and falls short for social media content creation. Conversely, the 10-megapixel front camera on the cover screen performs significantly better for social media uploads and excels across various lighting conditions. Video recording quality has also seen some improvement with the Fold 6.

While the Galaxy Z Fold 6 might not take the crown for the best camera among premium smartphones, it is equipped with competent cameras that do their job decently enough. The key consideration here is the comparison between the device features and its price, which raises expectations for the Fold 6 considerably.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Battery: Still catching up

• Battery capacity — 4,400mAh
• Charging rate — 25W (wired) & 15W wireless
• No charging adapter in the box

The battery capacity remains relatively unchanged for the Fold 6 this year, as Samsung appears to have prioritized keeping the weight below that of the previous Fold 5. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 houses a 4,400mAh battery, which lasted almost a full day based on mixed usage, with most of my time spent on the cover screen. Tasks like reading, editing, and streaming involved the use of the larger inner display. Since battery specifications haven’t changed, the Fold 6’s performance is comparable to the Fold 5. In our video loop test, the Fold 6 managed an impressive 20 hours and 24 minutes, utilizing the larger internal display.

The Fold 6 features a 120Hz refresh rate

 

When it comes to battery performance, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 falls short with its charging speeds. Currently, many Android smartphones priced over a lakh support a minimum of 65W, but Samsung remains at 25W charging. In our tests, we observed that the Fold 6 charged from 0 to 50% in half an hour. However, achieving a full charge took over 100 minutes, which is disappointing given its premium pricing.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Review: Conclusion

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 stands as Samsung’s most accomplished foldable smartphone to date. It fulfills numerous promises, proving invaluable for multitaskers. With outstanding displays, swift performance, and unique AI-based software features, the Fold 6 offers a compelling case. The more you utilize the Fold 6, the more you appreciate the versatility of the format, effectively merging multiple devices into one. In a period when smartphone manufacturers are increasingly embracing AI functionalities, Samsung can confidently claim that it has successfully integrated various useful features that operate seamlessly.

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The top-tier Fold 6 variant with 1TB of storage retails for Rs. 200,999

It is a highly capable foldable device, yet it may not surpass other Android flagships, including the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Simply put, it is designed to serve a different purpose. So, why should you consider purchasing it? If you desire a polished book-style foldable smartphone laden with AI features and top-tier performance, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is your best bet. It offers an unrivaled UI experience that is unmatched by other foldables like the OnePlus Open (Review) and the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro (Review). The promise of software longevity is an added advantage. However, it’s essential to note some downsides. Foldables may not appeal to everyone, and there’s the issue of the Fold 6’s pricing, which reflects its folding form factor, making it more delicate compared to conventional phones with a straightforward design, thus attracting a niche audience. Not to mention, its pricing is notably steep.

 

As for alternatives, the Galaxy S24 Ultra (Review) provides nearly everything the Fold 6 offers at a lower price, although it lacks a foldable design. Other options like the OnePlus Open and Vivo’s X Fold 3 Pro are also available for those in search of a book-style foldable aside from the Fold 6.