The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

For years now , Samsung has been one of the dominant leaders in the folding space . Whether you want a summary flip phone or a sound / pill hybrid , Samsung ’s Flip and Fold families have a lot to extend . For the latter , theSamsung Galaxy zed Fold 6is the latest and cracking addition to the lineup .

If you ’re in the market for a new foldable , then the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is unquestionably one to consider . But what if you already have aGalaxy Z Fold 5 ? Is it deserving upgrading ? Let ’s take a skinny looking at at both and see what is really new and different .

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Z Fold 5: specs

132.6 x 153.5 x 5.6 mm ( unfolded )

129.9 x 154.9 x 6.1 mm ( spread out )

Pink

Navy

Crafted Black ( on-line undivided )

Purity White ( online exclusive )

Cream

Phantom Black

Blue ( online single )

Gray ( online single )

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

2376 x 968 resolution with 22.1:9 expression ratio at 410 ppi

120Hz refresh rate

2316 x 904 resolution with 23.1:9 facet proportion

Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display

2160 x 1856 resolution with 20.9:18 aspect ratio at 374 ppi

2,600 nits scoop brightness

2176 x 1812 resolution at 373 ppi

512 gigabyte

1 TB

10MP telephotograph with DPAF , OIS , f/2.4 , 3x optical rapid climb

12MP ultrawide with f/2.2 , 123 - point FOV

4MP with f/1.8 ( inner under - display camera )

15W wireless charge

4.5W override wireless charging

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Z Fold 5: design

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 look similar to its predecessor , with just a few minor adjustments to the overall design . Samsung complicate the Galaxy Z Fold 6 to make it sleeker and more portable . It now has a perfectly harmonious design with full-strength edges , similar to what you ’ll incur on theGalaxy S24 Ultra .

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 also uses a new dual - rail flexible joint structure , which is reinforced by the square away folding border . Thanks to this new flexible joint design , the Galaxy Z Fold 6 can better distribute shock from external impacts more equally .

That ’s no modest upgrade . In our recent investigating , Samsung repair centers across multiple cities told us that up until the Galaxy ezed Fold 4 genesis , the hinge was notoriously delicate . Customers often descend in with speech sound requiring an expensive replacement because the hinge parts somehow got misaligned even think the equipment did n’t show any signs of physical hurt .

When fold , the Galaxy Z Fold 6 measures 68.1 mm by 153.5 mm by 12.1 mm . When unfolded , it ’s 132.6 mm by 153.5 millimetre by 5.6 mm . The overall weight unit is just 239 grams , lay down the Galaxy Z Fold 6 the slimmest and light Z Fold gimmick ever .

For comparison , the Galaxy Z Fold 5 measures 154.9 mm by 129.9 mm by 6.1 mm unfold and 154.9 mm by 67.1 millimeter by 13.4 mm when conclude . It also weighs 253 grams . Although the Fold 5 was never outrageously heavy , the Z Fold 6is considerably lighter and lean . The changes Samsung has made to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 ’s exterior may also seem minor , but they have noticeably improved the comfort and ergonomics .

Notably , the Galaxy Z Fold 5 only offer an IPX8 floor of ingress trade protection , which means no shielding against junk , but it could come through a 30 - moment immersion in water for a depth of up to 1.5 meters . On the Galaxy Z Fold 6 , we get IP48 shielding , which means aside from resilience against water , it can also block off subatomic particle that are about 1 mm in size , or more . That ’s not the in effect the industry has to offer , but grant the slight nature of folding phone , we ’ll gladly take whatever upgrades Samsung has to tender to make these expensive devices sturdier .

For the Galaxy Z Fold 6 , you have three stock colors : Silver Shadow , Pink , and Navy . There are also two sole colors only usable from Samsung ’s website : Crafted Black ( which has a textured back ) and Purity White . These color are a bit more interesting than what the Galaxy Z Fold 5 come in : Icy Blue , Cream , Phantom Black , or the exclusive low or gray colors from Samsung ’s internet site . If you ever need a pinkish foldable phone , then the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the way to go .

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Z Fold 5: displays

When it number to a folding phone , one of the most important affair to factor out in is the display . The Galaxy Z Fold series is known for its tall and narrow-minded screen display , which you believably either love or hate .

Samsung made some slight allowance to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 by tweak the facial expression ratio for a more natural bar - type viewing experience . The 6.3 - inch HD+ active AMOLED 2X cover display has a 2376 x 968 - pixel resolution at 410 pixels per inch ( ppi ) and a dynamic refresh rate from 1hz to 120Hz .

The inner display of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a 7.6 - inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex exhibit with a 2160 x 1856 settlement at 374 ppi . The refresh pace is between 1Hz and 120Hz . A crucial difference is that away from the book binding screen being slenderly more pixel sense on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 , it now also matches the inner panel ’s 1 - 120Hz refresh rate range .

On the Galaxy Z Fold 5 , it could only go as miserable as 48Hz . In a nutshell , you wo n’t find any change in fluidity as your work flow move from the binding screen to the inner foldable display on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 . More importantly , the control panel are also brighter . On the Galaxy Z Fold 5 , both cover could only reach a extremum luminosity of 1,750 nites , while the Galaxy Z Fold 6 takes those number to 2,600 nits .

This clip around , Samsung says it added enhanced layers on the intimate display to help minimize the crease while maintaining the overall durability . The Galaxy Z Fold 6 also has enhanced Armor Aluminum , Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 , and an IP48 water underground rating , making it much more durable than its predecessor .

For comparison ’s sake , the Galaxy Z Fold 5 had a 6.2 - inch active AMOLED 2X cover exhibit with 2316 x 904 resolution and up to a 120Hz refresh rate . The inner video display was a 7.6 - inch Foldable dynamical AMOLED 2X with 1812 x 2176 resolve at 373 ppi and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz . It also had Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 , but only an IPX8 evaluation .

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Z Fold 5: cameras

alas , Samsung did not make any big changes to the camera arrangement on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 , which is pretty identical to its forerunner in terms of specs .

The rear has a triple - lens of the eye tv camera system . The 50 - megapixel main television camera has dual - pixel autofocus ( DPAF ) , optical image stabilization ( OIS ) and an f/1.8 aperture . The ultrawide lens of the eye is 12MP and has an f/2.2 aperture and a 123 - degree field of vista ( FOV ) . finally , the telephotograph television camera is 10MP and feature OIS , DPAF , an aperture of f/2.4 , and 3x optical rapid growth . The 12MP ultrawide camera is a new sensor , but otherwise , this is the same television camera setup you ’ll regain on last year ’s phone .

There are also two selfie cameras . The television camera on the cover display is 10MP with f/2.2 , and the under - exhibit inner television camera is a measly 4MP with f/1.8 aperture . gratefully , since this is a folding phone , you’re able to use the rear camera to take selfies because those are n’t terribly telling selfie cameras . The inside showing camera should ferment ok for video call in a pinch , but it ’s not the in effect .

If you were desire for camera upgrades with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 , then you ’ll be quite discomfited . It ’s not a speculative setup by any mean value , but there also are n’t any major improvement compare to the Fold 5 .

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Z Fold 5: performance and battery

Since the Galaxy Z Fold is one of Samsung ’s top - grade smartphones , it did not skimp on the computer hardware .

While the Galaxy Z Fold 5 has Qualcomm ’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset within , the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy , which in the first place launched with the Galaxy S24 serial . Both genesis of foldables have 12 GB RAM . Though both phone have plenty of power , the more recent C.P.U. in the Galaxy Z Fold 6 edges out that of its predecessor , but only slightly .

The new chip also mean that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a bite more processing baron for all of the new Galaxy AI features , thanks to an NPU that is42 % fastercompared to the unit on its predecessor . The raw CPU processing baron has also receive a 17 % boost , while the GPU firepower has gone by 20 % this time around .

store alternative for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 did not transfer from the Fold 5 either . You have three option : 256 GB , 512 GB , or 1 TB .

Samsung did not increase the battery capacity for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 , unfortunately . It still has the same 4,400mAh capacity as the Z Fold 5 . Wired charging swiftness are still 25 watts , so you could get about 50 % charge in 30 minutes . The Galaxy Z Fold 6 also has 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging — the same as the Z Fold 5 .

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Z Fold 5: software and updates

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 in the first place shipped with Android 13 and Samsung One UI 6.1 . It ’s slated to get four years of Android operating system rise and five years of security update . As such , the Z Fold 5 should get up to Android 17 .

On the other hand , the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will ship with Android 14 and One UI 6.1.1 layered on top . As far as software program support hold up , Samsung began to offer seven years of Android group O upgrade and security measure updates with the Galaxy S24 line , so we should have a bun in the oven the same with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 . That intend the Galaxy Z Fold 6 should get software update all the way to Android 21 .

Both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 6 have access to AI cock with the Galaxy AI suite . Some of these AI feature let in Circle to Search , Note Assist , Live Translate , and more . Galaxy AI features are also optimise for the larger display of the Galaxy Z Fold series to make full use of their declamatory screens .

But do keep in brain that these AI features wo n’t be destitute eternally . “ Galaxy AI feature film will be provided for free until the close of 2025 on stand Samsung Galaxy machine , ” says a Samsungsupport page . Samsung has plans to offer even more powerful features down the route , and it seems a subscription system for access these AI capability might be announce down the route .

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Z Fold 5: should you upgrade?

This is a rugged call . After all , while Samsung did make some nice changes to the Z Fold 6 , it for the most part remains the same as its predecessor .

If you already have a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 , then you have to ask yourself if you are uncoerced to drop at least $ 1,900 on a new phone that’sverysimilar to your current one . Sure , the Galaxy Z Fold 6 cover display is now more natural for viewing content , the twist slim and light with a tweaked designing , the hinge is more durable , and it even amount in pink ! While those are very squeamish changes indeed , the Z Fold 6 really is n’t all that different from the Z Fold 5 .

But if you do n’t already have the Galaxy Z Fold 5 , then the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a worthy foldable to deal . Wereallyliked the Fold 5 last year , and from what we ’ve seen so far , the Fold 6 is a much meaningful reiterative successor . That ’s a recipe for achiever if we ’ve ever discover one , even if it intend the Fold 6 is n’t a particularly exciting upgrade for live Fold 5 user .

What you should also keep in mind is the sheer tempo of innovation , the long - terminus durability of a foldable phone , and the shifting consumer behavior when it comes to smartphones . Both devices will get official software package support for at least half a ten , but will you stick with one for that long ? That consideration is important owe to the amount of money you are spending on a Samsung foldable .

If you could get a seriously serious commutation offer on an existing Galaxy zed Fold 5 and the add together cost wo n’t be a fat soupcon to your billfold , the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will certainly sense like a breathing spell of fresh air . Otherwise , the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is still a dead fine speech sound that wo n’t underwhelm your expectations .