Alright, flip enthusiasts, buckle up! We’re diving deep into Samsung’s latest foldable offering, the Galaxy Z Flip 6. We’ll be dissecting it from every angle, leaving no byte unexamined.

The Hardware: A Symphony of Craftsmanship

Let’s kick things off on a high note. The Z Flip 6 is a masterpiece of engineering, showcasing Samsung’s five years of foldable expertise. It feels solid, sturdy, and near-perfect in its construction. The aluminum frame now boasts a matte finish, which I personally prefer over the glossy predecessor. However, I do miss the rounded edges of the Flip 5; the flatter sides and sharper edges aren’t as ergonomic. But hey, that’s a minor nitpick in the grand scheme of things.

The hinge is a marvel of fluid motion, opening and closing effortlessly with a satisfying snap. You can prop it up at virtually any angle, making it ideal for hands-free video calls or binge-watching your favorite shows. Samsung’s new “dual rail hinge” design promises improved durability, and the IP48 rating adds dust and water resistance, making this one tough little clamshell.

The attention to detail is impeccable. The buttons are clicky, the speaker is surprisingly loud and clear, and the fingerprint sensor is lightning-fast. These are often overlooked aspects in some flip phones, but Samsung nails it.

The Displays: A Tale of Two Screens

Prepare to be captivated by the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s inner display – a true showstopper that pushes the boundaries of visual excellence. This expansive 6.7-inch AMOLED panel delivers a symphony of vibrant colors, so rich and lifelike that they seem to leap off the screen. Every detail is rendered with razor-sharp clarity, thanks to the high resolution that ensures even the tiniest elements are crisp and defined.

But the visual symphony doesn’t end there. The 120Hz refresh rate adds a layer of fluidity that makes every interaction buttery smooth. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, browsing the web, or watching videos, the experience is incredibly responsive and immersive.

Samsung has also turned up the brightness, with a peak brightness of 2600 nits. This makes the display incredibly legible even under direct sunlight, ensuring you can enjoy your content without squinting or straining your eyes.

And let’s not forget about the crease. While it’s not entirely invisible, it’s significantly less noticeable than on the Flip 5.Samsung’s engineers have worked their magic, creating a smoother, more seamless viewing experience that minimizes distractions.

Now, let’s talk about the cover screen. Brace yourselves, folks, because this is where things might get frustrating for some

Samsung basically copied and pasted the Flip 5’s cover screen onto the Flip 6. It’s the same 3.4-inch AMOLED panel with a paltry 720 x 748 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The 60Hz refresh rate feels a bit sluggish compared to the buttery smoothness of the inner display to be honest. The size feels cramped, especially when compared to the competition.

While the cover screen’s hardware might leave us wanting, Samsung has made some commendable strides in its software this year. Unlike the Flip 5, which restricted you to a carousel of full-screen widgets, the Flip 6’s cover screen now offers a more traditional home screen experience. You can still opt for a full-screen widget if you prefer, or you can mix and match multiple smaller widgets on a single panel. This newfound flexibility allows for a more streamlined and personalized setup.

For instance, instead of dedicating an entire panel to a timer, you can now neatly tuck it alongside your weather info and calendar, maximizing screen real estate. It’s a small but impactful change that enhances the cover screen’s usability.

Performance and Battery: Power and Endurance

Under the hood, the Z Flip 6 packs the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and 12GB of RAM as the Galaxy S24 series. This translates to blazing-fast performance, handling everything from intensive gaming to multitasking with ease.

The addition of a larger vapor chamber keeps the phone cool even under heavy loads. During my testing, I only noticed slight warmth after streaming a 2160p YouTube video for almost an hour while running other apps in the background.

The 4,000 mAh battery is the largest ever in a Z Flip, and it shows. With moderate usage, I consistently got through a full day with 30% or more battery remaining. While it’s not a multi-day phone, it’s a comfortable one-day phone.

Software and Updates: Smooth and Feature-Packed

The Z Flip 6 runs Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 on top. It’s smooth, polished, and packed with features. While One UI might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s undeniably well-executed.

The cover screen software has some welcome additions, like the ability to have multiple smaller widgets on a single page. It’s a small but useful improvement.

Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are also present, including Circle to Search, Interpreter mode, and Chat Assist. The Flip 6 even has a couple of exclusive AI tricks, like using Interpreter mode with the cover screen and having Chat Assist suggest replies based on the context of your messages.

The new “Sketch to Image” feature is a fun gimmick, allowing you to turn your doodles into more impressive images using AI. While it’s not something I’d use regularly, it’s a testament to Samsung’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI integration.

Samsung deserves praise for its software update commitment. The Z Flip 6 is promised seven years of updates, including major Android OS upgrades and security patches. This level of support is fantastic and gives the phone incredible longevity.

The Cameras: Consistently Capable

The cameras on the Z Flip 6 are good, and consistently capable of capturing pleasing images. The 50-megapixel primary camera is a significant upgrade over the Flip 5, producing sharper photos and usable digital zoom even up to 10x.

The 12-megapixel ultrawide camera is also decent, offering a wider field of view with minimal distortion. The colors are consistent with the main camera, and there’s a surprising amount of detail despite the lower resolution.

While the Z Flip 6 can struggle with moving subjects and sometimes oversaturates vibrant colors, it’s still a reliable camera system that won’t disappoint.

Photo Gallery

The Verdict: A Likable Phone

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a testament to Samsung’s foldable finesse, boasting superb craftsmanship, a mesmerizing inner display, and powerful performance. While the cover screen’s hardware and 60Hz refresh rate might leave some wanting, the improved software and AI features enhance its usability. 

The capable cameras and robust battery life further solidify its appeal. If you’re seeking a premium foldable with top-tier performance and longevity, the Z Flip 6 is a strong contender, despite the minor shortcomings of its cover screen.