Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Review: Flip Phone Flatters to Deceive

Value When Reviewed

From £1,099.99 | Mannequin reviewed £1,199.99

Greatest Costs At present: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

Regardless of its title, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is Samsung’s fifth flip cellphone in as a few years, with the corporate skipping the ‘2’ branding. 

For the primary few generations, it was the clear market chief, with no life like various within the UK and US. However extra lately, Motorola’s revamped Razr Extremely (often known as Razr+) line has supplied sturdy competitors. 

That’s very true in 2024, the place the Razr 50 Extremely/Razr+ (2024) affords a compelling expertise for much less cash than Samsung. 

Does the Z Flip 6 do sufficient to re-establish it because the go-to flip cellphone model? I spent per week utilizing it as my important smartphone to search out out. 

Design & Construct

• Close to-identical design to Z Flip 5
• Premium construct, together with strong hinge
• Improved IP48 water and mud resistance

The design of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is sort of equivalent to its predecessor, for higher and for worse. 

It capabilities similar to every other clamshell foldable, with a big, common cellphone display screen that folds in half to disclose a small cowl show. Samsung has caught with the identical 3.4-inch panel for the latter, regardless of Motorola rising the quilt display screen of its Razr 50 Extremely to 4 inches.  

By comparability, the Z Flip 6’s cowl display screen appears dated, with pretty chunky bezels across the display screen. These finish abruptly on the backside to make room for the cameras and flash. I don’t need to make this a comparability evaluation, however the Razr 50 Extremely’s model covers just about all the entrance of the cellphone – I can’t see why Samsung can’t do the identical. 

Opening the system reveals a way more modern-looking inside show, although there are a few clear giveaways that it’s a foldable. 

The Z Flip 6’s cowl display screen appears dated, with pretty chunky bezels across the display screen

The obvious one is the crease, which separates the display screen into two halves. It’s a standard concern for folks new to a folding cellphone, however Samsung has minimised its affect. You may solely see it when wanting from an angle, whereas the delicate indent has no tangible impact on scrolling. 

You’ll additionally should make do with plastic across the fringe of the show, which appears a bit low-cost however helps cushion the cellphone when it’s being closed. Even if you happen to shut it with some power, there’ll be no injury to the display screen inside. 

And that spectacular sturdiness is a operating theme for the Z Flip 6. Elsewhere, the system is made out of a tricky mix of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (which guarantees to outlive drops of as much as 1m onto exhausting surfaces) and aluminium. 

The latter extends to the hinge, which feels impressively strong. Except you’re very heavy-handed, I’d be assured in it surviving a number of years of day by day utilization. I used to be in a position to open and shut the system one-handed (albeit with some issue), and in contrast to early variations, the Z Flip 6 folds utterly flat. 

Samsung has additionally upgraded the mud resistance, with the Z Flip 6 (and Z Fold 6) now boasting an IP48 score. That is the primary time its foldables have had official safety from mud, with any ‘strong objects bigger than 1mm’ unable to penetrate. 

Nevertheless, as I came upon on the seashore, it’s nonetheless weak to smaller particles corresponding to sand, the place grains can quickly get lodged within the hinge mechanism. I can’t see the way you’d get the total safety on a folding cellphone, although, so it’s a sacrifice you need to make. 

The ‘8’ in IP48 means the Z Flip 6 retains flagship-level water resistance, with the system rated to outlive submersion in as much as 1.5m of contemporary water for as much as half-hour. 

For those who’ve by no means used a flip cellphone earlier than, it’s additionally value emphasising simply how compact the Z Flip 6 is. When folded, it’s a lot thicker than a daily cellphone, however takes up round half of the whole footprint.  

Mixed with a weight of simply 187g, I typically couldn’t even inform when it was in my pocket. Flip telephones on the whole is usually a game-changer for girls, who typically should put up with a lot smaller pockets. 

Samsung continues to construct a fingerprint scanner into the ability button, and it’s naturally positioned on the suitable when open or closed. I discovered this usually quick and dependable, although there have been a number of extra failed makes an attempt than I hoped. 

The Z Flip 6 additionally contains a new vary of with Blue, Yellow, Mint and Silver Shadow extensively accessible and Crafted Black, White and Peach unique to the corporate’s web site. I examined the Blue model for this evaluation, which is pretty pale and nondescript, as are the Yellow and Mint (proven in images right here) that I’ve additionally seen in particular person.  

Whatever the color you select, the underside half of the again of the cellphone has a grippy matt coating over the glass, which limits seen fingerprint smudges and makes it comfy to make use of case-free. A delicate tweak this yr is that the cameras have colour-matched rings round them, which can be divisive.  

The ultimate factor to say on this part is the haptic suggestions, which matches the S24 Extremely and Z Fold 6 as among the finest round. You may anticipate delicate but life like vibrations whereas typing, switching between apps, taking images and extra. The depth of this suggestions might be customised, or it may be turned off altogether. 

Screens & Audio system

• 3.4-inch AMOLED cowl display screen
• 6.7-inch AMOLED inside show, 120Hz LTPO
• Twin stereo audio system

I want Samsung had made the Z Flip 6’s cowl display screen greater, however I can’t complain in regards to the high quality of both show right here. 

Each the 6.7-inch (1080 x 2640) inside panel and three.4-inch (720 x 748) cowl show are wonderful OLEDs, providing wealthy, vibrant colors and deep blacks. Neither are the best decision round, however element and readability definitely aren’t missing. 

The quilt display screen is primarily purposeful, displaying at-a-glance data or slimmed-down variations of apps. It’s not the place you’ll be watching films or scrolling social media, so it ought to come as no shock that the inner show has a number of further options. 

I want Samsung had made the Z Flip 6’s cowl display screen greater, however I can’t complain in regards to the high quality of both show right here

Alongside that larger decision, the primary one is a 120Hz refresh charge (versus 60Hz), guaranteeing navigating the cellphone feels further fluid and responsive. As an LTPO panel, it may mechanically drop as little as 1Hz to save lots of energy, although there’s no approach to repair it at something above 60Hz. 

I additionally recorded a most brightness of 693 nits, considerably larger than the 426 nits that the quilt display screen can output. However crucially, each are clearly seen in vibrant outside environments, particularly if you happen to flip off auto brightness and activate the ‘Additional brightness’ mode. 

The Z Flip 6 boasts the standard twin stereo speaker setup, with one downward-firing speaker combining with the earpiece. The audio is full-bodied, combining sturdy readability with a pleasant hit of bass and avoids distortion at excessive volumes. 

Specs & Efficiency 

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen for Galaxy chipset and 12GB RAM
• Robust efficiency, however liable to overheating
• 256- or 512GB of non-expandable storage

Like most Android flagships in 2024, the Z Flip 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Particularly, it’s the ‘For Galaxy’ model we’ve seen on the S24 Extremely and Z Fold 6, which implies it’s been overclocked barely in comparison with Qualcomm’s common chipset. 

Not like the common Galaxy S24 and S24+, there’s no shift to the Exynos 2400 in sure areas. From testing each variations of the S24+, we all know that this can be a good transfer for the Z Flip 6. 

For those who’ve learn any opinions of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered cellphone, nothing I say about efficiency will come as a shock. The Z Flip 6 delivers persistently very good efficiency throughout a spread of situations. 

Throughout the likes of internet searching, calls and texts, social media, watching movies and taking and viewing images, there was no slowdown or hesitation in anyway. Switching between apps is speedy, as is utilizing two apps side-by-side in ‘Flex Mode’ or displaying data on the inner and canopy shows concurrently. 

As anticipated, this sturdy efficiency extends to gaming. The likes of Asphalt Legends Unite, Genshin Affect and PUBG Cellular have been all easy and lag-free, making for a extremely gratifying expertise. 

The Z Flip 6 delivers persistently very good efficiency throughout a spread of situations

A minimum of for some time, anyway. The Z Flip 6’s tendency to overheat made the again of the cellphone uncomfortably sizzling to the contact after just some minutes. Over time, this resulted in a drop in body charge. 

Extra irritating is the system can get sizzling even throughout basic on a regular basis utilization. I perceive that the folding mechanism makes warmth administration tougher, however I hoped for higher from a fifth-generation cellphone. 

By way of storage, you possibly can select between 256- and 512GB on the Z Flip 6. There’s no help for expandable storage, although, so be sure to get sufficient. 

Both approach, you get a wholesome 12GB of RAM which is 50% greater than the Z Flip 5.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 benchmarks

Cameras

• Upgraded 50Mp important sensor
• 12Mp ultrawide, however no telephoto
• 10Mp inside selfie digital camera

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 boasts a big digital camera improve. Samsung has changed the 12Mp sensor from the Z Flip 5 with a 50Mp one, bringing it according to each the Galaxy S24 and S24+. 

Megapixel depend doesn’t straight correlate to picture high quality, however I’m happy to report a giant step ahead for images from the primary lens. 

The largest enchancment is consistency. The Z Flip 6’s important digital camera takes detailed, well-exposed pictures virtually each time, whereas retaining the superb dynamic vary of its predecessor. 

The Z Flip 6’s important digital camera takes detailed, well-exposed pictures virtually each time

In vibrant environments, images are vivid and crowd pleasing, albeit not fairly true to life with the standard color saturation Samsung traditionally prefers. That is much less of a difficulty in additional muted situations, the place photographs are rather more correct.  

Nevertheless, I used to be persistently impressed with the images the cellphone took of each city environments and the pure world. 

In low-light situations, the long-exposure night time mode mechanically kicks in, although you possibly can toggle it off. It makes a marked distinction to the brightness, whereas retaining key particulars and minimising noise. 

You’ll even be utilizing the primary lens for portrait-style images. The Z Flip 6 produces a sexy background blur (which you could modify earlier than you’re taking the shot), whereas edge detection is usually good. It’s not fairly Honor 200 Professional-level, however spectacular nonetheless. 

Total, I don’t see a big drop-off in high quality in comparison with the S24 Extremely’s 200Mp important sensor, which is a giant praise. 

And in contrast to some telephones, I wasn’t reluctant to change to the 12Mp ultrawide lens. There’s a small drop-off in dynamic vary and publicity is extra variable, however it didn’t cease me capturing some nice images that wouldn’t have been attainable in any other case. 

Samsung continues to prioritise an ultrawide lens over a telephoto, with Motorola taking the alternative method on the Razr 50 Extremely. It means the Z Flip 6 isn’t the cellphone to purchase if zoom pictures are necessary to you – the digital model turns into grainy at something past 2x, and doesn’t transcend 10x. 

If I had to decide on between the 2, I’d go for an ultrawide. However the lack of a telephoto can be irritating on the likes of concert events, and I feel the objective for future flip telephones must be to incorporate each. 

It’s additionally value mentioning the inner digital camera accessible when the cellphone is unfolded, which stays a 10Mp sensor. It’s tremendous for video calls, however I’d extremely suggest utilizing the primary digital camera to take higher-quality selfies as an alternative. You continue to get a preview of the shot on the quilt display screen, and nonetheless get the choice for that background blur.

See extra of my digital camera samples within the slideshow beneath:

The Z Flip 6’s important lens can seize video in as much as 4K at 60fps, with OIS (optical picture stabilisation) guaranteeing it stays principally regular. Footage is above common on the subject of Android telephones, however nonetheless a disappointment in comparison with stills. The iPhone stays the gold normal on this space. 

Battery Life & Charging

• Upgraded 4000mAh battery
• 25W wired charging
• 15W wi-fi, 4.5W reverse wi-fi

Samsung has upgraded the battery capability on the Z Flip 6 – it’s now a 4000mAh cell. For context, that’s the identical because the Motorola Razr 50 Extremely, however nonetheless effectively behind most non-folding telephones. 

Sadly, it reveals.

The Z Flip 6’s battery life is underwhelming, to the extent that I used to be typically apprehensive about making it by means of a full day. These have been usually heavier utilization days, involving GPS, excessive brightness and many cell knowledge utilization – issues might be extra comfy if you happen to’re working from residence, for instance. 

This was partly a consequence of the way in which I used the cellphone. Quite than counting on the quilt display screen for key actions, I typically ended up opening the system anyway. I additionally had the quilt show set to change off after 30 seconds (the longest possibility), although that doesn’t clarify the drop-off in proportion whereas in my pocket. 

I hoped the bigger capability and improved Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 effectivity would result in tangible battery life enhancements, however that’s not the case. 

The Z Flip 6’s battery life is underwhelming, to the extent that I used to be typically apprehensive about making it by means of a full day

Sadly, the charging scenario is even worse. Samsung is persisting with simply 25W wired charging, and there’s no charger within the field. Utilizing a 100W one I had at residence, it reached simply 34% in half-hour, with a full cost taking just below two hours. 

I’m not anticipating super-fast charging on a foldable, however absolutely Samsung might’ve matched the 45W speeds accessible on the S24 Extremely. Qi wi-fi and reverse wi-fi charging are handy, however at 15W and 4.5W respectively, they’re even slower. 

Software program & Apps

• One UI 6.1 over Android 14
• Irritating cowl display screen software program
• Seven years of OS and safety updates

On the inner show, the Z Flip 6 runs the identical software program as every other Samsung cellphone – One UI.  

The model on my evaluation pattern is One UI 6.1, which is predicated on Android 14. As standard, Samsung has made loads of tweaks to the expertise on Google’s Pixel telephones, together with a redesigned fast settings panel, icons and app drawer. 

Personally, I discover it simpler and extra intuitive to make use of, however that comes right down to familiarity and private choice. 

Frustratingly, Samsung pre-installs its personal model of almost each inventory Google app. The likes of Cellphone, Digicam and Settings are tremendous, and I like that they prioritise one-handed utilization by preserving key buttons within the backside half of the display screen. 

However when there are duplicates of a picture gallery, calendar, calculator, clock, recordsdata, notes, voice recorder and even contactless cost app, issues begin to really feel cluttered. I’ve no downside with Samsung making these apps, however a minimum of let me uninstall all of them if I don’t need them. 

A key promoting level of all flagship Samsung telephones in 2024 is Galaxy AI. The Z Flip 6 has all the identical AI options because the Galaxy S24 telephones (and loads of older fashions), together with transcription instruments, picture enhancing help and dwell name translations. 

Nevertheless, the Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 get a number of new ones. Probably the most thrilling is a ‘Dialog mode’ throughout the present Interpreter app, which affords real-time textual content and audio translation between a number of completely different languages – together with whereas offline if you happen to obtain the related language packs. 

I’m impressed with how seamlessly it really works, and it seems to be correct more often than not. Having the ability to use the quilt display screen for two-way visuals is a superb thought, too. 

Elsewhere, Chat Help is usually efficient at crafting messages, emails or social media posts. A Sketch to Picture instrument turns something you draw onto a picture into the true factor, whereas Portrait Studio creates genuinely spectacular paintings out of your selfies or portraits. 

Other than doubtlessly the Dialog mode, there’s nothing right here that can essentially change the way in which you employ your cellphone. However they’re all both enjoyable or genuinely helpful – I haven’t discovered any filler. 

Nevertheless, little or no of this is applicable to the quilt show, which affords a really completely different software program expertise. It’s remarkably restricted by default, providing entry to only a handful of key widgets. 

This may be prolonged to incorporate key apps corresponding to Google Maps inside Settings, however it’s a must to soar by means of plenty of hoops to get any app operating.  

You need to obtain Samsung’s ‘Good Lock’ app from the Galaxy Retailer, then set up and open ‘MultiStar’. From there, faucet ‘I ♡ Galaxy Foldable’, allow the ‘Launcher Widget’ and faucet any apps you need to add to the quilt display screen. Lastly, go to Settings and add the Good Lock widget. 

I can’t perceive why Samsung wouldn’t observe Motorola’s method and allow you to run any app on the quilt display screen with out a lot further trouble

I’d suggest everybody who buys the Z Flip 6 tries this, if solely to understand simply how irritating utilizing these apps on such a small display screen is. I’d hoped this is able to be a deterrent to senseless display screen time, however I simply ended up opening the cellphone anyway. 

I can’t perceive why Samsung wouldn’t observe Motorola’s method and allow you to run any app on the quilt display screen with out a lot further trouble. 

One space the place the Z Flip 6 has the clear higher hand is software program help. Samsung is providing seven years of each main OS and safety updates, which means it’ll nonetheless be secure to make use of in 2031.  

That’s one of the best dedication of any flip cellphone on the time of writing, and solely a handful of different handsets can match it. 

Value & Availability

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 begins at £1,049/$1,099.99. That will get you a mannequin with 256GB of storage, although stepping as much as the 512GB model I examined prices £1,149/$1,199.99. 

It’s accessible outright from a spread of outlets, together with Samsung and Amazon within the UK and Samsung and Amazon within the US. 

See our prime contract suggestions within the UK beneath.

And if you happen to’re within the US, you’ll see one of the best choices for the 256GB mannequin beneath.

It’s value noting that the beginning value is equivalent to the Z Flip 5 within the UK, however $100 costlier within the US. 

The plain flip cellphone various is Motorola’s Razr 50 Extremely/Razr + (2024), which has a decrease £999/$999 beginning value. Elsewhere, the common Razr 50/Razr (2024) and Nubia Flip 5G are rather more reasonably priced. 

See extra alternate options in our greatest flip cellphone chart.

Must you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6? 

Doubtlessly, however provided that you’re on the lookout for a particular kind of flip cellphone.  

If top-tier efficiency, an incredible important digital camera and lengthy software program help are your prime priorities, the Z Flip 6 is the way in which to go. Throw in two high-quality shows, first rate water and mud resistance and helpful AI options, and also you’ve obtained your self a compelling flip cellphone. 

Nevertheless, the issues are extra plentiful and extra impactful for a fifth-generation cellphone than you’d anticipate.

The irritating cowl display screen expertise is nowhere close to nearly as good as on the Razr 50 Extremely, whereas the mix of underwhelming battery life and gradual charging is tough to tolerate. Overheating is way from superb, too.

In the end, Motorola’s 2024 flip cellphone is a greater purchase than Samsung’s for most individuals, so I can’t suggest the Z Flip 6. For those who’re set on Samsung then the Z Flip 5 is probably going a greater worth alternative, although it doesn’t have the identical software program help promise. 

Specs

• 3.4-inch, 120Hz AMOLED cowl show  
• 6.7-inch, 1-120Hz LTPO AMOLED important show  
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3  
• 12GB RAM  
• 256/512GB storage  
• 50Mp, f/1.8, OIS important digital camera  
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digital camera  
• 10Mp, f/2.2 selfie digital camera  
• 4000mAh battery 
• 25W wired charging  
• 15W wi-fi charging 
• 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging 
• Twin stereo audio system  
• IP48 water and mud resistance  
• Gorilla Glass Victus 2 again 
• 5G  
• 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm (open), 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9 mm (closed) 
• 187g  
• One UI 6.1 over Android 14