Galaxy Z Fold 6 Evaluate: Samsung’s Most Polished Foldable

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the most recent addition to Samsung’s increasing foldable portfolio and successor to what was thought-about a good foldable smartphone from final yr – the Galaxy Z Fold 5. What has modified this yr? Effectively, on paper, not a lot, however loads of refinements and the corporate’s go-all-in tackle AI (synthetic intelligence) options is one thing that may’t be missed.

In comparison with different flagships of 2024, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 additionally manages to put itself someplace on the high, and we’ll speak about it intimately in a bit. However what’s not gone too effectively is the pricing. To match, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 launched in 2022 was priced at Rs. 154,999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant. Equally, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 launched final yr got here on the similar value as Fold 4. The purpose price making right here is that this already was a brilliant premium smartphone pricing, holding every thing in thoughts. Nonetheless, the Galaxy Fold 6 this yr units a brand new benchmark for pricing because it begins at Rs. 164,999 for the bottom 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. In order for you extra storage in Fold 6, you will need to pay Rs. 176,999 for the 512GB storage and a whopping Rs. 200,999 for the 1TB storage mannequin. Effectively, that was the pricing, and now let’s dive into what the Fold 6 gives you this yr and whether or not you need to contemplate it.

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
• Sturdiness – IP48 (waterproof)

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has ditched the rounded corners seen on the Fold 5 and gone for a extra flatter design. The result’s an oblong bar design – when folded with sharper edges. That is the very first thing you’ll discover on Fold 6 when evaluating it with Fold 5 from final yr. Subsequent up, the bezels. The Fold 6 sports activities thinner bezels across the show and likewise encompasses a broader cowl display screen – making an enormous distinction in day by day use in comparison with its predecessor.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 weighs 239 grams

Dimensions-wise, Fold 6 has shed some thickness and weight. The brand new foldable is slimmer than its predecessor at 12.1mm (folded) and 5.6mm (unfolded) thickness. At 239 grams, the Fold 6 feels method lighter in day by day utilization in comparison with the Fold 5 (253 grams). Aside from weight cuts, Samsung has achieved a superb proportionate weight distribution. This helps as a result of it makes Fold 6 helpful for texting and even doing digital camera work with only one hand.

The cellphone options Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the entrance (cowl display screen) and again

The aluminium body feels sturdy and gives a stable hand really feel of the Fold 6 with a claimed improved scratch-resistant matte end. For defense, Samsung has offered Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on each the entrance show and glass again. This yr, the corporate has additionally taken a step in the best path by including IP48 safety, proving that Samsung has upped the sealing additional. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless not dust-resistant, so be sure you’re not utilizing it round sand surfaces or in an atmosphere the place mud particles can enter the gadget.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes with IP48 score for water resistance

In the case of foldables, I imagine that flip or clamshell telephones have extra enjoyable color selections than typical book-style foldables. Nonetheless, Samsung has tried to vary that impression by providing a number of choices. The Fold 6 is offered in Pink (sure, you learn that proper!), Navy, Crafted Black (Particular Version), White (Particular Version), and Silver Shadow, which we acquired for this evaluate. I’d have beloved to attempt White for positive, however this Silver Shadow color slowly grows on you and is a better option for the long term.

The Fold 6 options an improved hinge mechanism

Speaking about enhancements, the hinge is refined on the Fold 6, specializing in making it lighter and stronger. Samsung claimed at its Unpacked briefing that the hinge carries a number of enhancements, together with enhancements added to make it extra sturdy, utilizing a twin rail hinge, and being immune to shock. The cellphone snaps solidly when folded and provides confidence in on a regular basis use.

Leaping to the crease – probably the most controversial matter for a foldable gadget. There’s good and dangerous information. Dangerous first, it’s nonetheless there (very a lot seen). The excellent news is that the crease is additional diminished, and Samsung is ensuring to enhance the hinge mechanism with each iteration. The primary display screen will get a brand new safety this yr, although Samsung hasn’t given specifics. We all know that it’s thicker and extra sturdy to last more.

The primary display screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 options 7.6-inches

You get the cellphone, normal documentation, a SIM ejector software, and a USB Kind-C cable within the retail field. I might like Samsung to contemplate including a case within the retail containers of the foldables, contemplating the worth tag they carry, and even making it a bundle of some kind. For shoppers, something added as a bundle is all the time a welcome addition.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Show: Greatest show on a Samsung foldable, but

• Show – 7.6-inch primary display screen & 6.3-inch cowl display screen
• Show kind – Dynamic LTPO AMOLED
• Show safety – Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (cowl display screen)

As talked about, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 stacks effectively and ranks amongst flagship-grade smartphones. The show stands out and impressed me probably the most. Whereas there’s hardly any change on paper in comparison with its predecessor, the Fold 6 nonetheless outshines Fold 5 with its show efficiency. The Fold 6 encompasses a broader cowl display screen – with a minor bump – measures 6.Three inches, up from 6.2 inches on the Fold 5. The primary display screen gives a display screen decision of 1856×2160 pixels and 374PPI pixel density, whereas the duvet display screen gives 968×2376 pixels and 410PPI pixel density.

The Fold 6 gives a 91 % screen-to-body ratio

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 gives a superb show (primary and canopy) for on a regular basis duties. Be it gaming, multitasking, looking, streaming, studying, or extra. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 gives a peak brightness of 2600nits, and the daylight legibility is superb. The adaptive 120Hz refresh charge guarantees smoother animations and buttery transitions in on a regular basis utilization. The Fold 6 helps each HDR10+ and HDR10 requirements whereas, as anticipated, it comes with Widevine L1 certification.

The 7.6-inch primary display screen is among the greatest yow will discover for multimedia consumption. The under-display selfie digital camera on the principle display screen hides nearly completely, and you may take full benefit of the actual property.

Curiously, Fold 6 is wider than Fold 5; nevertheless, the principle display screen specs do not change. Samsung has translated a slight bump in width with improved decision and facet ratio. The quilt display screen is now simpler to make use of because of a wider 6.3-inch measurement, which makes it splendid for typing fast texts, emails or chatting on social media apps.

The quilt display screen on the Fold 6 measures 6.Three inches and gives 410PPI pixel density

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Efficiency: Setting the benchmark for different foldables

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

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 packs Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon eight Gen Three chipset, and the cellphone feels snappy in real-world efficiency. It does not miss a beat – be it multitasking, gaming, streaming, picture or video modifying. The Galaxy Fold 6 outshines all different 2024 foldables within the efficiency division. Gaming is dealt with easily, and I had fun attempting out Name of Responsibility: Cell and Asphalt Legends Unite on the Fold 6. Curiously, Samsung selected to go for a bigger vapour chamber on the Fold 6, which has paid off. I did not discover any heating points, thanks to raised thermal administration.

The cellphone options 12GB of RAM and is available in three storage variants

When you’ve got ever questioned if foldables can deal with heavy-duty duties, then Galaxy Z Fold 6 is right here to reply that query. In our artificial benchmark exams, Fold 6 carried out excellently, which was anticipated, and you may discover the ends in the desk beneath.

The speaker on the Fold 6 is succesful and loud sufficient to fill a small room. The readability can be wonderful. The decision high quality is improbable, and the foldable can comfortably latch to networks in low community zones. I had a good time typing on the duvet display screen of the Fold 6 and seen that it packs a robust haptic motor. It is good that Samsung has caught up on fundamentals whereas protecting the premium finish of the spectrum. Good work total within the efficiency division by Fold 6.

The Galaxy Fold 6 packs stereo audio system

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Software program and AI: Including worth

• Software program – One UI 6.1.1
• Model – Android 14
• Newest safety patch – June, 2024

The Galaxy Fold 6 runs One UI 6.1.1 primarily based on Android 14, and recently, when you’ve got used a premium Galaxy gadget, there’s little to have a look at right here. You may be handled with a well-recognized UI with minimal bloatware. The transition from the duvet to the principle display screen is easy, and most apps open easily and not using a stutter. Samsung guarantees seven years of Android and safety updates on the Fold 6, which ought to outlive the cellphone itself – in case somebody buys a cellphone now and plans to maintain it until 2031. It is a good factor to have, for instance, the IP score in your cellphone. You would possibly by no means use it when water can spill on the gadget, however the safety offers you peace of thoughts.

Samsung’s new foldables – Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 include a number of AI options. This fashion, Samsung ensures it stays forward of the AI curve that rivals are slowly pushing out with their new telephones. Principally, the iPhone 16 subsequent month can be Apple’s subsequent huge guess with AI.

Each Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 include a number of AI options

However, for Samsung, the bottom was ready in January solely when the corporate unveiled the S24 sequence with your entire Galaxy AI push. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 are simply carrying that ahead and in a great way. I talked about them intimately in my Flip 6 evaluate, however most of these AI options are enjoyable to play on the Fold 6, because of extra display screen actual property provided right here.

I’ll begin with my favorite choose, and that is the Notes app from Samsung. The Observe help brings a bunch of AI options like auto-formating, summarising notes, transcribing and summarising voice recording, auto-generating covers primarily based on content material in notes, fixing grammar and spelling, and translating textual content in notes. It additionally gives PDF overlay translation for fast translation of PDF paperwork – a function you will not discover totally free on the Web. Throughout my evaluate of the Fold 6, the Notes app was on my house display screen and was my go-to app for a number of work-related duties.

Sketch to picture was one other of my favorite AI options on Fold 6 and was a enjoyable technique to discover the artistic aspect of a nasty painter. The function is so good that it makes you are feeling you may draw. However that is simply AI doing the heavy lifting for you. I additionally tried the Interpreter function’s dialog mode, which might translate in real-time and labored flawlessly.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 runs OneUI 6.1.1 out of the field primarily based on Android 14

Portrait Studio can convert your portraits to 3D cartoons or any most popular obtainable kinds, whereas Photograph Help offers you AI picture modifying instruments. The Fold 6 is a superb cellphone in case you love studying, and the looking help function might help you summarise a webpage textual content and even assist with translations. For those who want chat help, AI can supply assist by means of the Chat help function, which might compose textual content primarily based in your request and likewise help you with altering the textual content’s tonality and checking grammar.

Portrait Studio function in motion on the Fold 6

All of those options mixed might help along with your day by day duties, however provided that you utilize them accurately and, in fact, if they’re useful in your work. For me, most of those had been very helpful and enjoyable to discover.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Digital camera: First rate however not the very best on the market

• Predominant digital camera – 50-megapixel, Twin Pixel PDAF, OIS, f/1.eight aperture, AF
• Telephoto digital camera – 10-megapixel, PDAF, 3x zoom
• Extremely-wide digital camera – 12-megapixel, f/2.2 aperture
• Selfie – 4-megapixel, f/1.eight aperture & 10-megapixel cowl display screen entrance digital camera with f/2.2 aperture

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 packs the rear digital camera setup we noticed on the Fold 5 and Fold 4. The massive change this time is the upgraded ultrawide sensor for higher low-light pictures. The selfie cameras are additionally the identical as what we noticed final yr.

The first digital camera is a 50-megapixel sensor

Leaping straight to the digital camera outcomes, the Fold 6, whatever the digital camera {hardware}, takes some wonderful daylight pictures. Loads of particulars and pictures are colour-accurate, vivid and vibrant in most well-lit conditions. Pictures have a superb dynamic vary, and autofocus works effectively. It captures first rate pores and skin tones in portraits.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 daylight digital camera samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

Even the bokeh pictures got here out effectively. I beloved the depth estimation on Fold 6, which was correct in most portrait pictures.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 digital camera samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

Coming to the ultrawide digital camera, the pictures are first rate in daylight conditions, with ample particulars and a very good dynamic vary. Nonetheless, one stunning information is that there is no such thing as a autofocus on this digital camera, which suggests in case you attempt to use Fold 6 as your point-and-shoot digital camera, chances are you’ll find yourself with some outcomes with mushy focus. The telephoto digital camera can be a succesful one.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 digital camera samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

In low-light situations, pictures barely get sketchy due to many components, together with irregular autofocusing. There are excessive ranges of noise in low-light pictures in addition to underexposed topics in a number of of our samples.

One other drawback was within the zooming division. The Fold 6 is not a cellphone that takes good zoom pictures, and there isn’t any doubt about it.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 night time digital camera samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

The 4-megapixel under-display digital camera on the principle display screen is greatest used for video calls and is not apt for social media uploads. The 10-megapixel digital camera, alternatively, is healthier for social media uploads and does a superb job in each lighting scenario. Samsung has additionally barely improved video high quality on the Fold 6.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 might not win the very best digital camera award in premium smartphones. However it packs succesful cameras. It is simply that I would like to match each facet of the gadget, holding the worth in thoughts, and that units my bar excessive for the Fold 6 to match.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Battery: Nonetheless catching up

• Battery capability – 4,400mAh
• Charging charge – 25W (wired) & 15W wi-fi
• No charging adapter within the field

The battery division is barely touched by Samsung this yr for the Fold 6. It is like the corporate selected to keep away from bumping battery capability to make sure that the load stays decrease than final yr’s Fold 5. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 packs a 4,400mAh battery, and it lasted almost for a day with blended utilization the place I spent probably the most time with the duvet display screen, whereas for duties like studying tales, modifying, and streaming, I ended up utilizing the interior show. Contemplating the battery specs have not modified, Fold 6’s battery efficiency is kind of just like that of Fold 5. In our video loop take a look at, the Fold 6 lasted for 20 hours and 24 minutes, throughout which we ran the movies on the larger interior show, which was spectacular.

The Fold 6 sports activities a 120Hz refresh charge

Battery life apart, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 disappoints in charging speeds. Samsung, for causes it is aware of greatest, is holding on to 25W quick charging help at a time when Android flagships priced upwards of lakh help minimal 65W charging speeds. In the course of the evaluate, we seen that the Fold 6 costs from Zero to 50% in 30 minutes. Nonetheless, full charging takes over 100 minutes, which is not good for a cellphone that prices nearly a bomb.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Evaluate: Verdict

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the very best foldable but from the home of Samsung. It delivers on so many issues it guarantees, and it’s a boon for multitaskers. The shows are the most effective on the foldables I’ve used; efficiency is snappy, whereas software program with AI options is a USP. The extra time you spend with Fold 6, the extra you may be a fan of the shape issue – particularly the use circumstances it gives, which really feel like a number of gadgets are rolled into one. In a time when smartphone producers are slowly getting bullish on AI options on their gadgets, Samsung can proudly boast that it has efficiently built-in a bunch, they usually work wonderful.

The highest-of-the-line Fold 6 variant with 1TB storage prices Rs. 200,999

It is a supremely succesful foldable smartphone, however it might not outright beat different Android flagships, together with the Galaxy S24 Extremely. The reason being easy: it is not meant for that. So, why must you purchase it? If you wish to expertise a refined book-style foldable smartphone with tons of AI goodness and top-notch efficiency, then Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the cellphone for you. It gives the most effective UI experiences you may’t get on different foldables just like the OnePlus Open (Evaluate) and Vivo X Fold Three Professional (Evaluate). The software program help promise is the cherry on the cake.

Now, let’s speak about some issues. The most important drawback is that foldables don’t enchantment to everybody, and the second is the pricing of the Fold 6. Due to the folding kind issue, it’s fragile in comparison with different telephones with a bar design and appeals to a distinct segment target market. After all, the pricing is on the excessive aspect.

Speaking about alternate options, the Galaxy S24 Extremely (Evaluate) gives nearly every thing that Fold 6 gives at a lesser value, minus the fold design. OnePlus Open and Vivo’s X Fold Three Professional are additionally obtainable in case you strictly desire a book-style foldable apart from Fold 6.