Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: A Refined Iteration, Not a Revolution

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is the latest iteration in Samsung’s line of foldable flip phones. As the sixth iteration in the Galaxy Z Flip series and building upon the successes of its predecessor, the Z Flip 5, the Z Flip 6 brings a host of refinements and improvements while maintaining the core design and functionality that users have come to love.

This review will delve into the various aspects of the Z Flip 6, exploring its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, software features, battery life, and overall value proposition.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 retains the iconic clamshell form factor that has become synonymous with the Z Flip series. Samsung has made subtle but significant improvements in the build quality, resulting in a more durable and polished device. The phone features a sleek, compact design when folded, making it highly portable and easy to slip into a pocket or small bag.

While the design hasn’t undergone a radical overhaul compared to the Z Flip 5, subtle refinements are evident. The edges are slightly flatter, and the camera module is seamlessly integrated into the cover display, giving the phone a more cohesive and elegant look.

The hinge mechanism has been further refined, offering a smoother and more robust folding experience. The device now feels more secure and stable in both open and closed positions, addressing some of the concerns from earlier models about the longevity of the hinge. Samsung has also introduced a new Armor Aluminum frame, providing additional strength and resistance to everyday wear and tear.

The adoption of an official dust resistance certification of IP58 marks one clear improvement.  This means that the Z Flip 6 is protected against dust particles larger than 1mm, addressing users concerned about the phone’s longevity. The hinge mechanism looks to be less prone to dust intrusion, further enhancing the overall durability of the device.

Galaxy Z Flip 6 also features its array of color options. Samsung has introduced several new colors, including a striking lavender and a sophisticated emerald green, in addition to the classic black and silver options. This variety allows users to choose a device that best suits their personal style.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 boasts a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a resolution of 2640 x 1080 pixels. The display is vibrant and crisp, with excellent color accuracy and deep blacks, making it ideal for watching videos, playing games, and browsing the web. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and a more responsive touch experience.

When closed, the device features a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover display with a resolution of 512 x 260 pixels. This smaller display has also seen some enhancements, with better brightness and touch responsiveness. It serves as a convenient way to check notifications, control music playback, and take quick selfies without having to open the main display.

The cover display has also been upgraded to 3.4 inches, providing more screen real estate for notifications, widgets, and quick interactions. While it’s a significant improvement over the previous generation, some users might still find it a bit cramped for certain tasks. The cover display’s resolution is adequate, but text and icons can appear slightly fuzzy due to the smaller size.

Performance

Under the hood, the Z Flip 6 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM. This combination delivers excellent performance across a wide range of tasks. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is seamless, and demanding games run smoothly without any noticeable lag or slowdown. The Z Flip 6 handles everything you throw at it with ease, making it a reliable companion for both productivity and entertainment.

The phone comes with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, which should be ample for most users. However, the lack of expandable storage might be a disappointment for those who require additional space for media files or apps.

In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 supports 5G, providing fast download and upload speeds in areas with 5G coverage. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 further enhance the device’s connectivity options, providing reliable and fast wireless connections.

Camera

The Z Flip 6 features a dual rear camera setup with a 12MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. The primary sensor captures detailed and well-exposed photos in various lighting conditions. The ultrawide sensor offers a wider field of view, making it ideal for landscape shots and group photos. The camera app is intuitive and easy to use, with a variety of shooting modes and features to cater to different photography styles.

The Z Flip 6’s camera performance is good overall, but it doesn’t quite match up to the flagship phones from Samsung or other brands. Low-light performance is decent, but photos can sometimes exhibit noise and loss of detail. The camera also struggles with dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions, resulting in blown-out highlights or crushed shadows.

The 10MP front-facing camera is capable of capturing good selfies, but it’s not the best in its class. Skin tones can sometimes appear unnatural, and details can be lost in low-light conditions.

Overall, the Z Flip 6’s camera system is adequate for everyday photography, but it might not satisfy those who demand the absolute best image quality from their smartphone.

Software and Features Enhancements 

AI-Powered Photography

Among the most notable aspects are the AI-driven improvements to photography. To achieve the best possible exposure, color balance, and clarity, the camera makes intelligent adjustments to its settings based on what it sees. This eliminates the necessity for users to possess advanced photography skills in order to take photographs of a professional caliber.

Intuitive One UI Interface

The Z Flip 6 runs on Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI 5.1 on top. One UI is a well-designed and feature-rich interface that offers a plethora of customization options and useful features. Samsung has also integrated several software features specifically for the foldable form factor, such as Flex Mode, which allows you to use the phone in a partially folded state for certain apps like video calls or watching videos.

One UI 5.1 also brings a number of new features and improvements, such as enhanced privacy controls, improved multitasking, and a redesigned notification shade. Samsung has a good track record of providing timely software updates, so you can expect the Z Flip 6 to receive the latest Android versions and security patches for several years.

Flex Mode for Versatility

Flex Mode, which makes use of the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s foldable form, is one of its best software features. It can be used in many ways when it is partially folded, such as for hands-free video calls, taking pictures from different angles, or watching movies without a stand. The software adjusts the layout to make the most of the screen space, which makes the experience smooth and flexible for the user.

Multi-Active Window

Samsung has also improved the multitasking capabilities of the Galaxy Z Flip 6.  The Multi-Active Window feature enables users to run two apps simultaneously on the split screen. This is particularly useful for multitasking, such as browsing the web while taking notes or watching a video while chatting with friends. It enhances productivity and makes the most of the foldable display.

Battery Life

The Z Flip 6 is equipped with a 3700mAh battery, which is a slight improvement over the Z Flip 5. Battery life is decent, but it’s not exceptional. With moderate usage, you can expect to get through a full day on a single charge. However, heavy users might need to top up the battery before the end of the day. The phone supports 25W wired charging, but it doesn’t come with a charger in the box. Wireless charging is also supported, but at a slower 15W speed.

Overall User Experience

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers a unique and premium user experience that sets it apart from traditional smartphones. The foldable design is not just a gimmick; it adds genuine value by providing a larger screen in a compact form factor. The improvements in build quality, display, performance, and camera make it a well-rounded device that excels in everyday use.

However, it is important to note that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is not a revolutionary upgrade over its predecessor. While it brings several refinements and enhancements, it does not introduce groundbreaking new features. This may be seen as a drawback for users who were hoping for more significant innovations in this iteration.

Competing with Other Brands

The market for flexible smartphones is getting more competitive, especially since phones like the Motorola Razr+ and Huawei Mate X have come out. Each of these models has its own special features and functions, but the Galaxy Z Flip 6 stands out because of its sleek design and easy-to-use interface.

Also, Samsung’s large ecosystem, which includes everything from wearable tech to computers, makes integration easy for fans of the brand. This ability to connect can be a big draw for people who want their tech to work together. Regular software changes and customer service from Samsung make users happier, which makes the Z Flip 6 an ideal choice among high-end options. As brands continue to innovate and improve their offers, the Z Flip 6’s blend of elegance, usefulness, and Samsung’s established reputation sets it apart in a competitive landscape.

Motorola Razr+

One area where the Z Flip 6 falls short compared to some competitors is the refresh rate of the cover display, which is limited to 60Hz. This can result in a less smooth experience when interacting with the cover display, especially when compared to phones like the Motorola Razr+, which offers a 144Hz refresh rate on its cover display.

Price and Value

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,099 for the 256GB model, which is a $100 increase compared to the Z Flip 5. While the Z Flip 6 offers several refinements and improvements over its predecessor, the price increase might deter some potential buyers.

The Z Flip 6 faces stiff competition from other foldable phones like the Motorola Razr, which offers a larger cover display and a more powerful processor at a slightly lower price.

The Bottom Line 

While it doesn’t revolutionize the foldable phone market, it does bring several notable improvements over its predecessor, such as a larger cover display, a dust resistance rating, and a faster processor. However, the price increase and the lack of significant advancements in areas like camera performance and battery life might make it a less compelling option for some buyers, especially considering the competitive landscape of foldable phones.

That being said, the Z Flip 6 is a solid choice for those who are looking for a compact and stylish foldable phone with good performance and a reliable software experience. However, if you’re expecting a groundbreaking leap forward in foldable technology or the absolute best camera and battery life, you might want to consider other options or wait for future iterations of the Z Flip series.