Samsung has led the charge for foldable devices, but there’s now more competition in the field. Between the Google Pixel Fold, Motorola Razr, and OnePlus Open, the momentum is only picking up — and the Korean tech giant looks set to further the artificial intelligence (AI) push with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6.
Unveiled during the Samsung Unpacked event on 10 July 2024, the devices join the Galaxy Buds 3 series, Galaxy Watch 7, and Galaxy Watch Ultra in getting the latest-gen treatment. Both run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, taking after their Galaxy S24 brethren, and offer improvements in areas that may differ from one to another.
For starters, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is more compact and lightweight than before. It measures 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1mm when folded and 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6mm in full, tipping the scales at 239 grams. In comparison, its predecessor comes in at 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4mm and 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm, respectively, and weighs 250 grams.
The slight trimming may not appear to be much, but the difference can be felt in the hand. As observed during a first-look session held in Singapore, the foldable fits more comfortably in the palm, with the reduced bulk making it easier to hold onto, especially in clamshell mode. Display specs remain largely unchanged, though, barring some minor tweaks.
Touting a 7.6-inch AMOLED 2X display, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 pairs the same 120Hz refresh rate with a 2,160 x 1,856 resolution (versus 2,176 x 1,812 previously). The 6.3-inch secondary Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel boasts a refresh rate of 120Hz and a 2,367 x 968 resolution, which gives a little more real estate (the Z Fold 5 measured 6.2 inches).
Inheriting the previous setup, Samsung’s latest is armed with a 12-megapixel (MP) ultra-wide camera, a 50MP wide-angle shooter, and a 10MP telephoto camera on its rear. A 4MP Under Display camera and 10MP Cover Camera round out its photography offerings, alongside a 10MP selfie camera.
Other notable features include a 4,400mAh battery, an IP48 water resistance, and an expanded vapour chamber that keeps things cool by dissipating heat more efficiently. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 also introduces several key AI tools to enhance photo editing and everyday use, such as:
- Generative Edit, which removes unwanted images, straightens slightly crooked objects, and runs AI to extend the background to blend in with the original picture (think the Generative Fill feature in Adobe Photoshop).
- Instant Slow-mo, allowing users to catch details with slow-motion playback.
- Interpreter and Live Translate: Call Assist, which offers real-time translation and communication assistance.
Testing out Sketch to Image, which generates AI images out of an existing image, yielded inconsistent and inaccurate results. For instance, a simplified sketch of a flying bird (top left) ended up being a rabbit (right), complete with the hyper-realistic sheen that usually follows AI-generated visuals. The imprecision could be due to the machine’s inability to pick up abstract or non-standard ideas, though some may find it handy in a pinch.
These features are available on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 as well. Powered on the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the device sports an identical build, coming in at 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9mm when unfolded. It weighs 187 grams, and is a little leaner at 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9mm (versus 15.1mm), with little to no differences in display tech.
Like before, the 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main screen sports a FHD+ resolution (2,640 x 1,080) and a 120Hz refresh rate, accompanied by a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED secondary display with a resolution of 720 x 748. The rear camera system, meanwhile, has been upgraded, packing a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a 50MP wide-angle snapper.
Creative professionals and enthusiasts will find more nifty features tucked into the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Where Nightography, enhanced with video HDR, is now available in-app on Instagram, the new Auto Zoom on FlexCam can automatically find the best framing for shots by detecting subjects and zooming in or out before making any necessary adjustments. Elsewhere, cover screen improvements allow more room for widgets, allowing users to check information from them simultaneously.
Similar to its larger sibling, the foldable is equipped with a 4,400mAh battery, an IP48 water resistance, and a vapour chamber, making it the first in the Galaxy Z Flip lineup to offer such cooling tech.
Both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 will be available from 24 July in Singapore, with pre-orders opening on 10 July. Retailing for S$2,548 (12GB RAM + 256GB storage), S$2,728 (12GB + 512GB), and S$3,088 (12GB + 1TB), the former comes in the Silver Shadow, Pink, and Navy colours. Two other options, Crafted Black and White, are exclusive to the online store.
Meanwhile, the Z Flip 6 is priced at S$1,648 and S$1,828 for the 12GB + 256GB and 512GB configurations respectively. Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue, and Mint are the standard colourways, with Crafted Black, White, and Peach available only to the online store.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
