Samsung is as soon as once more making an attempt to woo foldable telephone fans again into its camp with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. The important thing attraction this time round is a contemporary design served in a thinner chassis. There’s a sooner chipset inside, a barely extra sturdy construct, a redesigned hinge mechanism, and a shallower crease on the interior foldable panel.
All that comes at a $100 value enhance, although. For sure, it doesn’t sound like a very thrilling year-on-year improve in comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and it’s actually not a standout gadget in comparison with rivals just like the OnePlus Open and the Vivo X Fold 3 Professional.
However if you happen to’ve been rocking the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and are of two minds as as to if to remain put or splurge on an improve, there are just a few facets you need to be mindful. On this comparability, we’re going to give attention to the important thing variations that ought to matter to patrons.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: specs
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Measurement
68.1 x 153.5 x 12.1mm (folded)
132.6 x 153.5 x 5.6mm (unfolded)
67.1 x 155.1 x 15.8mm (Hinge) ~ 14.2mm
130.1 x 155.1 x 6.3mm (unfolded)
Weight
239 grams
263 grams
Colours
Silver Shadow
Pink
Navy
Crafted Black (on-line unique)
Purity White (on-line unique)
Graygreen
Phantom Black
Beige
Burgundy (on-line unique)
Value
Begins at $1,900
Begins at $1,800
Cowl show
6.3-inch HD+
Dynamic AMOLED 2X
2376 x 968 decision with 22.1:9 facet ratio at 410 ppi
120Hz refresh charge (1~120Hz)
6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X
2316 x 904 decision with 23.1:9 facet ratio
120Hz refresh charge (48~120Hz)
Important show
7.6-inch QXGA+
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Show
2160 x 1856 decision with 20.9:18 facet ratio at 374 ppi
120Hz refresh charge
2,600 nits max brightness
7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X
2176 x 1812 decision with 21.6:18 facet ratio at 373 ppi
120Hz refresh charge
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
RAM
12GB
12GB
Storage
256GB
512GB
1TB
256GB
512GB
1TB
Rear cameras
50MP most important with DPAF, OIS, f/1.8
10MP telephoto with DPAF, OIS, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom
12MP ultrawide with f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
50MP most important with DPAF, OIS, f/1.8
10MP telephoto with DPAF, OIS, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom
12MP ultrawide with f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
Selfie cameras
10MP with f/2.2 (cowl show)
4MP with f/1.8 (interior under-display digital camera)
10MP with f/2.2 (cowl show)
4MP with f/1.8 (interior under-display digital camera)
Battery
4,400mAh
4,400mAh
Charging
25W quick charging
15W wi-fi charging
4.5W reverse wi-fi charging
25W quick charging
15W wi-fi charging
4.5W reverse wi-fi charging
Water resistance
IP48
IPX8
Connectivity
5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3
5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.2
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: design and construct
Andy Boxall / Digital Traits
For the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung has created a “twin rail hinge construction” paired with a strengthened folding edge, and the next resilience to shock absorption alongside the body. The corporate has additionally used an enhanced number of Armor Aluminum and the second-gen Corning Gorilla Glass for the duvet show and the rear shell.
Samsung gained’t say what diploma of added safety they provide, however these supplies are actually extra resilient. The crease on the interior versatile display can also be smaller. The largest distinction, in comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 4, is that there isn’t any hole between the 2 halves of the telephone when the telephone is shut closed.
That’s a significant reduction, because the uncovered hole allowed mud and liquid particles to make their means inside. Given the historical past of damages that many patrons have reported, the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s gapless design ought to be a key promoting level. For the primary time, Samsung has additionally added mud safety to its foldable, bestowing IP48 safety upon its newest telephone.
Digital Traits’ evaluate highlighted enhancements akin to higher weight distribution, whereas additionally being extra snug to carry. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 solely served an IPX8 stage of water resistance, however no validated safety in opposition to mud. Higher shock distribution to exterior impression may sound like typical advertising and marketing jargon, however within the context of a foldable, it’s something however.
Andy Boxall/Digital Traits / Digital Traits
We not too long ago investigated foldable {hardware} complaints at official Samsung facilities and encountered points the place bumps and drops misaligned the hinge meeting. Consequently, the Samsung foldable refused to open totally, and there have been glue leakage points. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 appears to have taken a much-needed measure to repair these woes.
Concerning the 2024 slate of foldable telephones, Samsung says these make for “essentially the most sturdy Galaxy Z collection but,” whereas additionally being the slimmest and lightest foldable telephones it has ever made. In a nutshell, in case your main concern is the construct high quality, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 delivers sensible advantages over the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: internals
Andy Boxall / Digital Traits
Samsung has armed the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 4 depends on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 silicon. There’s undoubtedly a efficiency enhance on the desk, however each are based mostly on the 4nm course of, so the carry isn’t as large as one would count on from telephones spaced two years aside.
Each telephones include 12GB of RAM and reminiscence choices beginning at 256GB and going all the way in which as much as 1TB. The battery capability additionally stays the identical at 4,400 mAh, and so do the charging credentials, which max out at 25 watts for wired charging.
Nonetheless, the battery life scenario seems to be lower than splendid from a generation-over-generation enchancment perspective. The telephone supplied a one-day battery mileage in our checks, however based mostly on the utilization patterns, it’ll actually fluctuate. If you’re pushing DeX with multi-screen collaboration or indulging in multimedia-heavy workflows, you’ll have to discover a charging port earlier than the day ends.
“On the time of writing, I’ve not been that impressed with its efficiency, as very often, I’ve seemed down at it and puzzled the place all of the battery life had gone,” notes Digital Traits’ evaluate of the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 embraces the multi-eSIM format, however that varies relying in the marketplace the place you purchase it. One other minor change occurs within the wi-fi connectivity division. The most recent from Samsung makes use of Bluetooth v5.3, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 4 sticks with the Bluetooth v5.2 normal.
Andy Boxall / Digital Traits
The decision stays principally the identical on the show, however there are two key modifications. The quilt show on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is larger at 6.3 inches and extra “regular” in comparison with the oddly tall 6.1-inch entrance panel on the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
The on-screen fluidity may even be uniform throughout each screens on the brand new telephone. The quilt and interior OLED panels on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 can fluctuate between 1Hz and 120Hz, adaptively optimizing to the on-screen content material. On the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the duvet show’s refresh charge can solely drop to as little as 48Hz, whereas the height stays equivalent at 120Hz.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: cameras
Andy Boxalll / Digital Traits
In case you’re searching for new digital camera {hardware}, nicely, there’s barely any. The one notable change — no less than on paper — is the 4-megapixel under-display digital camera, which sees its area of view go from 80 levels on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to 85 levels on the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
The remainder of the {hardware} is equivalent. You get a 50MP most important digital camera, a 12MP sensor for ultrawide seize, and a 10MP telephoto snapper with 3x optical zoom vary. The quilt display provides a centrally aligned 10MP selfie digital camera.
There are some minor variations within the function set. On the Galaxy Z Fold 6, you get a function known as “optical high quality zoom 2x,” which Samsung says is enabled utilizing an Adaptive Pixel sensor. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 might solely seize 8K video at 24 frames per second (fps), however the Galaxy Z Fold takes it to 30 fps.
One thing curious has occurred on the slow-motion facet of issues. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 might do 960 ultra-slo-mo at HD decision, however that body charge isn’t obtainable on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. As an alternative, it will get two further choices: 120 fps at FHD and 120 fps at UHD.
Now, let’s speak concerning the digital camera efficiency. Sure, there are digital camera enhancements, however don’t count on them to ship the identical type of outcomes because the Galaxy S24 Extremely. The principle sensor performs nicely in a typical Samsung trend, which suggests you’re looking at a barely increased saturation that favors HDR output. But it surely’s not a rosy image throughout the board.
“If you have a look at the Z Fold 6’s pictures critically, the wide-angle digital camera takes muddy, low-quality pictures, particularly in sub-optimal lighting, and at any zoom stage aside from 3x, the photographs are disappointing, identical to the 4MP under-display digital camera,” notes Digital Traits’ evaluate of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. “Lens flare utilizing the primary digital camera is kind of widespread.”
In a nutshell, the cameras are dependable, however they’re removed from the “superb” label, one thing you’d count on from a telephone that prices near a few thousand {dollars}. For folk with knowledgeable pictures or fanatic inclination, this foldable isn’t fairly the pocket digital camera powerhouse, however it’ll serve social media-savvy customers simply high quality.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: software program
Andy Boxall / Digital Traits
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 runs Android 14-based One UI 6.1.1 out of the field. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 not too long ago began getting One UI 6.1 due to a software program replace. Now, the UI expertise shall be acquainted, however there are two essential variations: the years of updates left and the AI expertise.
Let’s begin with the AI expertise. There was a number of AI chatter on the Unpacked occasion, and barring hardware-level limitations, the expertise shall be uniform throughout each telephones. Samsung’s devoted Galaxy AI web site mentions the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and its skill to run options akin to Circle to Search, Notice Help, Dwell Translate, and generative AI-powered photograph enhancing — amongst others.
And it appears among the newer AI improvements introduced for the Fold 6 may even make it to older foldables, however we’re undecided if the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is on the record. “We additionally plan to roll out the brand new Galaxy AI options we introduced at this time to pick Galaxy units by the tip of the 12 months,” Samsung’s Annika Bizon stated at Unpacked.
On the software program facet, the largest change is a smattering of synthetic intelligence options, a few of which run on-device and don’t require an web connection. Samsung sells the entire bundle as Galaxy AI. Take for instance Notice Help, which not solely lets customers with content material creation but additionally with group and summarization.
Then again, Picture Help can pull off methods akin to eradicating parts from an image, filling backgrounds, adjusting angles, and much more. The AI stack also can flip tough sketches into photorealistic pictures, and even add a slow-motion impact to a daily video. Interpreter mode, transcription, and translation of calls are additionally a part of the Galaxy AI bundle.
In fact, not all Galaxy AI options showing on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will make it to the Galaxy Z Fold 4, so preserve that in thoughts.
Andy Boxall / Digital Traits
Subsequent, let’s test the software program longevity scenario. Samsung will push 4 years of OS updates on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and safety updates for 5 years.
On the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the corporate has promised seven generations of yearly Android updates and safety patches. That’s top-of-the-line assurances on the market, and if you happen to intend to maintain a foldable telephone for the long term, this software program replace dedication is a significant step in the proper course. It’s a,so vital to notice that the Z Fold 4 is already two years via its promised updates.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: verdict
Andy Boxall / Digital Traits
The query of upgrading to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is comparatively simple. In case your Galaxy Z Fold 4 is supplying you with {hardware} hell (necessitating speedy and costly repairs) otherwise you desire a foldable that can keep in your pocket for the subsequent half a decade on the very least, you need to head over to Samsung’s web site and rating one of the best trade-in deal.
In any other case, past a sturdier construct and a cleaner design, there isn’t a lot that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 provides that ought to provide the proverbial FOMO. The AI options may look all jazzy and fancy, however take into consideration whether or not you’ll use them day by day and in significant methods.
In any other case, it’s only a bunch of gimmicks that ought to by no means sway an individual to half with $1,900 — the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s beginning value — or extra. On a private notice, I’ve acquired a Galaxy Fold 4 in my drawer, and I discover little advantage to justify an improve, although the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in silver seems to be extra tempting than a cup of candy Vietnamese espresso.
Digital Traits’ evaluate sums up the worth conundrum succinctly: “You’re going to pay no less than $1,900 for the Z Fold 6, you’re right to count on greater than 12GB of RAM and 256GB of space for storing, sooner wired charging, a greater digital camera, and even a S Pen stylus to be thrown in. Sadly, if you’d like the Z Fold 6 to be the flagship-to-end-all-flagships, it’s simply not that.”
