The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
The versatile device offers a unique combination of convenience and performance, but the high price might be a concern.What's good
- Improved design
- Wider cover screen
- Brighter display
- Strong performance
- Galaxy AI features
What's bad
- High price
- Crease visibility
- Average cameras
- Slow charging
- Heavier than slabs
Design
The updated design of this phone brings it in line with contemporary aesthetic trends. It's slightly more boxy, which some find sharp in hand, but many prefer this modern look.
Samsung has shaved some weight, making the phone more comfortable for extended use without straining your hand. This change is praised across multiple reviews for improving everyday handling.
Samsung introduced a gap in the hinge that makes unfolding smoother. This refinement allows easier one-handed operation, as reviewers like those at Tom's Guide appreciate the phone "feels more durable and easier to handle." The fold flat closure feature minimizes dust and debris entering, enhancing longevity.
Display(s)
You'll enjoy a striking 7.6-inch AMOLED inner display ideal for watching movies and playing games. The screen boasts a peak brightness that's much higher than previous models, making it excellent for outdoor use.
Reviewers from Android Central emphasized that while the crease is subtler, a "slight difference" exists compared to the previous model. This suggests improved viewing pleasure, even if it's still present.
Overall, the brightness and color reproduction are top-tier, ensuring content looks vivid and dynamic.
Performance
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 excels in performance, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 12GB of RAM. You'll enjoy multitasking with ease, as it handles apps side by side without a hiccup. From gaming to productivity, this phone delivers a seamless experience showcasing Samsung's deep expertise in foldable technology.
One reviewer noted, "Samsung has made iterative improvements each year, and with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, it has finally reached an ergonomic milestone that makes the phone work as well as one could hope." This reliability and speed make it a solid choice for tech enthusiasts seeking cutting-edge performance.
Software & Storage
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 enhances your workflow with One UI, allowing up to three apps on-screen at a time. Experts find this software efficient for multitasking, especially in comparison to the Pixel Fold.
Users appreciate the customizable taskbar that maintains easy access to frequently used apps. The incorporation of Galaxy AI offers features like real-time translation, making the device more versatile in everyday use.
The UI's integration with Android 14 ensures a smooth, intuitive user experience without unnecessary complexity.
Cameras
The cameras excel in bright conditions, capturing vivid colors and good detail. However, experts note, "Samsung stuck with the same camera hardware since the fourth iteration," and this impacts low-light and zoom capabilities. The main camera often delivers sharp pictures, but motion shots can blur, especially indoors.
Zoom capabilities disappoint, with only 3x optical reaching adequate standards but lacking the intensity of its flagship rivals. Selfies are best taken with the cover camera for the clearest results, avoiding the inner display's weaker counterpart.
Battery
The 4,400mAh battery supports a day of moderate use, aligning with competitor offerings. For some, this means less worry about running out of power midday.
Tom's Guide points out, "Battery life could be better," noting expectations of longer use due to the high price. This may concern those who need extended power for demanding tasks.
Charging at only 25W feels slow, especially next to faster charging phones. Reviewers see more downtime near outlets for busy days, a significant drawback for tech-savvy users. Faster charging could streamline your routine, easing the day's flow with less interruption.
Audio
The Galaxy Z Fold 6's speakers excel in delivering dynamic sound, offering an experience that reviewers call "rich and spacious." This ensures that music and films come through with clarity and impact, making entertainment on-the-go a joy.
Call audio also benefits from enhanced clarity, ensuring you can communicate clearly whether you're in a crowded café or a quiet office. The design supports noise cancellation to filter out background noise, improving call quality.
Overall, experts highlight the combination of "sharp highs and fuller lows," giving you a balanced audio experience both for professional use and leisure, marking a significant improvement over previous models.
The Bottom Line
You'll find this device considerably lighter and more refined compared to earlier models, featuring a durable design and improved accessibility of the external screen. Many reviewers, like those from Android Central and Tom's Guide, appreciate the smoother hinge action and expanded multitasking capabilities. Experts note, though, that its steep price point and camera quality might not fully justify the investment if you seek a high-performing camera phone. It's the ideal choice for those valuing screen size and productivity in a compact form, particularly if you find a trade deal to ease the financial strain.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Archie Burkinshaw, uSwitchThe first thing to say is that the Fold 6 was a lot of fun to use. I was pleasantly surprised at how lightweight it felt, and after a while, I completely forgot about the crease in the middle of the screen. If I were a big fan of foldable phones and had a budget to spare, then I would be very tempte...
- Zarif Ali, Make Use OfThe Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a foldable smartphone that merges the utility of a tablet with the ease of a phone. Its expansive, flexible internal screen seamlessly continues your activities from the cover display. This device epitomizes mobile productivity and entertainment, boasting advanced mult...
- Vincent Nguyen, Yanko DesignThe Galaxy Z Fold 6 exudes a maturity that offers elegance, performance, and reliability, a much-needed respite from a fast-changing and unpredictable foldable phone landscape.
- Scott Plowman, EFTMThe Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 offers the best full fold experience out of all the options available here in Australia. The software is customised to take full advantage of the foldable form factor. Pity the hardware isn't. They only need to widen the outer display to have a near perfect device. If you...
- Ray Shaw, CyberShackThe Fold6 is a good phone, but it could be much better. Galaxy Z Fold owners either don’t know or care that there is much better value and performance in the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – the ultimate Android smartphone.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Samsung's suggested retail price is $1899.99. You can compare Galaxy Z Fold6 prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 user manual here.
Samsung backs up the Galaxy Z Fold6 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Galaxy Z Fold6 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Ask the Community
No questions for the moment.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides Helpful Links Share / Embed
Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.