Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Review: An improved foldable for the classes

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Pros: Also Read: Samsung One UI 8 Beta Rolls Out For Galaxy S24, Galaxy Z Fold 6, And Flip 6: Full List of Compatible Models, How To Download

• Slimmer and lighter design
• Strong overall performance
• Bright and vivid display
• Robust longevity with seven years of software updates

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Cons: Also Read: 8 Best Samsung Smartphone Deals To Consider During Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale

• Charging speed is relatively slow at 25W
• Camera quality does not match flagship ultra standards
• Price point is on the higher side

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Review

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 stands as a testament to Samsung’s ongoing commitment to perfecting its foldable smartphone lineup. Building on the solid foundation established by its predecessor, the Z Fold 6 introduces subtle yet meaningful enhancements across various aspects. After using the Galaxy Z Fold 6 for a month, this review examines every facet of the device, including its design, display, performance, battery life, camera system, and AI features. Each element is scrutinized to assess whether the Z Fold 6 meets high expectations and pushes the boundaries of the foldable smartphone experience.

Design

Samsung has made significant strides in the physical design of the Fold series, especially with the fifth-generation model. The Z Fold 6 takes these improvements further with a 14g reduction in weight, making it just 7g heavier than Samsung’s flagship S24 Ultra. This slight reduction might seem trivial on paper, but in practice, it makes the device noticeably easier to hold and carry, whether in your pocket or bag.

The Z Fold 6’s flattened, matte aluminium sides are not just aesthetically pleasing; they also provide a better grip, making it easier to open with your thumbs. The wider outside screen alleviates the cramped feeling of previous models, making messaging and other phone tasks more comfortable. Overall, the phone looks premium and is easy to handle with one hand.

Display

One of the standout features of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is its display. The cover display has been slightly increased to 6.3 inches from the previous 6.2 inches, offering a more comfortable typing experience and less of a claustrophobic feel. The main 7.6-inch display is where the magic happens. Thanks to enhanced layers, the screen crease is less noticeable than in the Z Fold 5, and the display is significantly brighter, making it easier to use outdoors.

While you can still see the crease under certain lighting conditions and feel it when swiping across the centre, it fades into the background during regular use. Whether you’re working on spreadsheets, toggling between tabs in Chrome, or watching a movie on Netflix, the vibrant and colourful picture quality will impress. I’ve used it in various conditions, from bright sunlight to low-light environments, and the display consistently delivered a great experience.

Performance

Under the hood, the Fold 6 packs a punch with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 12GB of RAM, ensuring top-tier performance. Whether you’re running multiple apps simultaneously, indulging in intense gaming sessions, or frequently switching between tasks, the Fold 6 handles it all with ease. The larger vapour chamber also helps in maintaining sustained performance, making it a powerful device for any task.

The software is what you’d expect from Samsung—clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. The promise of seven years of software updates and security patches further solidifies the Fold 6 as a long-term investment.

Battery

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes equipped with a 4,400 mAh battery, which should last you a full day under average usage. In my daily routine, which includes office meetings, numerous calls, social media browsing, and some video shooting, the battery comfortably lasts from 9 AM to 9 PM, with about 25-30% remaining at the end of the day. Of course, battery life will vary depending on individual usage patterns.

However, the slow charging speed is a drawback. Using a 25W Samsung charger, it takes approximately 1.5 hours to fully charge the phone. While the battery performance is good, the charging speed could be improved.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes equipped with a versatile camera array, including a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens. On the front, there’s a 10MP camera, while the inner camera on the foldable screen is a 4MP sensor.

The primary 50MP camera excels in capturing detailed and vibrant photos, producing images with impressive brightness and colour accuracy. Many of the photos taken with this sensor are striking, reflecting a high level of clarity. However, Samsung’s preference for longer exposure times can make photographing moving subjects indoors challenging. The camera performs well in dark conditions, but achieving the best results in low light requires the use of night mode, which necessitates even longer exposures.

The ultrawide sensor marks a notable improvement over its predecessor, offering better dynamic range and more detailed wide-angle shots. This enhancement makes it a more capable tool for capturing expansive scenes with greater clarity.

The 10MP telephoto lens delivers good results in daylight, providing sharp and detailed images. However, its performance in low-light or indoor conditions is less impressive, where it struggles to maintain the same level of detail and brightness.

The 10MP front camera is competent in daylight, effectively capturing skin tones and producing clear selfies. In low-light conditions, it still performs reasonably well, though it doesn’t excel. The 4MP inner camera, located on the foldable screen, falls short of expectations and is less impressive compared to the other lenses.

Overall, while the Z Fold 6’s camera system covers a broad range of needs and performs well in many areas, it doesn’t reach the heights of Samsung’s flagship S series Ultra models. It’s adequate for everyday use and capturing memories and provides a good camera experience for those who appreciate its foldable design.

There are many camera-centric AI features for the camera that you can use on the Z Fold 6 out of the box. This includes an AI Eraser for removing unwanted objects in a photo and Generative fill to add additional elements to a photo with just a few prompts.

AI Features

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 also comes with a suite of AI features that add an extra layer of fun and functionality to the device. While these features are optimized for use with the S Pen, they still perform admirably without it. Whether you’re creating cartoons, sketches, or paintings from photos, the results are impressive. The phone can even generate realistic images from sketches, though there’s a watermark indicating they are AI-generated. These features are not just fun but can also be quite useful in certain situations.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a powerful device with top-notch performance, premium design, and a host of innovative features. It’s lighter, has better screens, a faster chip, and includes fun AI capabilities. While the camera isn’t at the level of Samsung’s Ultra series, it’s more than adequate for capturing memories. The slow charging speed is a drawback, but the overall battery performance is satisfactory.

The price may feel a bit high, especially considering the competition. In my view, the Z Fold 6 is designed for corporate users and those who value a flagship, stylish device. If you are someone who needs to handle multiple software and data-related tasks on the go, without having to open a laptop, or if you simply love evolving and fancy tech like foldables, then the Z Fold 6 is for you.