Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 unfolds the future with its latest and most powerful iteration

As you’ve likely seen, heard, and read, Samsung recently unveiled its all-new Galaxy gadgets in the Galaxy Unpacked 2024 a few weeks ago; but if you missed it, here’s where you can read all about them. Unsurprisingly, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 continue leading the foldable smartphone technology category. With enhanced performance and a sleek design, it’s clear why they stand out.

Here in our hands, quite literally, is the Z Flip6. This compact yet powerful device features a stunning 6.7-inch foldable display. It boasts a 50MP camera for exceptional picture and video-taking experience. Additionally, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. We shall not spoil it any further but now begs the question: does the Z Flip6 truly outshine its predecessor the Z Flip5? Read on to find out.

FIRST, LET’S TALK CAMERA

Using the 0.6x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 10x zoom

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The Z Flip6 sports a big jump at a 50MP camera with huge improvements in HDR performance, as compared to its previous model’s 12MP—so you know your photos will look stunning with minimal effort. The Z Flip6 still boosts the same 10 MP front camera—honestly, it’s not a big deal because you’ll be taking selfies with the rear camera. Photos do indeed look more natural, with no weird over-processed colours or tones. Overall, the photo and video-taking experience with the Z Flip6 is outstanding, yielding amazing results with minimal effort required. Our celebrity-stalking endeavours at work events have never been easier.

 

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Did we also mention that the phone now comes with an Auto Zoom feature? As you pose for the photo in FlexCam mode, Auto Zoom will ensure you have the most perfectly framed photo. No need for manual adjustments! This also saves time in cropping your photos post-edit.”Take first, edit later”? That’s a thing of the past.

UPGRADED APPEARANCE

Let’s address the elephant in the room: its noticeable folding crease. Since the debut of the first-ever Flip, users have been relentlessly commenting on its obvious fold. As the brand continues to unveil new models, now with the Z Flip6 its crease still exists but there is still an improvement from before. The Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 remains unchanged; however, Samsung claims to have improved it by reducing its layers, which they named FTG glass, resulting in a less noticeable crease. If this is still a concern for you—well, it is a foldable device and it’s natural for a crease to appear. Consider the Samsung Galaxy S24, perhaps?

Moving forward, there are other significant improvements and new features in terms of the phone’s appearance: it is now dust-resistant for the first time (if you are planning to bring it out on a beach trip), boasts a new hinge for easier manoeuvrability, framed with enhanced armoured aluminium so it doesn’t scratch as easily, and offers a frosted finish to reduce fingerprint visibility. That last part is a notable upgrade from the Z Flip5, which tended to show marks wherever touched.

Now improved FlexWindow that allows you to have access to almost every app!

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Newly designed hinge that enables better mobility.

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Another standout point is, of course, the screen. The main screen now is brighter, at 2600 nits as compared to its previous models’ 1750 nits. While there are no changes on the cover screen, we appreciate that the FlexWindow is now even more customizable, allowing us to add more widgets and apps. You can now reply to messages on the FlexWindow, stream videos on YouTube and Netflix, and more. However, we still wouldn’t recommend streaming an entire episode on Netflix (why do that when you have a 6.7-inch main screen), but as someone who is not used to having a foldable phone, I appreciate the thought of not needing to open the phone every single time I need to access something.

As for colour choices, while we have yellow (often mistaken as gold for some odd reason by friends and family), there are still six others for you to choose from. It’s all mainly in pastel hues, but if that’s a concern there is also black and white.

NOW ONTO THE SOFTWARE

While we aren’t tech or gaming enthusiasts, but we still appreciate that the phone comes equipped with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the exact one that is found in the Galaxy S24. I’ve tried editing videos while watching videos on YouTube in split-screen mode, and it’s remarkably smooth with no lags at all. The phone also now carries a vapour chamber (also the first-ever in a Flip model), which may have contributed to its smooth usage.

Have fun customising your photos with the Portrait Studio feature.

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Let your creativity shine with Galaxy AI's Drawing Assist.

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While you’re juggling all of the above and more, it all becomes remarkably simpler with the phone’s plethora of assistive features. From Chat Assist to Note Assist, Transcript Assist, and Photo Assist, plus the new innovative Drawing Assist that breathes life into your sketches– even if you struggle to draw. Drawing Assist transforms your creations into something truly impressive. While it’s not one that we see ourselves reaching out to, we’re sure someone of younger age would. Galaxy AI is truly at your fingertips, tirelessly enhancing your experience.

Here’s another notable upgrade: the battery capacity has been increased to 4000mAh from the previous 3700mAh. This enhancement enables users to enjoy up to 23 hours of video playback and up to 68 hours of audio playback. However, the charging speed of the battery remains the same.

OUR FINAL THOUGHTS