Gear

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 is thinner, lighter, and still expensive

Samsung’s latest foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, brings updates to the table, including a wider outer display and improved cooling.

by
Kevin Raposo
July 10, 2024

Samsung smartphones on purple background

Image: KnowTechie

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Samsung’s latest foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, has arrived, and it’s bringing some much-needed updates to the table.

But here’s the kicker, with a starting price of $1,899, it’s clearly obvious that this device is aimed squarely at deep-pocketed early adopters.

So, what’s new? For starters, Samsung has finally addressed one of the biggest criticisms of the Fold series: that ridiculously narrow outer display.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

$1,899

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What’s New

A wider aspect ratio on the outer display (22.1:9) and an even closer to square inner display (20.9:18)
The device is thinner and 6% lighter than the Fold 5
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 12GB of RAM across storage options
A larger vapor chamber for improved cooling and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits
IP48 rating, offering protection against dust for the first time
Galaxy AI features like translations on the outer display and integration with the S Pen
Google Gemini support for multi-window mode
Android 14 and One UI 6.1 out of the box, with a promise of 7 years of updates

What’s the Same

Cameras: 50MP primary, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP selfie, 4MP under-display
Battery: Same 4,400 mAh as the Fold 5 (and Fold 4, and Fold 3)
Fingerprint sensor and aluminum frame remain unchanged

The Fold 6’s outer screen boasts a 22.1:9 aspect ratio, making it noticeably wider than its predecessors. The inner display is closer to square than ever, with a 20.9:18 aspect ratio. These changes should make for a much more comfortable and practical user experience.

Under the hood, the Fold 6 packs Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM across all storage configurations.

According to Samsung’s site, you’ll have a choice of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage. The device also features a larger vapor chamber to keep things cool, and the display can reach a scorching peak brightness of 2,600 nits.

Samsung foldable phones showcasing notes and translation. — Image: KnowTechie

In terms of durability, the Fold 6 earns an IP48 rating, which means it can withstand dust—a first for Samsung’s foldable. Sadly, it’s still not fully dustproof, which requires a rating of IP5X or higher.

On the software side, the Fold 6 launches with Android 14 and One UI 6.1 out of the box. Samsung is promising a whopping 7 years of Android and security updates, which is great to see.

You’ll also get some neat Galaxy AI features, like the ability to show translations on the outer display (a la Google’s Pixel Fold) and integration with the S Pen.

But here’s where things get a little frustrating. The cameras, battery, fingerprint sensor, and aluminum frame are all carried over from the Fold 5.

That means you’re getting the same 50MP primary sensor, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP selfie, and 4MP under-display camera. The battery remains a 4,400 mAh cell, which was underwhelming last year and feels even more so now.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 goes up for pre-order on July 10, with sales kicking off on July 24.

If you plunk down your cash early, Samsung will throw in a free year of Samsung Care+, double your storage, and give you up to $1,200 in trade-in values.

Bonus Deals: Save up $1,200 in enhanced trade-in credit with eligible trade-in, a free storage upgrade (up to $240 value), 5% off with student discount, and a free year of Samsung Care+.

The phone will be available in Silver Shadow, Pink, Navy, and Samsung.com-exclusive Craft Black and Purity White options.

So, is the Galaxy Z Fold 6 worth the hefty price tag? If you’re already invested in the Samsung ecosystem and want the latest and greatest in foldable tech, maybe. But for everyone else, it’s a tough sell.

That price puts it firmly in luxury territory, and the lack of meaningful camera upgrades is a real letdown. Still, it’s a step in the right direction for Samsung’s foldable series – let’s hope they keep innovating and (fingers crossed) bring the prices back down to earth.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

$1,899

KnowTechie Exclusive Deal: Click this link to save $150 off your Z Fold6. Here's how: Get $100 in Samsung Credit when purchasing a Z Fold6 within the next 72 hours. Earn an extra $50 off if it’s your first purchase on the Samsung Shop App.

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