REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is the latest addition to Samsung’s foldable smartphone line-up, combining incremental yet welcomed tweaks to the Flip series’ design aesthetic along with advanced features. Below is our full review of Samsung’s latest ‘flipping’ phone.

Design & Build Quality

The Galaxy Z Flip6 features a compact design that folds into a small square, making it extremely portable and easy to slip into a pocket or small bag. When unfolded, it reveals a 6.7″ display. The hinge mechanism has been refined for a smoother folding and unfolding experience, and Samsung claims it can withstand up to 200,000 folds.

This durability is a significant improvement, though real-world usage over several years will be the ultimate test.

The exterior of the device is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and the frame is made from Armor Aluminium, which enhances its robustness. The phone feels solid and well-built, exuding a premium feel that matches its price tag. Similar to its predecessor, there is the 1.9″ Super AMOLED cover screen on the exterior.

This small but functional display allows for quick access to notifications, widgets, and even serves as a viewfinder for selfies when the phone is folded. This addition significantly enhances usability without needing to unfold the device constantly so it definitely came in handy more than I thought it would.

We do wish there were more third-party widgets that were compatible with this screen but hopefully this is something that will change in the future, once more developers prioritise custom widgets for their apps.

Display

As mentioned, the main display is a 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a resolution of 2640 x 1080 pixels. The AMOLED helps produce vibrant colours, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and general use. The 120Hz refresh rate is also a nice addition and ensures smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions.

When it comes to the folding aspect of the device, Samsung has made significant efforts to minimise the crease in the centre of the display, a common issue in foldable phones. While the crease is still present, it is less noticeable during everyday use.

The Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) layer has been strengthened, offering better durability without compromising flexibility. The cover display, although small, is highly functional for quickly checking notifications, controlling music, or even taking selfies without unfolding the phone.

Performance

Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip6 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with 12GB of RAM. This combination ensures top-tier performance, capable of handling demanding tasks and multitasking with ease. Whether you’re playing graphics-intensive games, editing photos, or running multiple apps simultaneously, the Flip6 delivers a smooth and lag-free experience.

The device comes with 256GB of internal storage, providing plenty of space for apps, photos, videos, and files. However, there is no expandable storage option, so users are limited to the built-in capacity. There is the possibility to go for the larger 512GB storage options but this obviously comes with an additional cost of €110. Samsung’s One UI 6.1, based on Android 14, offers a clean and intuitive interface with a host of customisation options and features designed to enhance the foldable experience.

Features like FlexCam offers a versatile camera experience with the ability to prop the device in a variety of different shapes and angles, helping you get the best hands-free shot possible.

The new Auto Zoom feature is also quite handy as it detects the subject and automatically adjusts the framing by zooming in and out as needed.

The Interpreter Mode also works very well, especially thanks to the Flip6’s folding form factor, letting you prop the device between you and the person who you’re looking to have a conversation with in a foreign language.

I tried this particular feature out with one of my work colleagues who speaks fluent Portuguese and we were both equally impressed with how fast and accurate it was able to translate our conversation. I was even using the Galaxy Buds3 Pro to hear the translation directly in my ear.

Camera

The camera setup on the Galaxy Z Flip6 includes a dual-lens system on the back with a much improved 50MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens.

The upgraded wide-angle lens performs well in various lighting conditions, thanks to its large pixel size and optical image stabilization (OIS). Photos taken in low light are clear and detailed, with minimal noise.

The ultra-wide lens offers a 123-degree field of view, perfect for capturing expansive landscapes and large group shots. Both lenses benefit from Samsung’s advanced image processing, which enhances colour accuracy and dynamic range.

The front camera (when the device is opened) is a 10MP sensor located in the hole-punch cutout on the main display. It takes sharp and clear selfies, and the cover display can be used as a viewfinder, allowing you to take selfies with the rear cameras.

This dual functionality is a clever use of the foldable design and adds versatility to the camera experience.

Battery Life

The Galaxy Z Flip6 is equipped with a 4,000mAh battery, the largest battery yet in a Flip series device. With moderate use, including social media browsing, video streaming, and gaming, the Flip6 can last through a full day on a single charge. This battery performance is commendable, given the device’s compact size and power-hungry features.

The device supports 25W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. While the fast charging isn’t the fastest available, it still does the job of recharging the phone quickly. Wireless charging adds convenience, and the reverse wireless charging feature allows you to charge other devices, like earbuds or a smartwatch, using your phone.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is an impressive blend of innovation and practicality. Its unique folding design and solid build quality set it apart from traditional smartphones with Samsung refining and upgrading the experience with each new generation. The vibrant displays, high performance, and versatile camera system make it a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts and style-conscious users alike.

Battery life, while not exceptional, will definitely be acceptable for most users, and the available charging options should help keep most ‘battery worriers’ happy. The Galaxy Z Flip6 represents an incremental step forward in foldable phone technology, combining modern aesthetics with advanced features. It’s a strong contender in the premium smartphone market, especially for those looking to embrace the future of mobile technology with a stylish and functional foldable phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Pricing & Availability

The Galaxy  Z Flip6 is available now in Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue and Mint. It can be purchased on Samsung.com or on Three Ireland

• 256GB – €1,239
• 512GB – €1,349