CheckMag | Is the Galaxy Z Flip 6 the laziest Samsung folding phone ever? 5 things to consider before buying one
1. The cover display size is unchanged
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 maintains its 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen with a 720 x 748 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, unchanged from the previous model. This screen size and resolution, by 2024 standards, results in fuzzy icons and text, while the 60Hz refresh rate feels outdated. The limited native app support further restricts its usability.
In contrast, the Motorola Razr Plus features a 4-inch cover screen with a higher resolution and refresh rate, offering a more refined and user-friendly experience.
Additionally, the noticeable drop from the 120Hz refresh rate of the internal display to the cover screen’s 60Hz highlights a key area where the Flip 6 could improve.
2. Improved camera
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 introduces a significant upgrade in its camera system. The device features a 50-megapixel main camera, complemented by a 12MP ultrawide lens and a 10MP selfie camera. This new setup offers improved detail and resolution in your photos.
The Flip 6 also features pixel-binning technology, providing the equivalent of a 2x optical zoom without the need for a dedicated telephoto lens. This enhancement allows the Flip 6 to offer zoom capabilities comparable to the Motorola Razr Plus (2024), which has substituted its ultrawide camera for a zoom lens. Unlike the Razr Plus, the Flip 6 retains its ultrawide lens while delivering competitive zoom performance.
For selfies, the Flip 6’s main camera, when used with the cover screen as a viewfinder, delivers superior quality compared to previous models.
3. 2-day battery life
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, matching the performance of the S24 Ultra. With 12GB of RAM and a minimum storage capacity of 256GB, it stands as one of the top-performing Android devices on the market.
One notable upgrade in the Flip 6 is its enhanced battery life. The device now houses a 4,000 mAh battery, a 7.5% increase over its predecessor, the Flip 5 (currently available for purchase at BestBuy). This boost in battery capacity, coupled with the efficiency of the new Snapdragon chipset, results in longer battery performance. Users can expect approximately 48 hours of usage on a single charge with moderate use, which includes around three hours of screen time and a couple of hours on 5G daily.
4. Advanced AI features
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 comes with One UI 6.1 on Android 14 and offers an impressive seven-year window for software and security updates, making it a standout in long-term support alongside Google’s Pixel 8, with Fairphone being the only brand offering a longer support timeline.
The Flip 6 includes a comprehensive suite of AI capabilities similar to those found in the S24 series. Features include voice transcription, translation services, summarization tools for notes and web content, and AI-driven assistance for quick replies and proofreading. It also supports Google’s Gemini AI chatbot and the useful Circle to Search functionality.
A new addition is the interpreter mode, which displays translated text on the cover screen, allowing users to position the phone in an L-shape for live translation during conversations.
The highlight among the new features is Photo Assist in the gallery app. This tool can convert basic hand-drawn sketches into realistic photo elements, seamlessly integrating them into images.
5. Charging speed lags behind
Samsung has increased the price of the entry-level 256GB Galaxy Z Flip 6 to $1,099. Despite this increase, the device is limited to a 25W charging rate, which can be relatively slow compared to other flagship smartphones.
In contrast, the Motorola Razr Plus offers 45W fast charging, making the Flip 6's charging capabilities seem outdated. This slow charging speed is a noticeable drawback for a phone in this price range.
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