An iPhone User Tries the New Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Is It Worth the Hype?
The brand-new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a foldable device with a fun size that packs a punch. But, is it truly impactful in everyday life?
I’ve always been attracted to flip phones. I’m one of those lucky people who flaunted a Motorola Razr phone at the end of the 2000s while in college. Flipping open the phone to answer calls gave a unique “main character energy” that felt special. Does this still hold true today?
Fast forward to 2024, and it’s been over a decade since I last held a flip phone. By now, I’m an iPhone user. Recently, during the launch of Samsung’s latest foldable devices, I got my hands on a foldable ‘smartphone’ for the first time in years. After using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 for a few weeks, here’s why a flip phone might be a stylish addition to your communication needs in 2024.
Easy Handling
With its attractive looks, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is easy to handle. Initially, I was a bit nervous, fearing that my slippery fingers might cause me to drop it, but as the days went by, I became more comfortable holding the device.
Constructed with aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, Samsung claims this phone is one of the most durable Z Flip phones to date, and I can’t disagree. The texture of the back, edges, and flex screen feels carefully and elegantly crafted. The curved edges of the Z Flip 6 complement the overall design perfectly.
The 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED screen with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate is sleek and bright. Navigating through apps and scrolling up and down is butter-smooth. The large screen makes it an excellent medium for watching your favorite shows. The display offers ample space for media consumption, especially reels and shorts. Scrolling through Twitter and Facebook is a breeze.
Managing the device single-handedly was a significant bonus for me. The hinge mechanism allows the phone to stay open at different angles, making it perfect for hands-free calls and vlogging. In daily use, the crease is almost negligible. Another upgrade is the increased brightness, which now reaches up to 1,500 nits in auto mode, significantly improving outdoor visibility.
The power button with an integrated side-mounted fingerprint scanner provides fast and reliable biometric authentication.
Durable Design
At first glance, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 looks almost identical to the 2023 Z Flip 5. Samsung has maintained the sleek, square-shaped form factor when folded, but it transforms into a full-sized smartphone when open. Nonetheless, there are notable design upgrades upon closer inspection.
For instance, the Z Flip 6 features more prominent camera rings, making it distinct. Despite the larger 4,000 mAh battery, Samsung has managed to maintain the same dimensions and weight as its predecessor.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 comes with an IP48 rating for water resistance. According to Samsung, the device works fine submerged in 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. This meant carefree use during Delhi’s rainy season. Water and dust have been common issues with foldable form factors, but the Z Flip 6 addresses these concerns for a pleasant user experience. Additionally, the stereo speakers provide satisfactory audio performance with ample sound.
The device also features a range of AI-powered features, including smart replies on the cover display, which enhances quick responses for camera applications, note-taking, live transcribing, etc.
Charming Cover Display
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the Z Flip 6 is its exterior cover display. While it’s not drastically different from the Z Flip 5, the cover display provides easy access to essentials like notifications, music player, camera, and weather. Playing music and seeing music apps on the cover display evoked nostalgia, reminding me of mid-2000s MP3 players.
Interestingly, Samsung has added support for selected apps like Google Maps, Messages, Netflix, WhatsApp, and YouTube. You can watch YouTube videos, stream Netflix shows, or chat on WhatsApp without opening the device. This feature proved to be extremely convenient for me.
Performance and Battery Life
When it comes to performance, the Z Flip 6 features a special Galaxy edition of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. The AnTuTu score for this flip phone is slightly lower, around 1.5 million, compared to some other flagships in 2024.
Nevertheless, I found it fast and responsive, handling apps and gaming with ease. However, I noticed some thermal throttling during extended use, a persistent issue with many recent flagship releases. That said, the throttling with the Flip 6 was minimal.
Z Flip 6 Cameras
The latest version of the Flip sees significant improvements in the camera department, with the main shooter now featuring the same 50MP sensor as the S24 series. During my use, photos taken in daylight showed pleasing colors, excellent dynamic range, and remarkable detail. The new sensor delivers natural details with less sharpening. Low-light performance is also impressive.
The device retains the 13MP ultra-wide camera from the Z Flip 5, which delivers great results. Additionally, the unique form factor allows for creative selfies using the main camera as a viewfinder with the cover screen. 4K video recording is available across all cameras, with footage showing broad dynamic range and stabilization. The camera also features an auto-zoom function that detects subjects and adjusts the zoom automatically.
UI and Battery Life
The Z Flip 6 is based on Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 and powered by Android 14, optimized for the foldable interface. I enjoyed unique features like split-screen functionality and the Live Interpreter for real-time translation. Samsung’s promise of seven years of OS upgrades and security patches reflects its commitment to long-term software support, which could be a strong reason for choosing this device.
This 4 You
Regarding power, the Z Flip 6 comes with an increased 4,000 mAh battery capacity. Expect around 10 hours of active use, which is impressive for a foldable smartphone. Although the 25W charging speed remains unchanged, the new device supports wireless charging. It’s worth noting that the larger battery provides slightly longer charging durations compared to the Z Flip 5.
The Samsung Z Flip 6 comes with 12GB of RAM and is available in 256GB and 512GB variants. While there’s no option for expandable storage, it’s not a dealbreaker.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 showcases refinements in design and engineering. Although there isn’t a major leap in the foldable form factor, cumulative improvements in battery life, camera performance, water resistance, and ease of use make it a strong option in the foldable segment.
The device effectively addresses some persistent issues associated with foldable form factors. It’s smart, unique, and features a powerful performance in a pocketable design, making it an appealing buy.