Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 Review: A Foldable Future or Just a Gimmick?
A few weeks ago, I made the leap—trading in my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for Samsung’s latest foldables: the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Cards on the table? I’ve got thoughts. Let’s unpack the experience.
Z Fold 6: The Beauty and the (Unchanged) Beast
On the surface, the Z Fold 6 is a sleeker, lighter, faster version of its predecessor. It feels more refined, and the improvements in hardware polish are noticeable. But every time I pull it out of my pocket, I can't help but feel like Samsung is ignoring its biggest issues.
The Crease: Six Generations In, Still There
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the crease. It’s still very much visible and noticeable, even after six generations. Companies like OnePlus, with their first-gen foldables, have managed to reduce this better. It’s all about the hinge. Samsung’s hinge continues to pinch the screen with every fold, and over time, that crease becomes even more obvious.
Camera Compromises That Hurt
Now let’s talk about the camera system. If this phone were $800, I’d say the camera is "pretty good." But when you’re coming from an S24 Ultra, the downgrade is clear:
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Limited zoom range
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Less reliable autofocus (no laser autofocus)
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Grainy low-light photos due to a smaller sensor
For a phone that costs $1,900, you’d expect top-tier camera tech. Instead, you’re basically getting the same setup as the base Galaxy S24—not even the Ultra.
And don’t get me started on the under-display 4MP selfie camera. It looks like something from a 2009 PlayStation Portable add-on. It's low-res, faint, and can't even shoot 4K. This tech was poorly received back on the Z Fold 3—why is it still here?
Performance, Heat & Battery: A Triple Threat
Foldables have unique structural challenges, and it shows:
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Thermal issues: The phone heats up fast. On mildly warm days in the UK, the screen dims, apps refuse to open, and the phone screams, “I’m too hot!”
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Battery life: It’s around 15–25% worse than the S24 Ultra. With a smaller battery powering a bigger display, it’s no surprise. But it lands in that battery anxiety zone, where a power bank becomes your daily companion.
AI Features: Fun, but Mostly Novelty
Samsung leaned into the AI features this year—and while some are genuinely cool, most fall into the “neat but rarely used” category.
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Live translation in WhatsApp? Awesome.
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Smart Select and sketch-to-image? Creative, but limited and constrained (especially when adding to faces, likely due to deepfake concerns).
And yet, it’s ironic: a phone that begs to be used like a tablet still doesn’t come with an S Pen, while the S24 Ultra does. It feels like a missed opportunity.
Folding Features: Cool or Crucial?
Let’s be real. You’re paying twice as much for a foldable. So are the features worth it?
Yes... and no.
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Flex mode is cool for watching movies on planes or recording timelapses.
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The taskbar on the unfolded display is amazing—real productivity boost.
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But you could get the same functional benefit with a kickstand case and a better screen.
Ultimately, it’s still a phone with compromises. If you’re not using the folding features constantly, you're just stretching and squeezing your Candy Crush game on an overpriced screen.
The Flip 6: Folding That Makes Sense
Now, contrast that with the Z Flip 6—a device that knows what it wants to be.
It’s basically a Galaxy S24+ that folds in half, and that’s a surprisingly logical proposition. You get flagship specs with:
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Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
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Same RAM and storage as the Ultra
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Decent battery life (better than the Fold)
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Excellent rear-camera selfies thanks to the flip design
It’s fun, compact, quirky—and the front screen is genuinely useful, acting almost like a smart watch with its own distinct personality.
Yes, It Has Tradeoffs—But They're Justified
There are still some tradeoffs:
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The crease is there (though less noticeable than on the Fold)
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Buttons are placed a bit too high
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1080p display vs Quad HD
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No telephoto lens
But these are compromises that make sense when you consider the Flip’s purpose and price point.
Final Thoughts: Who Are These Phones For?
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Z Fold 6: Great idea, still held back by unaddressed flaws. At $1,900, it’s a tough sell unless you really need the folding features.
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Z Flip 6: A genuinely smart choice for someone looking for a playful, compact twist on a flagship phone.
Neither phone gives you the best bang for your buck—but the Flip makes a much stronger case.
Bonus Tip: Traveling With a VPN
One last thing. I recently found myself on a flight during the Euros Final (men’s football, the UK hadn’t won it—ever). Everyone wanted to stream it, but geo-restrictions on BBC iPlayer blocked us mid-air.
Enter Surfshark VPN. Switched my location to the UK mid-flight—streamed the game live. Wish we hadn’t lost, but I was glad I had Surfshark.
Right now, you can grab it for $29/month (with code BOSS), including 30-day money-back guarantee, unlimited users, and 4 free months. No-brainer if you travel or want privacy.
TL;DR:
Foldables are cool, but still make you pay in price and compromises. Flip 6 hits the sweet spot; Fold 6? Only if you really need the flex.
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