Samsung refreshed its two foldable models this week with a new Z Fold and a new Z Flip model. Currently, they are on pre-order and will go on open sale on July 24 (or a little later in some markets). Check out our hands-on review for a closer look at both models. Are you considering buying one?
First, consider the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. Samsung has changed the aspect ratio of both the cover display (now 6.3”, 22.1:9) and the main display (now a 7.6” panel with a 10.5:9 aspect ratio). It’s a subtle change, but it improves usability significantly.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Some other big changes – the phone is 14 grams lighter and 1.3mm thinner than the Z Fold5 when folded, both of which make for a better feel in the hand. The phone now has an IP48 rating, which isn’t enough to stop dust, but will stop larger particles.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is thinner even when folded, but the difference is less dramatic – at 14.9mm, it is 0.2mm thinner than the Z Flip 5. Other dimensions and weight are the same. This model has also received an IP48 rating and Samsung says it is using refined Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and Armor Aluminum materials to make the new foldable stronger.
The biggest change to the Flip this year is the 50MP main camera. The Z Fold has a tele lens, but all Z Flips so far have had issues zooming in. The new sensor should be more capable than the old 12MP unit in all scenarios.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
Finally, both phones use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a special chipset for the Galaxy. This year the Galaxy Z Flip6 also has a vapor chamber for cooling (a first in the series). And it has been upgraded to 12GB of RAM.
Here are the global prices of the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, though note that they do not include the pre-order perks (free storage upgrades, enhanced trade-in, and more) being offered by Samsung.
| Galaxy Z Fold6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 256 GB | 512GB | 1TB | |
| We | $1,900 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| Canada | C$2,565 | C$2,725 | C$3,045 |
| Europe | €2,000 | €2,120 | €2,360 |
| UK | £1,800 | £1,900 | £2,100 |
| Australia | AU$2,750 | AU$2,950 | AU$3,300 |
| India | ₹165,000 | ₹177,000 | ₹201,000 |
| Galaxy Z Flip6 | |||
| 256 GB | 512GB | 1TB | |
| We | $1,100 | $1,220 | , |
| Canada | C$1,463 | C$1,623 | , |
| Europe | €1,200 | €1,320 | , |
| UK | £1,050 | £1,150 | , |
| Australia | AU$1,800 | AU$2,000 | , |
| India | ₹110,000 | ₹122,000 | , |
Considering the options, there isn’t a lot of competition for a horizontal foldable if you’re in North America. The OnePlus Open is getting older, just like the Google Pixel Fold. Both should be replaced later this year, but they still have advantages like a 64MP 3x telephoto camera on the Open and a 10.8MP 5x camera on the Fold, compared to a 10MP 3x module on the Z Fold6. The OnePlus Open also has a 48MP ultra-wide (vs. 12MP) and faster 67W charging (vs. 25W wired/15W wireless on the Samsung).
Not to mention that the Open folds down to 11.7mm and weighs 239g (12.1mm and 239g for the Galaxy). Neither of these has particle protection, just water resistance, but Samsung’s are the first foldables to go that way on the IP code.
OnePlus Open • Google Pixel Fold • Vivo X Fold3 Pro
The Vivo X Fold3 Pro isn’t available everywhere, but it is available in some regions. It folds down to 11.2mm and weighs 236 grams, plus has 64MP 3x tele and 50MP ultra wide cameras. Also on board is a 5,700mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. There’s no particle protection, only IPX8, though. At least it uses a current chipset, the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, while the OnePlus Open and Google Pixel Fold are a generation or two behind.
OK, time to vote – will you be getting the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6? And are you upgrading from an older foldable or will this be your first? And don’t go anywhere, we still have the Z Flip6 poll.
Competition among flip foldables is stiff. Motorola has already launched its Razr 50 Ultra and Razr 50 (known as the Razr+ 2024 and Razr 2024 in the US). Even the vanilla model has a bigger, faster, sharper cover display than the Z Flip6 (3.6” 413ppi, 90Hz vs. 3.4” 306ppi, 60Hz), with the Ultra/+ model being even better (4” 417ppi, 165Hz). Both have fast charging too (45W/15W on the Ultra, 30W/15W on the vanilla).
The camera situation is a bit odd. Motorola has equipped the Razr 50 Ultra with a 50MP main, but it also has a 50MP 2x portrait camera instead of an ultra wide. The Razr 50 also has a 13MP ultra wide in addition to the 50MP main. Both phones use weaker chipsets – the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Ultra and the Dimensity 7300X in the vanilla Razr.
Motorola Razr 50 Ultra • Motorola Razr 50 • Honor Magic V Flip • ZTE Nubia Flip
It’s unclear if the Honor Magic V Flip will launch globally. It’s a more affordable model with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip but has a 4” 405ppi 120Hz cover display and 66W charging.
The Nubia Flip is already available in the US and Europe for $500 and €600 respectively. It can’t challenge the Z Flip6 in terms of specs with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip, but the rumored Galaxy Z Flip never materialized, so Samsung still doesn’t have a budget foldable.
So, what about – will you “buy” the Galaxy Z Flip6 or do you have other plans?
