Review: Samsung Z Flip 6 is still the best flip phone on the market

Earlier this year, Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy AI software for their Galaxy S24 series. Now, it’s time for the spotlight to shift to the tech giant’s latest folding phone: the Galaxy Z Flip 6. 

With enhancements in processing power, battery life, and AI capabilities, this compact clamshell is the smaller sibling of Samsung’s foldable lineup, which includes the larger Z Fold 6. 

In the market for a new foldable phone? We put the Z Flip 6 to the test. 

Design and Display

The Flip 6’s design has been subtly refined from its predecessor. It takes inspiration from the sleek, flat design of the Galaxy S24+ – the flat sides and matte aluminium finish contribute to a modern, sophisticated look. The 3.4-inch external cover screen remains unchanged, displaying time, notifications, quick settings, and widgets.

Inside, the 6.7-inch main display is both brighter and smoother than its predecessor, improving visibility even under direct sunlight. The crease is also less noticeable to both the eye and touch, though the folding screen still requires careful handling to avoid damage.

Performance and Battery Life

Under the hood, the Flip 6 is powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip found in the S24 Ultra, paired with 12GB of RAM and a starting storage of 256GB. Translation: this  configuration ensures top-tier performance and efficiency, allowing the Flip 6 to handle demanding tasks effortlessly. 

The battery life is notably improved, lasting up to 48 hours with moderate use, including three hours of screen time and a couple of hours on 5G. It requires charging every other day, with a full charge taking about 90 minutes.

Running on One UI 6.1 based on Android 14, the Flip 6 will receive software and security updates for seven years, making it one of the most enduringly supported phones available.

AI Features and Camera

The Z Flip 6 integrates several AI features akin to the S24 series, including voice transcription, translation services, and various summarization tools. It supports Google’s Gemini AI chatbot and Samsung’s new interpreter mode, which displays translated text on the cover screen for live conversation translation.

One of the standout features is the new photo assist tool in the gallery app, which transforms rough sketches into photorealistic images. This fun and innovative tool produces impressive results with some experimentation. 

The Flip 6 is equipped with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP selfie camera. The main camera captures detailed and vibrant images, with effective 2x in-sensor zoom and up-to-10x digital zoom. The 12MP ultrawide lens is suitable for group shots and landscapes.

The internal selfie camera performs well, though using the main camera with the cover screen as a viewfinder yields better results. New for this year is an auto-framing mode that tracks and captures photos as you move, triggered by a palm gesture.

The Bottom Line

If you’re enamoured with the foldable phone concept and the unique benefits of the cover screen, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a compelling choice. Samsung’s steady approach to foldable tech offers a reliable option for enthusiasts, and its strong software support ensures the Flip 6 will remain relevant for years to come.

While the Z Flip 6 may not be the most revolutionary device in terms of news updates, its thoughtful enhancements and reliable performance still makes it a solid contender in the foldable phone market.