A Smarter, Stronger, and More Polished Foldable — But Is It Enough?

Introduction

If you ask most smartphone users what they want improved, the answers are usually “battery life” and “camera.” Samsung seems to agree — because that’s exactly where the Galaxy Z Flip6 gets its biggest upgrades this year.

The 2024 Flip comes with a slightly larger battery, a higher-resolution main camera, and — for the first time — an IP rating that offers protection against both water and solids. It’s not full dust protection just yet, but it’s progress.

Of course, a new year means a new chipset. The Flip6 runs on the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, paired with 12GB of RAM across all variants — more than what you get in some Galaxy S24 models. So, what’s new here is refinement rather than revolution.

Design

Samsung didn’t reinvent the wheel this time — the Z Flip6 looks very similar to its predecessor, focusing on small but meaningful design tweaks.

The aluminum frame now has a brushed finish instead of glossy, the camera rings are more prominent, and the body folds completely flat thanks to the hinge redesign introduced last year.

Dimensions remain almost identical to the Z Flip5 — 14.9mm thick when folded and weighing just 187g, despite the bigger battery. It still feels sleek, compact, and easy to handle for a foldable.

The crease on the inner screen is still there — and while it’s slightly noticeable, most users won’t think twice about it after a few days. However, rival clamshells like Motorola’s Razr 50 Ultra still offer a smoother look out of the box.

Display

Samsung hasn’t made major display changes this year. You get the same 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X main panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, paired with a 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen that handles notifications, widgets, and quick tasks.

Brightness, however, has improved. The main screen now reaches up to 760 nits manually and over 1,000 nits automatically, matching the Galaxy S24’s vivid output. The result is a brighter, punchier viewing experience both indoors and outdoors.

Battery Life

The 4,000mAh battery is one of the Z Flip6’s biggest upgrades — an 8% jump over the previous 3,700mAh cell. It’s not a huge leap, but it makes a real difference in day-to-day use.

Samsung’s latest foldable now lasts longer in most screen-on tests compared to the Flip5, though rivals like the Oppo Find N3 Flip and Razr 50 Ultra still outperform it slightly. Nonetheless, it’s a solid improvement that helps ease battery anxiety.

Charging Speed

Here’s where Samsung continues to frustrate. The Z Flip6 still tops out at 25W wired charging, which feels outdated in 2024 when competitors boast 45W, 67W, or even higher speeds.

A full charge takes around 1 hour and 38 minutes, slower than most rivals. It does support 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, but Samsung’s “slow and steady” approach doesn’t exactly excite anyone anymore.

Software

Running Android 14 with One UI 6.1.1, the Galaxy Z Flip6 delivers Samsung’s familiar, polished experience — with a few extras for foldables.

Samsung has also promised seven years of software updates, matching its flagship S-series commitment. That’s impressive, though it remains to be seen how well today’s hardware will handle software seven years from now.

The cover screen — or “Flex Window,” as Samsung calls it — still isn’t as flexible as Motorola’s, which allows full app use. Samsung’s version remains widget-based, though you can now access more apps and quick functions than before.

Performance

Powering the Z Flip6 is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy — a boosted version of the already top-tier chipset. The result? Blazing-fast performance across the board.

Every Flip6 model comes with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is effortless, and gaming performance is flagship-level.

Thermals are well managed, too — though the compact form factor means the device can get slightly warm under extended heavy use.

Camera

This year, Samsung has finally given the Flip series a meaningful camera upgrade. The new 50MP main sensor is the same one found in the Fold6 and several Galaxy S-series models, replacing the old 12MP shooter.

The result? Sharper images, better low-light detail, and a noticeable improvement in zoom quality — though it still lacks a dedicated telephoto lens.

You still get a 12MP ultra-wide and a 10MP front camera, both producing reliable shots. Using the cover screen as a viewfinder for selfies continues to be one of the Flip’s coolest tricks.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 doesn’t reinvent the foldable, but it doesn’t need to. With a better camera, bigger battery, and smoother software, it’s the most refined Flip yet — even if the excitement factor is fading.

The slow charging speed remains its biggest flaw, and the cover display could be more versatile. Still, the Flip6 delivers a near-flagship experience in a compact, stylish package that folds neatly into your pocket.

If you’re upgrading from the Flip4 or older, this is a big step forward. But Flip5 users might want to wait another year — unless you really want that camera bump and extra endurance.