The ultimate foldable mobile phone is getting slimmer thanks to artificial intelligence

We have spent a few days using this mobile as a personal and exclusive terminal, to see how it has evolved compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Samsung has not changed much in this model, we are already moving forward, but it is true that, at least, the prices have not increased. In Europe, the price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in its 256 GB variant, it is 1,909 dollarsThe 512 GB one costs 2,029 dollars and the 1 TB one reaches 2,269 dollars.

It is clear that Samsung does not have much competition in this sector, with some proposals such as HONOR, which is also not particularly economical. To respond to this model, the company has focused above all on artificial intelligence improvements which has already been created on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series.

An even more refined design

Samsung has changed little in the aesthetics of this foldablebut it has done so subtly in two or three points that quickly distinguish it from its predecessor. The main one is the external screen which, being now symmetrical, is more akin to the S24 Ultra. This makes the Z Fold 6 look like a normal phone, with a thickness above average, but that’s it.

Of course, there is no play between the two folding pieces, as there was none on last year’s model, and the hinge has been redesigned. The downside is that Samsung still can’t find the key to hiding the central wrinkle. In the Z Flip 6 it is less visible, but in this model it is still more visible than in competing terminals.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Review

Alvarez del Vayo

Buttons, speakers or charging port remainin addition to the fingerprint sensor. The latter is very weak when using the phone with one hand, which makes its use uncomfortable. In addition, the accuracy leaves much to be desired and in the end we opted more for the use of the PIN code, unlock pattern or facial recognition.

some changes

As expected, Samsung maintains the use of a dual screen, a very elongated external vertical and an interior with a very different ratio, almost 1:1. The screen remains the same as the previous model, but is now capable of displaying 2,600 nits of maximum brightness, the same figure achieved by the S24 Ultra. The problem is that the finish is not the same, and on the outside it is more visible than on the inside.

There are also changes at the processor level. Integrating the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxya variant of the best Qualcomm processor. It is still a mobile phone with 12 GB of RAM, the same memory that the Z Flip 6 now has, and with two RAM versions, 256 and 512 GB. A better vapor chamber has also been implemented, which means that maximum performance can be maintained for longer.

The camera section also seems stuck in the past.. It has a 50MP main sensor, the same one used by the S24, as well as a 10MP triple optical magnification telephoto lens and a 12MP wide-angle lens. The quality of the photos is practically the same as what we saw last year… and the year before. Even the front camera, 10MP, and the one under the big screen, 4MP, are identical.

Samsung’s biggest news is in the field of artificial intelligencewith new features like the ability to create 3D portraits or imitate watercolors and pencil sketches with the push of a button. Also striking is the AI-powered image editing, drawing with your finger or with the S-Pen, which is still not integrated into the device and requires a case for it.

The problem is that these new features don’t always work.and that Samsung relied on them so much to try to sell the Z Fold 6 is a problem. The Z Flip 6 at least includes perks like a better battery, but that’s not even the Fold. It’s still 4400mAh. It also doesn’t change the max charging speed, wireless charging…

or yes Korean company highlights its update support. Samsung has announced that the new high-end mobile phones of 2024 will benefit from no less than seven years of updates, which is in line with what Google has announced for its latest models. This positions it as one of the references when buying a mobile phone with the aim of making it last not two or three years, but six or seven.

I buy it?

Last year, we said that Samsung had not taken any risks with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 because it didn’t need it, it had practically no competition in Europe. This year we haven’t seen any changes and Samsung still hasn’t evolved this model. It’s true that it’s lighter, it’s thinner and, obviously, its processor is more powerful. The problem is that it stagnated much faster than the Galaxy S or the Galaxy Z Flip.

The Folds are niche devices that will continue to delight users who already demand them, but they are struggling to increase their market share by trying to convince other buyers that they are a good alternative. And it’s not because they are bad phones, it’s because There are options that don’t fold, but they’re just as good for half the money.. And this in Europe is something to take into account.