The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is here, marking another leap in Samsung’s ever-evolving foldable smartphone lineup. As a productivity powerhouse and one of the most refined foldable devices yet, it’s hard to ignore its premium price tag of Rs. 164,999. But is it worth the investment? Let’s dive into what the Galaxy Z Fold 6 brings to the table.
What’s New in the Galaxy Z Fold 6
While the Galaxy Z Fold 6 doesn’t introduce a revolutionary change compared to its predecessor, the Fold 5, it does come with several key refinements and enhanced AI features that set it apart. Despite the familiar design, these upgrades make it a strong contender among 2024 flagship smartphones.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 Price and Variants
One of the most notable changes this year is the price. The base model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage starts at Rs. 164,999, a significant jump from the Rs. 154,999 starting price of last year’s Fold 5. For those needing more storage, the 512GB variant is available for Rs. 176,999, while the top-end 1TB model costs Rs. 200,999. Given this premium pricing, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 sets a new benchmark in the foldable smartphone market.
Design: Sleeker and Lighter
Samsung has made subtle but impactful changes to the design of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The most noticeable is the shift from rounded corners to a flatter, rectangular design, offering a sleeker look. The foldable is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, with a folded thickness of 12.1mm and an unfolded thickness of just 5.6mm. Weighing 239 grams, the Fold 6 is easier to handle, with improved weight distribution for one-handed use.
Durability has also been enhanced with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, and IP48 water resistance, although it’s still not dust-resistant. The hinge has been refined for better sturdiness and shock resistance, making the folding mechanism feel solid and reliable.
Display: A Visual Delight
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 features a 7.6-inch main screen and a 6.3-inch cover screen, both boasting Samsung’s Dynamic LTPO AMOLED technology. The display is one of the best you’ll find on any foldable, offering a peak brightness of 2600 nits and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming. The main screen’s resolution of 1856×2160 pixels, combined with HDR10+ support, makes it ideal for multimedia consumption.
The cover screen has also been widened, improving usability for quick tasks like texting or browsing. The under-display selfie camera is subtly integrated, allowing for an immersive viewing experience without interruptions.
Performance: Powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. This combination ensures top-notch performance, whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or editing videos. Samsung has also equipped the Fold 6 with a larger vapor chamber for better thermal management, keeping the device cool during intensive tasks.
In benchmark tests, the Fold 6 outshines its competition, making it one of the best-performing foldables on the market. The device’s speakers are powerful enough to fill a small room, and call quality is excellent, even in areas with low network coverage.
Software and AI: Enhancing Productivity
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 runs on One UI 6.1.1, based on Android 14. Samsung has integrated a host of AI features, making it a productivity powerhouse. The Notes app, for example, now includes AI-powered features like auto-formatting, summarizing notes, and translating text. The Sketch to Image feature allows users to create artwork with AI assistance, while the Interpreter mode provides real-time translations.
These AI enhancements, combined with Samsung’s promise of seven years of Android and security updates, make the Galaxy Z Fold 6 a future-proof device. The software experience is smooth and intuitive, with seamless transitions between the cover and main screens.
Camera: Capable but Not Class-Leading
The camera setup on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is similar to its predecessor, with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens. In daylight, the Fold 6 captures detailed and vibrant images with excellent dynamic range. The ultra-wide camera performs well, though it lacks autofocus, which could result in soft focus in some shots.
Low-light photography is decent, but not without issues like noise and underexposed subjects. The 4-megapixel under-display camera is best suited for video calls, while the 10-megapixel cover screen camera is more suitable for social media uploads.
Battery Life: Room for Improvement
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes with a 4,400mAh battery, offering a full day of mixed usage. In our video loop test, the device lasted 20 hours and 24 minutes, which is impressive considering the large main display. However, the 25W fast charging support feels outdated, especially when compared to other Android flagships offering much faster charging speeds. A full charge takes over 100 minutes, which is slower than expected for a device in this price range.
Final Verdict: Is the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Worth It
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is undoubtedly the most refined foldable smartphone from Samsung to date. It excels in performance, display quality, and AI-driven productivity features, making it an excellent choice for multitaskers and tech enthusiasts. However, its premium pricing and niche appeal may deter some potential buyers.
If you’re in the market for a top-tier foldable with cutting-edge features and are willing to invest in a device that offers a unique form factor, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is an excellent option. For those seeking a more traditional smartphone experience at a lower price, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or other high-end Android flagships may be better alternatives.
