If I handed you both the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Flip6, you’d be hard pressed to spot the difference at first glance. That’s because, visually, the two are nearly identical.
While there are a few subtle design changes on the Galaxy Z Flip6—like the new camera rings and a slightly more squared-off frame—the overall look remains strikingly similar.
But the real improvements in the Galaxy Z Flip6 lie beneath the surface. Samsung has made significant upgrades to the internals, directly addressing the concerns I had with the Flip5.
With enhanced camera performance, durability, and power, the Z Flip6 now feels like a true flagship phone.
After two weeks of extensive testing, I’m convinced: if you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to embrace foldable technology, the Galaxy Z Flip6 might just be the device you’ve been holding out for.
Here’s why….
Design, Build and Display(s)
Let’s begin with the design and build of the Galaxy Z Flip6, which, honestly, doesn’t have a lot of new elements to discuss. The reason is simple: the Galaxy Z Flip6 closely mirrors last year’s Z Flip5.
If you’ve seen, held, or used the Galaxy Z Flip5, you’ve essentially experienced about 90% of what the Flip6 offers. The familiar 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover display, the sturdy Armor Aluminum frame, and the protective Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the exterior remain unchanged.
However, there are a few noteworthy tweaks. Samsung has swapped the glossy finish for a matte one, which is a more impressive upgrade than I initially expected, adding a refined touch to the overall feel.
Another improvement is the IP48 rating (up from the Flip5’s IPX8), meaning the Flip6 now offers some level of dust protection, in addition to its water resistance.
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Credit where it’s due: Samsung has finally managed to reduce the display crease, albeit slightly. Yes, you can still spot it when the phone is held at certain angles, but it’s shallower than ever, and after just a few days of use, I barely noticed it at all.
The main 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display surrounding the crease hasn’t changed much, aside from being a bit brighter at 2,600 nits peak brightness.
Still, it continues to deliver a sharp Full HD+ resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, comparable to Samsung’s traditional flagship devices.
Cover Display
Now, let’s talk about the cover display. In my review of the Galaxy Z Flip5, I pointed out that one of my main gripes was the limited number of apps accessible via the cover screen. Unfortunately, that hasn’t changed with the Flip6.
However, my perspective on this has shifted.
After extended use, I realized I rarely found myself needing the cover display for anything more than simple tasks, like browsing my Spotify playlist while commuting.
I did occasionally use Google Maps on the cover screen for quick navigation while running errands in the CBD, but trying to watch Netflix or consume other content on such a small display wasn’t a great experience.
Honestly, I never felt the need to use the cover display for anything beyond these basics.
I understand that some users may want full app functionality on the cover display, and while that isn’t natively available, I don’t think it’s a dealbreaker.
However, Samsung should give users the choice. Requiring them to install GoodLock and MultiStar (which aren’t natively available in Kenya) just to unlock more features is frustrating and simply shouldn’t be the case.
Performance and Battery Life
Describing phone performance these days can feel a bit redundant, especially with flagship devices like the Galaxy Z Flip6 running on the best mobile processors available.
In this case, the Flip6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, backed by 12GB of base RAM — an upgrade from the 8GB on the Galaxy Z Flip5 — and comes with 256GB of base storage.
This storage size should really be the standard for all flagship devices at this price point (looking at you, Apple).
In day-to-day usage, the Flip 6 delivers excellent performance. Frankly, it meets all expectations, and I can’t say I’ve ever wished for more power. Whether you’re multitasking, navigating apps, or using it for productivity, the Flip 6 handles it all with ease.
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When it comes to gaming, the Flip6 can certainly hold its own, though I wouldn’t say it’s the ideal phone for hardcore gaming sessions.
While it can handle graphically demanding games, it tends to get warm pretty quickly, especially on the top half, which can make holding the phone uncomfortable after a while.
If you’re into casual gaming or less graphically intense titles, this isn’t much of an issue. But for more demanding games like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact, which are meant to be played in landscape mode, you’ll likely notice the heat buildup in your hand.
Unfortunately, the compact flip phone design doesn’t allow much room for heat dissipation, even with the cooling chamber that was included in the Flip6.
Battery Performance
The battery life on last year’s Galaxy Z Flip5 was underwhelming, but Samsung has made significant improvements with the Galaxy Z Flip6.
The battery capacity has been increased from 3,700mAh to 4,000mAh, but I believe most of the gains come from the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and Samsung’s software optimizations.
On most days, I clocked around 6 hours of screen-on time, with roughly 18-20% battery remaining by the end of the day. I never felt any anxiety about running out of battery, even with heavy usage, and I didn’t have to alter my habits at all to make it through the day.
When it comes to charging, the Galaxy Z Flip6 sticks with the same setup as its predecessor, offering 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.
While the speeds haven’t improved — it still takes about 85 minutes for a full charge — it’s adequate for most users. However, if you’re someone who values super-fast charging, this might be a bit of a letdown compared to what other brands are offering.
One thing to keep in mind: you’ll need to bring your own charger since Samsung doesn’t include one in the box. It’s compatible with any charger that supports USB PD PPS, so you’ll be fine as long as you have one handy.
That said, if you charge your phone overnight, the lack of faster charging speeds won’t matter much. Both wired and wireless charging options get the job done reliably, just not at the blistering speeds you might find with other flagship devices.
Galaxy AI – I’m Not Sold!
Samsung heavily promotes “Galaxy AI” in its marketing for the Galaxy Z Flip6, and while AI integration is becoming standard across many manufacturers, its real-world impact, in my opinion, is underwhelming.
As Dickson from Tech-ish rightly pointed out in his review of the Galaxy Z Fold6, most of these AI features sound promising but tend to be forgettable during everyday use.
After two weeks with the Z Flip6, I found myself primarily using the AI Composer for drafting quick email replies and tweets.
However, this feature’s convenience hinged on my use of Samsung’s native keyboard. If I preferred Google’s keyboard, for instance, I wouldn’t have been able to access it at all.
This exclusivity is a common issue across Samsung’s AI features. Many, like the AI Summary tool, are restricted to Samsung’s own apps, such as their browser, limiting users who prefer alternatives like Chrome.
It feels unnecessarily restrictive, especially when brands like OPPO offer similar AI tools that work seamlessly across third-party apps with their Reno12 Series.
Then there’s the Interpreter feature, which, while interesting in theory, fails to support African languages. This makes it impractical for a large user base—another missed opportunity.
Overall, while the AI features on the Z Flip6 sound impressive on paper, they shouldn’t be the focal point of its marketing, as their real-world impact is limited.
Cameras
Samsung made a notable effort to upgrade the Galaxy Z Flip6’s camera system over the Flip5. Instead of the dual 12MP setup we were accustomed to, the Flip6 now features a 50MP main shooter alongside a 12MP ultra-wide lens, bringing it in line with both the Galaxy S24 and S24+.
While megapixel count alone doesn’t guarantee better image quality, the improvements here are tangible. The main camera delivers a significant boost in consistency, capturing detailed, well-exposed shots with impressive dynamic-range.
It maintains the excellent dynamic range of its predecessor, ensuring vibrant, eye-catching images, especially in colorful environments. However, as is typical with Samsung, these colors can lean towards oversaturation, though this is less noticeable in more muted scenes, where accuracy improves.
I was particularly impressed by the camera’s performance in both urban and natural settings (take a look at the farm photos for reference).
In low-light conditions, the automatic long-exposure night mode kicks in, significantly enhancing brightness while preserving details and reducing noise. You can turn it off manually, but its impact is often worth keeping on.
For selfies, the Flip6 includes a 10MP punch-hole front camera. While it’s serviceable for quick snaps when the phone is open, I found myself relying more on the superior rear sensors through the Flex Window for better quality.
In terms of video, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers 4K recording at up to 60fps on both front and rear cameras, sticking to a simple yet effective approach.
A fun addition is the Camcorder mode, which activates when you fold the phone to a right angle and shoot horizontally. Though I’m not nostalgic for camcorders, I did find this setup provided more stability than holding the phone vertically.
The Flip6 also introduces some under-the-radar features like Expert RAW, allowing for more customizable and editable photos, including an Astrophoto mode for capturing the night sky.
Photo Assist is another option, offering tools like Sketch to Image, Generative Edit, and Portrait Studio. These allow for creative modifications, though they do add a watermark indicating the use of AI.
While they offer flexibility, such as resizing elements or adding fun doodles, I remain somewhat unconvinced by the overall impact of Galaxy’s AI enhancements.
Verdict: Should You Buy The Galaxy Z Flip6?
The Galaxy Z Flip6 feels like a fully realized iteration of Samsung’s foldable vision. While not without flaws, it’s evolved into a more polished flagship experience, delivering minimal compromises for its unique form factor.
For those who are fans of flip phones or curious to try one, the Galaxy Z Flip6 stands out as an excellent choice. It arguably offers the best flip phone experience on the market, thanks to its smooth software integration, robust Samsung support, solid camera performance, and decent battery life—along with everything else covered in this review.
In terms of foldables, this is the undisputed leader, and it’s hard to see any real competition catching up just yet.
That said, it’s not all perfect. While the battery life is good, it doesn’t quite match up to traditional slab phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Heavy users, particularly those into gaming, may notice the phone heating up uncomfortably, especially during more intensive tasks. These are trade-offs to keep in mind if you’re considering the Z Flip6. It offers a lot, but not without some compromises in power and battery longevity.
