Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review: Raises bar for flip foldable with numerous AI features

• Unfolded: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm
• Folded: 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9 mm
• Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (back cover) | Aluminium frame | IP48 rating
• Colors: Silver Shadow, Mint, Blue, Yellow (in some markets), Black, White, and Peach

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 maintains the iconic clamshell design of its predecessors but introduces several enhancements that make it stand out. The phone features a sleek, compact form factor that easily fits in a pocket when folded yet opens to reveal a large 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. On the other hand, the 3.4-inch cover screen continues to sport the folder-like design, which was introduced with the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

The outer shell is crafted from a combination of glass and metal, giving it a sturdy yet elegant feel. The cover screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, enhancing its durability against scratches and drops. The edges of the phone are flat. The hinge and the frame of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 have improved armour aluminium frame. Therefore, it is designed to be more durable and offer a smoother folding and unfolding experience. The device can be closed or opened with just one hand. In my usage, I liked the fact that the hinge allows users to keep the device at different angles, which is not something new for Samsung’s Z-branded flip phones.

One of the standout features of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is its IP48 rating. This rating indicates that the phone is resistant to both dust and water. Specifically, the number ‘4’ in an IP rating signifies protection against solid objects larger than 1mm, while the IPX8 rating signifies that the device can withstand immersion in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. It goes without saying that the Z Flip 6 has a premium appeal. The Z Flip 6 comes in six color options, such as Blue, Mint, Silver Shadow, Crafted Black, White, and Peach. The latter three are available exclusively through Samsung’s website. The retail box of the device includes the phone, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and some documents.

• Internal: 6.7-inch foldable AMOLED screen
• Full HD+ (1080 x 2640 pixels) resolution | 120Hz refresh rate | 2600nits brightness
• External: 3.4-inch AMOLED screen
• HD (720 x 748 pixels) resolution | 60Hz refresh rate | 1600nits brightness

The Galaxy Z Flip 6’s main and cover displays remain largely unchanged from the previous generation. On the inside, it has a 6.7-inch foldable AMOLED panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate; on the outside, it has a 3.4-inch cover screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. Nevertheless, for better visibility outdoors, the internal display now supports up to 2600 nits of peak brightness. The previous generation offered 1750 nits of maximum brightness. The cover screen allows for quick access to notifications, widgets, and even apps, significantly improving the usability of the phone when folded.

When it comes to streaming services, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 supports HDR10 and HD10R+ on the internal screen. However, there is no support for Dolby Vision. While the Z Flip 6 does not support all apps, it does support a wide range of widgets. When it comes to audio, one speaker is lodged in the earpiece, and the other is on the bottom edge for stereo output.

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
• LPDDR5x RAM | UFS 4.0 storage: 12GB+256GB | 12GB+512GB
• 4,000mAh battery | 25W wired | 15W wireless charging
• Android 14 | One 6.1.1

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform for Galaxy, an overlocked edition of the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powers the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The Z Flip 5 came with 8 GB of RAM, but the successor comes equipped with 12 GB of RAM. It comes to storage options, such as 256 GB and 512 GB.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 has 300mAh bigger battery than the Galaxy Z Flip 5. While the battery size has been increased to 4,000mAh battery, the support charging speed remains. It offers up to 25W wired charging, which takes around 1:30 hours to achieve a full charge. The device also supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. As far as battery life, the Z Flip 6 can last for the entire day with normal use.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 runs on Android 14 and One UI 6.1.1. For Z Flip 6 users, Samsung has promised seven years of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. The Z Flip 6’s biggest attraction is that it comes with several new Galaxy AI features. Instead, it allows users to access widgets, such as Calculator, Calendar, Clock Contacts, Gallery, Global Goals, Google (finance watchlist), Phone, Reminder, SmartThings, Spotify, Voice Recorder, and Weather. In addition, users can install Good Lock’s app and its MultiStar app to access almost any app on the cover screen. Shown below is an image where I could access our website and use a full-size keyboard. Here’s how the device performed on benchmarking apps.

The Galaxy AI features consist of the following:

1. Call Assist: Automatically transcribes and provides summaries of phone calls, making it easier to keep track of important conversations. This can be done using the “Live Translate” option while on a call. I did a test call wherein I spoke in English and my mom responded in Hindi. While the features are good, they aren’t very accurate all the time.
2. Chat Assist: Provides intelligent suggestions and auto-completion for messages, making texting faster and more efficient. The Galaxy AI icon that shows just above the on-screen keyboard can be used to access features, such as chat translation, composer, writing style, and spelling and grammar.
3. Interpreter: Real-time translation for conversations in different languages, helping users communicate seamlessly. The other person can use the cover screen to view the translated text when using the Interpreter app.
4. Note Assist: Automatically organizes notes and highlights key points, making it easier to review and find important information. This is available through the Notes app, wherein you get options like Auto format, Summaries, Correct Spelling, Translate, and Sketch to Image (if you have used the Notes app to draw something).
5. Transcript Assist: Converts voice recordings into text, allowing for simple documentation and reference. When you record a voice using the voice record, you can tap the Transcribe button to generate the text version of the recording. You can access the Summary and Translate options.
6. Browsing Assist: It works on Samsung’s built-in web browser, and it offers two features, such as Summarise and Translate.
7. Photo Assist: Uses generative AI to provide users with features to move, remove, and resize people and objects, and then uses AI to fill up empty areas. The Portrait Studio can also be used to transform pictures of people using a wide range of artistic styles.
8. Drawing Assist: It can turn drawings into images in the Samsung Notes app, Photo Editor, and the sidebar.
9. Photo Ambient Wallpaper: This feature available in the Wallpaper and Style section of Settings allows users to create dynamic wallpapers using AI to change a photo based on the time and weather.
10. Health Assist: Tracks health metrics and provides personalized insights and recommendations, integrating seamlessly with Samsung Health.

• 50MP Samsung S5KGN3 main camera
• 12MP Samsung S5K3LU ultrawide camera
• 10MP Samsung S5K3J1 front camera

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 features a new 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS support. The ultrawide and selfie cameras are the same ones that are available on the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 captures good shots in daylight, with consistent colors between the main and ultrawide cameras. In Portrait mode, the phone offers 1x and 2x zoom options. Skin tones appear natural, and color reproduction is impressive. The 10-megapixel front camera produces excellent selfies with a good dynamic range. However, you may prefer capturing selfies using the rear cameras, with the cover screen functioning as a viewfinder. Below are some of its samples.

The Auto Zoom feature is a new addition to the Flex Cam. When using the phone in its partially folded Flex Mode, it automatically adjusts the zoom level to ensure the perfect framing of your subject (people or pets) in your photo. It only works in the Photo mode, and not in other modes like Pro and Video.

When it comes to low-light photography, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 captures decent shots with reduced noise. Here are some camera samples taken in low-light conditions.

All three cameras are capable of shooting 4K videos at 60fps. OIS is available for 30fps Full HD and Quad HD video recordings.

It comes with support for a nano-SIM and eSIM and for security, it has the Samsung Knox and a side-facing fingerprint sensor.

With a similar design onboard, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 may not seem like a major upgrade. However, the inclusion of the new chip, a higher amount of RAM, a big battery, a new primary camera, an improved build, longer software support, and plenty of AI features do show that it’s the biggest upgrade seen on a Flip series phone from Samsung. The only major competitor in most markets outside China is the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra, which is priced at Rs 99,999 in India. In China, the phone faces competition from options like the Razr 50 Ultra, the Honor Magic V flip, and the Xiaomi Mix Flip. Certainly, one area to improve is the charging speed, which Samsung needs to upgrade on almost all its flagship devices.

Overall, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 stands out in the foldable phone market with its blend of performance, innovative AI features, and stylish design.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 price in India

Here is how the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is priced in India:

• 12GB+256GB:Rs 1,09,999
• 12GB+512GB: Rs 1,21,999
• Colors: Blue, Mint, Silver Shadow
• Additional colors on Samsung India site: Black, White, Peach

Disclaimer: All of the opinions in this Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review are mine and based on my own experiences. There has been no editorial input from Samsung.