The Korean tech giant Samsung took the stage on July 10 to reveal the next-generation flip-style foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip6. Continuing the trend of functional (yet minimal) upgrades, the company has equipped the latest flagship with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and a more capable camera system. However, are the updates compelling enough to upgrade to the latest Galaxy Z Flip6? Let’s find out.
ALSO SEE: Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Mobile Phones Price List 2024
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Vs. Galaxy Z Flip5: Screen
At first glance, you might not be able to differentiate between the Z Flip6 and the Z Flip5 (review). Both the phones house the same 60Hz 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover screen (306 ppi) and a 120Hz 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x inner screen (425 ppi on Flip5 vs. 426 ppi on Flip6). However, the peak brightness of the Flip6’s inner screen has gone up from 1,750 nits to 2,600 nits (and so has the brightness of the cover screen).
A tiny detail, however, is that the Flip 6 has a total screen estate of 101.5 centimeters square, whereas the Flip5 has 102.0 centimeters square. In simpler words, the newer phone has an ever so slightly smaller screen than its predecessor.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Vs. Galaxy Z Flip5: Design
Besides the screens’ brightness, you can also distinguish between the foldables through their colors. The new Z Flip6 is available in a variety of pastel shades, including Crafted Black, Peach, White, Silver Shadow, Mint, Blue, and Yellow. What’s interesting is that the new model’s cameras are outlined with the body color, elevating the overall look of the smartphone.
To increase the Flip6’s durability, Samsung has equipped it with an Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (on the cover screen). Although these materials sound similar to those used on the Flip5, the Flip6 does come with an IP48 dust and water resistance rating, which is a huge improvement over the IPX8 rating of the 2023 foldable. For those catching up, the Flip can now withstand damage from particles that are over 1mm in size.
The Galaxy Z Flip6 measures 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9mm when unfolded and 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9mm when folded. Compared to the Z Flip5, the folded thickness has improved, but only a hair (by 0.2mm), which could be the result of the improved hinge mechanism that ensures no gap between the two foldable panels. Nonetheless, both devices weigh the same, i.e., 187 grams.
ALSO SEE: Mini LED TVs Price List
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Vs. Galaxy Z Flip5: Performance
Under its shiny exterior, the Galaxy Z Flip6 features Qualcomm’s mightiest chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm, 3.39GHz). Since we’ve already seen this processor in the Galaxy S24 Ultra we reviewed earlier this year, there are no surprises. Compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm, 3.2GHz) on the Flip5, the newer processor performs about 35% better on the Antutu benchmark and Geekbench’s multi-core test.
To enhance performance further, all the Flip6 variants are equipped with 12GB of RAM instead of 8GB on the Flip5. However, we’re not sure whether the newer model has LPDDR5X or LPDDR5 type of RAM, as several publications have mentioned it to be the latter, and Samsung’s official press releases don’t address that. However, the storage options (UFS 4.0) remain similar to those that came out last year: 256GB and 512GB.
An exclusive update on the Flip6 happens to be its vapor chamber. According to SamMobile, the vapor chamber on the Flip6 is 150% bigger than that of the S23 Ultra and, by extension, should be larger than the vapor chamber on the S24 Ultra. With the vapor chamber, users can play games (that sustain peak performance) for a longer time, keeping the processor at an optimum temperature.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Vs. Galaxy Z Flip5: Battery Life
Regarding battery life, the Galaxy Z Flip6 finally gets a 4,000 mAh battery, a significant upgrade over the Z Flip5’s 3,700 mAh battery. In the real world, the difference could be reflected in higher screen-on times, but we’d have to wait before testing the device to comment on that. Luckily, Samsung has published the updated usage times on its website.
So, the Flip5 could last up to 17 hours of LTE internet usage and up to 20 hours of video playback. However, with the larger battery, the Flip6 will last up to 19 hours of LTE internet usage and up to 23 hours of video playback time.
However, charging speed remains to be an area where the Flip series disappoints, as even the Flip6 supports 25W wired and 15W wireless charging (the same charging speeds as the Flip5). In fact, given the increase in battery capacity, the Flip6 should take more time to reach from zero to 100%. Further, the wired charging is now compatible with QC 2.0.
ALSO SEE: Curved Monitors Price List
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Vs. Galaxy Z Flip5: Camera
With the Flip6, Samsung has swapped out the Flip5’s 12MP (f/1.8, 24mm) main camera for a new 50MP (f/1.8, 23mm) sensor. The higher resolution implies that users can click zoom into the main sensor to click slightly better 2x images (in the same manner as the iPhone 15 provides the in-sensor zoom).
The ultrawide camera, however, remains the same 12MP (f/2.2, 122-degrees) sensor, but it can record 4K videos at 60 fps (a feature missing from the Flip5). On the front, Flip6 users get the same 10MP (f/2.2, 23mm) selfie shooter as the Flip5, which, in our opinion, is a missed opportunity. Further, the front camera can only shoot videos in 4k at 30fps.
Nonetheless, other camera features remain the same, except the Flip6 ships with FlexCam, powered by Galaxy AI. This feature automatically zooms in and out on selfies and previews the frame on the FlexWindow (the cover screen). Obviously, Samsung is counting on users clicking their selfies using the phone’s primary camera. For those following the developments, the feature is based on the Zoom Anyplace technology Samsung showcased last year.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Vs. Galaxy Z Flip5: Software
Regarding software, the Galaxy Z Flip6 ships with One UI 6.1.1 based on Android 14. While Samsung has announced plenty of new Galaxy AI features for the new foldable, they’ll soon be available on the older Flip5, which currently runs on One UI 6.1. For instance, there’s the new AI Interpreter, Composer, Suggested Replies, Draw Assist, Generative Wallpaper, Live Effects for photos, and Note Assist. Last but not least, Samsung has integrated the Gemini app into the Flip6, such that using “Hey Google” directly invokes the Gemini assistant.
As far as software updates are concerned, Samsung has promised to provide seven major Android OS updates (up to Android 21) and seven years of security updates. Conversely, the Flip5 will only get four major operating system updates (Android 17) and five years of security patches.
ALSO SEE: 6000 mAh Battery Mobile Phones Price List 2024
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Vs. Galaxy Z Flip5: Price And Conclusion
- Galaxy Z Flip6 (12/256GB): Rs. 1,09,999 vs. Galaxy Z Flip5 (8/256GB): Rs. 99,999
- Galaxy Z Flip6 (12/512GB): Rs. 1,21,999 vs. Galaxy Z Flip5 (8/512GB): R. 1,09,999
Clearly, Samsung is getting comfortable with its foldable lineup, especially the Flip models, which are more affordable than the Fold. However, the increase in price (Rs. 10,000 on the base variant and Rs. 12,000 on the top-spec variant) might disappoint certain buyers.
Hence, in our opinion, the Galaxy Z Flip5 offers more value for money, especially since it will receive the Galaxy AI features that debuted with the Flip6 later this year. Hence, if someone is looking for a more affordable flip-style foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip5 could be the right option.
However, if someone already has the Galaxy Z Flip5, we don’t see a major reason to upgrade. One can exchange the Flip5 to get a cash discount on the Flip6 any day, though. Last but not least, if you’re eyeing the Flip6 to be your first foldable, you can’t go wrong with Samsung’s experience, top-notch hardware, and robust software experience, provided you have the budget to afford the phone.
You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.
