It’s that time of the year when Samsung unveils its latest foldable devices. Last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 brought design improvements, such as a screen that folds completely shut, leaving no gap and better performance. At the same time, most other features remained similar to the Z Fold 4. With the release of the Z Fold 6, many are wondering what upgrades it brings. Here’s a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Table of Contents
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Z Fold 5: Key Specifications
| Specifications | Z Fold 5 | Z Fold 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Build and dimensions | Aluminum frame; 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm (unfolded) 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm (folded) Weight: 253 grams Protection: IPX8 | Aluminum frame; 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm (unfolded) 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm (folded) Weight: 239 grams Protection: IP48 |
| Displays | Inner: 7.6 inches 1812 x 2176 pixels AMOLED 2X 120Hz with 1750 nits of peak brightness Outer: 6.2 inches, 904 x 2316 pixels Super AMOLED 120 Hz display protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Inner: 7.6 inches 1856 x 2176 pixels AMOLED 2X 120Hz with 2,600 nits of peak brightness. Outer: 6.3 inches 904 x 2316 pixels Super AMOLED 120 Hz display protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Battery | 4,400 mAh with 25W charging, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless | 4,400 mAh with 25W charging, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Software | One UI 5 based on Android 13 (4 major updates) | One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 (7 major updates) |
| Cameras | 50 MP f/1.8 primary, Wide camera 10 MP f/2.4 secondary, Telephoto camera 12 MP f/2.2 third, ultrawide camera 4 MP f/1.8 inner selfie snapper 10 MP f/2.2 cover display selfie camera | 50 MP f/1.8 primary, Wide camera 10 MP f/2.4 secondary, Telephoto camera 12 MP f/2.2 third, ultrawide camera 4 MP f/1.8 inner selfie snapper 10 MP f/2.2 cover display selfie camera |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB 3.2 Type-C, | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB 3.2 Type-C, |
| Security and Audio | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Stereo Speakers | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Stereo Speakers |
| Storage and RAM | LPDDR 5 RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. 12 GB + 256 GB 12 GB + 512 GB 12 GB + 1 TB | LPDDR 5 RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. 12 GB + 256 GB 12 GB + 512 GB 12 GB + 1 TB |
| Starting price | $1,799 | $1,899 |
Galaxy Z Fold 6: Build and Display
Design and Build Quality
The build and design of the Z Fold 6 are almost identical to that of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, with the main differences being a flatter and sharper design language. The chassis is made of aluminum, which Samsung claims has been significantly improved.
Dimensions and Weight
The Z Fold 6’s dimensions are 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm when unfolded and 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm when folded. It makes it 1.4mm shorter, 2.7mm wider, and 0.5mm thinner when unfolded. Similarly, the device is 1.4mm shorter, 1mm wider, and 1.3mm thinner when folded compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The slightly shorter length and thinness, combined with a 14-gram reduction in weight, mean users can get a better grip when holding the device.
Display Specifications
Despite being 2.7mm wider when unfolded, the display size remains 7.6 inches. What doesn’t stay the same is the display resolution. The new Z Fold 6 has a resolution of 2150 x 1856 pixels compared to Z Fold 5’s resolution of 2176 x 1812 pixels. The display is much brighter now at around 2600 nits peak brightness from last year’s 1750 nits. The secondary display is now 0.1-inch taller. Both are 120Hz Super AMOLED panels with the cover display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Performance
Processor Comparison
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is powered by Qualcomm’s latest and greatest, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The SoC is around 50% better than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Z Fold 5 thanks to its newer cores and a revised core architecture and setup of 1+3+2+2 compared to 1+2+2+3 on the 8 Gen 2.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)
- 1 x Cortex-X4 (3.3 GHz)
- 3 x Cortex-A720 (3.2GHz)
- 2 x Cortex-A720 (3GHz)
- 2 x Cortex-A520 (2.3GHz)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm)
- 1 x Cortex-X3 (3.19GHz)
- 2 x Cortex-A715 (2.8GHz)
- 2 x Cortex-A710 (2.8GHz)
- 3 x Cortex-A510 (2.0GHz)
While both SoCs are based on TSMC’s 4nm process, Qualcomm claims the 8 Gen 3 is a tad more efficient, resulting in better battery life than its predecessor. Overall, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 brings significant performance and efficiency improvements, making the Z Fold 6 the better-performing device between the two.
Galaxy Z Fold 6: Cameras
Camera Specifications
Unlike the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which received a major camera upgrade, things remain stagnant on the Fold’s end. The Z Fold 6 features the same camera setup as the Z Fold 5. The setup includes a 50 MP f/1.8 Wide, 10 MP f/2.4 Telephoto, and a 12 MP f/2.2 Ultrawide snapper. The same 4 MP under-display camera unit is inside, and a 10 MP f/2.2 selfie unit is on the cover screen.
Camera Performance
We would’ve loved to see at least some upgrades in the camera department, given that Samsung has been using the same setup since the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Adding a 50 MP Telephoto or Ultrawide camera for better zoom or field of view could’ve been better, but it is what it is.
Battery
Battery Capacity
The battery remains similar as well, i.e., a 4400 mAh cell. However, the overall battery backup should be better than Z Fold 5, thanks to the 8 Gen 3 being more efficient.
Charging Speed
Unfortunately, the charging speed remains unimproved and is still only 25W.
Storage and RAM
Storage Options
There are no surprises here, as the Storage and RAM remain the same. The base variant has 256 GB of UFS 4.0 storage and 12 GB LPDDR5 RAM.
RAM Details
There are 512GB and 1TB versions that you can buy but with the same 12GB RAM. We hoped Samsung had bumped it to 16GB across all versions, but unfortunately, it didn’t.
Software
Operating System and Updates
The Z Fold 6 runs One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 out of the box, while the Fold 5 launched with Android 13 and has received an update to Android 14. However, one major difference is that the Z Fold 5 only has three more updates. At the same time, the Z Fold 6 will receive major Android updates for 7 years, similar to the S24 series!
New Software Features
One UI 6.1 brings several new features, including improved multitasking capabilities, enhanced privacy settings, and a more intuitive user interface, making the user experience more seamless and enjoyable.
Additional Features
IP Rating
With the Armored Aluminum frame, the Z Fold 6 now has an IP48 rating for protection against dust and water. In contrast, the Z Fold 5’s IPX8 rating did not offer dust resistance.
Other Notable Features
Other notable features include improved hinge durability, better screen protectors, and enhanced thermal management for better performance under heavy use.
Pricing
Price Comparison
With a price increase of $100 for the base variant, the decision to upgrade might be influenced by budget constraints.
Value for Money
The Z Fold 6 offers better performance and a slightly improved form factor, considering the minor upgrades. Still, the value for money might need to be more compelling for existing Z Fold 5 users.
Pros and Cons
Advantages of Z Fold 6
- Improved processor performance
- Brighter display
- Better IP rating for dust resistance
Drawbacks of Z Fold 6
- Minimal camera upgrades
- Same battery capacity and charging speed
- Higher price for the base variant
User Experience
User Interface
One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 provides a smooth and intuitive user interface with several enhancements for foldable devices.
Daily Usage
Daily usage should see improvements in multitasking, app performance, and overall responsiveness due to the upgraded Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.
Should You Upgrade?
Analysis of Upgrade Worthiness
With a price increase of $100 for the base variant, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a minor upgrade over the Z Fold 5 with only marginal improvements in form factor and performance due to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Recommendations
If you already own a Z Fold 5, there might need to be more of a reason to upgrade to the Z Fold 6. However, if you’re coming from an older foldable or looking for the latest foldable technology, the Z Fold 6 could be worth considering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 brings minor yet notable improvements over the Z Fold 5, including a brighter display, better processor, and enhanced durability. However, these enhancements may not justify an upgrade for current Z Fold 5 users. As Samsung continues refining its foldable lineup, the Z Fold 6 is a testament to incremental but meaningful progress.
