Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip sequence has at all times tempted me greater than the Z Fold. Possibly it’s the flip-phone nostalgia taking maintain; possibly it is the truth that I don’t wish to watch video inside a sq.; possibly it is merely the Z Flip’s extra palatable worth.
The Z Flip sequence has launched in tandem with the Z Fold for a number of years, however typically with specs that put it across the backside of every flagship household, together with the historically formed Galaxy S household. That adjustments this yr, with Samsung addressing a number of the Z Flip 5’s greatest shortcomings: battery life and middling cameras.
It’s a great factor too. As we talked about in our Z Fold 6 evaluation, there’s extra foldable competitors than ever. In truth, within the face of Motorola’s most up-to-date foldables, whereas Samsung is doing one thing, is it sufficient?
SAMSUNG
Whereas Z Flip 6’s design has remained largely the identical, Samsung made a number of under-the-hood upgrades this yr, with improved battery life and cameras. It makes the very best case but for mainstream foldables, however the firm might do extra, particularly when using the secondary entrance display.
- Higher cameras
- Longer battery life
- Enjoyable generative AI tips
- Costlier than its predecessor
- Design is sort of similar to final yr
- Restricted front-screen utility
- Sluggish charging
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Design and show
You’d be hard-pressed to inform the distinction, visually, between the Z Flip 6 and final yr’s Z Flip 5, with just some minor design adjustments. The upgraded digital camera array now has a metallic edge round every lens, and the edges are flatter this yr, consistent with the design of different 2024 Galaxy units. There’s alo a largely imperceptible discount in thickness when the gadget is closed too, probably all the way down to a more recent hinge design. In comparison with my year-old Z Flip 5, the crease appears as soon as once more even much less seen this yr.
Whereas and show sizes and resolutions stay the identical, the primary display on the Z Flip 6 tops out at 2,600 nits, in comparison with the 1,750 nits of the Z Flip 5’s show. Samsung claims that is its brightest foldable show but, and it’s greater than sufficient to deal with temperamental summer season climate right here within the UK. It’s one other crisp, clean, stunning versatile AMOLED.
The Z Flip 6’s cowl show is identical dimension, brightness and backbone as its predecessor. Does it look pretty much as good because the Moto Razr 50 Extremely? For my part, no, however there’s sufficient display house to learn notifications, body your pictures and even watch movies.
Additionally, if you happen to’re nervous about display toughness in your new foldable, Samsung’s new Z Assurance program is price noting. It gives a free one-time alternative of Samsung’s factory-installed display protector on the Z Flip 6 and even a one-time low cost on display alternative if the very worst ought to occur.
In the case of utility, regardless of extra widget help (and house for extra of them), the Z Flip 6’s Flex Window doesn’t do sufficient. Notifications are nonetheless a swipe away, and the expansive display (launched final yr) gives sufficient house to take selfies with the gadget with out unfolding it.
Samsung’s software program improvements, like AI-powered translation, reap the benefits of the dual-screen Z Flip 6, displaying each events what’s being stated. It’s typically fairly correct, and mixing audio and textual content ought to assist cut back misunderstandings and mistranslations.
Galaxy AI powers new images options tied to the quilt show, too. AutoZoom takes not less than a number of the guesswork out of framing when establishing the Z Flip to take a timed picture or report video with out direct supervision, and it really works properly, cramming in pals or cropping your environment to focus in in your group. Modifying and modifying the Flex Window continues to be unnecessarily difficult. Different options are buried away within the Labs part of settings, and there usually are not sufficient widgets for a tool on its fifth iteration. (Samsung by no means launched a Z Flip 2.)
However, when different flip foldables provide a truncated model of your private home display, and may (with blended success) run most apps, some new widgets aren’t sufficient. Thankfully, Samsung’s Labs settings can run a handful of apps on the quilt display, together with YouTube, Netflix, WhatsApp, and Google Maps. It’s a begin, but when the quilt show can deal with streaming video, absolutely I might get a Kindle studying app, or a stripped-down model of Chrome. I want Samsung had pushed it additional. (There are some instruments and apps to work round this, many Galaxy Z Flip customers swear by Good Lock, however I don’t wish to must work round this constraint.)
The Z Flip 6 additionally will get a RAM improve this yr, as much as 12 gigs from 8GB final yr. Just like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and S24, it has a robust Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and I didn’t discover any efficiency points throughout testing.
Cameras
The first digital camera sensor on this yr’s Z Flip has lastly been upgraded to 50 megapixels, placing it on par with this yr’s Galaxy S24. It’s higher, certain, however doesn’t fairly match the capabilities of main digital camera telephones just like the Pixel 8 Professional, S24 Extremely, or iPhone 15 Professional.
Pitting the Z Flip 6 in opposition to the Z Flip 5, I used to be shocked how typically the pictures just about matched one another. Predictably, if I selected to shoot on the Z Flip 6 in full 50-megapixel stills, that provided extra constancy than the Z Flip 5. If I shot in 12MP on the Z Flip 6, there typically was little distinction between the 2 foldables. The newer telephone was much less vulnerable to blowing out a complete picture when every thing was brightly lit. On the identical time, it’s extra dependable in low-light conditions, particularly once you select the 12MP setting, letting the telephone course of these additional pixels for a extra detailed shot. The Z Flip 6 appeared extra able to pulling out finer element, whether or not that was blades of grass or the tender define of this affected person canine.
A much bigger advantage of that larger sensor is that the Z Flip 6 can zoom in by cropping the 50MP picture to a 12MP one. You may seize a pleasant picture at 2x and even 4x zoom, and not using a devoted telephoto lens.
Unsurprisingly, due to Samsung’s processing, the higher-resolution sensors within the Z Flip 6 carry out higher in low gentle than final yr’s mannequin. Samsung’s imaging processing sometimes bought a little bit too aggressive, with clothes and skylines typically marred by crinkly strains and artifacts. It’s probably not a leap past the Z Flip 5’s cameras, nevertheless it wasn’t a horrible imaging setup within the first place. This way issue ensures that you simply’re utilizing these high-resolution cameras for any selfies or video calls, which means nothing else comes shut in high quality.
Galaxy AI options come to foldables
Samsung’s Galaxy AI software program lands on its foldables this yr, and the corporate continues including and refining. Alongside Chat Help for writing texts and emails, the implausible Google Circle to Search is right here, making it simpler to analyze virtually something you’re taking a look at in your telephone. It’s the digital camera options I’ve been most impressed with – and had been just about the one Galaxy AI tips I used with any regularity.
Samsung’s improved AI picture modifying instruments are simple to make use of and proper the place you want them to be. When you open a photograph, you faucet on Samsung’s AI sparkle icon, and choose objects by circling them. You may then delete your choice or transfer it into a greater place and, with one other faucet of the AI button, let Samsung’s AI fill within the gaps.
In full distinction to the laborious widget menus and settings for the entrance show, it’s really easy to make use of and does what you need it to. After your AI nips and tucks, there’s a ‘view unique’ button to match your photographs.
Then there’s Sketch to picture, a pleasant distraction. Making a couple of cursory strains, or try to attract one thing particular, and Galaxy AI will generate an object and apply it to your picture, typically in a photo-realistic manner. Typically, it even nails it.
Galaxy telephones will add an “AI-generated content material” watermark, however the larger indicators of AI objects and modifying had been scale (hello, large goose), blurry outlines or the principles of physics.
I used to be shocked at how succesful Sasmung’s picture technology was. Sketching a ghost (efficiently!) behind a mesh barrier generated my spook behind the barrier. It could additionally apply applicable gentle shading and shadows for some uncannily correct outcomes. That canine image earlier? There was no ball there. Additionally: a number of photorealistic white hats. It was a disgrace I couldn’t change the colour of these things, or provide some text-based steerage to acknowledge my scribbles. It’s a gimmick, certain, nevertheless it’s a great one. I’m nonetheless utilizing it rather a lot, days later. It’s a number of enjoyable.
Not all of the AI options are that profitable: Portrait Studio will robotically detect photographs of individuals and provide a number of AI-generated drawings/ sketches and 3D renders, all of which make me seem like all the opposite white male tech journalists who put on glasses. Which is harsh, however truthful.
Battery life: Higher, not nice
The Z Flip 6 packs a much bigger 4,000mAh battery, and the Z Flip sequence’ greatest weak spot has been lasting a complete day, particularly below heavy use. The Z Flip 6 scrapes by right here. Utilizing it as my important telephone, it at all times lasted by a day of heavy use, with round 10 p.c left at round 10PM. I might nonetheless hold a charger on me, anxious that I won’t make it by a night.
On our video rundown check, it lasted over 13 hours of playback on the primary display. Sadly, the frustratingly sluggish cost velocity continues to be right here. The Z Flip 6 can cost as much as 25W, and after years of upper cost charges, I felt it took its time to recharge. From empty, it took two hours to prime up totally. For comparability, the S24 Extremely can cost at as much as 45W, and the Pixel 8 Professional can cost at as much as 40W. I feel this may even be much less of a difficulty if I weren’t nervous concerning the Z Flip 6’s battery going the gap.
Foldables have usually taken decrease energy enter through the years, probably as a result of how battery cells are organized inside a foldable gadget. Nonetheless, if the 2024 Motorola Razr+ can deal with 45W, why can’t the Z Flip 6?
Wrap-up
Samsung’s Z Flip sequence stays essentially the most practical flagship choice when pitted in opposition to the smartphone slab established order. The most recent mannequin is satisfying to make use of and satisfying to fold away and slip right into a pocket. The Z Flip 6 additionally has higher cameras, improved battery life and comes with all of the Galaxy AI options which can be shaping as much as be Samsung’s smartphone USP.
Maybe this deal with AI meant that the quilt show has barely developed since final yr’s Z Flip — particularly irritating when the Z Flip 6 prices $100 greater than its predecessor. When you can faucet into experimental options to allow YouTube playback and Google Maps entry, it’s a little bit underwhelming, particularly when rivals like Motorola have proved that extra is feasible on a foldable’s secondary display.
