I’ve scrutinized top-tier foldables and none have impressed me like those from OnePlus or Motorola.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Galaxy Z Flip’s price tag of $1,099 marks Samsung’s latest attempt to revitalize the modern flip phone design.
• This latest model boasts a robust redesign, enhanced performance, a cutting-edge primary camera, and a significantly enlarged battery capacity.

• Notwithstanding its similarities to the Z Flip 5, the device’s thrills are tempered by a $100 premium over Motorola’s Razr Plus.

With Samsung having released the sixth iteration of its Galaxy Z Flip, the novelty surrounding foldable phones has worn off, leaving us familiar with their capabilities and the unique benefits that come with unconventional form factors. This clamshell is likely the most refined one we’ve encountered thus far. Compared to its predecessor, the Z Flip 5, Samsung has made limited changes, merely offering a few updates to differentiate the latest model from previous iterations.

The starting price has increased by $100 to $1,099. After spending over a week with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, I’m left wondering if the premium price tag justifies the upgrade, especially given that its closest competitor has remained at the same price point. Here is my reply.

While Samsung shouldn’t feel compelled to reinvent the wheel with every new foldable smartphone release, the Z Flip’s design has left room for refinement over time. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 sports a refined design, opting for matte aluminum edges instead of the glossy finish found on its predecessor, a subtle yet welcomed change that adds depth and sophistication to this premium device. 

The latest Samsung Z Flip model boasts a pioneering achievement in durability, earning its first-ever IP48 rating for dust resistance, a milestone in the brand’s foldable phone series. The hinge has undergone significant fortification, resulting in a more pronounced depression along the central axis of the display.

While these enhancements are welcome improvements, they hardly qualify as groundbreaking innovations. While I’d have liked to witness an even more significant cowl display, Samsung took a bold step last year by replacing the Flip 4’s 1.9-inch cover screen with a larger 3.4-inch panel on the Flip 5. The Surface Flip 6 boasts a larger display, but this is overshadowed by the sleek and stylish 4-inch screen on the.

Motorola’s interface extends seamlessly to every edge and beyond the cameras, enabling users to access any app they desire at all times, making it rare for them to need to open their phone to perform quick tasks like responding to texts. The customization options on the Z Flip are limited to pre-designed panels and widgets provided by Samsung, significantly restricting the user’s ability to personalize their experience and making it less versatile compared to Motorola’s offering.

While naturally using my Flip 6 extensively, I didn’t find this to be an issue at all. The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is stunning, featuring a crisp Full HD+ resolution and vivid colour reproduction. The Dynamic Refresh Rate maintains a silky smooth performance at 120Hz, while Samsung’s addition of 2,600 nits of peak brightness eclipses the Flip 5’s modest 1,750 nits. 

I am thoroughly impressed by the exceptional efficiency of this cellphone. The phone’s innards feature a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 12 gigabytes of RAM for seamless multitasking, and ample storage options of either 256GB or 512GB – all working together in perfect harmony to deliver outstanding performance. Whether you’re scrolling through Instagram, juggling calendars and to-do lists, gaming, or capturing life’s moments like a zealous enthusiast, the Flip 6 promises seamless performance in every scenario.

What I would ideally hope to witness Samsung focus on is refining their heat management. As a result, there is limited scope for companies to incorporate identical airflow and cooling mechanisms found in standard smartphones, making most foldables susceptible to excessive heat generation even when performing routine tasks such as browsing social media or sending emails. Unlike other tablets, The Flip 6 is prone to overheating, both in sweltering summer temperatures and even in a relatively cool 62-degree bedroom setting. As you immerse yourself in a gaming session, the room temperature may rise significantly due to the heat generated by your console or computer. 

While the cameras represent an improvement over the Flip 5, they ultimately fall short of expectations. With the Z Flip 6, I’ve captured many photographs that exceed my expectations; the cutting-edge 50-megapixel primary camera delivers unparalleled sharpness and detail, surpassing its predecessor’s 12-megapixel sensor on the Flip 5. Now, you can opt for full-resolution 50-megapixel shots, ideal for cropping or printing high-quality images. Meanwhile, the 12-megapixel 123-degree ultra-wide-angle camera performs exceptionally well throughout the day, but tends to become overly bright and muddy when subjected to excessive artificial lighting in the evening.

For those who prioritize top-notch camera performance and crave a clamshell flip phone design, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 stands out as the ideal choice. Compared to the photos I took with the Razr Plus, the difference is like night and day. Samsung’s cellphones offer remarkably accurate colours, coupled with superior lighting conditions that enable high-quality video recording even in low-light situations, allowing users to capture usable footage well into the evening hours. The Flip 6 boasts superior video quality compared to the Razr Plus.

The photography prowess of the Z Flip remains unparalleled, thanks to its innovative foldable design and versatile camera capabilities. Unlike traditional foldable phones, this device offers versatility by allowing users to prop it up like a kickstand for hands-free photography, utilize the quad display as an additional viewfinder, document films in a classic handheld camcorder style, and more.

The entirety of expertise is driven by software, and the Z Flip 6’s software exhibits considerable power. While rooted in a distinctly Samsung identity, the narrative is built upon Android 14, with the added richness of One UI 6.1’s extensive customization options. Here is the rewritten text in a professional style:

The Galaxy Z series boasts a range of innovative features, including Edge panels, split-screen modes, and a variety of customizable user interface options. Additionally, it offers advanced efficiency and battery optimization settings, as well as other unique characteristics that set foldables apart from traditional devices. Samsung promises a robust seven-year commitment to software programme updates for the Flip 6, aligning with its prevailing strategy.

Samsung has also equipped the Galaxy Flip 6 with its signature set of features, including context-aware responses, live translations, dialogue recording, and automatic transcriptions, all accessible directly from the foldable’s cover screen. While none of these innovations have revolutionized the field, they are still valuable additions that enhance the expertise and contribute to its overall sophistication. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, it’s merely a question of when Samsung will strive for the same level of innovation and excellence that Apple has achieved – rather than waiting until it’s too late. Let’s appreciate this brief window of opportunity while Samsung still offers its products at a competitive price point.

Battery life on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 can last a full day, provided you’re judicious with your usage. Samsung has expanded the battery capacity from 3,700mAh to 4,000mAh, allowing it to sustain itself well into the evening without needing a recharge; while it still doesn’t offer two full days of usage.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

For a device priced at $1,100, the label “underwhelming” might apply, given that it’s often seen as overpriced in comparison to alternatives like the Z Flip 5, which is similarly specced but available for $300 less. Despite this, it’s unlikely that current Flip 5 owners would upgrade to the Flip 6; Samsung is instead targeting older Flip adopters or newcomers to the foldable market, offering a decent phone in exchange.

The new Flip’s competitor is already on the market, casting a shadow over the Flip 6 with its more impressive cover display, plant-based leather design, and lower price point. If you’re unwilling to part with your ultra-wide camera and don’t crave seven years of software updates, opting for the Razr Plus could be a viable alternative to consider.