REVIEW: Galaxy Z Flip6 is the best version of Samsung's foldable

A Samsung bet on a new set of cameras, processor of the year, more battery and AI solutions for the Galaxy z flip6. But will this series of improvements in relation to the Galaxy z flip5 Did it really work? Check out our analysis.

Design

At first glance, the design appears not to have changed that much from one generation to another. But, when we compare, we notice that the edges have become squarer and the Samsung did everything to make the model look even more premium. Among the new colors is yellow, but the Galaxy Z Flip6 also has variants in blue, mint green, gray and black, the latter being sold only on the Samsung website.

In addition to the back, hinges and edges, the color is also seen in the external screen cameras. It is a fact that Samsung works to ensure that the Galaxy z flip6 is also seen as a more stylish device, and this becomes even clearer with this change in color arrangement.

Looking at the structure, there is now a body of Armor Aluminum, that Samsung claims to be five times more resistant, providing an increase in long-term durability. The weight of the device remains the same as the previous generation: 189 grams.

The hinge was also redesigned: during the launch event, the Samsung stated that the device can be folded more than 100 times a day, for more than 5 years. And if you're worried about the model having a small relief or spacing when the device is folded, that doesn't happen: the foldable cell phone actually remains completely closed.

Another positive point is the IP48 certification, which guarantees operation even with the entry of water splashes and dust grains. It may sound strange, but until the fifth generation, the foldable Samsung it still didn't have dust resistance. But now this is available to provide even greater long-term durability.

My only complaint about the design is that you won't always be able to open the device with just one hand, as it is very narrow. Using the device with your thumb is very easy, but if you need to do something on the larger screen, you will need to open the device with the support of both hands or use your fingernails to pass between the screens.

There is a fingerprint sensor below the volume buttons that allows for one-handed use, but I would add some lip to allow it to be opened more easily. It's not that big of a problem, but it's an interesting point of improvement to think about when developing the next generation.

When closed, the Galaxy z flip6 It can be easily placed in your pants pocket and attracts attention wherever you go, especially considering its beauty.

external screen

It can be said that the external screen has not undergone major visual changes: it remains the same 3,4″ that we saw in the last generation, in addition to having a 720×748 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The biggest generational leap is in the better use of the external screen via AI, which now goes by the name FlexWindow.

One fact: Samsung does not want to allow owners of its foldable smartphones to use the external screen with full access to the operating system. Instead, it was placed here as an accessory to view quick information such as weather, notifications, music player, financial market data, etc. It is also possible to start a voice recording, directly on the smaller screen.

In the new generation, it is possible to add even more shortcuts and organize everything according to the wallpaper you choose. In addition to choosing a photo taken by you or someone else, you can also create wallpapers through Galaxy AI.

On the same small screen, when activating this functionality via Samsung Labs, you will be able to use some applications: WhatsApp, YouTube, Maps, Google Messages, Samsung Messages and Netflix.

This small number of applications run well on the 3,4″ display and I used them more to respond to messages quickly, but you will definitely have a better experience when the cell phone is open.

The possibility of placing several blocks on the external screen is quite a hit, as you won't always want to see just one piece of information. The music/podcast player can still be seen here, making it possible to see the single or album cover and also change tracks simply. Look:

Overall, compared to the previous generation, the external screen of the foldable Samsung proves to be more useful, especially with AI features that make the user experience even more complete. O Galaxy A.I. It can also analyze the context of the messages you received to suggest quick responses, such as, for example, confirmation if you are still going to an event, all on the smaller screen.

Having the option to see different blocks on the small screen makes it more useful and using it with the screen closed starts to make more sense.

Internal screen

A Samsung didn't make many significant changes to the internal screen when we compared the Galaxy z flip5 to Galaxy z flip6. It continues to measure 6,7 inches and performs well on a daily basis, thanks to the 2X Dynamic AMOLED panel. The peak brightness of the 2024 model is higher, now reaching 2.600 nits. For comparison, the 2023 model had a peak brightness of 1.750 nits.

The company also invested to make its screen more resistant and promised that its internal screen is 5 times more resistant. The fold crease goes unnoticed once you get used to having a foldable smartphone.

With the support of the ambient light sensor, I didn't have to worry about manually adjusting the screen's brightness level. Another hit is the Extra Shine, which is unfortunately only available when the ambient light sensor is disabled, but offers a bright display in everyday life and could be useful for use in parks or other outdoor locations.

Looking to the future, the biggest success would be to have a screen with an anti-reflective layer, as we saw in the Galaxy s24 ultra. At the same time, it's not like the Galaxy z flip6 could not display all the information in open environments.

Processor

As expected, the new foldable smartphone from Samsung received the premium processor of the year: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 For Galaxy. For heat management, there is a vapor chamber that expels hot air optimally, allowing the model to be used for longer periods of time.

I didn't expect low performance from this model due to it having the best processor of the year, but I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the model. Galaxy z flip6. I was able to run heavier games, like Genshin impact, at maximum configuration and without crashes. I was also able to play games of Fortnite no problems.

I went a little further and put three applications to run at the same time on the device (one on each part of the screen and another in PiP format), also without any crashes. Of course, in everyday life, you will rarely do this, but this proves the good performance of the device.

Video editing in CapCut There were also no crashes and after carrying out all the work, even with many layers, the export took less than 30 seconds. Using the vapor chamber was very interesting: the device did not get very hot at any point, much less request that any application be closed.

System and interface

O Galaxy z flip6 rely on Android 14 via OneUI 6.1.1, which also made its debut here. It will also receive seven years of operating system updates, going up to Android 21. The One UI interface allows complete customization of all parts: home screen, lock screen and even the customization of some application icons, through the Good Lock.

A feature that I really like about One UI is the registration of Modes and Routines, allowing settings to be changed as you define.

And there is no denying that the system of Samsung it also works well with other devices manufactured by the company, so if you have a device that is part of the ecosystem Galaxy (Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Book, etc.), you will be able to have even more complete use, with access to some exclusive resources.

Due to its processor, it is worth remembering the long-term investment: having access to seven years of operating system updates is the certainty that you will have access to the latest features without having to change the device to do so.

Using Galaxy AI

In addition to special photo features, content transcription, Circle to Search and more news that debuted with the Galaxy S24 line In January of this year, the One UI 6.1.1 arrives to change the use of foldable smartphones.

A magic eraser to edit and move people or objects is still available here and delivers accurate results in 95% of cases. When you save a photo, there is a mark indicating that the editing was done by AI. See the before and the after:

The most curious tool (and one that I personally haven't used much, but it's cool to have) is the Effect with movement. In practice, the Galaxy A.I. will use a still photo to create a short video, giving it interesting depth. It's not something incredible, but it will be there if you want to have fun.

We also have the following effects, all available via AI: Blurred Background, Erase reflections and Remaster (for automatic photo correction). These are small things that together make your content experience even more complete, unlocking incredible possibilities that can be successful on your social networks.

Gallery can also create slow motion content using normal speed videos as a base. Just press the video for as long as you want and then save it to storage. See the example:

@waterphnx

So, would you like to see this on other devices from other brands? #samsung #galaxyzflip6 #galaxyai #AI #samsunggalaxyzflip @Samsung Brazil

♬ JOYRIDE – Kesha

One of the unique features of Galaxy z flip6 e Galaxy z fold6 (until the end of this review) is the possibility of creating new portraits based on photos saved in the Gallery. There are four modes: Comics, 3D Drawing, Watercolor and Sketch.

It is clearly visible that the content was generated by AI, but the possibility of having this directly in the Gallery application, requiring only an internet connection, complements the user experience.

Those who like drawings will have fun with the resource Sketch for Image, which uses user drawings to add whatever you want to the image. And you don't need to be a great expert, because in the photo below, I drew a very simple dog and I was surprised by the assertiveness of the dog. Galaxy A.I.. See the comparison of the dog created from scratch and the result:

I would also like to record this moon that I placed in this photo taken at night:

What left me a little disappointed is that the elements are not added to the face. You won't be able, for example, to put on sunglasses for that incredible selfie. I managed to put a watch on my wrist and a necklace around my neck, but it's worth letting your imagination play with the feature.

People traveling can now use the internal and external screen to chat in another language. It works as follows: through the application Interpreter, developed by Samsung, just select your native language and the language the other person speaks. Then, the phrase or text entered on the internal screen will appear on the external screen.

The answers also sent by those who speak another language, naturally and right after your sentence in another language by the personal assistant. It's a great help for those who travel and don't want to go through trouble in languages ​​other than English, as there is support for Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese and more languages.

There is also a conversation translation feature on Google Meet and Zoom, in addition to being available on WhatsApp and the Messages app. My negative point here is that in this version of OneUI, there are some errors that can make translation difficult, as the context of conversations is not fully analyzed. Who knows, perhaps a future update will resolve this.

Finally, AI is also present in the customization of the larger screen: you can configure the wallpaper to receive effects according to the climate of the city where you are, such as cloudy, rainy or sunny days.

In general, the Galaxy A.I. It's even more interesting in version 6.1.1 of One UI. Having AI resources in the palm of your hand is a way to make the user experience even more complete, which is one of the biggest differentiators of Galaxy z flip6 compared to the Moto Razr 50 Ultra.

Memory and storage

The version sent to the showmetech from Samsung It has 256 GB of internal storage, but it is also possible to opt for one that has 512 GB. Both variants have 12GB of RAM and this can be expanded up to 20GB via the RAM Plus feature.

Compared to the previous generation, the models now have 4 GB more RAM as standard. This should be more than enough to run even more applications at the same time. And, let's face it, an extra performance never hurt anyone, right?

Let's agree that 256 GB is more than enough to take lots of photos and videos without worrying about internal storage, so we have a deal that has been working well for a while among foldables.

Connectivity

Here, we have the best of all worlds in terms of connectivity. O Galaxy z flip6 arrives with support to connect to points WiFi 6E, And 5G networks via eSIM or up to two physical nano SIMs.

Battery and charging

A Samsung managed to put a 4.000 mAh battery in the flip6, a gain of 400 mAh compared to the previous generation. The model supports 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging. The company points out that it can reach 50% battery charge in just 30 minutes with wired charging.

The model needs to be recharged at least once a day to be able to reach all of its features until night. When using the device from 9am, for social media and to take photos for this review, it needed to be recharged at 17pm. Charging time follows the standard of around 1h20, already seen in other models of the Samsung.

I left it plugged in for an hour, and that was enough for the battery to last until midnight, the time when I usually go to sleep. It's worth remembering that a charger and USB-C cable are sent in the box, so no additional purchases are necessary.

You can also use the battery via wireless powershare, to send power to other connected devices, such as smart watches and earbud cases that support wireless charging. Just activate the functionality and touch the device to the back of the foldable.

Cameras

There's no way not to talk about the external screen without mentioning the content capture preview, now it's even better, due to the camera upgrade. With a simple swipe in the camera app, you can take photos in Portrait Mode, record videos in 4K quality and also take selfies.

For the year 2024, the Samsung put a 50 MP wide camera, ideal for photos where you are in the image, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens for capturing photos with a wider angle.

The result is photos captured with even more detail, even when there is a lot of information in the environment. See this unedited photo:

The 50 MP lens, which can also be used for selfies when the company's foldable smartphone Samsung is closed, you can capture great photos during the day. Backed by automatic algorithm correction, visible in real time as soon as you take the photo, images are great for posting on social media.

Video recording is great here, especially considering that videos can be recorded in both horizontal and vertical modes. O Flex mode It's the big cherry on the cake: with the new hinge, the model can take great photos, whether with just one person or a whole group in front of the screen.

You can also record videos with the phone folded in half, offering an experience similar to old cameras. However, it's worth making all the settings before you start recording, as changing zoom can be a little difficult here.

To improve this, it's worth changing the area where our thumb rests. A Motorola left the entire area of ​​the screen free for zoom control and this seems to be the best way, so who knows, we'll see this in a future update. Samsung (or not).

It is worth highlighting what was already good and has not been changed here: the possibility of seeing previews of what is being captured by the cameras on the external screen avoids errors and makes use more dynamic. The experience is even better with the automatic zoom feature made via AI, which allows you to take photos without framing errors using the external screen.

In some situations when using portrait mode, it ended up leaving me with lighter skin than I have in real life.

This can be fixed with a simple edit, but a good update would also do the trick. Photos taken at night, after a correction to the camera's algorithm, Samsung, are delivered with great detail.

The user experience is complemented by other interesting modes, such as Director Mode, which allows the use of all cameras at the same time for the same video.

O Pro mode is also here for more expert users, in addition to the slow motion e timelapse for anyone who wants to venture out.

Finally, the RAW Expert, professional content capture application from Samsung, is available for the first time on foldables from Samsung. It's a tool best suited for photography fans that, if properly configured, will help you take incredible photos.

Frontal camera

already talking about the front lens of the internal screen, 10 MP, she managed to capture the tone of my skin more assertively, without that washing effect. See the result taken without color correction or any effect:

Portrait mode also did well here, but there's no way around it: the 50 MP wide lens delivers more assertive results and with better blurred backgrounds, highlighting strands of hair. Check out the result taken with the lens on the larger screen:

This lens, despite being less powerful, can record videos in high quality. UHD (4K) at 60 frames per second and with the support of HDR10 +, videos are not pixelated or have poor stabilization, even though Super Steady mode is only available on the main lenses.

Portrait mode video is available here and there is no way to say that the Samsung did a bad job: through the Flex Mode, You can change one of the four backgrounds while the recording is being made, with it resting somewhere.

Other modes are also available on this same lens: Slow Motion, Night Mode, Timelapse, and and Single take. It is possible to notice that the Samsung developed this smartphone with content production in mind for creators or enthusiasts and this was largely achieved.

Price and availability

The new Galaxy z flip6, announced on July 10th and with shipments starting on the 25th of the same month, it has a suggested price of R$ 7.999 in its 256 GB version. The model can now be purchased at the following stores:

• Magazine Luiza for BRL 7.999
• Free Market for BRL 7.199
• Amazon for R $ 7.999

If the purchase is made on Free market, the new foldable smartphone from Samsung is found on the market for the same price as the option Motorola, Moto Razr 50 Ultra, which also has a suggested price of R$7.199.

What's in the box?

the box of Galaxy z flip6 It comes with basic items so you can start using the device as soon as you turn it on. Are they:

• 25W charger
• USB-C cable
• Chip tray eject key
• Instruction manual.

Conclusion

O Galaxy z flip6 delivers significant updates compared to the last generation and even better when we look at the Galaxy Z Flip4. The artificial intelligence features are the big icing on the cake, but we can't help but mention that the camera updates also make the smartphone very complete.

At the time this review was closed, the market price may be high for some people, but it is worth mentioning that this should decrease as the months go by. In any case, if you decide to make the investment now, you will have access to a powerful, modern cell phone that is useful for a variety of tasks and will also be updated for seven years.

Technical specifications

Model	Galaxy z flip6
Display	Main 2-inch 6,7X Dynamic AMOLED (2640×1080, 22:9 aspect ratio) 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (from 1 to 120Hz) 3,4-inch Super AMOLED front screen (720×748, 306ppi) 60Hz refresh rate
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen3 for Galaxy (4㎚)
RAM memory	12 GB
Internal storage	256 GB / 512 GB
Cameras	Rear cameras: 50 MP wide with 85˚, optical stabilization (OIS) and F1.8 aperture 12 MP ultra wide angle with F2.2 aperture and 123º field of view Under-screen camera: 4 MP with F1.8 aperture and 85º field of view Cover Camera: 10 MP with F2.2 aperture and 85º field of view
Battery	Dual 4.000 mAh battery 25W super fast charging Fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare
Dimensions and weight:	Folded: 71,9 x 85,1 x 14,9 mm Unfolded: 71,9 x 165,1 x 6,9 mm 187 grams
Price	Magazine Luiza for BRL 7.999 Free Market for BRL 7.199 Amazon for R $ 7.999
Availability in Brazil	Pre-sale from July 10, 2024 Shipments from July 22, 2024

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