The world of foldable phones has been a rollercoaster ride over the past five years. What started as a bold move by Samsung in 2019 has now turned into a booming product category, with every major Android OEM jumping on the bandwagon. In the US, competition has finally heated up, giving consumers a plethora of options from flip phones like the Moto Razr+ to the upcoming Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Amidst this flurry of foldables, Samsung has stayed the course with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. While it’s the most refined version of their original design, it feels more like a year of refinements rather than a revolution. As competitors explore new designs and software concepts, Samsung has stuck to its original ideas. While the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a safe bet for an upgrade, it seems like Samsung has lost its lead in a race they once dominated.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 boasts a sleeker and lighter design, making it feel more pocket-friendly than previous models. However, some issues persist, such as the cramped front display and gimmicky Galaxy AI features. Despite being $100 more expensive, the improvements over previous models are minimal.
Available practically everywhere for $1,900, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes in a range of colors and can be used on almost any US network. With impressive specifications including a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a large AMOLED display, and S Pen support, the phone delivers solid performance.
While the design and display have seen some improvements, there are still some drawbacks. The camera bump causes wobbling, sharp corners can be uncomfortable, and the software experience lacks significant upgrades beyond minor improvements. The battery life remains inconsistent, and the competition is quickly catching up, with Google and OnePlus gearing up to launch their own foldables.
Overall, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a solid device, but it lacks the innovation and excitement that marked the original Galaxy Fold. For those coming from older models, the improved hardware may impress, but at its higher price point, the lack of substantial upgrades may leave some feeling underwhelmed. Samsung will need to do more than offer minor tweaks to stay ahead in the fast-evolving world of foldable phones.
