Is the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Worth the Price Hike?

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is here, and it comes with a price increase, making it one of the most expensive phones on the market. With a price tag of $1,899, is it worth the investment?

Coming to you from Matthew Moniz, this comprehensive video examines the nuances of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Despite the price hike, this device targets two main groups: those who can afford it without a second thought and enthusiasts who appreciate the foldable technology. While the internal hardware updates are minor, the physical changes make a noticeable difference. The Fold 6 is lighter and thinner than its predecessor, with a larger 6.3-inch front display, enhancing the typing experience.

The new Z Fold 6 feels better in hand due to its more squared-off design, similar to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The frosted look replaces the glossy finish of the Fold 5, offering a more comfortable grip. Although there’s been a lot of chatter about the Fold 6 being dust-resistant, it’s crucial to understand that it’s not entirely dust-proof. The IP48 rating means it can handle debris larger than a millimeter, but finer dust particles can still infiltrate the device.

The cover screen on the Fold 6 now boasts a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, up from 1,750 nits on the Fold 5, making HDR content more vibrant. The 10-megapixel front-facing camera remains unchanged, producing similar results to its predecessor. One significant update is the internal display's aspect ratio, which has been adjusted to accommodate the larger cover screen. This means slightly bigger black bars but more screen real estate for content consumption.

Battery life on the Fold 6 mirrors the Fold 5, allowing you to get through a day, but just barely. It still falls short compared to the OnePlus Open, which excels in battery performance. The internal camera remains a weak point, delivering subpar images with its 4-megapixel sensor. The rear camera setup is identical to the Fold 5, with a minor update to the 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, offering marginally better night photos.

Software changes include an advanced slider in the vivid profile settings, allowing for increased contrast and saturation. This feature isn’t available on the Fold 5 yet but may come in a future update. Another minor tweak is in the sound settings, where equalization descriptions are now more descriptive rather than genre-based.

The Z Fold 6’s internal display still has the same noticeable crease as before, unlike the Flip 6, which shows a smaller crease. However, the new matte look on the internal bezels helps blend the design better. Despite these refinements, the Fold 6 doesn’t feel significantly faster or different in everyday tasks compared to the Fold 5. Charging speeds and the 4,400mAh battery remain unchanged.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 excels in user experience, feeling more refined and slightly more enjoyable to use. Yet, with minimal improvements over the Fold 5, Samsung might be resting on its laurels. If you own a Fold 3 or older, the upgrade makes sense. But for Fold 4 or 5 owners, the value might not be there unless you’re a dedicated foldable enthusiast. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Moniz.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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2 Comments

The video footage on the Z fold 6 looked way sharper and contrasty than the 5. I'm not sure I could ever get used to a screen with a very obvious crease in it, but this was a cool video to watch as an iphone user.

Yeah, I love the idea of a foldable phone in theory, but I go back and forth about the crease. I hate distractions in my visual field.