It's been two weeks with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, and I have to say—I wasn’t expecting a flip phone to be this good or this much fun.
Hey, I’m Pete. I used to run an IT company, but now I spend my days reviewing the latest and greatest tech because, honestly, this is the best job in the world. Who doesn’t love shiny new gadgets, right?
Every year, Samsung reveals what they've been working on for their flip and fold series, but this year, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 feels like it finally got most of the upgrades we’ve been waiting for—not all, but most. So, after using the Flip 6 as my daily driver for the past few weeks, here’s how it stacks up against the competition (hello, S24 series!).
Oh, and by the way, I’ve also been testing out the Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch Ultra, so I’ll touch on those too.
Design: Familiar but Refined
Let’s start with the design. It’s similar to last year’s Flip 5 but with a few tweaks—namely, the two coloured rings around the cameras, which give it a nice visual pop. The Flip 6 is surprisingly comfortable to hold when unfolded, and when closed, its compact yet still feels solid in the hand.
I have to say, I’m a fan of the rounded edges. They make the phone comfortable to hold, especially when folded. I really hope Samsung sticks with this design because sharper edges would definitely detract from the overall experience.
The hinge, as always, is impressive—strong, versatile, and fun. I’m still amazed that I can’t trap my hair or skin in it, no matter how hard I try. The hinge also lets you fold the phone to pretty much any angle, and the satisfying snap when you close it or hang up on a call? It’s just plain fun.
One new feature this year: the fingerprint sensor on the side now works in both open and closed orientations. So, no more enrolling the same fingerprint twice. However, I do have one minor gripe—the volume buttons are placed a bit too high, making them hard to reach. Hopefully, they’ll address this in future designs.
Specs: Big Upgrades Under the Hood
Now, let’s talk specs. Most of the changes this year aren’t immediately visible, but they make a big impact. In fact, I’d say the Flip 6 received bigger upgrades than the Z Fold 6.
There are two standout improvements:
- 50MP camera vs. last year’s 12MP. The increase in megapixels makes a noticeable difference when zooming in and snapping photos.
- 4000mAh battery, an upgrade from last year’s 3700mAh, giving you that extra boost in battery life.
Other key upgrades include the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip, 12GB of memory, and a nearly 1000-nit brighter inner display. This makes a significant difference, especially when using the phone in bright sunlight. Plus, the Flip 6 now boasts an IP48 rating (vs. IPX8), meaning better dust protection compared to the Flip 5.
That said, these upgrades come with a price—the Flip 6 is £100 more expensive than last year’s model.
Front Screen: Functional but Familiar
The front screen hasn’t seen much of an update this year. It’s still a 60Hz, 1,600-nit display that provides easy access to notifications, calendar widgets, and more. While the range of apps is limited, you can expand functionality with Samsung’s Goodlock app, which allows you to add any app to the front display. It’s not perfect, but it’s a handy way to check information at a glance or take quick selfies without opening the phone.
Using the Flip 6 Open vs. Closed
While the front screen is useful, I found myself using the Flip 6 open most of the time. Why not enjoy that beautiful, bright inner display? With the extra 1000 nits of peak brightness, the screen is easily visible in bright sunlight—a welcome upgrade given the unusually sunny weather in the UK recently.
And when folded, the Flip 6 remains super pocketable. Even if you’re wearing jeans with tiny pockets, it will still just about fit. For guys with larger pockets, the small square shape won’t stick out or fall out when you sit down—unlike the larger slabs of phones we’ve become used to.
Performance: Smooth and Reliable
In terms of performance, the Flip 6 hasn’t skipped a beat. It’s fast, lag-free, and feels very much like a flagship device, comparable to the S24 series. Thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the bigger battery, and the improved vapor chamber cooling system, this phone performs like a champ.
Samsung has done a great job of refining the design this year. They’ve taken everything that worked in the Flip 5 and just made it better.
Software: Packed with Features
The software experience is smooth as always with One UI. Multitasking is there if you need it, and there are plenty of AI features to explore. I’ve particularly enjoyed AI Chat Assist, which reads through your previous messages and suggests a reply—handy when you’re busy or in a rush.
Cameras: A Pleasant Surprise
One of the biggest surprises for me this year has been the camera. With the new 50MP sensor, the Flip 6 is capable of capturing beautiful shots, from ultrawide to portraits. It even handles video impressively well in the right conditions.
Sure, it doesn’t quite match the S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro in every scenario, and I do miss having a zoom lens. But for the majority of situations, the Flip 6 camera gets the job done, capturing those memorable moments with ease.
And let’s not forget the benefit of having a foldable phone—it’s like having a built-in tripod! Combine that with the Galaxy Watch or Ring, and taking group photos has never been easier. Just beware of the occasional misfires, especially when recording videos—the touch sensors on the watch or ring can sometimes be a little too sensitive.
NFC and Wireless Charging: Some Quirks
The Flip 6 has a few quirks worth mentioning. The NFC chip is located at the bottom of the phone, which means you have to flip the phone around for contactless payments if it’s open. Also, if you’re using an upright wireless charger, you’ll need to switch to a flat one.
Pricing and Discounts: Still a Good Deal?
Despite the £100 price increase, Samsung’s generous discounts—from trade-ins to bundles with headphones and watches—make the Flip 6 feel like a good deal. But when compared to flagship phones like the S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro, you might start to question whether the foldable form factor is worth the near-premium price.
Conclusion: Fun, Functional, and Worth It
All in all, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 has reminded me how fun a phone can be. It’s refreshing to use a device that’s compact, versatile, and just plain enjoyable. Samsung has done an excellent job refining a design that was already popular, and if you’re on the fence about picking one up, I say go for it—you probably won’t be disappointed.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments below!
