Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 hands-on and first impressions

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series has been the face of foldables for years. However, with full-fledged foldables getting expensive each year, it is the Galaxy Z Flip phones that are quickly becoming a more common sight. Flip phones, also known as clamshells, bring the best of foldable tech in a more compact form factor.

Instead of opening up for more screen, these devices fold down for more compactness. The latest from Samsung in this series is the Galaxy Z Flip6. The device brings some design changes, updated hardware, and one very important certification to the table. We got our hands on the new Flip6, and here are our first impressions.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 design

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 looks a lot like previous phones in the series, except for a new hinge and outer design. Just like the larger Galaxy Z Fold6, the Flip6 screen now lies completely flat when opened (a full 180-degrees) and shuts completely flat when the smartphone is folded, with no gaps visible anywhere.

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This makes the Flip6 feel a little more like a regular phone when it is folded out. That said, the screen the retains 22.1:9 aspect ratio, giving it a taller stature. The crease is smaller and less pronounced than ever, only being visible if you’re looking for it. The bezels are also still thick compared to other premium phones – reminder that there are still compromises for the folding form when it comes to design.

Needless to say, there are a few elements we liked. This includes the slight indent around the power button, that makes it easier to locate irrespective of whether the phone is opened or shut, or the presence of the power and volume buttons on the same side, which let you use just your thumb to reach all the buttons.

Having all buttons on the same side does have its pros (like no accidental screenshots when you use gimbals or other equipment), but yes, it may take some getting used to if you’re coming from say, an iPhone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 display

The Galaxy Z Flip6 features a 6.7-inch inner folding display, which feels a little brighter than last year’s Flip5, with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. This is still an AMOLED panel with 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, so not a lot of changes for anyone coming from the Flip5. Oh yes, the punch-hole cut-out is also still present in the middle of the screen on the top.

Most of this also carries over to the outer cover display, which is just as bright and colourful. However, it lacks the 120Hz refresh rate. Although that wouldn’t matter much since you cannot use the outer display as a full-fledged screen like the Fold6.

Instead, you have a few handy widgets for the outer display, which let you have a quick peek at the important stuff. You can then decide if you want to open the phone. These widgets can also be customised a great deal and shuffled in order.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 other key features

Most of the specifications are the same as last year’s Galaxy Flip5. However, the key addition here is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This is not just a newer, more powerful flagship chipset, but also one with on-device AI support. The new chip will help the phone power some Galaxy AI features like on-device real-time translation, that previous phones in the series couldn’t do.

Another major spec here, is the new IP48 certification, which makes this (along with the Galaxy Z Fold6) the first foldables with an official dust resistance rating. So far, all foldables including Samsung’s own, have only been rated against water resistance (IPX8). While the IP48 certification here doesn’t make this phone as rugged as today’s IP67 and IP68 devices, it is a big step in the direction.

Coming to the cameras, you have a 50MP main camera with OIS, and a secondary 12MP camera on the back which also become your front cameras when using the phone in its folded form. When opened, a second internal 10MP camera is present for selfies and video calls.

The rest of the specifications are what you’d expect from a phone at this price – 12GB RAM, up to 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, and other specs like NFC and Bluetooth 5.3.

The phone still comes with a 4,000mAh battery, a small cell that still suffers from the two-part folding design, and the 25W wired and 15W wireless charging stats haven’t changed either. It remains to be seen if the new chip and better optimisation gives the Galaxy Z Flip6 better battery life than its predecessors.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 software

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 launches with Android 14, with Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 skin on top. The phones will also support seven years of software updates like the Galaxy S24 series and will be updated all the way to Android 21 (or whatever the OS is called at that point).

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 first impressions

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is not one of the bigger, revolutionary updates to Samsung’s clamshell series, but rather a smaller update that adds more polish to the design, some much needed long-term software support, an AI-powered chip, and dust resistance.

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With more foldables coming this year, including a rumoured one from Google itself, it will be interesting to see where Samsung stands in a foldable market that now has much more competition.

In case you missed it, the Galaxy Z Flip6 has been launched in India with prices starting from Rs 1,09,999. Users will be able to choose from multiple colour options, including Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue, Mint, Crafted Black, White and Peach.