Foldable smartphones are no longer a futuristic concept—they are the cutting edge of mobile innovation. Samsung has been a pioneer in this segment with its Galaxy Z Fold series, blending smartphone portability with tablet-like screen real estate. As we look at the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung’s latest flagship foldable, it’s natural to compare it with its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
While the evolution from Fold 5 to Fold 6 may appear gradual, subtle refinements and meaningful enhancements deliver a better overall experience. This article explores every facet—from design and display to performance, camera, software, and battery life—to determine if the Fold 6 justifies the upgrade or if the Fold 5 remains a compelling choice.
Design and Build Quality
Materials and Form Factor
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 retains the iconic book-like folding design introduced in earlier models but improves in refinement. Both Fold 5 and Fold 6 use an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus for durability. However, Fold 6 introduces a slimmer hinge mechanism, making it more compact and comfortable to hold.
The Fold 6 is slightly lighter and thinner, making it less bulky in the pocket despite its larger internal display. The hinge feels smoother with less visible gap when folded, improving dust resistance.
Usability and Ergonomics
Samsung made noticeable efforts to improve one-handed usability in Fold 6 by slightly reducing the width when folded. The external display is now more responsive, and the buttons feel more tactile. These small improvements add up, making daily interactions more natural.
Display Technology
Internal Foldable Display
Both models feature a stunning 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X foldable display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Fold 6, however, enhances brightness levels by around 20%, improving outdoor visibility dramatically. Samsung also refined the crease, making it less noticeable when the screen is open.
External Cover Display
The external cover display on Fold 6 is slightly larger at 6.2 inches compared to 6.2 inches on Fold 5, but with improved color accuracy and higher peak brightness. This means quick tasks like notifications, texting, and calls can be handled more comfortably without unfolding the device.
Performance and Hardware
Processor and Speed
Both phones run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, optimized for foldables. The Fold 6 benefits from slightly improved thermal management and efficiency tweaks, allowing sustained peak performance during gaming or multitasking.
RAM and Storage
Both models offer 12GB RAM and up to 1TB storage, ensuring plenty of space and smooth multitasking. However, Fold 6 offers UFS 4.0 storage compared to UFS 3.1 in Fold 5, resulting in faster read/write speeds, app launches, and file transfers.
Camera Capabilities
Rear Camera Setup
The Fold 5 and Fold 6 share a similar triple rear camera system: a 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP telephoto lens. But Fold 6 introduces subtle sensor upgrades and improved image processing algorithms, resulting in better low-light photography and more accurate color reproduction.
Front Cameras
The internal under-display camera on Fold 6 has been refined to reduce screen distortion and improve selfie quality compared to Fold 5’s version. The cover camera remains similar but benefits from improved software enhancements for clearer video calls.
Software and User Experience
One UI and Android
Fold 6 ships with One UI 6 based on Android 13, offering enhanced multitasking features optimized for foldables. Samsung has improved app continuity and gestures, making transitions between cover and main screens smoother.
Productivity and Multitasking
Samsung’s updated taskbar and split-screen capabilities on Fold 6 provide a more desktop-like experience. New features like App Pair improvements and drag-and-drop across windows improve workflow significantly.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery Capacity
Both phones sport a 4,400mAh battery, but Fold 6’s improved processor efficiency and software optimizations provide slightly better real-world endurance, especially during intensive multitasking.
Charging Speeds
Charging remains largely similar with 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. Samsung continues to focus on battery longevity rather than just faster charging.
Connectivity and Additional Features
5G and Wi-Fi
Both models support 5G and Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring future-proof connectivity. Fold 6 supports improved satellite connectivity options for emergency situations.
Audio and Speakers
Fold 6 upgrades the stereo speakers for richer sound and better loudness. Dolby Atmos support continues to enhance the media consumption experience.
Price and Value Proposition
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 launched at a similar price point to the Fold 5, making the upgrade decision about features rather than cost. For new buyers, the Fold 6 represents a polished and future-ready foldable. For Fold 5 owners, the decision hinges on whether the small but meaningful improvements justify the expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key design differences between Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Fold 5?
The Fold 6 features a slimmer hinge, slightly lighter and thinner body, improved hinge durability, and better dust resistance compared to Fold 5.
Is the Fold 6’s display noticeably better than Fold 5?
Yes, the Fold 6 has around 20% higher peak brightness and a less visible crease, enhancing outdoor visibility and overall display quality.
Do both phones offer the same performance?
Both use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, but Fold 6 has better thermal management and faster UFS 4.0 storage for smoother multitasking.
How do the cameras compare?
Fold 6 improves low-light photography and under-display camera quality with better sensors and software, though the rear camera setup is similar.
Has the software improved on the Fold 6?
Yes, Fold 6 runs One UI 6 on Android 13 with better multitasking, smoother transitions, and enhanced foldable-specific features.
Does battery life differ between the two?
Fold 6 offers slightly better battery optimization despite similar capacity, leading to longer usage during intensive tasks.
Is it worth upgrading from Fold 5 to Fold 6?
If you want improved display, better build, enhanced multitasking, and camera upgrades, yes. Otherwise, Fold 5 remains a powerful device.
Conclusion
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 exemplifies Samsung’s philosophy of “slow evolution”—taking the time to refine, optimize, and improve without rushing. While the changes from Fold 5 to Fold 6 are not revolutionary, they are significant enough to enhance the overall user experience, especially in display brightness, build comfort, multitasking, and camera quality.For users new to foldables or upgrading from older devices, the Fold 6 is a clear winner. However, if you own a Fold 5 and your device is still performing well, you might choose to wait for a more groundbreaking upgrade.