Samsung’s latest foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6, were no secret due to numerous leaks that revealed much about them beforehand. Despite this, the new models remain promising, boasting upgraded designs, enhanced cameras, improved performance, and a wide array of AI features.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 may not bring substantial changes over the Flip 5, but it’s a significant upgrade if you’re using the Galaxy Z Flip 4 or an older model. In this comparison, we’ll explore the advancements in the Galaxy Z Flip 6, focusing on its larger outer display, improved processor, and enhanced AI capabilities. This will help you decide if these features make it a worthwhile upgrade from the Flip 4.
Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: specs
| Specs | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Folded: 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9 mm (3.35 x 2.83 x 0.62-0.67 inches) Unfolded: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm (6.50 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches) | Folded: 84.9 x 71.9 x 15.9-17.1 mm (3.34 x 2.83 x 0.62-0.67 inches) Unfolded: 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm (6.50 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches) |
| Weight | 187 grams (6.59 ounces) | 187 grams (6.59 ounces) |
| Screen | Main display:6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED1080 x 2640 pixels1-120Hz Dynamic refresh rateHDR10+2,600 nits peak brightnessCover display: 3.4-inch Super AMOLED720 x 748 pixels60Hz | Main display:6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED1080 x 2640 pixels120Hz Dynamic refresh rateHDR10+1,200 nits peak brightnessCover display: 1.9-inch Super AMOLED260 x 512 pixels60Hz |
| Operating system | One UI 6.1.1 with Android 14 | Upgradable to One UI 6.1 with Android 14 |
| RAM & Storage | 12GB + 256GB (UFS 4.0)12GB + 512GB | 8GB + 128GB (UFS 3.1)8GB + 256GB8GB + 512GB |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| Camera | Dual outer cameras:50MP primary, f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.56-inch sensor size, OIS12MP ultrawide, f/2.2, 123° field of view10MP selfie camera inside, f/2.4, fixed focus | Dual outer cameras:12MP primary, f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.76-inch sensor size, OIS12MP ultrawide, f/2.2, 123° field of view10MP selfie camera inside, f/2.4, fixed focus |
| Video | Outer:Up to 4K@60fps1080p slow-mo @240fps or 720p@960fpsOIS at 1080 onlyFront: Up to 4K@30fps | Outer:Up to 4K@60fps1080p slow-mo @240fps or 720p@960fpsOIS at 1080 onlyFront: Up to 4K@30fps |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.35GWi-Fi 6E, dual-band | Bluetooth 5.25GWi-Fi 6, dual-band |
| Ports | USB-C (USB version not specified) | USB-C (USB 2.0) |
| Water resistance | IP48 | IPX8 (no specified dust resistance) |
| Battery & charging | 4,000mAh25W wired charging15W wireless charging4.5W reverse wireless charging | 3,700mAh25W wired charging15W wireless charging4.5W reverse wireless charging |
| Colors | Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue, Mint Samsung.com exclusive colors: Black, White, Peach | Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, Blue, Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki, Red |
| Price | Starting at $1,100 | Initial launch price $1,000 |
Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: design
The Galaxy Z Flip lineup saw significant design changes with the Galaxy Z Flip 5, which have been retained in the new Galaxy Z Flip 6. One of the most noticeable updates from the Flip 4 is the much larger cover display that now occupies a larger portion of the upper face. Additionally, the gap between the folded halves of the phone has been virtually eliminated, thanks to a redesigned hinge that securely anchors the two folding sides together.
When unfolded, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 shares the same dimensions, thickness, and weight as its predecessors, the Flip 5 and Flip 4. However, Samsung has refined its design by eliminating the gap lap last year, reducing the thickness by 2mm when folded. This makes the Galaxy Z Flip 6 the thinnest model in the series, even slimmer than the newly announced Motorola Razr Plus 2024.
Last year, Samsung introduced a flattened frame design on the sides of its devices, which remains largely unchanged except for a new matte finish replacing the previous glossy look. If you’re upgrading from the Galaxy Z Flip 4, you might miss the rounder side rails—or you might prefer the sharper, flatter ones on the Galaxy Z Flip 6, depending on your taste. It’s worth noting that the Flip 6 does not feature the titanium frame found on the Galaxy S24 Ultra released earlier this year, which might be a consideration for some users.
The Samsung Flip is getting a minor but stylish upgrade with new accent rings around the cameras, color-coordinated to match the phone itself. Additionally, Samsung is introducing a vibrant array of cases, dubbed “suit-cases.” Some of these cases even light up, serving as personalized positivity billboards.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 introduces a significant enhancement in its IP rating. Previous models, like the Galaxy Z Flip, had an IPX8 rating. The ‘8’ indicates robust water resistance, while the ‘X’ means the phone was not tested for dust resistance. However, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 now boasts an IP48 rating, offering protection against both water and dust, providing greater durability and peace of mind for users.
The IP rating system, established by international standards, assigns a solid particle resistance level of 4 to devices that are protected against particles larger than 1 millimeter in diameter. While this rating provides better protection compared to previous models, it does not guarantee immunity from finer dust or debris, which could potentially enter between folds or under the display.
Despite these enhancements, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 retains the same external design as its predecessors. The next area of focus is the display, where we’ll explore any potential updates or improvements.
Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: display
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 maintains the design philosophy of its predecessors, focusing on functional enhancements rather than drastic changes. It retains the familiar 6.7-inch Full HD+ inner display found in both the Flip 5 and Flip 4, complete with a dynamic refresh rate. This continuity ensures a consistent and reliable user experience, building on the proven strengths of previous models.
The most significant upgrade in the latest generation is the inner display’s brightness, which now boasts an impressive peak of 2,600 nits. This is a substantial improvement over the 1,200 nits on the Flip 4 and 1,600 nits on the Flip 5. This increase ensures much better visibility outdoors and provides richer contrast when watching HDR video content.
The most significant upgrade is the cover display, which has expanded from a small and limiting 1.7-inch section on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 to a much larger 3.4-inch square display on the Flip 5. This same display is featured on the Flip 6, with no noticeable enhancements. Despite this upgrade, it still pales in comparison to the more immersive cover display found on the Motorola Razr 2024 series.
To enhance user experience, Samsung has introduced interactive wallpapers for the cover screen of the Galaxy Z Flip 5. These wallpapers respond dynamically to taps and the phone’s movements, adding a playful and engaging touch. Alongside these, Samsung has also added new widgets, enriching the functionality of the cover screen. These software upgrades are expected to be available on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, although confirmation is pending.
The significant improvement in the outer display size makes this upgrade particularly compelling. Additionally, Samsung now allows users to run full-screen apps on the cover display without needing to open the phone, offering greater convenience and usability.
Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: performance
With the Galaxy Z Flip 6 featuring a significantly more powerful chipset, users can anticipate a major performance boost over the Flip 4. The new Flip 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a notable upgrade from the Flip 4’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This advanced chipset not only excels in overall performance but also enhances on-device AI capabilities. As a result, users will experience smoother multitasking and more efficient operation of Samsung’s suite of programs within One UI.
The performance upgrade will be noticeably significant compared to its two-year-old predecessor, thanks to not just the advanced chip but also the enhanced RAM and storage. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 sets a new standard in the series by offering 12GB of onboard RAM across all storage configurations, ensuring smoother multitasking and faster overall performance.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers a notable upgrade in storage options compared to its predecessor, the Flip 4. Starting with a base model of 256GB, it doubles the storage capacity of the previous 128GB variant. Additionally, the Z Flip 6 incorporates the latest UFS 4.0 storage technology, enhancing overall performance. This advanced protocol ensures quicker app loading, improved gaming experiences, more efficient camera usage, and faster file transfers.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 introduces a notable upgrade with its new vapor cooling chamber, marking the first time this feature has been included in the series. Samsung has increased the chamber’s size by 50% compared to the one in the Galaxy S23 series, bringing it in line with the cooling technology used in the upcoming Galaxy S24 devices. This enhanced vapor cooling chamber improves heat dissipation by efficiently spreading heat generated by the phone’s internal components across its body, ensuring better performance and longevity.
The introduction of a vapor chamber in the new device is a significant upgrade designed to prevent overheating during intensive activities. Whether you’re recording video for long periods, using wireless charging, or relying on GPS for navigation, the vapor chamber helps manage heat more effectively. This innovation addresses the thermal throttling issues commonly seen in older Galaxy Z Flip models, ensuring smoother performance even under demanding conditions.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 boasts an upgraded cellular modem, offering enhanced connectivity for a more reliable network experience. Additionally, it includes a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi component that supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E protocol. While it doesn’t feature tri-band support, Wi-Fi 6E can deliver faster speeds and reduced latency, provided you have a compatible Wi-Fi 6E router. This means you can expect a smoother and more efficient online experience with the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: battery and charging
The Galaxy Z Flip series has traditionally lagged in battery life compared to other similarly sized phones with conventional designs. However, Samsung has been steadily improving the battery capacity with each new release. The latest Galaxy Z Flip 6 features a 4,000mAh battery, an approximately 8% increase from the 3,700mAh batteries in the Flip 5 and Flip 4 models. While Samsung hasn’t introduced any AI features to enhance battery performance, the new, more power-efficient chipset could offer slightly better battery life. Despite these improvements, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 still only provides a one-day battery life.
The charging speeds remain the same between the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The Flip 6 supports 25W wired charging and can wirelessly charge at a maximum rate of 15W using a Samsung or certified charger. However, it is still unclear whether the Galaxy Z Flip 6 supports the Qi2 wireless charging protocol.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 supports reverse wireless charging, allowing you to conveniently charge accessories like wireless earbuds. This feature provides a maximum output of 4.5W. Additionally, the Z Flip 6 can wirelessly charge other phones, though at a slower rate.
Although the Galaxy Z Flip 6 doesn’t boast faster charging speeds, its new vapor chamber technology enhances cooling efficiency during charging. This innovation helps maintain consistent charging rates by preventing heat buildup within the phone’s body.
Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: cameras
The camera has often been a weak point for most foldable phones, but the Vivo Fold is an exception. Samsung aims to change this with its latest releases. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 will feature new ultrawide and telephoto cameras, while the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is set to impress with a new 50MP primary camera—the same one found in the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. In our Galaxy S24 Plus review, we found that this primary camera delivers excellent results, optimized for natural color reproduction. However, it can struggle in certain situations, such as capturing moving objects or in low-light conditions, where the results may not be as satisfactory.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers significant camera improvements over its predecessors, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Flip 5. While it may still lag behind other phones in the $1,000+ range, the enhancements are notable. The primary camera has been upgraded to 50MP, and the ultrawide lens now features a new 12MP sensor, though specific details about the changes are still unclear. Additionally, the under-display selfie camera has a slightly wider opening, leading to marginally better photo quality. Users can also utilize the outer cameras for selfies by using the cover screen as a viewfinder, adding versatility to their photography experience.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s advanced image signal processor (ISP) promises to enhance overall image quality, complementing its upgraded sensors. We will thoroughly test both new cameras in our upcoming review and provide detailed updates on their performance.
Both the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Flip 4 can record 4K videos at up to 60 frames per second. The Flip 6 features a larger sensor, which is expected to enhance video sharpness and color reproduction, although the difference may not be significant. Despite the chipset’s capability for 8K video recording, both models forgo this feature, likely due to potential overheating issues. Additionally, both phones offer a handycam mode that allows you to bend them at roughly 90 degrees, providing an adjustable viewfinder for more flexible shooting.
Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: software and updates
Samsung has embraced AI features with the Galaxy S24 series, and these enhancements are now being extended to older devices. The upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 6 will include standard Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search and Live Translate. Additionally, Samsung’s ProVisual Engine leverages AI to enhance photos by selecting the optimal frame, improving lighting, and focusing on faces. Unique to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, the cover screen’s wallpapers will be AI-enhanced, giving them a striking 3D effect.
Many of the basic features have already been incorporated into the Galaxy Z Flip 4 or are expected to be added soon. Beyond these, there are no significant differences in the software experience between the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Flip 4. Both devices run the One UI 6.1 interface, which is based on Android 14.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4, launched in August 2022, was initially promised five years of software updates. However, with the release of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 in July 2024, Samsung has extended its commitment, offering seven years of software updates for this newer model.
Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: price and availability
A notable difference between the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and its predecessor, the Flip 4, is their pricing. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,100 for the 256GB model, compared to the Flip 4’s initial price of $1,000 for the 128GB version.
Although Samsung has discontinued the Flip 4, you can still find it through unofficial sellers on platforms like Amazon or local stores, often at nearly half its original price. Some refurbished units are available for as low as $300, but be sure to verify carrier compatibility before purchasing.
In contrast, the new Galaxy Z Flip 6 is priced at $1,100, but Samsung is offering a special preorder promotion. If you order by July 24, you’ll receive a complimentary upgrade to 512GB of storage. Additionally, Samsung provides substantial trade-in credits—up to $550 off when you exchange your old Flip 4 for the Flip 6. Plus, there are attractive discounts on accessories, including the new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.
Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4: verdict
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 brought notable enhancements over the Galaxy Z Flip 4, particularly with its larger, more functional cover display. This year, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 builds on that success with key upgrades including a new chipset, improved cameras, a bigger battery, and extended software support. These improvements make the Z Flip 6 a compelling choice whether you’re upgrading from the Flip 4 or simply a fan of the foldable design.
While the cosmetic changes are minimal, the enhanced performance and added accessory options make the Z Flip 6 an attractive upgrade. However, if your Flip 4 is still running smoothly, it might be worth holding off for the Galaxy Flip 7, which could feature a more significant design overhaul.
If you’re open to alternatives beyond Samsung, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 offers a strong competitor with a superior display, arguably better cameras, and faster charging. However, it lacks the consistent software updates and long-term support that Samsung provides, which may be a decisive factor for some users.