Despite increasingly intense competition, Samsung remains the king of the folding smartphone market worldwide. As the summer Galaxy Unpacked approaches, the silhouette of the next models from the South Korean firm, aka the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, is starting to take shape thanks to numerous information leaks. The opportunity for us to take a complete look at the new features expected in a few weeks.
Design
With the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, Samsung is making some design changes compared to the current generation. According to a marketing image accidentally published on the Samsung Kazakhstan website, the two smartphones would benefit from a chassis with much flatter edges. We would thus get closer to the design that the manufacturer applied at the beginning of the year to its Galaxy S24 Ultra.
This visual also reveals a slightly raised frame for the internal panel of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, or even photo sensors with contours of the same color as the chassis, on the back of the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
If we are to believe previous rumors, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 would also be entitled to two more discreet developments: a thickness limited to 11 mm, compared to 13.4 mm for the Galaxy Z Fold 5, but also an external screen a little wider, between 6.3 and 6.4 inches instead of the 6.2 inches offered on previous generations.
In terms of colors, Evan Blass announced this June 11 via Twitter/X the following shades: blue, black, mint, peach, gray, yellow and white for the Z Flip 6 and black, navy blue, pink, gray and white for the Z Fold 6.
Finally, Samsung would once again attack one of the weaknesses of its folding smartphones, namely their folding, which would thus be more discreet than on the current generation.
Performances
A high-end smartphone means high-end performance. On this point, Samsung would not have opted for its Exynos 2400 processor, present on the Galaxy S24 and S24+. According to the media The Elec, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 would be entitled to the same preferential treatment as the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and would be equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. According to The Elec, the Galaxy Z series has “was designed from the start based on the Qualcomm processor”Samsung seeking not to increase the cost of its devices.
As for the amount of RAM and storage, no information has yet been released. We should therefore be entitled to the same variations as with the current generation, i.e. 8/256 GB and 8/512 GB for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, compared to 12/256 GB, 12/512 GB and 12 GB / 1 TB for the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
The screens
The information around the display of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is still quite imprecise, especially on the external screen side. Rumors are in fact leaning towards a larger 120 Hz Oled panel, which would go from 6.2 inches to 6.3 or 6.4 inches. A SmartPrix report published before spring mentioned that the folding screen of this Z Fold 6 would retain a 7.6-inch 120 Hz Oled panel, but would feature two new features: Corning Gorilla Glass Armor protection and maximum brightness of 2600 nits, already introduced on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Samsung would not have made any changes regarding the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The new clamshell model would thus retain a 6.7-inch Oled folding panel (120 Hz and 1750 nits) and the imposing external Oled display of 3 .4 inches of the Galaxy Z Flip 5.
The fold would once again be the crux of the matter for this generation, with a new effort on the part of Samsung to make it disappear as best as possible.
The picture
Nothing very interesting has been shared so far about the photo modules of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Indeed, the latest information comes to us from the famous leaker Ice Universe, which understands that the photo part would be identical to that of the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The smartphone would thus have this equipment:
- Rear module: a 50 Mpx Samsung Isocell GN3 main sensor, a 12 Mpx ultra-wide-angle sensor and a 10 Mpx telephoto lens with x3 optical zoom;
- Selfie cameras: sensor under the screen of 4 Mpx for the internal screen and 10 Mpx for the external panel.
Rumors, but also recent certifications, then suggest a change in size for the cameras of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 with the appearance of a 50 Mpx main sensor at the rear, compared to 12 Mpx on the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Enough to raise the smartphone to the level of the Galaxy S, which all benefit from 50 Mpx sensors. On the ultra wide-angle and front camera side, Samsung would continue with the Galaxy Z Flip 5, by offering 12 Mpx and 10 Mpx sensors.
Battery
In 2024, only Samsung’s folding flip smartphone would be entitled to change in terms of autonomy. According to a recent certification that appeared with the FCC (the American telecommunications certification body), the Galaxy Z Flip 6 would indeed be equipped with a larger battery, the capacity of which would be 3887 mAh.
According to SamMobile, “this is the rated capacity of the phone battery, and its commercial capacity should be 4000 mAh”. We would thus be entitled to a gain of 300 mAh compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 5, enough to improve the major weak point of this category of smartphones: autonomy.
Tested by the FCC with a 25W charger, fast charging would maintain the same power as the current generation.
For the Galaxy Z Fold 6, nothing would change. In any case, this is the latest prediction from whistleblower Ice Universe. We would once again be entitled to a battery capacity of 4400 mAh and fast charging of 25 W.
AI and software tracking
Unsurprisingly, Samsung would offer its Galaxy AI features on its Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. Artificial intelligence would thus complement user uses, as was recently the case on previous generations.
It should be noted that Samsung recently mentioned in a press release that for “deliver a completely new and unique AI experience, [il va] optimize the Galaxy AI experience on upcoming folding devices”. Something new could thus be announced during the presentation conference.
Software monitoring should be inspired by the effort made by Samsung with the Galaxy S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra: seven years of Android and security updates could be announced. A strong step forward for the manufacturer, which allows it to offer more durable devices (even surpassing Apple on paper).
Release date and price
Samsung’s summer Galaxy Unpacked is currently set for July 10, 2024, even if this date has not yet been formally announced by the manufacturer. Knowing that the South Korean firm usually markets its new Galaxy S and Galaxy Z smartphones two weeks after presenting them, availability on July 24 would be more than likely; it would come in time for the start of the Olympic Games, of which the brand is a partner.
The pricing part started to get talked about in June 2024. According to SmartPrix, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 would go up to $1,899 in the United States for its entry-level version with 256 GB, while the Galaxy Z Flip 6 would wait for $1099. We would thus be facing an increase of $100 compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5, which should give an inflated price of at least €100 in France.
Other Galaxy Zs on the program?
In addition to the traditional Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip, Samsung is reportedly considering several different folding models. This is also the book format version which should be available in the months, or even the year, to come.
Rumors notably mention a more accessible model and another more premium one, the first being labeled FE – like the very recent Galaxy Watch FE – and the second, Ultra. Suffice it to say that the latter model would be particularly well off. It is said that the South Korean firm would introduce a titanium chassis, as is the case of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but also a slot for the S-Pen stylus, larger screens and a battery or even photo equipment more muscular.
Scheduled for the last quarter of 2024, this folding could initially be reserved for South Korea and China, according to recent information. However, let’s hope that Samsung will reveal the first elements about this supercharged Galaxy Z Fold 6 during its next Unpacked.