The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 has officially arrived, and it’s packed with exciting upgrades. But the question on everyone’s mind is: should you upgrade from the Z Flip 5?
The Z Flip 6 addresses the power gap that existed between previous flip phones and Samsung’s flagship models. It features a powerful new processor, a more robust camera system, and a larger battery.
While the Z Flip 6 doesn’t boast significant design changes, there are some noteworthy improvements. Samsung has enhanced the phone’s durability with an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance, surpassing the Z Flip 5’s water resistance. It’s also been reinforced with Armor Aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making it more resistant to bumps and drops.
Under the hood, the Z Flip 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the same processor found in the Galaxy S24 range. This ensures blazing-fast performance, capable of handling demanding apps and games with ease. Coupled with 12GB of RAM and a new vapor cooling chamber (a first for a Z Flip phone), the Z Flip 6 promises an impressive level of performance.
While the Z Flip 5’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is no slouch, the Z Flip 6’s new processor will undoubtedly offer a noticeable performance boost. However, in everyday use, the difference may not be as significant.
The Z Flip 6 also boasts a larger 4,000mAh battery, a 300mAh improvement over its predecessor. Combined with the more efficient processor, this could translate to a significantly longer battery life. Unfortunately, the Z Flip 6 maintains the same 25W charging rate as its predecessor, which is disappointing considering the faster charging speeds available on other flagship phones.
The Z Flip 6 also features a new 50-megapixel main camera, inherited from the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. This lens captures stunning photos in various settings, delivering exceptional image quality. The 12MP ultrawide camera is also a new sensor, although its exact improvements remain to be seen.
While the Z Flip 5 and Z Flip 6 both run Samsung’s One UI skin on top of Android 14, the newer model benefits from enhanced integration with Galaxy AI and a significantly longer software support lifecycle. The Z Flip 5 receives four years of OS updates and five years of security patches. The Z Flip 6, however, enjoys Samsung’s extended policy, guaranteeing seven years of support, an industry-leading commitment.
The Z Flip 6 comes at a higher price tag, starting at $1,100. This represents a $100 premium over the Z Flip 5. The Z Flip 6 is currently available for preorder and will be released on July 24th.
The Z Flip 6 stands as the clear winner in this comparison, offering a powerful upgrade over its predecessor. However, the improvements might not justify an upgrade for existing Z Flip 5 users unless battery life or camera performance are major concerns.
If you are in the market for a new foldable phone and have never owned a Z Flip, the Z Flip 6 is a fantastic choice. But if you’re satisfied with your Z Flip 5, the Z Flip 6’s upgrades might not be compelling enough to warrant the additional cost.
