Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 hands-on: These key upgrades put it above the OnePlus Open for me
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Kerry Wan/ZDNET
It's hard to believe the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series is now six years old, but an afternoon spent with the shape-shifting smartphone made clear to me just how far the South Korean giant has come -- and how much more work is needed to reach the promised land of mainstream acceptance.
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I won't bury the lede: This year's Galaxy Z Fold 6 costs $100 more than last year's model -- meaning it goes from very expensive to very, very expensive. It's made with more durable materials, from the hinge to the outer shell, and is thinner and lighter than ever. A "phone" that feels more like a phone in the hand is always welcome.
Is the camera system finally Ultra tier? Only if you think an improved AI processing algorithm is enough of an upgrade. Also, because it's 2024, Samsung is introducing several new Galaxy AI features to give the foldable form factor a little more purpose. I don't mind that; at a starting price of $1,899, give me anything and everything.
In the hand, the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 feels like the most polished version yet. I've daily driven -- or at least attempted to use often -- every Galaxy Z Fold model since the very first, and the sixth generation is easily Samsung's crème de la crème. (I'm in Paris for Unpacked, so please forgive the French.)
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The edges are more flattened and treated with metallic aluminum, which feels like, and reminds me of, the Galaxy S24 Ultra's natural titanium. Samsung also tweaked the foldable's aspect ratio, widening the internal display by 2.7mm (from 129.9mm to 132.6mm) and dropping the overall weight down to a more bearable 239g (from 253g on the Z Fold 5). As a result, the Z Fold 6 finally feels as burdenless to use as the OnePlus Open.
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
Samsung is selling the Z Fold 6 in three general colors: Pink, Navy, and Silver Shadow (which is a lighter, whiter hue compared to Natural Titanium), and two online exclusive colors: White and Crafted Black. Based on my two-hour-long demo with the phones, you really can't go wrong with any of the options. If you want the most unique colorway, go for the Crafted Black, which has a carbon-fiber-like back cover that's full of grip.
Also: Buying a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6? This model looks and feels the best in hand
Samsung calls the Z Fold 6 its most durable Z series device yet, and I believe it. There's a new Dual Rail Hinge design with improved shock distribution, a folding edge for enhanced resistance to pressure and sharp objects, the outer materials include enhanced armor aluminum for scratch resistance, and the Fold finally has an IP rating for dust resistance, scoring at IP48.
The outer display feels more like a st...