Following the Galaxy Z Fold5, it was the hope of perhaps its most ardent fans that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 will be able to finally perfect the flat-folding mechanism. Shortly after the Unpacked event ended, the company passed us the device to take a closer look. And once one was taken, discovering that it was not meant to be is a little disappointing.
Although, I would say that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 features a pretty wide range of cosmetic improvements over its predecessor. While it may still not be able to completely fold flat, the gap is now a lot less visible at a glance. This is because the stand on the Z Fold5 that prevented both ends of the main display from touching each other now extends to near the entirety of the frame. This also has an added benefit of being better at preventing dust buildup, though the gap itself will still allow some to slip through.
Speaking of which, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 now features an IP48 rating, which, as I mentioned during the the last detailed leak, while a nice upgrade, may not be a meaningful enough one. This is because this rating only prevents things of over 1mm in size from getting in, and the dust that can build up while the phone is in your pocket can be smaller.
On a related note, the crease of the main display of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is still a thing. In this, it’s probably not unfair to say that the series is falling behind some of its rivals in the foldables space. And part of the reason why I say this with relative confidence is that, having used the Z Fold5 for the better part of a year and only having unfolded it a handful of times, the crease on the predecessor model is only slightly more visible than the new one.
Other cosmetic improvements to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 includes sharper edges, but not in a dangerous way. At least when compared to the Z Fold5, which had rounded corners even for its external screen’s bezels, sharper edges gives the new model a more sophisticated air to it. Without it being dangerous, of course. It is also ever so slightly thinner which, coupled with being marginally wider at the same time, makes for a better feel in hand while folded.
Like before, the speakers of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 are positioned in a way that makes for great stereo sound in both folded and unfolded forms. Except this time, like the S24 that came earlier in the year, the speaker grille has been replaced with a slit. While this makes it easier for dust to get it, on the flip side it should also make it easier to clean.
Of course, other bits of hardware on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 look to be incremental upgrades, especially when you look at the spec sheet. The software software side of things look to be more interesting, though that will require further testing. In the meantime, the device can be now be pre-ordered, with a starting price of RM7,299
Photography by Sam Wei Han, Maheshan Mohan.
