Samsung Z Fold 6 Review: 1 Month Later...

Today, I am going to share my experience switching to the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. Featuring a more durable, thinner and lighter design. Upgrades to both displays, new AI features and faster performance. Which all add up to make the experience better. After 4 weeks of using the Fold 6, I got to say there is a lot I really like, but also some things I don’t and that you should know about before buying.

Today, I'm excited to share my experience of switching to the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, which boasts a more durable, thinner, and lighter design. With upgrades to both displays, new AI features, and faster performance, the overall experience is noticeably improved. After using the Fold 6 for four weeks, I've found a lot to love, but there are also some downsides that potential buyers should be aware of. This video will cover everything you need to know.

The Fold 6 starts at $1,899 for the 256 GB model, which is $100 more than the previous Fold 5. I have the Silver Shadow color, which I think looks very chic. It also comes in pink and navy, with some online-exclusive colors, including a carbon fiber model. As always, I'll leave the purchase links down in the description.

The biggest new feature of the Fold 6, and my personal favorite, is the redesigned look and feel. The sharper design with squared-off edges looks super clean, and the new matte armor aluminum frame is more resistant to fingerprints and scratches, enhancing the premium aesthetic. The back uses matte Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and I appreciate the contrasting camera module. At just 239 grams, the Fold 6 is significantly lighter, making it feel more comfortable in hand and in the pocket. This weight difference is something you really notice, especially when compared to the S24 Ultra.

The Fold 6 is also thinner, thanks in part to a new, more compact hinge that sticks out less and is almost gapless when closed. This not only looks better but also makes the cover screen easier to use, especially if you're left-handed like me. However, like any folding phone, the hinge and main display remain weak points. So far, the hinge on my Fold 6 feels smooth, and my previous Fold 5's hinge still operated well after a year of use. However, I have a friend whose Fold 4 stopped opening fully after a year due to dust buildup. On the bright side, the Fold 6 is now IP48 water and dust resistant, which should help with long-term durability.

I found myself using the cover screen more on the Fold 6, thanks to its 6.3-inch size, brighter 2600 nits display, and more comfortable dimensions. The cover screen is covered by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, but I would have liked to see Samsung bring the Gorilla Armor from the S24 Ultra for better scratch resistance and anti-reflective properties.

Now let's talk about the main reason to buy a folding phone: the folding screen. The 7.6-inch main screen has the same impressive 2600 nits of brightness, which is especially impactful on a folding screen as it helps counter reflections, making it more visible in sunlight. The 1 to 120 Hz refresh rate keeps content flowing smoothly, and I also appreciate the thinner bezels. The under-display camera remains well hidden, though it does suffer in quality.

One thing I was particularly happy to see on the Fold 6 is that Samsung has made the crease less visible and less noticeable when you're using the phone. You can still see it from the side, but head-on, it's much less obvious. Samsung has also added a new coating to help with scratch resistance, and so far, my screen has held up well. However, the main screen, like the hinge, remains a weak point, as even your nails can cause permanent damage with enough pressure. While Samsung is improving the durability of their folding phones each year, these devices are still more fragile than typical non-folding phones.

Switching back to a folding phone, I have to say the Fold 6, with its tablet and phone-in-one form factor, truly remains something special. When I'm out and about, I use the cover screen, but as soon as I sit down, the main screen gives me a tablet experience that fits in my pocket. Apps are bigger, and multitasking is more efficient, with the ability to have multiple apps open at once, making the Fold 6 feel like a portable computer. The folding form factor is also great as a built-in stand, letting you watch videos comfortably while using media controls on the lower half of the screen.

But at nearly $2,000, it's important to protect the Fold 6, and this is where Span's excellent accessories come in. Certified by Samsung for a guaranteed perfect fit, Span's cases provide protection without adding bulk. For example, the Air Skin Aramid case is made of highly durable Kevlar fiber and is just 0.9 mm thin, giving a satisfying almost caseless feel while still offering protection. The Tough Armor Pro P case provides full coverage, including over the hinge, and even unfolds to act as a built-in kickstand. Span also offers the Ultra Hybrid 01 case, which shows the detailed inner workings of the Fold 6 while still providing full protection.

The Fold 6's camera system is good but could have done more, with only minor upgrades like improved image processing and 4K at 60 FPS for the ultra-wide lens. The 50 MP main lens delivers sharp, high-detail images, but the overall camera experience is still a step behind the S24 Ultra. However, the Fold 6's folding design allows you to use the main lens for selfies, resulting in much better shots than you'd get with the cover or under-display cameras.

The Fold 6 also introduces new AI features, like sketch-to-image and photo studio, which are interesting but not always practical. The phone's performance is top-notch, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 12 GB of RAM. Apps run smoothly, and the phone's software, Samsung's One UI 6.1 on Android 14, is well-optimized.

Samsung promises up to seven years of software updates for the Fold 6, which is great, but I'm not sure if the hardware will last that long, given the durability challenges. Still, it's good to see such long-term support.

Battery life on the Fold 6 is similar to that on the Fold 5, with all-day usage easily achievable. The ultimate question is whether you should buy the Fold 6. While there are still areas for improvement, like the cameras and storage options, the many small upgrades make the Fold 6 one of the most polished folding phones you can buy right now. Whether you're upgrading from an older model or considering your first folding phone, you're likely to love using it. There really is something special about having a tablet in your pocket.