Foldable smartphones have been a tantalising vision for years — devices that combine the portability of a phone with the screen-real estate of a tablet. With its sixth generation foldable, Samsung is betting heavily that the Galaxy Z Fold6 will cement foldables as mainstream, rather than niche. With the latest hardware upgrades, slimmer form factor and tighter integration with features like S Pen support and AI, the question is: Is this the foldable to pick in 2025?
In this review, we’ll walk through key areas: design/build, display, performance, cameras, software, battery, ecosystem/support, pros & cons — and ultimately decide if the Z Fold6 is the foldable future you should invest in.
Design & Build
One of the most obvious improvements in the Z Fold6 is the slimmer and lighter build. According to reviews, the phone weighs around 239 g and has dimensions 153.5 × 68.1 × 12.1mm when folded and 153.5×132.6×5.6mm when unfolded. Compared to prior foldables, this means it’s more manageable as a daily device.
The hinge has been refined, the outer cover display is larger (6.3″ up from previous), with thinner bezels, making it more usable as a regular phone when folded. It also carries an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance — the first for a Z Fold.
Materials: Samsung uses “Armor Aluminium” frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the cover screen, and a foldable plastic panel for the inner display. The build feels premium and more refined than earlier models. Reviewers note improved durability and reduced crease visibility.
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What it means: The design changes make the Z Fold6 feel less of a novelty and more of a polished flagship. If prior foldables felt bulky or awkward, this generation starts to bridge that gap.
Display & Multitasking
As one of the main selling points of a foldable, the displays on the Z Fold6 are critical. Key specs:
| Display | Spec |
|---|---|
| Cover Display | 6.3″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz (968×2376) |
| Main (Unfolded) Display | 7.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz (1856×2160) |
| Peak Brightness | Up to ~2,600 nits |
| Adaptive Refresh Rate | 1 Hz-120 Hz (LTPO) |
The outer 6.3″ screen is now wide enough for one-handed use, which was a complaint on earlier narrow cover displays. Users say it feels more like a conventional phone when folded.
The inner display: The 7.6″ panel opens into a tablet-like experience, excellent for multitasking, video watching, editing, S Pen use, gaming. With One UI optimised for split-screen and multi-window, the Z Fold6 shines in productivity.
The crease: Samsung has reduced the visibility of the fold crease significantly — though the crease is still there under certain light, most users say it’s far less distracting than prior models.
Verdict: Among the best display experiences currently available, especially for those who value both phone & tablet form-factor.
Performance & Hardware
Under the hood, the Z Fold6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 “for Galaxy” chip, paired with 12GB RAM (LPDDR5X) and up to 1TB storage options.
One article summarises: “The hardware prowess … is beyond doubt. Overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12 GB RAM … as good as you can get with typical flagships.”
Thermal/cooling improvements: Samsung has incorporated a 1.6× larger vapour chamber to handle intense tasks and keep thermals under control.
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Real-world benchmarks show smooth performance even under demanding workloads (editing video, gaming, multi-window). The foldable form-factor plays well with multitasking: multiple apps side-by-side, drag-and-drop between windows, S Pen support.
What this means for you: If you want a device that can handle both day-to-day tasks and power-user workflows (multi-tasking, productivity, creative work), the Z Fold6 is more than capable.
Cameras
Camera specs: Triple-rear cameras: 50 MP main with OIS, 12 MP ultra-wide, and a 10 MP telephoto. On the cover display there is a 10 MP front camera; under-display on the main fold is 4 MP.
Reviewers: From Gadgets 360: “Design: slimmer and lighter… durability… battery… but camera improvements modest.” The Guardian adds: “best folder going… excellent performance… though camera long-zoom still underwhelming.”
Galaxy AI features: The Z Fold6 benefits from AI enhancements: Note Assist (transcription, summarisation), PDF overlay translation, Live Translate, Google Gemini integration — leveraging the foldable form.
Strengths:
- Main camera captures very good results, improved image processing with ProVisual engine.
- Ultra-wide and telephoto perform well, though zoom is only 3× optical in some regions (not the 8× found elsewhere) which may disappoint power-users.
- Under-display camera is still a compromise — good for video-calls but not as sharp as main.
- Cover camera is fine for selfies and quick use.
Verdict: Camera system is high-end, though not dramatically ahead of prior foldables or some flat-flagship phones. If photography is your top priority, you might still consider alternatives; but for foldable form plus very capable camera, the Z Fold6 holds up well.
Software & Ecosystem
The Z Fold6 runs Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 skin. Samsung promises 7 generations of OS updates and 7 years of security updates.
Key software highlights:
- Multi-window, drag-and-drop: Take full advantage of the large inner display.
- S Pen support: Great for note-taking, sketching, productivity; though the pen is optional accessory.
- Galaxy AI features (as above) integrated deeply: translation, summarisation, generative features.
- DeX support: Turn your device into PC-like experience when paired with external monitor.
- App optimisation: Samsung has improved foldable-specific UX (both cover screen and inner screen transitions).
What this means: Software is a major strength here. For people who want a device that is more than a phone — perhaps a portable productivity tool — the Z Fold6 delivers.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery capacity: 4,400 mAh (dual-cell) for the Z Fold6. The battery life is reported as “nearly a day” under mixed usage; in video loop test it lasted 20 hours 24 min.
Charging: Wired charging support up to 25W, wireless up to 15W, reverse wireless support. Many reviewers note that charging speed is weaker compared to competitors offering 65W+ charging.
Observations:
- Battery life is good for a foldable, but likely not best-in-class (some flat phones outlast it).
- Charging speeds are below premium Android benchmarks & expectations for a flagship at this price.
- However, the improved displays, efficient chipset and vapour-chamber cooling help moderate battery drain.
Verdict: Battery life is acceptable and usable; fast charging is a weaker area. If you’re frequently away long hours and want rapid top-ups, this is one area to weigh.
Price & Value
Launch price: The Z Fold6 was announced starting at US$1,899 (or regionally equivalent) for the base variant. In India it lists around ₹1,09,990+ for the base retail.
Given the price, you expect premium features across design, display, cameras, performance and durability. And the Z Fold6 largely delivers — but the cost is high, and not everyone will need all its capabilities.
Value summary: If you regularly use large screens, multitask, carry a device for productivity, enjoy drawing/notes with S Pen, or value having both phone + tablet in one — it justifies the cost. But if your phone usage is standard (calls, social media, occasional streaming) you may find the cost harder to defend.
Key Specifications Snapshot
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Main Display | 7.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1856×2160 pixels |
| Cover Display | 6.3″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 968×2376 pixels |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| RAM / Storage | 12GB RAM, 256/512GB/1TB storage |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP main + 12MP ultra-wide + 10MP telephoto |
| Battery | 4,400 mAh, 25W wired charging |
| Weight | ~239 g |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP48 rating |
| S Pen Support | Yes (optional accessory) |
| Price (launch) | US$1,899+ / ₹1,09,990+ approx. |
What Works (Pros)
- Compact yet expansive: The foldable design lets you have a large 7.6″ screen in a device that folds to phone size.
- Display quality: Excellent inner and outer displays with 120Hz refresh, great brightness, and refined build.
- Performance: Flagship hardware, excellent for multitasking, productivity, gaming.
- Productivity features: S Pen support, multitasking, DeX, AI features.
- Build improvements: Lighter, slimmer, IP48 rating, improved hinge.
- Ecosystem and longevity: 7 years of OS/security updates, strong software support.
What Doesn’t Work (Cons)
- Premium price: High cost means it’s accessible only to a niche audience.
- Charging speed: 25W wired charging is below many flagship standards in 2025.
- Camera zoom still modest for some users: Telephoto and ultra-telephoto not best-in-class compared to dedicated photography flagships.
- Battery: While decent, battery life may not match best flat-flagship phones, especially for heavy inner-screen use.
- Accessory costs: S Pen and some cases/accessories cost extra.
- Size when folded: Although thinner and lighter, it’s still thicker than standard phones; pocket-fit and one-hand use may still feel slightly large for some.
Is This the Future of Foldable Phones?
The Galaxy Z Fold6 makes a strong case. Its refinements in design, performance and software suggest that foldables are not mere gimmicks any more — they’re maturing into practical daily drivers.
Key traits that point to that future:
- Usable outer screen so it truly works as a phone when folded.
- Inner screen that offers meaningful tablet productivity without needing a separate device.
- Productivity features (multi-window, S Pen) elevate foldables beyond entertainment into work-capable devices.
- Durability improvements (hinge, IP rating) address earlier consumer concerns.
However, some aspects show the foldable future still has room to grow — especially in charging speed, camera top-end, and costs coming down. So yes — the Z Fold6 is very much part of the future, but the full mass-market foldable moment may still hinge on affordability, wider app optimisation, and further refinement.
Who Should Buy It?
If you’re considering this phone, ask yourself:
- Do you frequently multitask, work on your phone, or carry a tablet?
- Would you value S Pen support and the ability to scribble, draw or note on a large screen?
- Do you want the latest hardware and top-tier build regardless of cost?
- Are you keen to be an early adopter of foldable tech with strong software support?
If you answered yes to those, then the Z Fold6 is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if your usage is more conventional (calls, social, some streaming), you might better serve your budget with a premium non-foldable flagship.
Should You Upgrade?
If you already own a Fold 4 or 5: The upgrade to Fold6 is meaningful — slimmer form factor, better outer display, improved hinge, updated internals. But if budget is tight, the jump might be marginal for your usage.
If you are moving from a flat-flagship phone (non-foldable): The Z Fold6 offers a new category of experience. If you value a large screen sometimes, but still want pocket size, this could be a transformative upgrade.
Final Verdict
The Galaxy Z Fold6 stands as one of the most mature foldable phones available today. It successfully blends phone and tablet usability, high-end hardware, productivity features and premium build. While not perfect (charging, camera zoom and cost are caveats), it is a compelling statement of what foldables can achieve.
If you’re in the market for a cutting-edge device and willing to invest, the Z Fold6 could indeed represent the future of foldables — and maybe your next flagship.
