Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: Do you need to upgrade?

Samsung is as soon as once more making an attempt to woo foldable telephone fans again into its camp with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. The important thing attraction this time round is a recent design served in a thinner chassis. There’s a sooner chipset inside, a barely extra sturdy construct, a redesigned hinge mechanism, and a shallower crease on the internal foldable panel.

All that comes at a $100 value improve, although. Evidently, it doesn’t sound like a very thrilling year-on-year improve in comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and it’s actually not a standout system in comparison with rivals just like the OnePlus Open and the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro.

However if you happen to’ve been rocking the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and are of two minds as as to whether to remain put or splurge on an improve, there are a couple of points you must take into account. On this comparability, we’re going to give attention to the important thing variations that ought to matter to patrons.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: specs

Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: design and construct

For the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung has created a “​​twin rail hinge construction” paired with a strengthened folding edge, and the next resilience to shock absorption alongside the body. The corporate has additionally used an enhanced number of Armor Aluminum and the second-gen Corning Gorilla Glass for the quilt show and the rear shell.

Samsung received’t say what diploma of added safety they provide, however these supplies are actually extra resilient. The crease on the internal versatile display screen can also be smaller. The largest distinction, in comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 4, is that there isn’t any hole between the 2 halves of the telephone when the telephone is shut closed.

That’s a significant aid, because the uncovered hole allowed mud and liquid particles to make their means inside. Given the historical past of damages that many patrons have reported, the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s gapless design needs to be a key promoting level. For the primary time, Samsung has additionally added mud safety to its foldable, bestowing IP48 safety upon its newest telephone.

Digital Trends’ review highlighted enhancements equivalent to higher weight distribution, whereas additionally being extra snug to carry. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 solely served an IPX8 stage of water resistance, however no validated safety in opposition to mud. Higher shock distribution to exterior impression would possibly sound like typical advertising jargon, however within the context of a foldable, it’s something however.

We not too long ago investigated foldable hardware complaints at official Samsung centers and encountered points the place bumps and drops misaligned the hinge meeting. Because of this, the Samsung foldable refused to open totally, and there have been glue leakage points. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 appears to have taken a much-needed measure to repair these woes.

Concerning the 2024 slate of foldable telephones, Samsung says these make for “probably the most sturdy Galaxy Z collection but,” whereas additionally being the slimmest and lightest foldable telephones it has ever made. In a nutshell, in case your main concern is the construct high quality, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 delivers sensible advantages over the Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: internals

Samsung has armed the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 4 depends on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 silicon. There’s undoubtedly a efficiency enhance on the desk, however each are based mostly on the 4nm course of, so the raise isn’t as big as one would count on from telephones spaced two years aside.

Each telephones include 12GB of RAM and reminiscence choices beginning at 256GB and going all the best way as much as 1TB. The battery capability additionally stays the identical at 4,400 mAh, and so do the charging credentials, which max out at 25 watts for wired charging.

Nonetheless, the battery life state of affairs seems to be lower than ideally suited from a generation-over-generation enchancment perspective. The telephone provided a one-day battery mileage in our exams, however based mostly on the utilization patterns, it’ll actually range. If you’re pushing DeX with multi-screen collaboration or indulging in multimedia-heavy workflows, you’ll have to discover a charging port earlier than the day ends.

“On the time of writing, I’ve not been that impressed with its efficiency, as very often, I’ve seemed down at it and questioned the place all of the battery life had gone,” notes Digital Tendencies’ assessment of the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 embraces the multi-eSIM format, however that varies relying available on the market the place you purchase it. One other minor change occurs within the wi-fi connectivity division. The most recent from Samsung makes use of Bluetooth v5.3, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 4 sticks with the Bluetooth v5.2 commonplace.

The decision stays principally the identical on the show, however there are two key modifications. The duvet show on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is greater at 6.3 inches and extra “regular” in comparison with the oddly tall 6.1-inch entrance panel on the Galaxy Z Fold 4.

The on-screen fluidity may even be uniform throughout each screens on the brand new telephone. The duvet and internal OLED panels on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 can range between 1Hz and 120Hz, adaptively optimizing to the on-screen content material. On the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the quilt show’s refresh charge can solely drop to as little as 48Hz, whereas the height stays similar at 120Hz.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: cameras

In the event you’re in search of new digicam {hardware}, effectively, there’s barely any. The one notable change — a minimum of on paper — is the 4-megapixel under-display digicam, which sees its discipline of view go from 80 levels on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to 85 levels on the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The remainder of the {hardware} is similar. You get a 50MP most important digicam, a 12MP sensor for ultrawide seize, and a 10MP telephoto snapper with 3x optical zoom vary. The duvet display screen affords a centrally aligned 10MP selfie digicam.

There are some minor variations within the characteristic set. On the Galaxy Z Fold 6, you get a characteristic known as “optical high quality zoom 2x,” which Samsung says is enabled utilizing an Adaptive Pixel sensor. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 may solely seize 8K video at 24 frames per second (fps), however the Galaxy Z Fold takes it to 30 fps.

One thing curious has occurred on the slow-motion facet of issues. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 may do 960 ultra-slo-mo at HD decision, however that body charge just isn’t accessible on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. As an alternative, it will get two further choices: 120 fps at FHD and 120 fps at UHD.

Now, let’s discuss in regards to the digicam efficiency. Sure, there are digicam enhancements, however don’t count on them to ship the identical form of outcomes because the Galaxy S24 Extremely. The principle sensor performs effectively in a typical Samsung trend, which suggests you’re looking at a barely increased saturation that favors HDR output. Nevertheless it’s not a rosy image throughout the board.

“Once you take a look at the Z Fold 6’s photos critically, the wide-angle digicam takes muddy, low-quality photos, particularly in sub-optimal lighting, and at any zoom stage other than 3x, the images are disappointing, identical to the 4MP under-display digicam,” notes Digital Tendencies’ assessment of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. “Lens flare utilizing the primary digicam is sort of frequent.”

In a nutshell, the cameras are dependable, however they’re removed from the “superb” label, one thing you’d count on from a telephone that prices near a few thousand {dollars}. For folk with an expert pictures or fanatic inclination, this foldable isn’t fairly the pocket digicam powerhouse, however it’ll serve social media-savvy customers simply high quality.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: software program

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 runs Android 14-based One UI 6.1.1 out of the field. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 not too long ago began getting One UI 6.1 because of a software program replace. Now, the UI expertise might be acquainted, however there are two essential variations: the years of updates left and the AI expertise.

Let’s begin with the AI expertise. There was a variety of AI chatter on the Unpacked occasion, and barring hardware-level limitations, the expertise might be uniform throughout each telephones. Samsung’s devoted Galaxy AI website mentions the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and its skill to run options equivalent to Circle to Search, Word Help, Reside Translate, and generative AI-powered photograph enhancing — amongst others.

And it appears a number of the newer AI improvements introduced for the Fold 6 may even make it to older foldables, however we’re undecided if the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is on the listing. “We additionally plan to roll out the new Galaxy AI features we introduced right this moment to pick Galaxy gadgets by the top of the yr,” Samsung’s Annika Bizon mentioned at Unpacked.

On the software program facet, the largest change is a smattering of synthetic intelligence options, a few of which run on-device and don’t require an web connection. Samsung sells the entire bundle as Galaxy AI. Take for instance Word Help, which not solely lets customers with content material creation but in addition with group and summarization.

Then again, Picture Help can pull off methods equivalent to eradicating components from an image, filling backgrounds, adjusting angles, and much more. The AI stack may flip tough sketches into photorealistic photos, and even add a slow-motion impact to an everyday video. Interpreter mode, transcription, and translation of calls are additionally a part of the Galaxy AI package deal.

After all, not all Galaxy AI options showing on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will make it to the Galaxy Z Fold 4, so maintain that in thoughts.

Subsequent, let’s verify the software program longevity state of affairs. Samsung will push 4 years of OS updates on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and safety updates for 5 years.

On the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the corporate has promised seven generations of yearly Android updates and safety patches. That’s top-of-the-line assurances on the market, and if you happen to intend to maintain a foldable telephone for the long term, this software program replace dedication is a significant step in the correct path. It’s a,so essential to notice that the Z Fold 4 is already two years by means of its promised updates.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 4: verdict

The query of upgrading to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is comparatively easy. In case your Galaxy Z Fold 4 is providing you with {hardware} hell (necessitating speedy and costly repairs) otherwise you desire a foldable that may keep in your pocket for the following half a decade on the very least, you must head over to Samsung’s web site and rating the very best trade-in deal.

In any other case, past a sturdier construct and a cleaner design, there isn’t a lot that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 affords that ought to provide the proverbial FOMO. The AI options would possibly look all jazzy and fancy, however take into consideration whether or not you’ll use them each day and in significant methods.

In any other case, it’s only a bunch of gimmicks that ought to by no means sway an individual to half with $1,900 — the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s beginning value — or extra. On a private be aware, I’ve obtained a Galaxy Fold 4 in my drawer, and I discover little advantage to justify an improve, although the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in silver seems extra tempting than a cup of candy Vietnamese espresso.

Digital Tendencies’ assessment sums up the worth conundrum succinctly: “You’re going to pay a minimum of $1,900 for the Z Fold 6, you’re appropriate to count on greater than 12GB of RAM and 256GB of space for storing, sooner wired charging, a greater digicam, and even a S Pen stylus to be thrown in. Sadly, if you would like the Z Fold 6 to be the flagship-to-end-all-flagships, it’s simply not that.”