Galaxy Z Fold6 review: very expensive Samsung…

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Dear Samsung,

Five years ago, you presented to the eyes of the world Galaxy Fold, your very first folding smartphone in booklet format. At the time, I was one of those who admired your audacity, your sense of innovation and your know-how.

Certainly, this first model was far from perfect. You even had to do a recall before a second launch, due to a technical problem on the screen . But all that is in the past. Also, you have been able to improve your flagship product over time, in small touches. Probably too small.

Because on this July 26, 2024, the day this letter is written, excitement has given way to frustration and disappointment. I have been using your latest Galaxy Z Fold6 every day for the past three weeks. To say that you haven't worked hard would be a lie. But there is no denying that you are resting on your laurels.

Far be it from me to overwhelm you. The Z Fold6 is a superb folding smartphone, seductive in many ways. But it leaves me with the bitter taste of the pursuit of profit against all odds.

More beautiful and strong than ever

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© Presse-citron

I'll start by giving Samsung what belongs to Samsung. Yes, your Galaxy Z Fold6 is a little gem of technology . Its more angular design inherited from the Galaxy S24, is a marvel. The matte coating is of the most beautiful effect and the extremely thin borders around the screens are a real eye-catcher.

Even those who do not carry you in their hearts are forced to recognize it: you know how to design beautiful phones and that goes for your Z Fold6.

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You also perfected the hinge, the most important element in creating a foldable smartphone. It is now dust and water resistant (IP48 certification), an industry first. It is also still as strong as ever. The Z Fold6 can be opened and closed 200,000 times, which is an average of five years of use. By then, most consumers will probably have their eyes set on a successor.

I have to admit, your Galaxy Z Fold6 stands out as the most premium folding smartphone. Even if it means sacrificing handling, but I'll get to that a little later. I promised to start with the best.

Smarter too (for now)

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Like every year, you took care to step up your game. The Galaxy Z Fold6 therefore includes all the components necessary for advanced use: Snapdragon 8 Gen3 chip, up to 1 TB of storage, 12 GB of RAM. I don't hide my pleasure in playing or working with this jewel of technology.

You have also further optimized the software part, so that it adapts to the folding format. And what about Galaxy AI, the artificial intelligence proposal which, associated with Google Gemini, changes the daily use of a smartphone. Between you and me, many observers underestimate the power of AI in your smartphones. It deserves at least as much hype as that of your rival Apple.

Watercolor

Sketch

Comics

Cartoon

So yes, Some features are very gimmicky. I'm thinking of the Studio Portrait which transforms a portrait into a drawing in 4 predefined styles. But other tools are very practical in everyday life: the interpreter via interposed screens or the dictaphone with transcription directly into Notes are probably my favorites.

Thanks to all this intelligence, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is therefore a formidable work tool. And it will be very difficult for me to leave it for all these reasons. But I drew the same conclusions with the Galaxy Z Fold5, which will also receive the new Galaxy AI soon…

Still as gifted in photography

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You may not know this, but I am also a big fan of photography. I have to say that the first models of folding smartphones disappointed me a lot in this area.

But for the last two or three iterations, you have been making a lot of efforts to convince consumers who share this passion. Your Galaxy Z Fold6 takes a new step forward, by integrating the same lenses as the Galaxy S24.

I will not dwell on the technique, I have already covered it extensively. But I will still point out that the Z Fold6 is more convincing and versatile than ever. Aside from a few minor flaws in low light and a tendency to over-saturate colors, it does wonderfully. Without reaching the level of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it finally offers a photo experience worthy of a premium smartphone.

You also had the good idea to exploit the possibilities offered by the folding format. Using the external screen, you can take group photos with just a wave of your hand. In the same way, you can start a video recording. Perfect for content creators, especially fans of vertical videos on TikTok, Instagram or Youtube.

Always there to entertain me

© Lemon squeezer

© Lemon squeezer

Effective in supporting me in my work, you also know how to relax the atmosphere. Thanks to its sublime 7.6” internal screen, your Galaxy Z Fold6 knows how to take advantage of its very special format.

Its state-of-the-art Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel transforms it into the ideal device for watching my favorite films and series, anywhere, anytime. Who has never dreamed of being able to carry a small tablet in their pocket ?

I could say the same for the gaming part. Even if it heats up a little (much less than the Z Flip6, that hot bunny), the Galaxy Z Fold6 provides significant comfort for gaming sessions. Inveterate gamers or occasional players will definitely find something to suit them. I found mine there.

But you don't change

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Despite all these good points, there are still too many frustrating elements on this Galaxy Z Fold6. First of all, why do you insist on limiting charging to 25 W on a device of this caliber? ? All the others have adopted charging systems exceeding 60 W. I've gotten used to you no longer providing a charger, but try to make an effort anyway.

And the fold ? I admit, it is increasingly discreet but it remains too visible. Much more than with all your competitors. Enough that people still talk about it when I unbox the Z Fold6 in public.

The fold is still much too visible on the Galaxy Z Fold6 © Presse-citron

Above all, why continue with a screen of this width ? You could say that I have big fingers (which is objectively false) but the width of the external screen is not enough to use it on a daily basis. I have to start again 4 or 5 times before sending a message. My followers on X and Threads must have noticed when I was writing with the Galaxy Z Fold6, I made a typo in every word. No, really, this screen is not going well at all.

I could stop there, but I'm mad at you, so I'm nitpicking. Why not integrate an S-Pen into the Galaxy Z Fold6 ?I know what you're going to tell me (you do it with every model): “the S-Pen is used by 10% of our customers and the Galaxy S24 Ultra is already there to meet this demand. And then we offer a case with S-Pen to compensate for this lack.”

I could understand it on previous versions, but not this one. For a very simple reason: most of the new features highlighted on Galaxy AI are related to text, note-taking or drawing. And I don't have a stylus to create these contents ? Don't you think something is wrong ?

Even if it means offering a phone as thick as previous years, take the opportunity to integrate an S-Pen into the chassis. And at the same time, enlarged the external screen. Quite frankly, when we exceed 200 grams, we are closer to 10 or 15 grams.

You charge (too) much

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I could accept all these nasty flaws if you didn't charge a high price. Looking closer, your Galaxy Z Fold6 is only a slight improvement on the Z Fold5 with a more modern design and Galaxy AI. And for that, you ask for 2,000 euros. It's even more expensive than previous generations.

However, the logic of a market is the same in all sectors: any innovation costs its weight in gold at the very beginning. Then, over the years and iterations, economies of scale (and you make quite a few by recovering components from the S24) as well as production and sales volumes lead to a price reduction. You did it perfectly with the Z Fold3.

But this year, no. You are letting go of the reins in the middle of a global economic crisis. Inflation has been there, you might say. I would answer that inflation is a convenient excuse and that your position as leader requires you to set an example. Especially since you are a pioneer in this market.

The temptation to look elsewhere

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I may be wrong, but I have the strange feeling that you rest a little on your laurels. Your Galaxy Z Fold6 may be an attractive device in many ways, but it doesn't make me dream as much as your rivals.

The Honor Magic V2 is much thinner: it's a real classic smartphone when folded. Its external screen is large enough to use it as a phone. Same for the OnePlus Open.

OnePlus Open © Presse-citron

Honor Magic V2 © Lemon squeezer

Sure, your Z Fold6 is still more elegant than them. But elegance is not the only criterion for choice. They are also more durable, recharge faster, offer a good photo experience, and are also excellent work and entertainment companions. With them, the fold has even completely disappeared. And as a bonus, they cost less.

I'm sorry Samsung, I love you very much for many reasons. I also love most of your products. But love has to be maintained. And I feel like you've forgotten it a bit with this Galaxy Z Fold6. Fortunately, it's never too late to wake up, as long as the flame still burns…

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