Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Z Flip 6 vs Z Fold 5: Shocking Differences, Hidden Flaws & Must-Know Upgrades Before You Buy!

Battle of Samsung’s Foldables: Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 5
Samsung’s latest foldable phones – the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 – take the foldable game to new heights in 2024-2025, building on last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 5. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dissect their technical specs, design changes, cameras, software features, battery life, durability, expert reviews, benchmark results, pricing, and even see how they stack up against other upcoming foldables from Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus and more. Whether you’re eyeing the book-style Z Fold or the pocketable Z Flip, read on for an in-depth showdown of Samsung’s foldable flagships.

Quick Specs & Key Differences (Fold 6 vs Flip 6 vs Fold 5)

To start, here’s a quick overview of how Samsung’s latest foldables compare to each other and to the previous generation:

(Sources: Samsung official specs samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com, press releases and reviews techradar.com androidauthority.com tomsguide.com)

As the table shows, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 bring notable upgrades over the Fold5 generation – especially in processing power, improved design/durability, and for the Flip6, major camera and battery boosts. Next, we’ll dive into each device in detail, then compare real-world performance, pros/cons, pricing, and how Samsung’s foldables fare against the growing competition.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – PC-Like Power in Your Pocket

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is Samsung’s 2024 flagship foldable, essentially a smartphone that unfolds into a mini tablet. At first glance it looks similar to the Fold5, but Samsung introduced smart design tweaks and AI-powered features that meaningfully improve the experience:

• Refined Design & Build: The Fold 6 is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor – just 5.6 mm thin when opened, and 239 g in weight techradar.com. That’s over 14 g lighter than the Fold 5 techradar.com. Reviewers note it “isn’t anywhere as unwieldy as the Z Fold 5” and is easier to handle despite still being a large device androidcentral.com. Samsung shortened the device height slightly and widened the cover screen to 6.3″ (from 6.2″), making the external display less tall and narrow than before techradar.com techradar.com. This tweak addresses a common complaint – the Fold’s outer screen now feels a bit more natural to use one-handed, though it’s still not as wide as some competitors (Pixel Fold, etc.) androidcentral.com.
• Sturdy Hinge & Durability: Samsung calls the Fold6 its “most durable Galaxy Z” yet samsungmobilepress.com. It uses an enhanced dual-rail hinge mechanism that distributes stress better and withstands external shocks samsungmobilepress.com. The hinge is smoother and can hold at various angles with improved articulation androidcentral.com. Like the Fold5, it’s rated for 200,000 folds (about 5 years of 100 folds a day) businessinsider.com. Materials got an upgrade too – the frame is strengthened Armor Aluminum and the cover/back use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 samsungmobilepress.com. Water resistance is still IPX8 (safe from 1.5m water for 30 minutes) samsungmobilepress.com, though like all current foldables there’s no full dust-proofing (no IP6X rating). Notably, Samsung says the screen’s crease is less visible thanks to improved layered design samsungmobilepress.com. Reviewers confirm the crease is “shallower than ever before” – you’ll still notice it at an angle, but it fades from view during use androidauthority.com.
• Brilliant Dual Displays: The Fold6’s displays are best-in-class. The inner tablet screen remains a 7.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with QXGA+ resolution (~2176×1856) and adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. It gets impressively bright (up to 2600 nits peak) for outdoor visibility androidauthority.com, a 1.5× brightness improvement over Fold5. The cover screen is 6.3″ HD+ (approx. 2376×968) AMOLED, also 120 Hz samsungmobilepress.com. That extra 0.1″ width and 22.1:9 aspect make it more usable for typing and navigating than Fold5’s 6.2″/23.1:9 screen techradar.com. Both displays support HDR10+ and are vibrant and sharp (374 ppi on the big screen) samsungmobilepress.com. One tradeoff of Samsung’s design: the Fold6’s cover screen is still narrower than a regular phone, whereas some rivals (Google, Honor) opt for a wider outer screen. Still, TechRadar notes Samsung “may have fixed” the too-narrow feel with this subtle size tweak techradar.com.
• Performance & Software: Powering the Fold6 is the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy – Qualcomm’s latest 4 nm chip tuned for Samsung samsungmobilepress.com. It delivers ~14% faster CPU and 25% higher GPU performance than the Gen 2 chip in Fold5 techradar.com. In fact, Samsung claims it’s the fastest chip ever in a Galaxy Z, with ~19% faster graphics, 18% faster CPU, and 42% better NPU (AI processing) vs last gen samsung.com. Coupled with 12 GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the Fold6 flies through multitasking and heavy apps. Benchmarks back this up: in tests, the Fold6 beat the OnePlus Open (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) in CPU (Geekbench 6) and GPU (3DMark) scores, making it “the more future-proof device” performance-wise phonearena.com phonearena.com. More importantly, real-world use is snappy – even running three apps in split-screen or playing demanding games on the big display is smooth. An improved cooling system with a 1.6× larger vapor chamber helps sustain performance longer than Fold5 techradar.com, though one review noted the Fold6 will still throttle under prolonged load (as all foldables do) due to thermal limits in the thin body androidcentral.com. Out of the box it runs One UI 6.1.1 on Android 14, and Samsung promises 4 years of Android OS updates (up to Android 18) and 5 years security patches – a class-leading support policy androidauthority.com androidauthority.com.
• Galaxy AI Features: A headline addition in 2024 is Samsung’s “Galaxy AI” integration. The Fold6 leverages on-device AI for new tricks: Note AI can transcribe and summarize meeting recordings in Samsung Notes, and even translate text in PDFs or images on the fly samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. A “Composer” in the keyboard can generate text suggestions in your writing style based on keywords samsungmobilepress.com. Using the big screen, you can Circle any on-screen text or image to search with AI (e.g. identify an object in a video) samsungmobilepress.com. Samsung’s partnership with Google also brings the new Google Gemini AI assistant overlay – triggered by a swipe or “Hey Google”, it can answer context-aware questions (e.g. explain a YouTube video playing on half the screen) samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. Another cool trick: Dual-screen Interpreter mode, which uses both the cover and inner screens to live-translate conversations in two languages – each person can read the translation on their side of the folded phone samsungmobilepress.com. And Live Voice Translation now works on third-party call apps, not just Samsung’s dialer samsungmobilepress.com. While these AI features are cutting-edge, some early reviews found them hit-or-miss in usefulness. Android Authority felt the new Galaxy AI perks “don’t justify [the] price increase (yet)” until they mature androidauthority.com androidauthority.com. Still, they hint at a more AI-driven experience that differentiates Samsung’s foldables.
• Camera System: The Galaxy Z Fold 6 carries a familiar triple-camera setup – 50 MP wide (f/1.8, Dual Pixel AF, OIS), 12 MP ultrawide (123°), and 10 MP telephoto (3× optical, OIS) samsungmobilepress.com. On paper it’s the same hardware as the Fold5 techradar.com, disappointing some who hoped for the 200 MP sensor from the S24 Ultra. Samsung insists the new AI “ProVisual Engine” and upgraded image signal processor yield better photos even without higher megapixels techradar.com. For example, Fold6 can shoot improved HDR and low-light shots – the ultrawide now supports Night Mode with less noise, thanks to dedicated ISP tweaks techradar.com. In practice, reviews say image quality is excellent and similar to a Galaxy S23+: sharp, vibrant 50 MP shots and solid 3x zoom performance. But the Fold6 won’t beat a pure camera flagship; its telephoto tops out at 30× digital zoom (far short of the 10× optical periscopes on some rivals) techradar.com. Tom’s Guide did an in-depth photo comparison and found differences from Fold5 mainly in software: the Fold6 tended to handle colors and HDR a bit better due to Samsung’s new processing algorithms tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Both the cover screen 10 MP camera and 4 MP under-display selfie camera are unchanged. The under-display cam is fine for video calls but only 4 MP and still somewhat soft; most users will prefer using the cover cam or even using the rear cameras for selfies via the cover screen preview (a unique foldable trick). Overall, the Fold6’s cameras are very good and benefit from new AI enhancements, but industry commentary suggests Samsung played it safe – it’s “a little disappointing” there was no lens upgrade given the Fold’s price techradar.com.
• Battery Life & Charging: The Fold6 packs a 4,400 mAh dual battery – the same capacity as the Fold5 samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. However, battery life is slightly improved thanks to the efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and adaptive display tech. Samsung quotes up to 23 hours video playback or 77 hours audio on a charge samsung.com samsung.com. In real use, you can expect all-day battery for normal productivity. Heavy use (gaming, multiple screens multitasking) will still drain it by evening – power users might top-up midday. The good news is that 2024’s Fold runs cooler and more efficiently, so it doesn’t die as fast under load. As TechRadar notes, that unchanged capacity “could make the difference between lasting a full day versus giving up on the commute home” when combined with the new silicon techradar.com. Charging specs remain 25W wired (about 50% in ~30 minutes with a USB-PD 3.0 charger) and 15W wireless samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. There’s also reverse wireless charging (Wireless PowerShare) to top up your Galaxy Buds or Watch on the Fold’s back samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. These speeds are frankly modest – rival Chinese foldables often offer 50–100W charging – and even Samsung’s own spec sheet laments the 25W is “not fast at all” by 2025 standards techradar.com. But Samsung prioritizes battery longevity and safety, so no ultra-fast charging here. (And as usual, no charger in the box – you’ll need to buy a 25W adapter separately.)
• Software Experience & Multitasking: Samsung’s One UI is very optimized for big-screen productivity. The Fold6 continues features like Split Screen (Multi-Window) – you can run three apps at once (e.g. email + browser + chat) and even float a fourth in a pop-up. The taskbar at the bottom makes app switching instant, like a PC. New in One UI 6 is a refined drag-and-drop and better app continuity between screens. Flex Mode (half-folded laptop mode) is great for hands-free video calls or watching movies on the top half while controls show on bottom. Samsung’s S Pen is supported on the Fold6’s inner screen (the Fold6 uses the same S Pen Fold Edition stylus, sold separately). It’s excellent for notes or sketching on that tablet canvas, and now with the new Sketch to Image AI you can draw a rough doodle and have the phone generate a more polished image from it samsung.com samsung.com. Overall, the Fold6 provides an unrivaled pocket productivity experience – essentially a phone that can turn into a 7.6″ mini laptop or notepad. As CNET’s review put it, the Fold6 “truly replicates a traditional phone while doubling as a sleek tablet” samsung.com samsung.com.

In summary, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a powerhouse foldable that refines the Fold formula rather than revolutionizing it. The design is sleeker, the hinge and materials are tougher, and the device is filled with the latest silicon and new AI tricks. While its camera hardware didn’t get a big bump and the price actually went up (more on that later), experts agree it’s Samsung’s most polished big foldable yet. PCMag even calls it “simply the best big foldable phone” on the market samsung.com. For those who can embrace the high price, the Fold6 offers an unmatched multitasking and media experience in your pocket.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 – The Trendy Flex with Serious Upgrades

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 might look like a stylish refinement of 2023’s Z Flip 5, but don’t be fooled – it packs some significant upgrades under the hood. The Flip 6 is a compact clamshell foldable that brings flagship-level cameras and performance to the foldable flip form factor, addressing many of its predecessor’s shortcomings:

• Design & Form Factor: At first glance, the Flip6 is nearly identical to the Flip5 – a pocket-sized square when folded, with the same 3.4″ cover screen (Samsung’s “Flex Window”) and a 6.7″ foldable inner display when open androidauthority.com. It still measures about 85 × 72 × 15 mm closed and 165 mm tall when open, weighing in at a featherlight 187 g samsungmobilepress.com. Samsung did make a subtle change: the Flip6 uses a matte (satin) glass finish instead of glossy, which reviewers appreciated as it repels fingerprints and gives a premium feel androidauthority.com. The hinge and frame remain Armor Aluminum with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 externally, and Samsung touts this as “the most durable flip phone on the market right now” androidauthority.com. Notably, the Flip 6 gets an IPX8 water-resistance rating like its predecessor, plus an IP4X dust ingress rating – “the four is new,” Android Authority points out, though it’s not fully dust-proof androidauthority.com. (IP4X means it’s protected against very small particles but fine dust can still enter, so care is needed on sandy beaches, etc.) The hinge is also improved internally and is now rated for 200,000 folds like the Fold, whereas earlier Flip models weren’t always tested to that full extent businessinsider.com. When half-folded in Flex Mode, the hinge is sturdy and balanced, allowing hands-free selfies or video chats. And yes, the screen crease is less prominent – Samsung says it’s slightly reduced, and reviewers confirm it’s “shallower than ever before” to the point you stop noticing it after a short time androidauthority.com. In terms of appearance, the Flip6 comes in fresh colors like Yellow, Mint, Blue, and Silver, with online exclusives like Peach and Violet samsungmobilepress.com. It’s a head-turner, but physically “a millimeter-for-millimeter, gram-for-gram copy” of the Flip5’s design – which some found initially disappointing androidauthority.com. Ultimately, the build quality and form are still top-notch, and a year of refinement has made this ultra-compact foldable very robust.
• Cover Screen & Flex Window Features: The 3.4-inch cover display (748×720 resolution) is unchanged in size and 60 Hz refresh rate samsungmobilepress.com. It’s still a bright Super AMOLED panel that lets you check notifications, widgets, use the camera, and even run certain apps without unfolding. However, Samsung hasn’t fully opened it up – by default, you’re limited to a set of widgets (music, weather, calendar, etc.) and a few optimized apps. Power users can use Samsung’s Good Lock app to force any app on the cover, but it’s a workaround androidauthority.com androidauthority.com. Some critics wished Samsung would adopt Motorola’s approach: the Razr+ (2023) allows a full app launcher and any app on its 3.6″ outer screen with less fuss androidauthority.com. Out of the box, the Flip6’s Flex Window felt a bit underutilized – even fewer pre-loaded widgets than last year (many users had to manually add more) androidauthority.com. That said, once you customize it, the cover screen is handy for quick tasks: you can reply to texts with preset messages or voice, control smart home devices, or use flex mode tools (like a mini touchpad for the camera when propped open). Samsung did add Galaxy AI features to the cover screen too – e.g. AI-generated reply suggestions for texts right on the outer display, which is neat in concept tomsguide.com. There’s also a new Flex Mode Interpreter that can show live translated text on the cover while someone speaks (useful for travel) tomsguide.com. Overall, while the cover screen experience is improved, it’s still not as open as some competitors. Android Authority quipped that using the Flip6’s Flex Window is “more complicated than it needs to be” due to reliance on Good Lock for full functionality androidauthority.com. On the plus side, Samsung’s decision to stick with a smaller “folder-shaped” cover screen has one benefit: it avoids odd aspect ratios for apps and doesn’t have a camera cutout in the way, so certain widgets (weather, calendar) actually fit perfectly androidauthority.com. It’s a trade-off between simplicity and capability.
• Inner Display: Flip6’s 6.7-inch foldable main screen remains a gorgeous FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2640×1080) with adaptive 1–120Hz refresh samsungmobilepress.com. It’s essentially unchanged from Flip5, but got a bump in peak brightness (up to 2600 nits like the Fold6) which makes it easier to see in sunlight androidauthority.com. The colors are vibrant and sharp (~426 ppi) – on par with Samsung’s best phone displays. The crease in the middle is still there when the light hits at certain angles, but as mentioned it’s a bit shallower; most users report they stop noticing it quickly while watching content or scrolling. For a compact phone, the Flip6’s unfolded 6.7″ screen feels plenty large for everyday apps, browsing, and media – and the ability to literally fold it in half for pocketability is the Flip’s magic.
• Big Camera Upgrade: One of the headline improvements in the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is its new 50 MP main camera – a huge step up from the 12 MP sensor used in every prior Flip tomsguide.com. This brings the Flip6’s camera hardware closer to standard flagships and even the Fold. The camera array is now: 50 MP f/1.8 wide (with Dual Pixel AF and OIS), plus a 12 MP f/2.2 ultrawide (123°), and a 10 MP f/2.2 front selfie camera on the inside screen samsungmobilepress.com. In daylight, the Flip6 produces sharp, detail-rich photos that are on par with the Galaxy S23 – a dramatic improvement in resolution and dynamic range over Flip5. Low-light performance is better too, thanks to the larger sensor and improved image processing. In side-by-side tests, the Flip6’s photos were noticeably cleaner and more detailed than the Flip5’s, especially in dim conditions or when zooming in droid-life.com. The 50MP sensor also enables a sort of lossless 2× crop zoom that the old 12MP couldn’t match. The ultrawide remains 12MP and takes decent wide-angle shots similar to before. One thing the Flip still lacks is a true telephoto lens – there’s no optical zoom beyond the main camera’s capabilities. By contrast, the new Xiaomi Mix Flip includes a 3× telephoto lens androidcentral.com androidcentral.com, showing what’s possible in a flip form factor. Still, most Flip buyers prioritize style and fun – and for them, the Flip6’s cameras are more than sufficient and “photoshoot-ready” with that pro-level 50MP sensor samsung.com. Selfies are a highlight: you can use the high-quality rear cameras for selfies using the cover screen as a viewfinder – take ultra-wide group selfies or crisp 50MP selfies relatively easily. The 10MP internal selfie camera is fine for video calls or quick snaps, but the best selfies come from leveraging the rear cams + cover screen. Video recording goes up to 4K60 with stabilization. All told, Samsung finally treated the Flip not as a gimmick phone but as a full-fledged flagship in camera department, and it shows – Android Police noted the Flip6’s camera upgrade “catapults it much closer to non-foldable flagships” in quality (though it still can’t beat the multi-lens setups of something like a Galaxy S23 Ultra).
• Performance & “For Galaxy” Chipset: Historically, the Flip series sometimes used slightly lower-bin chips or got less RAM than the Fold, but not this year. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip as the Fold6 samsungmobilepress.com, and Samsung actually bumped the RAM to 12 GB (from 8 GB in Flip5) androidauthority.com. This means the Flip6 is an absolute little beast in performance – it benchmarked as high or higher than any 2024 Android phone. In Geekbench 6, it handily beat the Razr+ (2023) which ran a Snapdragon 8+ Gen1, and even outpaced the Flip5 by a large margin androidauthority.com. Reviewers called it “a beast under the hood” – easily handling multitasking, social apps, games, and the new AI features without hiccups androidauthority.com androidauthority.com. In fact, in Android Authority’s testing, the Flip6 posted the highest single-core and multi-core scores of any flip-style foldable to date and sustained the best graphics performance in 3DMark stress tests (though it did run hot doing so) androidauthority.com androidauthority.com. Samsung’s choice to include 256 GB storage standard (in some regions) and UFS 4.0 means it’s not just fast in CPU/GPU but also quick in file operations. On the software side, it’s the same One UI 6.1.1 on Android 14 as the Fold, with all the Galaxy AI goodies (AI reply, Interpreter mode, etc.) accessible. One UI on the Flip also has Flex Mode optimizations – e.g. split controls when the phone is half-folded for certain apps (camera, video player, etc.). The Flip6 will get the same lengthy software support (4 years of upgrades), making it quite “future-proof” for a trendy device. Bottom line: The Flip6 no longer compromises on performance at all – “it’s already a better performer than its flip phone competition”, as Android Authority put it androidauthority.com.
• Battery Boost & Endurance: Perhaps the most appreciated upgrade: the Flip6’s battery grew to 4,000 mAh (from 3,700 mAh) samsungmobilepress.com tomsguide.com. That 8% increase, combined with the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen3, has significantly improved battery life. Many early Flip models struggled to last a full day, but the Flip6 is faring much better. In one review’s “real-world” battery drain test, the Flip6 delivered “a much stronger performance across day-to-day sections like web browsing and camera use – not to mention an astronomical score on 4K video playback” androidauthority.com. In fact, Tom’s Guide measured the Flip6 lasting 11 hours 1 minute in their web browsing battery test – over an hour longer than the Flip5 managed (9h53m) tomsguide.com. That’s a respectable result, putting it in line with many conventional phones. Droid-Life even dubbed it “a little battery champ,” noting the combination of the larger battery and Gen 3 chipset yields noticeably better longevity droid-life.com. Of course, if you’re doing a lot of video recording, navigation, or using the cover screen as a viewfinder for hours, you can still drain it by evening – physics of a 4,000 mAh cell only stretch so far. But generally, battery life is no longer a pain point on the Flip6; it’s “just fine” for a full day of moderate use androidauthority.com. Charging is unchanged: 25W wired (which will fill about 50% in 30 minutes) and 10-15W wireless charging tomsguide.com. There’s also wireless PowerShare reverse charging at ~4.5W to top up accessories samsungmobilepress.com. While 25W isn’t blazing fast, topping up the Flip’s smaller battery is fairly quick – and many users simply charge it overnight. Interestingly, Motorola’s latest Razr model offers a 30W charge and slightly bigger 4200 mAh battery, but in return it’s a bulkier phone. Samsung played it a bit conservative on charging speed again, focusing on improving the capacity and efficiency for real-world gains.
• User Experience & Fun Factor: The Flip6 continues to be about style and fun, with its pocketable size and flex-mode versatility. Propping the phone halfway open (like a mini laptop) unlocks unique use cases: you can take hands-free selfies or group photos by setting it down (the camera app even gives a split view – viewfinder up top, controls on bottom). It’s like having a tripod with you reddit.com. The cover screen, while limited, is still great for quickly checking and responding to notifications discreetly. You can even use full-screen widgets or videos as cover screen wallpapers for personalization. Samsung has also tightened the haptic feedback and overall premium feel – the Flip6 feels solid and satisfying to flip open and shut (yes, many of us are guilty of fidgeting with it like the modern flip-phone it is!). Importantly, Samsung fixed last year’s wobble issue – the Flip5’s hinge sometimes had slight play; the Flip6’s is firm. One downside noted: the flat side rails (frame edges) are a bit sharp and not the most ergonomic for long calls or long typing sessions androidauthority.com. But that’s a minor nitpick. On the whole, using the Flip6 tends to “win over” even skeptics. One reviewer admitted they expected to be underwhelmed but found the Flip6 “much better…than I wanted to give it credit for,” realizing Samsung refined an already strong formula rather than overhauling it androidauthority.com androidauthority.com. It truly is Samsung’s best flip foldable so far, and likely one of the most balanced clamshell foldables you can buy.

In summary, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is an iterative design update that hides some serious upgrades – notably the jump to a flagship 50MP camera system, a faster chip with more RAM, and better battery life. It maintains the Flip line’s fashion-forward, compact appeal while addressing core complaints about camera and endurance. As HotHardware succinctly put it: the Flip6 is a “refined evolution, not a revolution,” but one that makes it a far more complete device for the price amateurphotographer.com. If you want a phone that’s as much a conversation piece as it is a capable daily driver, the Flip6 delivers – you get the wow of a folding screen without sacrificing the essential features people expect from a $1,000+ phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – Last Year’s Model, Still Going Strong

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 was Samsung’s 2023 flagship foldable, and while it’s now superseded by the Fold6, it’s far from obsolete. In fact, the Fold5 established many of the refinements that Fold6 builds upon. Here’s a quick look at the Fold5’s key points and how it differs from the new model:

• Design & Hinge: The Fold5 introduced the gapless hinge design, finally allowing the device to close flat with no wedge gap (a big improvement over Fold4). It’s built with an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 as well en.wikipedia.org. The overall dimensions are very close to Fold6 – it’s just ~0.3 mm thicker and ~14 g heavier than Fold6 (Fold5 is 13.4 mm folded, 253 g) en.wikipedia.org techradar.com. Visually, it’s hard to tell apart from the Fold6; even the screen sizes are the same 7.6″ inner and 6.2″ cover on paper samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. Fold5 colors included Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream (with some Samsung.com exclusives in gray and blue) en.wikipedia.org. In everyday use, the Fold5 feels a tad bulkier, and its cover screen is slightly narrower (23.1:9 ratio vs 22.1:9 on Fold6) techradar.com. But unless you directly compare, the experience is similar. It’s also IPX8 water resistant and tested to 200k folds – Samsung didn’t change those specs for Fold6 samsungmobilepress.com. So durability-wise, the Fold5 is still a robust foldable, though its hinge uses the older single-axis mechanism (Fold6’s dual rail hinge might handle shock impacts better).
• Performance: The Fold5 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy – last year’s top chip (also used in Galaxy S23 series). This is still a very powerful processor in 2025, roughly 15-20% behind the new Gen 3 in CPU/GPU. It has the same 12 GB RAM and up to 1 TB storage options samsungmobilepress.com. In use, the Fold5 is snappy and can handle multitasking and gaming nearly as well as the Fold6. Android 13 with One UI 5.1.1 was preloaded en.wikipedia.org, but Samsung has since updated it to Android 14 and One UI 6, and it’s slated to get Android 15 (One UI 7) soon en.wikipedia.org techradar.com. So feature-wise, it has gained many of the new software features via updates, including some of the Galaxy AI features (though possibly not all the new AI camera tricks). One difference: the Fold5’s cooling system wasn’t as large, so under sustained load it may throttle a bit sooner. But for most users, that’s a minor point.
• Displays: Fold5’s displays are essentially identical to Fold6’s in size and tech: 7.6″ inner (2176×1812, ~374 ppi, AMOLED 120Hz) and 6.2″ outer (2316×904, ~402 ppi, 120Hz) samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. The inner screen supported 1200 nits peak brightness (Fold6 can hit higher brightness in direct sun) en.wikipedia.org. Otherwise, you get the same great HDR10+ AMOLED experience. The Fold5 also had a noticeable crease, which Samsung slightly reduced on Fold6 but didn’t eliminate. Using them side by side, the Fold6’s display looks a hair brighter and the crease a tad less pronounced, but the difference isn’t huge.
• Cameras: The camera hardware on Fold5 – 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP 3x tele – is the same setup carried into Fold6 samsungmobilepress.com. So pure hardware capability is equal. However, the Fold6 benefits from updated image processing (the “ProVisual engine” and new ISP). Out of the box, Fold5’s photos were excellent, matching Galaxy S23 quality in most cases. Low-light shots, portraits, and 3x zoom were all strong suits. Since the hardware didn’t change, Samsung’s firmware updates can potentially bring some of Fold6’s image improvements to Fold5. Indeed, camera reviewers have noted much of the difference can come down to software tuning tomsguide.com. For example, Samsung could back-port the new HDR processing to Fold5 via an update. As it stands, though, Fold5’s camera is still among the best in any foldable – just not notably improved in Fold6. The Fold5 also has the 4MP under-display inner camera and 10MP cover selfie camera, identical to Fold6’s. So for photography, someone using a Fold5 in late 2024/2025 isn’t missing out on new camera lenses, just some software enhancements (which might even trickle down).
• Battery: Fold5 has the 4,400 mAh battery and the same charging specs (25W/15W) samsungmobilepress.com. Battery life on Fold5 was generally a full day for moderate use, but not much more – similar to Fold6. There was no change in Fold6’s battery capacity, so you can expect comparable endurance. If anything, Fold6’s Gen3 chip may be a bit more power-hungry when running intensive AI features, but also more efficient at idle. Many users report around 5-6 hours of screen-on time on Fold5, which translates to day-long usage. So in terms of battery, Fold5 holds up fine against its successor.
• Price & Value: One big advantage of the Fold5 now is pricing. It launched at $1,799 in 2023 for 256 GB, but by mid-2024 and 2025, it often saw price cuts, bundle deals, or trade-in offers. It’s not uncommon to find it $200–$400 cheaper than the Fold6. As of this writing, some retailers list it around $1,599 new, and with Samsung’s aggressive trade-ins, upgraders could get it for even less. This makes the Fold5 a value option for those who want a big Samsung foldable without shelling out nearly $2k for the latest model. You’d be getting 90% of the Fold6 experience (minus a few tweaks) for a significantly lower cost.

In summary, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 remains a powerful foldable – it pioneered the gapless design and packs high-end specs that are still competitive. It may not have the flashy “AI” branding or the slight design polish of the Fold6, but it offers essentially the same form-factor and functionality. In fact, several reviewers noted the Fold6 is more of an evolution; one wrote that on paper “Samsung hasn’t really made any significant changes” with Fold6, but rather a bunch of little tweaks that add up techradar.com. So, the Fold5 is still an excellent device in 2025, and if you find it at a good price, it could be a savvy buy for those who don’t need the absolute latest.

Table: Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Z Fold 6 – Quick Specs (for reference):

(Sources: Samsung Mobile Press samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com, TechRadar techradar.com)

Now that we’ve examined each Samsung model, let’s compare their real-world performance, pros and cons, and pricing to help you decide which (if any) is right for you.

Performance, Benchmarks & Software Experience

In day-to-day use, all three of these Galaxy models run One UI very smoothly, but the newer Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 have a clear edge in raw performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. If you’re a spec nerd or heavy user:

• Benchmarks: The Gen 3-powered Fold6/Flip6 show ~15-20% higher scores than Fold5 in CPU tests and up to ~25% in GPU tests techradar.com. For example, PhoneArena’s tests showed the Fold6 easily beat the OnePlus Open (Snapdragon 8 Gen2) in Geekbench and 3DMark, so it would likewise outscore the Fold5 phonearena.com phonearena.com. In Geekbench 6, Fold6 hits around 5,400 multi-core, vs ~4,800 on Fold5 (rough figures). The Flip6 similarly saw a huge leap over Flip5: Android Authority clocked the Flip6’s Geekbench at single-core 2066 / multi 5310 vs Flip5’s ~1700/4300 androidauthority.com. GPU-wise, the Fold6/Flip6’s Adreno GPU can handle sustained loads a bit better (aided by improved cooling on Fold6). However, foldables still throttle under extended high strain due to their tight design – the Fold6 included androidcentral.com. For typical use (social media, video, multitasking), all three are fluid. Only if you’re doing heavy gaming or multi-app workflows might you notice the Gen3 devices staying snappier longer. Another notable metric: the Flip6’s 11+ hour battery test result vs Flip5’s ~9.9 hours indicates the new chip’s efficiency plus bigger battery gave an ~11% longer web browsing time tomsguide.com.
• Software Differences: As of late 2024, all three run One UI 6 (Android 14) or will shortly. Samsung tends to back-port features, so Fold5 now enjoys enhancements like new lock screen customization, improved taskbar, etc. The biggest software differentiator is the Galaxy AI suite on the 2024 models – some of these features may remain exclusive to Gen3 devices due to hardware AI acceleration. For example, on-device Gemini AI assistant or real-time voice translation on third-party calls might be limited to the newer phones. But core multitasking and One UI features are largely the same. The Fold series have the S Pen support; the Flip does not support a stylus (no room to house it). If you value pen input for notes or drawing, the Fold5 or Fold6 are the way to go (though neither includes the S Pen in-box). Another small difference: the Fold6/Flip6 launched with One UI 6.1.1, which had some foldable-specific tweaks and the new AI features built-in, whereas Fold5’s current One UI 6.0 lacks some of those add-ons. Samsung could update Fold5 further, but nothing official yet on, say, the “Composer” AI keyboard coming to older devices.
• Thermals: The Fold6 benefits from a bigger vapor chamber, meaning it can game longer before throttling than Fold5 techradar.com. That said, foldables aren’t ideal as hardcore gaming devices compared to slab phones, due to their compact cooling and need to protect the flexible screen from heat. Still, moderate gaming is fine on all three. The Flip6 surprisingly does well – reviewers played titles like Genshin Impact on it without major issues, noting only that it can get toasty after a while (it’s a small phone after all). The Fold5 can handle high-end games too, but might throttle a bit sooner. If you plan to use your foldable as a mini console or for long AR sessions, the Fold6 is your best bet of these three.
• Multitasking & Productivity: The Fold models are productivity beasts with their large screen and multi-window support. The Fold6’s slight width increase makes multitasking windows a tad roomier than on Fold5, but both are excellent for running 2-3 apps. The Flip6, being a regular phone size when open, isn’t as suited to multi-window – you can do split-screen on it, but on a 6.7″ tall display it’s less convenient. The Flip6 is more about flexible use (taking selfies from the table, compact form) than about doing serious multitasking. So if your usage involves a lot of email+docs or reference+note scenarios, a Fold (5 or 6) would serve far better.
• Conclusion on Performance: Between the Samsung models, the Fold6 and Flip6 take the crown in speed and battery efficiency. But the Fold5 is still very capable, especially after software updates. The average consumer would find the Fold5 plenty fast for a few more years. It really comes down to whether you want the absolute best (Fold6) or a better value (Fold5). The Flip6 is now at parity with big phones in performance, which is a huge win for the clamshell segment. None of these devices feel underpowered or laggy in normal usage – Samsung has ensured even last year’s model is well-optimized.

Pros and Cons of Each Model

Finally, let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of each Samsung foldable:

Galaxy Z Fold 6 – Pros:

• Larger, brighter displays (7.6″ + 6.3″) great for productivity and media samsungmobilepress.com techradar.com. Inner screen brightness up to 2600 nits for outdoor use androidauthority.com.
• Refined design: Thinner, lighter and more comfortable than Fold5 techradar.com. Gapless dual-rail hinge adds durability and smoothness samsungmobilepress.com androidcentral.com.
• Top-tier performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 + 12GB RAM is the fastest on any foldable, breezing through multitasking and games phonearena.com. Larger vapor chamber sustains performance better techradar.com.
• Productivity monster: PC-like multitasking (taskbar, multi-window), S Pen support, and new AI features (Note Assist, Interpreter, etc.) for work and creativity samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com.
• Improved durability: Stronger Armor Aluminum frame, IPX8 water resistance, rated 200k folds samsungmobilepress.com businessinsider.com. Screen crease slightly less visible than before androidcentral.com.
• Reliable cameras: Triple camera system takes excellent photos in most conditions (flagship-grade wide and decent tele) samsungmobilepress.com. New AI processing improves low-light and zoom shots techradar.com.
• Long software support: Launches with Android 14 and will get updates up to Android 18 (4 years) androidauthority.com.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 – Cons:

• Very expensive: Base model costs $1,899 / £1,799 – a $100 jump from last year techradar.com techradar.com. It’s one of the priciest phones on the market, period.
• Still bulky: Despite slimming down, it’s a thick device when folded (~12.1 mm) and 239g is heavier than any standard phone samsungmobilepress.com. Not the easiest to use one-handed (cover display is improved but still tall) androidcentral.com.
• Minimal camera upgrade: Uses same camera hardware as Fold5 techradar.com. Lacks the periscope zoom of some rivals (limited to 3x optical, 30x digital) techradar.com. Selfie under-display camera is only 4MP and just OK.
• Charging could be faster: Stuck at 25W wired charging and 15W wireless samsungmobilepress.com, which is slow compared to some competitors offering 45W, 67W, etc. No charger in box.
• No built-in S Pen silo: Like Fold5, the S Pen is an add-on (sold separately) and there’s nowhere to insert it into the device. You’ll need a case to hold the stylus if you use one.
• Marginal upgrades over Fold5: Some critics feel the changes are iterative – no revolutionary new feature beyond AI software. If you have Fold5, the incentive to upgrade is relatively small techradar.com.

Galaxy Z Flip 6 – Pros:

• Compact & stylish form: Fits in any pocket when folded, and looks striking in new matte colors. Still the king of “wow factor” with its flip-open design. Build quality is excellent – feels solid and premium androidauthority.com.
• Big camera leap: New 50MP main camera delivers much sharper, better photos than previous Flips tomsguide.com. Now truly a high-end camera phone (minus optical zoom). Great for selfies using cover screen preview.
• Flagship performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 + 12GB RAM make it as powerful as large phones androidauthority.com. No performance compromise for choosing a flip phone – handles apps and games smoothly.
• Improved battery life: 4,000 mAh battery and efficiency gains give it all-day longevity in most cases tomsguide.com. Over an hour longer web use than Flip5 in testing tomsguide.com, fixing a major weakness of earlier Flips.
• Flex Mode versatility: Can sit half-open for hands-free photos, video calls, or content viewing. The hinge is sturdy at various angles (like a built-in tripod) – a unique usability perk androidauthority.com.
• Cover screen convenience: 3.4″ outer display is handy for at-a-glance info, quick replies, music controls, etc., without unfolding the phone. Supports customizable widgets and even apps via Good Lock androidauthority.com.
• Durability enhancements: IPX8 water resistance and now partial dust resistance (IP4X) androidauthority.com. Hinge tested to 200k folds. The new matte finish also hides scratches and smudges better.

Galaxy Z Flip 6 – Cons:

• Still pricey for a flip: Starts at $1,099 / £1,049 – $100 more than last year tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. You pay a premium mostly for the foldable form, as non-foldable flagships at this price have more features (e.g. telephoto cameras).
• Limited cover screen functionality: Outer display is small and only 60Hz. Still can’t run full apps out-of-the-box (without hacks) androidauthority.com. Competing flips (Motorola Razr+, Oppo Find N2 Flip) have larger or more open cover screens.
• No telephoto camera: Dual cameras only – no optical zoom lens. Digital zoom is okay up to ~4-5x but beyond that can’t compete with phones that have dedicated zoom cameras. The ultrawide is also relatively basic.
• Charging speed: 25W wired and 15W wireless are unchanged and merely average. Some similarly priced phones (and Chinese-market flips) offer faster charging. No charger included by default.
• Medium internal screen size: While 6.7″ is big for a normal phone, it’s smaller than foldables like the Fold6. Split-screen multitasking is possible but cramped. Not ideal if you need tablet-like screen real estate.
• Incremental design change: Apart from the matte back and tiny hinge tweaks, it looks and feels very similar to Flip5. If you were hoping for a larger cover display or radically new design, Flip6 doesn’t deliver that – it’s more of a polish.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 – Pros:

• Immersive big screen experience: Same 7.6″ inner display that makes productivity and media a joy, plus a 6.2″ outer screen for regular phone use samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. Great for multitasking and entertainment.
• High performance (still): Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 12GB RAM provide fast, lag-free performance in 2023 and beyond samsungmobilepress.com. Can run multiple apps or games with ease. Now updated to One UI 6 with most new features.
• Solid cameras: Triple camera setup (50MP main etc.) takes excellent photos on par with 2022/23 flagships. No compromise in camera quality for going foldable – it’s the same hardware used in S23 (minus the 10x lens).
• Sturdy build & hinge: Refined hinge design from Fold4 – closes nearly flat, and device uses tough materials (Victus 2 glass, Armor aluminum). Water resistant (IPX8) for peace of mind samsungmobilepress.com.
• S Pen support: Works with the S Pen Fold Edition for note-taking and drawing on the big screen (great for productivity or sketching on the go).
• Now better value: With the Fold6 out, Fold5 prices have dropped. You can often find it on sale or with promotions, making it a relatively affordable way to get a foldable (sometimes ~$300 cheaper than Fold6).
• Mature software: After a year of updates, most kinks have been ironed out. It’s a very stable device for daily use, and Samsung’s multi-window and taskbar features shine on it.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 – Cons:

• Still very expensive (at MSRP): If not discounted, its list price was $1,799 – only $100 less than Fold6. So new units can still be a heavy investment (though deals mitigate this).
• Bulky and heavy: Essentially same heft as Fold6 – it’s a thick, 253g brick in your pocket en.wikipedia.org. Not everyone will like carrying a Fold versus a slim phone plus tablet.
• No generational upgrades: When it launched, some felt it was an iterative upgrade over Fold4 – similar cameras, same battery, minor design changes. Now with Fold6 out, it’s one generation behind in chipset and lacks the new AI features.
• Charging not improved: Shares the slow-ish 25W charging and 15W wireless of its successor. Other brands’ 2023 foldables started offering faster charging, making Samsung feel a bit outdated in this aspect.
• Cover screen aspect ratio: Cover display is tall and narrow (23.1:9). Although Fold5 improved the hinge gap, it didn’t change screen size from Fold4 – so some find typing on the narrow outer screen a bit cramped (Fold6’s slight width increase addresses this a bit) techradar.com.
• Availability of updates: In a year or two, the Fold5 will stop receiving new Android version updates sooner than Fold6 (Fold5 likely ends at Android 17 in 2026, vs Fold6 at Android 18 in 2027). Minor in the short term but worth noting for future-proofing.

As we can see, each device has its niche: the Fold 6 is the no-compromise productivity flagship (with a price to match), the Flip 6 is the fashionable compact option now beefed up with high-end internals, and the Fold 5 sits as a slightly more affordable alternative to the Fold6 offering 90% of the experience.

Pricing and Availability

Samsung staggered the release of these models across two generations:

• Galaxy Z Fold 5 – Announced late July 2023 in Seoul, released August 11, 2023 en.wikipedia.org. Original MSRP $1,799 (256 GB), £1,749, approx. €1,899 in Europe. By mid-2024 it was widely available with discounts. As of 2025, you can find it new or refurbished from carriers and retailers often for ~$1,499 or less, especially during sales. It comes in standard colors (Cream, Phantom Black, Icy Blue) and some Samsung.com exclusives (Gray, Blue) en.wikipedia.org. Availability was global – North America, Europe, India (launched at ₹1,54,999), etc. It’s often bundled in promotions (e.g. with a case or watch) as newer models come.
• Galaxy Z Fold 6 – Announced July 10, 2024 at Galaxy Unpacked in Seoul/Paris samsungmobilepress.com, released July 24, 2024 in the US/UK (July 31 in Australia) techradar.com techradar.com. Pricing increased: $1,899 in the US for 12GB/256GB, £1,799 in UK, AU$2,749 in Australia techradar.com. European pricing was around €1,899 as well. In India, it started at ₹1,64,999 for 12/256GB gadgets360.com. The 512GB model typically adds ~$120 (Samsung often ran promos upgrading storage for free at launch). Color options include Silver Shadow, Pink, Navy (standard) and Online Exclusive Crafted Black and White samsungmobilepress.com. It’s available through Samsung’s online store, carriers, and major retailers. Being a current model in 2025, its price tends to hold, but Samsung offers trade-in credits (often $800+ with an older device trade). It’s also part of Samsung’s Bespoke Upgrade Program in some regions, allowing yearly upgrades.
• Galaxy Z Flip 6 – Announced alongside Fold6 on July 10, 2024, released July 24, 2024 as well tomsguide.com. Base price $1,099 in the US (for 256GB, since it jumped to 12GB RAM standard) tomsguide.com. UK price £1,049, India price around ₹99,999, and EU around €1,099. A 512GB model is offered at a premium (~+$120). Colors: Silver Shadow, Blue, Yellow, Mint plus Samsung.com exclusives Crafted Black, Purity White, Peach samsungmobilepress.com tomsguide.com. It’s widely sold through carriers (often with installment plans – e.g. Verizon lists it at $30.55/mo for 36mo verizon.com) and electronics stores. By late 2024, it occasionally saw small discounts ($100 off during holiday sales). In 2025, with the Flip7 on the horizon, expect the Flip6’s price to dip further or come in bundle deals.

All these devices support 5G networks (both sub6 and mmWave on US carrier models) and have eSIM+nanoSIM capabilities for dual-line usage samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com. Samsung also throws in freebies at launch sometimes – e.g. free storage upgrade or a lump-sum trade-in credit which can effectively reduce the price significantly for upgraders.

One should also note that Samsung introduced an interesting concept in some markets: a Flip7 FE (Fan Edition) – a rumored lower-cost foldable flip samsungmobilepress.com tomsguide.com. But as of writing, the Flip7 FE remains speculative. The existence of a Fan Edition would imply a more affordable entry point into foldables, potentially sacrificing some specs to hit a lower price. Samsung’s strategy so far, however, has been to keep premium pricing but rely on trade-ins and financing to make foldables attainable.

In terms of availability, Samsung foldables are now sold in more countries than ever. Initially, foldables were limited in some regions, but by 2024 Samsung made Fold and Flip available in dozens of markets including North America, most of Europe, large parts of Asia (India, China, SE Asia), and Australia. After-sales support, like Samsung Care+ for Foldables, is often recommended given the high repair costs of folding screens. Samsung also has “Buy and try” policies in some regions – e.g. in the US you might get a 100-day return window for foldables to encourage people to test the new form factor worry-free.

Major region prices (launch):

• USA: Fold6 $1899 / Fold5 $1799 / Flip6 $1099 / Flip5 $999.
• UK: Fold6 £1799 / Fold5 £1749 / Flip6 £1049 / Flip5 £1049.
• Europe (Germany/France): Fold6 ~€1899 / Fold5 ~€1799 / Flip6 ~€1149 / Flip5 ~€1099 (vary by VAT).
• India: Fold6 ₹164,999 / Fold5 ₹154,999 / Flip6 ~₹99,999 / Flip5 ~₹94,999.
• Australia: Fold6 AU$2749 / Fold5 AU$2599 / Flip6 AU$1799 / Flip5 AU$1649.

These are flagship prices indeed. The foldable premium is evident, as one could get a top conventional phone (S23 Ultra, iPhone, etc.) for much less. Yet, sales data suggests Samsung’s foldables are gradually gaining traction, especially the Flip series which outsells the Fold by volume (appealing more to mainstream with its lower price and fashion appeal).

Foldable Competition and Upcoming Models in 2025

Samsung may be the pioneer and market leader in foldable phones, but it’s no longer alone. A wave of new foldables from other manufacturers – and even more from Samsung itself – are here or on the horizon. Here’s a look at the competitive landscape and upcoming foldables to watch:

• Google Pixel Fold: Google joined the foldable race in mid-2023 with the Pixel Fold, a book-style foldable with a shorter, wider design. Its 5.8″ outer screen and 7.6″ inner screen are similar to Samsung’s in size, but the outer display is landscape-oriented (much wider, making it very usable one-handed). The Pixel Fold’s strengths are its camera prowess (it inherited the Pixel camera software magic, though its sensors were older 12MP-class) and a slick tablet-optimized Android experience. It launched at $1,799, directly competing with the Fold5. However, it lacked some polish – no high screen refresh (only 120Hz inside, 60Hz outside) and an older Tensor G2 chip, plus it’s only IPX8 water-resistant (no dust rating) which is common. Rumors suggest Google might skip a yearly refresh, possibly waiting to refine the next version (a Pixel Fold 2 might come in 2024 or later with a Tensor G3/G4). If Google addresses the gen-1 quirks (thickness, heat, average battery), the next Pixel Fold could be a strong challenger, especially in the camera department, which Samsung has been more conservative in techradar.com. For now, the Pixel Fold offers an alternative for those who prefer stock Android and a wider aspect ratio – but Samsung’s foldables have the edge in multitasking features and raw performance.
• OnePlus Open (Oppo Find N3): In late 2023, OnePlus (part of Oppo) launched the OnePlus Open, a book-style foldable globally (and Oppo Find N3 in China). The Open received rave reviews – it’s thinner (just 11.7mm folded), lighter (~245g), and has a wider 6.3″ outer screen and a 7.8″ inner display with almost no visible crease phonearena.com phonearena.com. It packed a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 16GB RAM, and an excellent Hasselblad-tuned camera system including a 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and a 64MP 3x tele with a clever 6x lossless zoom trick. At $1,699 it undercut the Galaxy Fold price by $200. Many consider it the closest competitor to Galaxy Z Fold – it addressed some pain points with virtually flat crease and a robust hinge (rated 400k+ folds by Oppo). Side-by-side, the Open’s inner screen is slightly larger (7.8″ vs 7.6″) and outer screen more expansive, making it feel more like a regular phone when closed phonearena.com. Samsung’s Fold6 still won in software (OnePlus’s OxygenOS was less optimized for big screens, though improving) and in peak brightness (Fold6 reached ~1450 nits inner vs Open ~1034 nits) phonearena.com phonearena.com. Performance-wise, Fold6 with Gen3 beats the Open’s Gen2 in benchmarks phonearena.com, but both are very fast. OnePlus’s advantage is value and design – it proved that Samsung’s dominance can be challenged. Looking ahead, OnePlus (or Oppo) will likely release successors – possibly a OnePlus Open 2 in 2024/25 with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and further refinements. If they keep pricing aggressive, Samsung will feel the heat to innovate and possibly adjust pricing.
• Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 & Mix Flip: Xiaomi has been iterating quickly. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 in 2023 was already impressively thin (5.3mm unfolded) and had Leica cameras, but it stayed China-only. In late 2024, Xiaomi unveiled the Mix Fold 4 and their first clamshell Mix Flip androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. The Mix Fold 4 is directly aimed at the Galaxy Fold6 – it’s ultra-thin: just 9.5mm when folded (vs 12.1mm on Fold6) and a mere 4.6mm thin unfolded! androidcentral.com Despite that, it packs a 5000+ mAh battery (5100 mAh) and 67W fast charging androidcentral.com. It also achieved an IPX8 water rating (unusual for non-Samsung folds) androidcentral.com. Xiaomi managed to include a periscope 5x tele camera in the Fold 4’s quad-camera array (with Leica tuning) androidcentral.com. Essentially, it’s pushing boundaries on hardware – brighter 3000 nit displays, flat virtually creaseless design, half a million fold hinge test androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. The downside: like previous Mix Folds, it’s only officially in China (as of 2024). If Xiaomi launches foldables globally (they hinted at doing so with Mix Flip possibly), it could be a game-changer due to Xiaomi’s value-for-money approach. The Mix Flip is also noteworthy: 4.01″ cover display (larger than Flip6’s) that runs at 120Hz, a big 6.86″ inner screen, and a 4780 mAh battery – much larger than Samsung Flip’s 4000 mAh androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. It even has dual 50MP cameras (main + 3x telephoto with optical zoom) androidcentral.com, essentially giving the flip form factor a proper zoom lens that Samsung lacks. And with 67W charging, the Mix Flip can juice up extremely fast androidcentral.com. Xiaomi’s foldables use a new HyperOS (they replaced MIUI), and early impressions are positive. If these become available outside China (or if you’re willing to import), they represent some of the most advanced hardware in foldables. They also show where the industry is heading: thinner, lighter, with less compromise on cameras and battery. Samsung will likely incorporate some of these advances in future Folds (perhaps a Fold Ultra or Fold 7 might finally get that periscope camera or reduce thickness further).
• Honor Magic V2/V3: Honor (formerly Huawei’s sub-brand) has made waves with the Magic V2 in 2023 and a Magic V3 in 2024. The Magic V2 is currently the thinnest and lightest big foldable – about 9.9mm folded and only 231g (!), thanks to innovative materials and battery tech amazon.com wired.com. It also had a large 5000 mAh silicon-carbon battery and a wide 7.92″ inner display. Honor Magic V3 (launched late 2024 in China) continued that trend, being just 9.2mm thick folded and using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. These devices truly emphasize portability – a folded Magic V series is almost like two smartphones stacked, rather than a chunky sandwich. Honor also put in decent cameras and a polished UI for large screens. The Wired review of Magic V3 praised it as “the best book-style folding phone I have used” with its impossibly slim design and strong all-round performance wired.com. The catch: availability. Honor did announce plans to release Magic V2 in global markets (and indeed showed it at IFA 2023 in Europe). Should Honor bring Magic V3 global, it could directly compete with Samsung – especially appealing to those who find Samsung’s Fold heavy. The downside might be durability (ultra-thin design could be less robust) and the lack of water resistance on Honor’s foldables (they haven’t claimed IP ratings yet). But competition-wise, Honor is a brand to watch, as they innovate on form factor aggressively.
• Motorola Razr Series: Motorola’s Razr has been the Flip line’s main competitor globally. In 2023, Moto released the Razr+ (Razr 40 Ultra) which features a 3.6″ edge-to-edge cover screen that’s actually larger and more flexible in function than Samsung’s androidauthority.com. It also had a slick design and undercut Samsung’s price slightly in some markets. In 2024, Motorola followed with a Razr (2023) which was a cheaper variant with a smaller cover screen, aiming to capture mid-range. By 2025, rumors point to a Razr+ (2024/2025) update possibly with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and further refinements. Motorola also teased concept rollable phones, but those are farther out. The Razr’s advantage is that cover display – as Android Authority noted, “Motorola’s lead” in cover display usability is something Samsung could learn from androidauthority.com. The Razr’s disadvantage has been limited availability in some regions and less marketing muscle than Samsung. But it remains a popular choice for flip enthusiasts who want that bigger outer display and a slightly different style (the Razr has a retro appeal and very slim build as well).
• Oppo Find N3 & N3 Flip: Oppo, which is part of the same conglomerate as OnePlus, has their Find N series. The Find N2 (2022) was notable for its compact horizontal fold (5.5″ outer, 7.1″ inner) with almost no crease – but that stayed in China. The Find N3 (2023) effectively became the OnePlus Open globally – they share hardware. Oppo also released the Find N3 Flip in late 2023, a clamshell with a vertical cover display (a different approach: a smaller vertical ticker screen instead of large widgets). The N3 Flip was the first flip phone with a telephoto camera (32MP 2x), and it launched in global markets (like India, UK) in late 2023. It targeted Samsung’s Flip with a similar price but offering that extra camera and a refined design. Samsung’s Flip6 still beat it in processing power (N3 Flip has Dimensity 9200 chip) but the competition is clearly intensifying with features like tele cameras on flips.
• Samsung’s Future Foldables: Samsung itself isn’t sitting still. For 2025, beyond the expected Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 (likely mid-year releases with further refinements and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4), there have been rumors of new form factors. Samsung has showcased prototypes of tri-fold devices (a tablet that folds twice) and rollable displays that extend. In 2024 there were also rumors of a Fold 6 Ultra or “Special Edition” – a potentially larger, slimmer Fold variant gadgets360.com. Specifically, reports suggested a Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra with an 8-inch display and even thinner build possibly for late 2024, but Samsung reportedly delayed or canceled it gadgets360.com gadgets360.com. The poster leak of a “Fold 6 Special Edition” launching in Korea in Oct 2024 turned out to be a bit of a mystery – possibly a limited edition Fold6 (like a carbon fiber back). If Samsung does pursue an Ultra model in future, it could feature a bigger display or better camera (similar to how S Ultra models differ from S Plus). Additionally, Samsung is rumored to be exploring a foldable tablet (Galaxy Z Tab?) and even a roll-up phone that extends from phone to small tablet. These are likely a couple of years out, but given competition, Samsung may accelerate plans.
• Apple: It’s worth mentioning Apple, as the elephant in the room. Apple has not announced any foldable iPhone yet. Analysts speculate a foldable iPhone or iPad could come by 2025 or 2026. If Apple enters the game, it could dramatically expand foldables’ popularity. For now, Samsung enjoys a lead time where it can refine its products without direct competition from Cupertino. But Apple’s eventual entry (if it happens) will be a big deal – until then, many Apple users curious about foldables might switch to Samsung or others, which Samsung obviously welcomes (Samsung even explicitly targets iPhone users with promos like offering a 100-day trial for foldables).

In conclusion, 2024-2025 is a hot period for foldable phones, with Samsung’s Galaxy Z series leading in maturity and global reach, but rivals closing in fast with innovative designs and features (Xiaomi’s super-thin builds, OnePlus/Oppo’s creaseless hinges, Motorola’s big cover screens, etc.). This competition is great for consumers: we’re seeing rapid improvements generation over generation. Samsung’s Fold 6 and Flip 6 are among the very best foldables you can buy today – Android Central called the Fold6 “one of the most striking foldable phones available” and the Flip6 “Samsung’s best flip phone so far” samsung.com androidauthority.com. But they are part of a larger trend that’s reshaping the smartphone landscape.

Conclusion – Which Foldable Should You Choose?

All three Samsung foldables discussed – Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, and Galaxy Z Fold 5 – offer unique takes on next-generation smartphones, and each shines for different users:

• Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the choice for power users, multitaskers, and anyone who wants a phone-tablet hybrid. It’s Samsung’s foldable tour de force, blending cutting-edge tech and productivity features. You’ll get a brighter and slightly more refined display than the Fold5, plus the fastest chip and new AI tricks. If you demand the best and don’t mind the cost (or need those incremental improvements), the Fold6 won’t disappoint – it’s been lauded as a big leap in refinement, if not a revolution samsung.com. Pros: Immense versatility, great cameras, improved design. Cons: sky-high price, still bulky, modest upgrades over Fold5.
• Galaxy Z Flip 6 is the fashion-forward flip that now finally has the performance and camera chops to back its style. It’s perfect if you want a compact phone that’s fun to use and easy to carry, but also don’t want to compromise on speed or imaging. The Flip6 will appeal to a broader audience – it’s arguably the most approachable foldable for first-timers. Pros: Compact form, much better battery and camera than previous flips, relatively “affordable” (in foldable context). Cons: Cover screen still limited, no tele lens, smaller battery than slab phones.
• Galaxy Z Fold 5 remains a strong contender for bargain hunters in the premium segment. If you find it at a good discount, it offers nearly all of the Fold6’s functionality. It’s a generation old but far from outdated. You’d be getting a device proven over a year, with most kinks fixed via updates. Pros: Still fast and capable, large screens, likely deals available. Cons: Will age sooner (shorter update lifespan left), missing the minor Fold6 refinements, but not many real weaknesses otherwise.

When choosing, consider form factor first: Fold vs Flip is a bigger decision than old vs new. If you need that big tablet canvas, the Fold models are in a league of their own (and competitors like Pixel Fold or OnePlus Open could also be in your crosshairs). If you just want a pocketable device that unfolds into a normal phone, the Flip is a delight – and Samsung’s Flip6 is arguably the best execution of the flip phone concept yet with its new upgrades amateurphotographer.com.

Samsung’s foldables are no longer experimental gadgets; they’ve matured into solid, durable devices that many experts now recommend. As PCMag’s review summed up: “Samsung has refined its foldables to a point where they feel less like futuristic prototypes and more like everyday devices” samsung.com. The Galaxy Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, and even the Z Fold 5 exemplify that evolution.

In 2025, foldable phones are finally having their moment – Samsung reportedly even saw the Fold 7’s pre-orders crush the Fold 6’s, indicating rapidly growing consumer interest techradar.com techradar.com. With competitors raising the bar and rumors of even more form factors on the horizon, it’s an exciting time to be a tech enthusiast. Whether you jump in with Samsung’s latest and greatest or keep an eye on the upcoming devices from Samsung and others, one thing is clear: the foldable future is here, and it’s only getting better from here on out.

Sources: Samsung official product pages and press releases samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com samsungmobilepress.com, expert reviews from Android Central, Android Authority, TechRadar, Tom’s Guide, PhoneArena, 9to5Google androidcentral.com androidauthority.com techradar.com tomsguide.com, and industry news on competitive models from Android Central and others androidcentral.com phonearena.com. These sources provide detailed specifications, benchmark data, and hands-on impressions to support the comparison.