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Z Fold 6 v Z Fold 5 What I Wasn't Expecting

(Topic created on: 29-12-2024 11:21 AM)
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Glenntech
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I have had a number of Z Fold phones over the years, and with every new phone comes improvements.

But having recently been lucky enough to be loaned a Z Fold 6 for a few months by the Samsung Members Community team.

I wasn't expecting to notice much going from the Z Fold 5 to the Z Fold 6.

Yes there are the obvious differences. But going back to the Z Fold 5 after a few months made the differences more obvious. 

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Think the photo shows the one thing I noticed immediately.
The crease in the middle of the Z Fold 5 screen is much more noticeable.
Now I know the Z Fold 5 has had over a year of use, which might have made the crease more pronounced over time. What the Z Fold 6 will be like long term I'm not sure.

Really to be honest you get used to it quite quickly. But the Z Fold 6 is definitely much flatter.

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Speaking of flatter.
The frame on the Z Fold 6 is squared and doesn't have the rounded sides that the Z Fold 5 has.
I have to be honest and say I prefer the Z Fold 5.
I prefer the look of the Z Fold 6. But my chubby big fingers and no nails did find it more awkward to open the Z Fold 6.

Wasn't something that bothered me too much as putting a case on the phone helps.
Just more of an observation really.

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Speaking of opening the phone. 
Could be the Z Fold 6 is newer, but I don't remember the Z Fold 5 being as stiff to open.
I know sometimes resistance is needed to use flex mode. But I did find the phone over difficult to open easily.
Something that could ease over long term use I guess.
But thr Z Fold 5 is just right really.

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Now on to the looks of the phones.
Although fairly similar, the Z Fold 6 has a more modern look. But the Z Fold 5 is that much more restrained and not so bold looking in a way.

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It's subjective and for me I slightly prefer the look of the Z Fold 5.
But I like the titanium colour of the Z Fold 6.

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As I say it's personal preference.

But the Z Fold 6 is better in the respective that the screens are more squared. Definitely helps giving it a larger look.

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The front screen especially makes things better for using.
I did find I used the front screen quite a lot during my use of the Z Fold 6.
More than I use the Z Fold 5.
Though typing long messages I used the inner screen. I still found it a bit too narrow for my hands.
But I can see someone with smaller hands getting on much better with the screen.

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The inner screen was less noticeable in all honesty. 
Was more aestheticly pleasing to the eye really.
The advantage of the squared off frame is holding the phone. For me it made it easier to hold the phone with one hand.

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Another thing I noticed was the weight of the Z Fold 5.
On paper it looks like only a tiny amount of weight.
But going from the Z Fold 6 to the Z Fold 5. You notice straight away the extra weight and thickness of the Z Fold 5.
Really didn't expect to notice that so much.
You definitely notice the weight in the pocket of the Z Fold 5 over the Z Fold 6.

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The Titanium frame definitely makes a difference and will be more durable long term.
I'm not crazy about the slot for the speakers over the Z Fold 5. It looks better, but I found I had to clean out the slots occasionally.

In conclusion. On paper the Z Fold 6 is a minor upgrade.
But on paper the specs don't tell the whole story.
Actually using the phone you realise all those small changes add up to a definite improvement overall.
I would have to say that it's a decent upgrade.

Other aspects like the cameras I have posted about in other posts here.
But purely on design, it's a definite difference and I shall miss the Z Fold 6 now I've had to send it back. 

But its thanks to the Samsung Members Community team like @SocietyGirl and @Lucy C for the opportunity to be given the chance. 

6 REPLIES 6
BandOfBrothers
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Thank you @Glenntech to you and the other members for sharing their journey with these phone's supplied by the Team for you all to share your individual thoughts 😊 

I can see it's been an interesting journey for you all. 


Daily Driver > Samsung Galaxy s²⁵ Ultra 512Gb ~ Titanium Black.

The advice I offer is my own and does not represent Samsung’s position.
I'm here to help. " This is the way. "

Piper123
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Another high quality write up from you @Glenntech

Thank you

I enjoyed my time with the Fold 6 (hadn't used any of the previous versions) and found it a decent phone and mini handheld, worth a couple of grand? Subjective but for me, no. I still have issues with Samsung cameras to be honest.
S24 Ultra
Lucy C
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so interesting to see an up and close comparison between the 5 and 6 - really makes you realise the small differences you might not have seen otherwise!😁

Glenntech
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Yeah I found the comparison after using them for a while interesting. As my thoughts before using the Z Fold 6 were different to after extended use.
I know it's an honest post and there were aspects of the Z Fold 5 I preferred. Which surprised me.
But both are really enjoyable to use.
TechnoSteve
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Wow excellent comparison, you'd really notice the difference if you were comparing the fold 4 and fold 6, to me my z fold 4 (which is still in the household) looks outdated compared to the fold 6.
I prefer the squared off corners and more realestate on the Z fold 6, I have a slightly chubbisr thumb due to an accident a few years ago which made typing that bit harder, when I had the fold 4, I had to use the inner screen more, but now I have the fold 6, I use the outer screen more for typing, and don't make as many mistakes, for me the outer screen size is perfect
It mainly feels a bit heavier due to the case I use, but the fold 4 felt heavier with a case on as well. TBH I didn't really feel there was much comparison between the fold 4 & 5, only that the 5 closed flatter, and that was it.
As I mentioned in another post the fold 6 is the perfect size for me, it's light weight, the new s pen and Samsung s pen case looks pretty sexy, combined with my Samsung watch Ultra and ring, definitely loving it. I never really noticed the new speaker design until I was watching a YouTube video which mentioned the new speaker difference, but hey, who listens to the phone speakers, when you have the buds pro 3 or Samsung sound bar.
The battery life is about the same as the fold 4, but yet again, I drive which I can charge my phone up if nessacary, I can charge it on my desk at work, I have a power bank, and if the battery does die whilst I out, my watch kicks in to receive calls, messages, what app and emails.
If Samsung were to make the phone bigger, maybe 1-2mm all round, but NOT the size of the s2* ultra phones, these foldables need to have their own character, apart from folding.
The fold 6 does have more resistance when trying to open, but not sure if good or bad thing yet.
One handed use is excellent, but so is bixby or Google good for dictating messages.
The 25w charging is on point, can fully overstand why Samsung won't be stupid to go to 50w or more, don't want to fry the battery, I only use fasting charging during the day, but have battery protection on, so only charges up to 80%, and if needs charging at late evening to night, using slowing charging.
Let's hope Samsung stick to their guns and keep using 25w charging, but maybe up the battery to 5500mah or close to that, cameras yet again in my opinion are good enough for the quick photo, screen size perfect, but if going to be bigger, kniw more than an extra 2mm all round, speakers perfect as they are, refresh rate perfect, all of Samsung and Google integrations are totally on point, AI tools perfect, Bixby maybe a bit more AI functionality, Samsung should invest more into Bixby AI.
Anyway sticking to the fold series, unless Samsung decide to call it a S fold, bringing it into the S family like they did with the Note, but I like individuality, hence hated when the Note was discontinued to the S series and waiting ages with my Note 10 + 5G before getting my first fold, which was the fold 4.
Samsung please keep up your innovation 🙏
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Are u buying in UK as per ur photo
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