Just five years into the foldable revolution, it’s clear that two camps have evolved. While plenty of power users found their dream devices in the OnePlus Open or Google Pixel Fold, others want to minimize their smartphones, not maximize them. That’s where clamshells come in. Throughout the past year, we watched as phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr+ brought full app experiences to outer displays while housing large folding panels within. We expect things to get even more impressive in 2024.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is set for an official unveiling sometime this year, and we’ve already heard rumors about what the company’s next flippable foldable will be. Whether you’re ready to plunge into a new form factor or looking forward to upgrading from an older model, here’s everything you need to know about the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Design and specs
Although the Galaxy Z Flip 5 wasn’t a total reinvention for the series, Samsung made its biggest change to the lineup thanks to its expansive front display. The cover screen, dubbed Flex Window, features over a dozen smartwatch-esque widgets, along with the ability to run your essential apps through Good Lock. These tools allow you to keep the device closed for most tasks, eliminating one of our biggest complaints about this form factor for good.
With the Galaxy Z Flip 6, early renders seem to suggest the company isn’t shaking things up. Like with traditional slab phones, there’s only so much you can do with clamshells. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold series, which desperately needs a design revamp in 2024, Samsung’s efforts with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 feel like enough to satisfy most fans for a couple of years.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. From the outside of the phone, a larger Flex Window display would do wonders. If the company can expand beyond its current borders, users will score a better app experience than we saw on the Flip 5. While the rest of the design is largely in a good spot, we’d love to see Samsung swap back to a matte finish to prevent the phone from being covered in fingerprints. Unfortunately, it seems like the bigger screen isn’t a guarantee; likewise, we’ll have to wait for real-world leaks to learn about its glass finish.
We hope Samsung will make big changes to its hinge again. Although the Z Flip 5 is the first of the company’s products to fold flat, it still features a prominent crease missing on OnePlus and Motorola phones. Samsung has rested on its laurels for too long, and it’s time to get back to pushing development forward.
These are all pipe dreams and pure speculation on our part. All we know about Samsung’s next generation of foldables is its efforts to make the devices dustproof, finally bringing IP68 certification to flexible gadgets. It’s in the works, though the company’s previous remarks on dustproofing make it clear that it will be a while before this goal is pulled off.
Specs are a different beast — not because we have insider knowledge, but because Samsung is predictable when it comes to this sort of thing. Look for North American models to be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, 8GB of RAM, and a starting storage capacity of 256GB. Internationally, much like the Galaxy S24 and S24+, Samsung might use the Exynos 2400 to power the Galaxy Z Flip 6 , a first for the brand’s foldables. Meanwhile, if the company is listening, we’d love to see a 1TB version of the Flip 6. And while a larger battery seems like a given, we’re bummed to hear that faster charging speeds just aren’t in the cards.
It sounds like we’re getting some new colors for Samsung’s next-gen foldable. According to industry consultant Ross Young, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will come in Light Blue, Light Green, Silver and Yellow. It’s nice to see a lack of black or white options in lieu of some fresher shades, though we’re hoping to see even more colors appear as Samsung.com exclusives at launch.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Software
Although we expect the Galaxy Z Flip 6 to arrive sometime in late summer (the usual window for new versions of Android), this phone won’t ship running Android 15. Instead, buyers will be treated to Android 14 and One UI 6.1, alongside a quick upgrade after Google’s new OS version is ready for primetime. One UI 7 remains a mystery to us, but it’ll represent the first big update for the Flip 6 come late 2024. It’ll likely come packed with Galaxy AI features, just as we’ve seen on other 2024 Samsung flagships.
Speaking of upgrades, expect Samsung to match its promises on the Galaxy S24 lineup for seven years of OS upgrades and security patches. That’ll keep buyers satisfied through 2031 — assuming the hardware holds up, of course.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Cameras
Neither of Samsung’s foldables is known for having particularly good cameras, but that goes double for its clamshell lineup. With the Galaxy Z Flip 6, it’s hard to imagine how that would change. Better cameras need more space for larger sensors, and that’s not available on the Z Flip series as it stands today. You’d need a full redesign or an awkward OnePlus-style camera bump to include better hardware.
That’s not to say new software tricks couldn’t show up with the Galaxy Z Flip 6. One of the best things about this phone is the device’s flexibility when it comes to shooting from odd angles. It’s the big focus in most of the company’s ads. Whether Samsung can add to its arsenal of software tricks in 2024 remains to be seen. Considering the focus on AI tricks with the Galaxy S24 series, anything is possible.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Price and release date
We’ll keep this short and simple. Look for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 to debut alongside its larger sibling sometime in July, possibly in an earlier slot than last year’s smartphones. Samsung is like clockwork when it comes to product launches (give or take a couple of weeks), and we don’t expect to see anything different this year.
As for the price, we’d be surprised if Samsung trended above the $1,000 mark for this phone. Keeping a foldable in the triple-digit space is essential for growing this market segment, especially as companies like Motorola introduce rivals for as little as $500 on sale. These remain premium phones, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the company moved in that direction.
Another clamshell awaits
We still have questions about what the future holds for Samsung’s next clamshell device. But rest assured, with months to go before an official launch, we’ll likely know what’s coming before any executive takes the stage for the big Galaxy Z Flip 6 announcement. Until then, consider picking up the Galaxy Z Flip 5. It’s an excellent device in its own right. If you’re in the market, it might be one of the best foldables you can buy.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
While we’re excited for the future of the Galaxy Z Flip series, Samsung’s latest clamshell remains a great buy. With a large outer display and an excellent, expansive inner screen, it’s perfect for combining portability with power. Five generations in, it’s clear the Z Flip 5 is the king of the clamshell world.
