If you’ve ever tried to snap a quick photo while juggling a coffee, a bagel, and your phone, you know that mobile photography can be a real circus act. Enter the Galaxy Z Fold6, a phone that’s like a trusty sidekick in your quest for the perfect shot—without the capes and spandex.Six years on, I’d have liked to see Samsung in a different place with its folding smartphones. Don’t get me wrong, the new Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6 are closer than ever to fully matching their nonfolding counterparts, with better durability, slimmer designs, brighter screens, and lighter weight. Every year we’ve seen small refinements, but these devices cost more than ever: The Fold6 starts at $1,900 and the Flip6 is $1,100—$100 more than 2023’s models. I’d have expected Samsung to figure out how to stuff its popular S Pen stylus from its Galaxy S Ultra series into the Z Fold series by now, truly turning it into a mini drawing tablet. I assumed we’d see far more apps supporting a multipane layout on the 7.6-inch screen instead of the blown-up version from a normal phone (looking at you, Slack). Or more creative ways to use the screen real estate, something the OnePlus Open excelled at on its first try. Dare I ask for a 5X zoom camera like on Google’s Pixel Fold? Even with the folding flip phones, I prefer what Motorola’s doing with its larger external screen. Samsung’s updates on the Flip6 seem stale. Underrated Build I might be a little unfair in this criticism. Almost no one else has a lineup of six generations of folding phones, and these handsets now feel equivalent to the traditional smartphone unlike any other folding handset sold in the US. You don’t have to worry about water resistance, overall durability has improved (they’ve been tested for some dust resistance now at IP48!), and the specs are more or less identical to the Galaxy S24 flagship phones (you can read all the full details about these phones here). Samsung is even offering a free replacement screen protector on its folding devices if you scratch the internal screen one year from your purchase date, or a reduced $200 screen repair price if you crack the display two years from the date you bought it. That helps remove some apprehension when dropping wads of cash on a phone with a hinge.
At the end of last year, I bought a cheap tablet and a Marvel Unlimited subscription so I could read more digital comics. I use it plenty at home, but the tablet is inconvenient to take with me when I go out, limiting how often I can use it. The Z Fold 6 has been the perfect replacement; I have it in my pocket ready to fold open and start flicking through digital pages at any time. Videos also benefit from the increased screen size, but in apps that support it – such as YouTube – I often watch them with the screen half bent (see the image below). The phone becomes a makeshift stand for itself, with the video playing on the top half of the screen and controls appearing on the bottom half – at least in YouTube’s case. Not every app has controls that pop up. The Z Fold 6 is thicker and heavier than my normal smartphone – when folded, it’s 12.1mm thick and weighs 239g, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24, which is 7.6mm thick and 167g – but I never experienced any issues using it one-handed or slipping it into a pocket. Additionally, while I won’t pretend the crease down the middle of the screen isn’t obvious, it certainly isn’t as disruptive as I thought it might be. After a day or so you get used to it. In fact, a lot of the time with the brightness turned up, it will visually vanish, returning only when I enter a black dark mode menu or another dark screen. Nevertheless, it’s nowhere near distracting enough to make me abandon this superior menu color setting. The only slight irritation I could find is that if you’re using the outer screen then some apps are slightly clipped on the sides – since it’s a little lankier than typical displays. On the flip-side, pretty much every app handled the large screen with zero hiccups, save one third-party program I installed to test some smart glasses – although, since it’s an unofficial Android app that isn’t in the Play Store, I’m not surprised it isn’t fine-tuned to work with foldables.
A Quick Overview of the Camera Setup
The Galaxy Z Fold6 comes equipped with a triple rear camera system, including a 50 MP wide lens, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens. With this powerhouse of a camera, you’ll feel like a pro photographer—minus the need for a beret or a mysterious French accent.
1. Snap Like a Pro with the Wide Lens
Let’s start with the 50 MP wide lens. This baby is perfect for those picturesque landscapes or your friend’s latest attempt at a gourmet meal (which usually ends up looking more like a crime scene). The detail is incredible, making your food pics look good enough to eat… if only they tasted as good as they looked!
2. Capture the Bigger Picture with the Ultra-Wide Lens
Next up is the 12 MP ultra-wide lens. Ever tried to fit your entire squad into one selfie? It’s like trying to get a cat to take a bath—impossible! But with the ultra-wide lens, you can capture everyone (even that one friend who always seems to stand too far back) without any awkward crop-outs. Just remember to smile; no one likes a blurry face!
3. Get Up Close and Personal with the Telephoto Lens
Now, let’s talk about the 10 MP telephoto lens. It’s great for those moments when you want to take a picture of your pet without them knowing you’re watching. You can zoom in and catch Fluffy mid-yawn, which is infinitely more interesting than the actual action of them sleeping. Just don’t let them see you; they’ll give you that judgmental look we all know too well.
Flex Mode: Your New Best Friend
One of the coolest features of the Galaxy Z Fold6 is its Flex Mode. This allows you to set the phone down at a 90-degree angle and use it hands-free. It’s like having your own personal camera crew! Perfect for group shots or those dramatic video calls where you need to show off your baking skills (or the lack thereof). Just don’t blame me if your friends start asking you to host a cooking show!
Editing Made Easy
Once you’ve snapped those perfect shots, the Galaxy Z Fold6 offers a user-friendly editing suite right in the gallery. You can apply filters, adjust brightness, and add stickers—because who doesn’t want a cute cat ear filter on their serious vacation pic? Just remember: a little editing goes a long way; you’re not trying to convince anyone you’re on a yacht when you’re really in your backyard.
A Word on Night Photography
Let’s not forget about those low-light situations. The Galaxy Z Fold6 performs surprisingly well in the dark. You can capture decent night shots without needing a degree in astrophysics. Just aim, tap, and voilà! Your night out will look like it was lit by fairy lights, even if it was just the glow of your phone screen.
Final Thoughts: Capture the Moment
In a world where memories are made in an instant, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is here to make sure you capture those moments—whether it’s your friend’s cat doing something adorable or your latest culinary masterpiece. So go ahead, embrace your inner photographer! Just don’t forget to put down the bagel first; we all know how that ends.
In short, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is not just a phone; it’s your passport to capturing life’s silly, beautiful, and sometimes cringe-worthy moments. And remember, the best camera is the one you have with you—especially when it folds!
