Samsung’s Galaxy S24 is my favourite Android phone of the year but the latest Z Flip6 certainly impresses.
Ever since I started using the Galaxy S24 earlier this year it’s been my go-to Android phone thanks to its premium design, stunning AMOLED screen, solid triple-lens camera and oodles of power from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip inside (yes, I’ve been lucky enough to be using a non-Exynos device that are usually on sale in the UK).
It’s a very good phone that’s made even smarter thanks to all the Galaxy AI features packed inside that make translating calls, editing photos and jotting down notes far less hassle. Despite a whole barrage of other Android devices arriving in stores throughout the year, I’ve stuck firmly with S24 but there’s one new call maker that’s definitely made me consider making the switch. For the past month, I’ve been testing out the latest Galaxy Z Flip6 and I’ve been left genuinely surprised by just how much I’ve enjoyed using this bendy device.
Of course, the Flip is nothing new with Samsung releasing plenty of generations before this current model – its first attempt arrived all the way back in 2020. But that’s exactly why it now feels like a good time to make the jump.
Over the past few years, Samsung has refined the design, improved durability and made its Flip range feel a whole lot more desirable.
There’s just something really aesthetically pleasing when you flip open that 6.7-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED screen and I’ve been amazed by the number of people who still seem flabbergasted by this foldable technology – it’s almost like having a mini celebrity in your pocket.
The now larger 3.2-inch front screen has got more useful, the dual-lens camera now takes much better pictures and you can do neat things such as bend the screen to 90 degrees and shoot video like an old-school camcorder.
I’ve even used the dual displays to translate a conversation in real time which is pretty neat. Thanks to the interpreter mode the Flip translates what the person you’re talking to is saying on the main screen, while displaying what you say back, translated into their language, on the outer screen.
Having run the S24 and Flip6 side-by-side the battery life is just as good on both devices, it gets wireless charging and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor no matter where in the world you buy it. For those not aware, the standard Galaxy S24 has a complicated structure where different processors power it depending on the country it’s purchased in.
So has the Flip6 convinced me to finally switch to a foldable? Well, almost.
This is a much-improved update but there are still compromises that can’t be overlooked.
Firstly, with a starting price of £1,049 (256GB), it’s far more expensive than the £799 (128GB) Galaxy S24. Then there’s the crease which runs right through the centre of the display. It’s not a disaster but I wish it wasn’t there – especially when watching a Netflix boxset.
The front display could definitely be improved as it’s still pretty tricky to answer emails and texts without constantly flipping the thing open.
The dual-lens cameras are good but the phone is lacking features such as the optical zoom lens and 8K video recording found on the S24.
Then there’s the question of durability. When you spend more than £1,000 on a phone you want it to last a very, very long time. Samsung has done a lot of work to make sure the Flip6 survives years of life in your pocket – it’s now covered in tough Gorilla Glass Victus, gets an Armour Aluminium Frame and an IP48 rating making it water resistant.
If you buy the standard S24 there’s no question you could still be using it in five years time – even with Samsung’s design upgrades, who knows if the Flip6 will survive that long as there have been issues in the past with the longevity of these devices.
I’m still enjoying the delights of Samsung’s latest Flip and it’s definitely worth a look if you want a phone that’s not a boring slab of glass and metal.
That said, if I simply wanted a trusty device that is guaranteed to last endless years of punishment I’d probably still stick with the Galaxy S24.
It’s a phone that’s packed with features, has a price that feels pretty reasonable and is highly unlikely to ever let you down.
Looking at trade-in prices, it also appears that the Z Flip range loses its value faster than the standard Galaxy S phones which makes sense as many might be worried by how well their second-hand phone has been treated in the past.
