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Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Z Fold 5 vs Z Fold 4: A three-generation comparison, spec by spec

Samsung unveiled its latest book-style foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, in July. The South Korean company increased prices by $100 to bring the starting price to $1,900.

Taking steps towards durability, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 gets protection against water ingress for the first time ever. It also has a lighter design and new AI features. But overall, it’s only an incremental upgrade – just like the clamshell Galaxy Z Flip 6, which was unveiled alongside it at Samsung’s Unpacked event a few months ago.

This story is part of Samsung eventCNET’s collection of news, tips and advice on Samsung’s most popular products.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a slightly larger 6.3-inch cover screen, which opens like a book into a larger 7.6-inch display. Each screen is clearer than previous models and both have a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone will also get a routine processor upgrade, which will take the form of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Samsung says the chip is optimized for AI.

The camera setup consists of five cameras and appears to be identical to the one on the Z Fold 5. You can scroll to our specs overview for more details on the camera module. We’ll have to see how the Z Fold 6 and Z Fold 5 cameras compare in real life, as the former has a more advanced chipset, which should presumably help improve its photography skills.

Unpacked more from Samsung

Aside from the price increase, the most noticeable changes come in the form of a more compact design and durability. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 weighs 239 grams (8.4 ounces), which is lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which weighs 253 grams (8.9 ounces), and the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which weighs 263 grams (9.27 ounces) weighs. The Z Fold 6 is also slimmer than its predecessors, losing more than 1.3mm of its width when folded compared to the Z Fold 5 and 3.7mm of the Z Fold 4.

Aside from the eye-watering price, the bulky book-style foldable design and inadequate durability have been hurdles in the mass adoption of foldable phones. It’s promising that Samsung is making progress in both departments. Foldable phones still make up a small share of the total smartphone market, but that share of the pie is growing, according to research firms. Samsung is betting that AI can make up some of that ground, too.

Google’s Gemini app is fully integrated into the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Other features include Live Translate, which translates phone calls in real time right on your device. It’s unclear at this point if the new AI features are optimized for a foldable phone design.

For more information on how the Galaxy Z Fold 6 compares to its predecessors, check out our specs overview below.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Z Fold 5 vs Z Fold 4 compared

Samsung Galaxy Fold6 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Cover screen size, technology, resolution, refresh rate 6.3-inch AMOLED; 2,376 x 968 pixels; Variable refresh rate from 1-120 Hz 6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,316 x 904 pixels; Variable refresh rate from 1-120 Hz 6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,316 x 904 pixels; up to 120Hz
Internal screen size, technology, resolution, refresh rate 7.6-inch AMOLED; 2,160 x 1,856 pixels; Variable refresh rate from 1-120 Hz 7.6-inch AMOLED; 2,176 x 1,812 pixels; Variable refresh rate from 1-120 Hz 7.6-inch AMOLED; 2,176 x 1,812 pixels; up to 120Hz
Pixel density Cover: 410 ppi; Internal: 374 ppi Cover: 402 ppi; Internal: 374 ppi Cover: 402 ppi; Internal: 374 ppi
Dimensions (inches) Open: 6.04 x 5.21 x 0.22 inches; Closed: 6.04 x 2.68 x 0.48 inches. Open: 6.1 x 5.11 x 0.24 inches; Closed: 6.1 x 2.64 x 0.53 inches. Open: 6.11 x 5.12 x 0.25 inches; closed: 6.11 x 2.64 x 0.62 inches.
Dimensions (millimeters) Open: 153.5 x 132.5 x 5.6 mm; Closed: 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm Open: 154.94 x 129.79 x 6.1mm; closed: 154.94 x 67.06 x 13.46 mm Open: 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3mm; closed: 155.1 x 67.1 x 15.8 mm
Weight (gram, ounce) 239g (8.43oz.) 253g (8.92oz.) 263g (9.27oz.)
Mobile software Android 14 Android 13 Android 12L
Camera 50 megapixel (wide), 12 megapixel (ultra-wide), 10 megapixel (3x telephoto) 50 megapixel (wide), 12 megapixel (ultra-wide), 10 megapixel (telephoto) 50 megapixel (wide), 12 megapixel (ultra-wide), 10 megapixel (telephoto)
Front camera 4 megapixel (inner selfie under the screen); 10 megapixel (cover selfie) 4 megapixel (inside under screen); 10 megapixel (cover screen) 4 megapixel (inner lower display); 10 megapixel (cover screen)
Video recording To be determined 8K 4K
Processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Snapdragon 8 Gen Plus 1
RAM/storage 12GB + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 12GB + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 12GB + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Expandable storage No No No
Battery 4,400mAh 4,400mAh 4,400mAh
Fingerprint sensor Side Side Side
Connector USB-C USB-C USB-C
Headphone jack No No No
Special features IP48 rating, 25W wired charging, wireless charging + powershare, 3x optical zoom (up to 10x digital and 30x Space Zoom with AI Super Resolution technology) 5G ready, IPX8 water resistance, S Pen support, 25W wired charging, wireless charging, wireless power sharing, triple SIM 5G, 30x space zoom camera, IPX8, 25 watt fast charging (no charger in the box)
US price starts at $1,900 (256GB) $1,800 (256GB) $1,800 (256GB)
UK price starts at To be determined £1,749 (256GB) £1,549 (256GB)
Price in Australia starts at To be determined AU$2,559 (256GB) Converts to AU$2,960 (256GB)

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