The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is just around the corner, but do the rumored upgrades mean it’s worth holding out for? Or should you just buy a Z Fold 5 right now?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is one of the most technologically impressive feats we’ve ever seen. It’s a smartphone that unfolds into a tablet-sized device, and it’s a really good smartphone to boot. Samsung was one of the first major manufacturers to really nail the formula that makes folding and flip phones so great. And we’ve also seen efforts from OnePlus and Google, among others, follow Samsung’s lead.
But if you want the crème de la crème of folding smartphones, it has to be a Samsung Z Fold. So you should buy a Z Fold 5, right? Well, not really. While the Z Fold 5 is excellent, there’s another device you need to keep in mind if you’re thinking of purchasing a foldable phone within the next few months. That device is, of course, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
While the Galaxy Z Fold 6 isn’t official by any means, there are a number of rumors and leaks that spell out almost exactly what we can expect from Samsung’s new foldable device. What we’ve seen paints no mere upgrade. Samsung is making some big changes this year, and they could mean a lot for your purchase. So, should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 now or wait for the Galaxy Z Fold 6? We took a look at the most plausible rumors and leaks to better understand that question.
This comparison is based on unverified leaks and rumors and may not perfectly reflect the final device, so keep that in mind as you read.Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6: design
The design is paramount to a foldable phone’s success. Not only must it look great, but it also needs a near-flawless mechanism and hinge to ensure it can withstand the thousands of folds it will undergo in its lifespan. Samsung has largely cracked that with the Z Fold handsets, and we don’t expect the Z Fold 6 will innovate on that element in a way that will make it notable over the Z Fold 5 after the latter’s hinge was upgraded only last year.
That doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement, though. One of the biggest repeated theme in leaks and rumors is a big shake-up in the size and shape of the device. No, it’s still vaguely phone-shaped, but the Z Fold 6 looks set to be slightly shorter and wider than last year’s model. The Z Fold 5’s long and narrow cover display is certainly divisive, and while some love it, it’s a real annoyance for others. Making the Z Fold 6 squatter will squish the awkward 23.1:9 aspect ratio into a more conventional 20:9.
Rumors and leaks are united over a change in aspect ratio, but no one can seem to agree whether that means the display sizes will change. Early leaks said the cover display could increase from 6.2 inches to 6.4 inches, but later renders from OnLeaks suggested the display dimensions would be unchanged. OnLeaks is a particularly notable leaker with a strong history, but so is IceUniverse, who popped up even later to say the cover display would increase to 6.3 inches. The inner display would still be 7.6 inches, but would have a much more square aspect ratio as a result of the dimension changes.
The OnLeaks leaks also came alongside some design renders, which threw light on another change. According to these renders, the Z Fold 6 will take a leaf out of the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s book and will have flat, sharp edges rather than the gentle curves of previous generations. Around the back, there’s less to remark upon, with a similar-looking camera bump housing three lenses.
Ultimately, what does this mean for your purchase? A change in look is in the eye of the beholder, so really, the difference between flat sides and curved ones comes down to whatever you prefer. A shorter and wider cover display, though? The Z Fold 5’s odd aspect ratio means it’s not the best screen to watch videos on, and content often feels oddly pinched. We would advise you to wait and see if the Z Fold 6 delivers the rumored changes in dimensions, because we suspect those changes will benefit you.Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6: specs
There’s not a huge amount to report here that won’t already be expected, as it’s no big surprise to say the Z Fold 6 is going to have better specifications.
