Every year, like clockwork, Samsung sing about their latest and best device for the market. Justifying their releases, a plethora of new advancements are also unveiled to entice their target market. Be it a faster processor, larger screen and battery capacity or even a slew of new colours; each ‘new’ device move towards the right direction. The only question for each cycle is ‘by how much’? Last year’s new kid on the block, the Z Fold 5 was an improvement over the 4 but barely. Despite that, the Z Fold 5 still had enough to maintain its standing as the standard bearer of foldable smart devices.

So with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 hitting shelves recently, it begs the question – is it worth upgrading to if you already have last year’s model? Since the Z Fold 6 have been out for quite some time now, a standard review would be pointless, really. So instead, we’ve decided to look into six major talking points on how it compares to its predecessor to help you decide on whether to sit on it, or spend your hard-earned cash for it.

Thinner and Brighter, Plus An Easy Grip

The Z Fold 6 is notably thinner when folded, potentially making it more pocket-friendly. The weight reduction might make a noticeable difference in hand feel, particularly during extended use or when holding it unfolded. This could contribute to a more comfortable user experience. The Z Fold 6 is also more angular than the model it is replacing.

The increased brightness on the Z Fold 6’s main display improves outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. This can be particularly beneficial when using the phone for tasks like reading, browsing, or watching videos outdoors.  It also enhances the overall visual experience, providing more vibrant and vivid colors. This detail is most important to those who tend to use their devices outdoors, in well-lit areas.

On-Demand Real Estate

The slightly larger cover display on the Z Fold 6 provides more room for tasks like typing, viewing notifications, and using apps without needing to unfold the phone.

This could improve productivity and convenience, making interacting with the phone on the go easier. A relatively smaller screen requires less power which means a longer battery life. Win-Win!

Faster Processor

The upgraded processor in the Z Fold 6 translates to faster and smoother overall performance. While this may be the least noticeable considering smart devices nowadays are already blazing fast, it helps to know that you have the fastest and most capable processor in the palm of your hands. And if you game quite a bit, all the better as it can run most game apps on the highest setting.

Apps should launch quicker, multitasking should be handled more seamlessly, and demanding tasks like gaming and video editing should run more efficiently. All this contributes to a more responsive and fluid user experience. Bonus point: optimised battery performance means your device stay alive longer from a full charge!

Tough Nut To Crack

The redesigned hinge on the Z Fold 6 is claimed to be more durable and dust-resistant. So regardless of whether you’re at the beach or by the pool; no water or sand will spell the end of this device. This directly extends the lifespan of the phone, particularly for users who frequently open and close the device. It also provides additional peace of mind regarding the phone’s longevity.

AI In Your Palm

Just like how the S24 devices came shipped with Samsung’s AI, so will the Z Fold 6. Be it for photo editing, composing texts or any daily, mundane tasks, the baked-in AI enhances the experience of using this flagship device. Will it solve all your problems? Obviously not. Will it make solving them easier, given that you know what needs to be done? Absolutely.

Unfolded Viewpoint

In all, the Z Fold 6 does carry incremental upgrade to the Z Fold 5 not only in substance, but style as well. While we still very much prefer the less harsh and angular finish on the Z Fold 5, make no mistake that this year’s top-shelf foldable offering from Samsung is one impressive piece of tech. The significantly more squarish form gives the Z Fold 6 a form factor closer resembling a normal candy bar device which might be the swing factor for many to upgrade from its predecessor.

However, if you are seeking for a more substantial upgrade from your Fold 5, you may want to hold off for a bit. Switching between the two, we found that the biggest differentiator to be the more angular form. It gets even worse if you skip on all the AI bells and whistles as the Fold 6 suddenly feels like a redesigned Fold 5. The camera improvements are only noticeable only by the most discerning of users and Samsung’s failure to include the S Pen straight right out of the box is another bummer in our books.

It feels as if Samsung has settled when it comes to improving the Fold. Great news to its competitors playing catch up. Not so for users seeking for a massive leap in technological advancements which is a shame. We expected much more guile from the likes of Samsung.

Available in five colours, two of which are website exclusives, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is now available starting from RM7,299 for the 256GB/12GB variant and RM7,899 for double its storage capacity. However, deals on the Samsung website grants a massive RM500 discount for either versions.