But five years since the experiment began, one thing is clear: foldable phones have no lived up to expectations.
Technical research firm Canalys calculates this folding phones make up only about 1% of total smartphone shipments in 2023. It is estimated that Samsung sells approximately 15 million foldable phones annually, which is roughly about 80% of all flip phone sales.
Galaxy Z Fold 6: the most refined Galaxy Fold design yet… for a form factor that never should have existed
If you’ve ever used a Galaxy Fold device, you’ll know one thing the moment you touch the new Z Fold 6: this is what it was meant to be from the start.
Samsung has tweaked the design in all the right places, so the Fold 6 finally looks and feels… finished. The flat sides, the matte finish, the solid hinge, it’s refinement in the best possible way.
But for all that excellence, this is still unmistakably a Galaxy Fold phone.
Issue #1
Hmm, how to write on this small screen?
The most obvious problem with the Fold’s design remains: the roof screen is too small (and especially narrow) for comfortable use, while reaching the main screen still requires two hands.
This design basically ensures that most simpler tasks will be done without unfolding the phone. Some statistics put the overlay screen usage rate at 70%, while the larger main screen was only used 30% of the time.
Samsung has obviously heard those concerns, as the screen on the Fold 6’s lid has become slightly wider, but that’s just lip service to the cause and not enough.
Unless you have baby fingers, typing on the tiny on-screen keyboard on the cover might be less frustrating, but it’s still frustrating. Web browsing is also not ideal with the narrow form factor.
Number 2
Slim, but only if you’ve been living in a Samsung Galaxy vacuum
Another big issue remains the Fold’s thickness. When unfolded, it’s undeniably impressive, with that large tablet-like screen.
But when it’s closed, it’s a massive gadget that bulges uncomfortably in your pocket. We weren’t too stressed about it five years ago, but it’s downright disappointing to see the same problem persist today. In comparison, competitors such as the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 and the Honor Magic V3 are already available with a thickness well below 10 mm. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is almost 30% thicker!
You’d think this would at least benefit from a bigger battery, but no. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 it still has a battery size of 4400mAh, while both alternatives from Xiaomi and Honor have a battery size of 5100mAh or more.
Knowing that elegance and portability are so important to a flip phonethe Fold’s dimensions are a significant drawback and Samsung needs to catch up.
Issue #3
Same old cameras
The Fold’s camera system is another area where Samsung needs to step up its game.
I’m a firm believer that photography is one of the main use cases for a foldable phone – the big screen just elevates your photos.
The Fold 6 is an incredibly average camera. Hardware isn’t the only issue, but we can probably all admit we’d like to see a longer zoom range.
However, the software has a lot of room for improvement.
We keep talking about Samsung’s bright colors and the company is constantly changing them, but there is a much better solution: separate profile pictures for a rich and natural look. This is something that competitors from Xiaomi and Vivo have long understood.
These photos were taken with a phone, not a Galaxy
One of folding phones I have been using the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro for the past few weeks.
I was completely blown away by the attention to detail when it comes to this phone’s camera: gorgeous filters, subtle editing controls, beautiful bokeh, film simulations, the list goes on and on. The camera on this phone is so good that I now carry it as my second device JUST because of it.
The software experience on Galaxy phones? None of these features are available, and we continue to argue about the saturated colors of Samsung’s photos every year, time and time again. It’s getting absurd.
Conclusion
Samsung may have to go back to the drawing board
At the end of the day, the main problem with Galaxy Z Fold 6 it can be very simple: the form factor itself.
Samsung has achieved some impressive engineering feats, including arguably the best and most durable hinge on the market. Some software features are surprisingly fun, like the new Sketch to Image.
But that’s where the list ends. No other company makes flip phones in the same awkward TV remote-like form factor. It’s not pocket friendly and the flip screen just isn’t big enough.
Samsung may deny this and stubbornly stick to the existing form factor, but even the most stubborn companies can’t fight the cold reality of sales figures.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 it might be the prettiest in the range so far, but I don’t think it can move the needle and win over regular users.
What I have no doubt about is this: Samsung has the resources and talent to create something truly innovative flip phone. However, it’s time to go back to the drawing board and rethink the whole concept.
