GeraldEven as tech companies struggle to successfully integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their products to enhance the daily life of user, Korean tech giant Samsung is already taking things several steps further. After successfully embedding AI into its flagship Samsung Galaxy S24 earlier this year, the chaebol is now emphasizing a human-centric approach so instead of merely showcasing what the technology is capable of, Samsung is focusing on how people can tap on AI to improve their lives. Unlike many competitors, its AI integrations aim at creating a seamless and unique user experience, blending hardware and software in ways that stand out from the typical software-based virtual assistants.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is its latest smartphone and the first to adopt Samsung’s human approach and while the flip device didn’t enjoy the smoothest growth in its quest to reinvent the past, this year’s line-up continues to serve as a bold ode to the good old days of flip phones that consumers slowly grew to embrace. With the addition of AI, the conversation has shifted from hardware functionality and concerns over durability, to how implementation can seamlessly integrate with a unique clamshell.
Or at least it makes an attempt to.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 retains the signature flip phone flair of its predecessor – to the point that the design language seems deliberately held back, which means the upgrades here are, as such, more minor touches than a big leap forward, bleeding into other parts of the foldable, including its overall build. When folded, it measures 14.9mm thick, just slightly thinner than before, and weighs 188 grams. The device is both lightweight and durable, armed with a reinforced Armor Aluminum chassis and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, with a robust form factor for improved protection against scratches and impact.
While the aluminum edges promise a more comfortable grip and reduced accidental touches, the rigidity may cause discomfort during prolonged use, especially when gaming. There’s no denying the premium build quality, however, which features a visually appealing finish that maintains a modern aesthetic.
The familiar dual-display setup with an outer display makes a return on the Galaxy Z Flip 6, boasting the same 3.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a 720 x 748 resolution. The small screen size means limited functionality, but users can still expect a quick access point for notifications and essential functions. Supported widgets include Spotify, Weather, and Calendar, with the tech’s maturity ultimately capped at offering similar capabilities as before.
Unfolding the device reveals the main attraction: a 6.7-inch 2640 x 1080 AMOLED display. Despite the 1080p panel, the AMOLED technology ensures vibrant colors and deep blacks, enhancing the visual experience. A 120Hz refresh rate ensures fluid and responsive interaction, proving crucial for activities such as gaming and video streaming.
The hardware performance is further furnished with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM that packs flagship-level performance. Smooth multitasking, fast app launches, and a lag-free experience are all par for the course, even with demanding applications and games such as Zenless Zone Zero, where the on-screen action heats up after the execution of multiple button-mash combos.
Amid the smaller tweaks, the phone’s camera system claims its place as the pièce de résistance. The rear camera on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 now features a 50MP sensor, a substantial improvement from the 12MP camera in the Z Flip 5, which allows for more detailed and higher-quality photos. The front-facing camera remains a 10MP shooter, providing decent selfies, but it doesn’t match the camera quality of flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
In action, the photos still look saturated and often have a strong beauty filter applied. However, there’s no denying that the phone has captured images to the best of its ability, especially in natural light. Do note that the Flip 6 lacks the additional telephoto lens found in the S24 Ultra and Fold 6, so it would struggle to get those insane zoom shots we’ve seen at concerts. Here’s a gallery for you to check out some sample shots –
The new autofocus and auto-zoom capabilities are standout features powered by AI. When the phone is propped in a half-open position, it automatically adjusts the camera’s zoom based on the subject’s distance and the number of people in the frame, intelligently switching between the main and ultrawide cameras for the best composition. Designed for group shots and selfies, the AI-powered tool brings greater convenience and optimal framing without a need for manual intervention.
While not entirely new per se, this marks the first time that a smartphone is using it predominantly for webcams to help users center themselves while on a call. Samsung combines this tech with its gesture command to allow users to take pictures from a distance, but it isn’t always the fastest to respond to the framing and can be thrown off when the scene is busy with a crowd.
The next offering in the new AI tool kit is the Sketch-to-Image feature, which has the ability to turn sketches into realistic images. It works in a straightforward manner – all users have to do is draw simple shapes or objects, and the phone will generate a detailed image based on the sketch. Although it doesn’t score high on the practical use scale, it offers a unique way to engage with the phone’s capabilities, particularly for creative projects or social media content.
The real benefit of this would be the ability to draw (or at least attempt to) directly on a specific area of a scene, as opposed to using a text prompt and hope for the best. As it stands, Sketch-to-Image has the most potential out of all of Samsung’s new AI features, reminiscent of puzzle game Scribblenauts, in that users can tap into the power of their mind and whip up anything from their imagination.
When it comes to day-to-day use, the Interpreter tool reigns supreme. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is able to display real-time translations on its cover screen with ease, proving especially useful for travellers and those communicating in different languages, by showing each speaker’s words in their native language. It’s not perfect, but the translations are generally accurate and helpful, even if slight errors can occasionally lead to minor misunderstandings. Having tried it with translations for French and Chinese, the Interpreter did conjure up odd translators for French especially when it came to expressions but Chinese was more accurate and straightforward.
It should be noted, however, that while the feature is great in theory, its execution can come off a bit stiff, as both users will be staring at the device for most of the time, instead of engaging in natural human interaction involving eye contact and non-verbal behavior. As a result, this feature is best used for quick questions as opposed to long exchanges – pressing a button for an individual to start their turn in a dialogue can become cumbersome and end in fatigue.
These three highlighted AI features are a continued attempt by Samsung to differentiate its AI offerings from the rest of the pack. However, the real challenge is getting people to use them in the first place. With subtle changes to the phone’s UI, the “star” button – which triggers AI functionalities and used to be hidden deep within the Galaxy S24’s UI – is now more prominent, playing into the idea of encouraging users to explore AI suggestions that might help improve their visuals. Only time will tell if these features would actually stick in the long run like Circle to Search has, though.
Having addressed the battery life concerns in the previous model, the Z Flip 6 excels with its 4000 mAh battery. Despite its compact form factor, it houses a larger battery than its predecessor, providing all-day usage without frequent recharging, and more than sufficient juice to power through work and entertainment throughout the day.
Because the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 brings numerous enhancements and cutting-edge features, it comes with a steeper price tag of S$1,648 (12GB + 256GB configuration). This is a jump from previous models and raises questions about its value proposition, especially if you aren’t keen on the AI features. If anything, it might make more sense to use an older model and wait for some level of AI to make an eventual appearance, as the company is committed to roll out AI features to their older Galaxy range of devices.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 stands out in the smartphone market with its nostalgic design, durable build, and innovative AI features, with camera enhancements, display quality, and performance making it a formidable device. The price tag might be a deterrent for some, but for those who appreciate the unique form factor and advanced features, it comes as a compelling choice – more so if they can take advantage of trade-in deals or discounts.
Summary
The increased sticker price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 may be seemingly attributed to several new AI features, but it warrants a closer look to see if these additions actually make sense in your day-to-day life. Still, the improved 50MP camera is a welcome upgrade that puts the pocket powerhouse on par with its flagship cousins.
Overall
8.1/10-
Aesthetics - 8/10
8/10
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Build Quality - 8.5/10
8.5/10
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Performance - 8.5/10
8.5/10
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Value - 7.5/10
7.5/10
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Geek Satisfaction - 8/10
8/10
Gerald currently straddles between his love of video games and board gaming. There’s nothing that interests him more than trying out the newest and fanciest gadget in town as well. He dreams of publishing a board game sometime in the future!
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