Samsung’s foldable phones have consistently pushed the boundaries of smartphone innovation. The Galaxy Z Fold 6, the latest iteration, promises significant improvements over its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 3. But is the upgrade worth it? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 3: Specs
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Unfolded: 158.5 x 128.1 x 5.9mm<br>Folded: 158.5 x 67.1 x 13.4mm | Unfolded: 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4mm<br>Folded: 158.2 x 67.1 x 14.4-16mm |
| Weight | 253g | 271g |
| Colors | Silver ShadowPink Navy Crafted Black (online exclusive) Purity White (online exclusive) | Phantom Black, Phantom Green, Phantom Silver |
| Price | Starts at $1,900 | Launched at $1,799 |
| Cover display | 6.3-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X2376 x 968 resolution with 22.1:9 aspect ratio at 410 ppi 120Hz refresh rate (1~120Hz) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz |
| Main display | 7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X2160 x 1856 resolution with 374 ppi 120Hz refresh rate 2,600 nits brightness | 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB |
| Software version | Android 14Seven years of OS upgrades and security patches | Android 11 (upgradeable to Android 14)Four years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main with DPAF, OIS, f/1.810MP telephoto with DPAF, OIS, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom 12MP ultrawide with f/2.2, 123-degree FOV | 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (2x zoom) |
| Selfie cameras | 10MP with f/2.2 (cover display)4MP with f/1.8 (inner under-display camera) | Cover: 10MP<br>Main: 4MP UDC |
| Battery | 4400mAh | 4400mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Water resistance | IPX8 | IPX8 |
| Review | Improved design, better cameras, faster performance | Innovative but bulky, good cameras, solid performance |
Design and Displays: Refinement vs. Innovation
The Z Fold 6 builds upon the Z Fold 3’s innovative design, featuring a more refined hinge mechanism and a slimmer profile. While the Z Fold 3 made strides in durability with IPX8 water resistance, dust ingress into the hinge remained a concern. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 addresses this with internal “sweeper” bristles designed to expel dust particles. Both devices sport aluminum frames for a premium feel.
When comparing the Z Fold 3 to the Z Fold 6, it is clear that Samsung made significant improvements to the Z Fold series’ general build and design.
When closed, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 sports a substantially taller and narrower “candy bar” design aspect that some users could find unappealing. When open, the measurements are 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm, and when closed, they are 158.2 x 67.1 x 14.4 x 16 mm. It is rather heavy at 271 grams (9.56 ounces).
The Galaxy Z Fold 3’s cover display is a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 25:9 aspect ratio with 832 x 2268 pixel resolution. Its refresh rate is 120 Hz as well. A 7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a resolution of 1768 x 2208 and a density of 374 pixels per inch (ppi) is located within. It can reach a maximum brightness of 1,200 nits and has a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus is used in the front and rear glass panels. Since this was still a relatively new folding gadget, the crease is somewhat noticeable on the inside display.
Samsung achieved significant improvements in terms of design and build quality with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The largest modification is to the cover display, which Samsung widened to have a more natural aspect ratio. This has made the Galaxy Z Fold much more user-friendly, so people who weren’t previously fond of it could reconsider.
The dimensions of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 are 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm when it is open and 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm when it is closed. With its weight of only 239 grams (8.43 ounces), it is unquestionably lighter and more manageable than the Z Fold 3.
Three years have gone since Samsung released the Galaxy Z Fold 3, and in that time, the hinge design has seen considerable advancements. When the Z Fold 4 was closed, there was a tiny gap from the hinge, which made the gadget resemble a wedge more than anything else. Because to the improved hinge design, there hasn’t been a gap since the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is no different.
A 6.3-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X cover display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a resolution of 968 x 2376 at 410 ppi, and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits is featured on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. A 7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, an 1856 x 2160 resolution at 374 ppi, and a brightness of 2,600 nits is the internal display. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is used in both the front and rear glass for increased durability.
For increased water and dust protection, there is also an IP48 certification.Though it’s not as visible as it was on the Z Fold 3, the inside display still has a wrinkle.
Performance and Software: A Generational Leap
The Z Fold 3, launched in 2021, was powered by the Snapdragon 888, a flagship chip at the time. However, the Z Fold 6’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a significant performance boost, delivering smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and improved gaming capabilities. Both devices come with 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or (in the Z Fold 6’s case) a whopping 1TB.
In 2021, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 was released. It made use of the Snapdragon 888 CPU from Qualcomm, which at the time was their top model. You may select between 256GB and 512GB of storage, and it also features 12GB of RAM. Sadly, there isn’t any extendable memory.
The most recent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy CPU from Qualcomm is available on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. As a result of the chip’s customization and optimization for Samsung Galaxy smartphones, you’re enjoying extremely high performance. Along with 256GB and 512GB of storage, it now features a new 1TB option and 12GB of RAM.
Android 11 was preinstalled on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 when it was originally released. For the Z Fold 3, Samsung guaranteed at least four years of OS updates, so it should survive through Android 15. To put it briefly, Android 15 will be the Z Fold 3’s final software update when it launches this autumn. Security updates will be provided for another year, but that will be the extent of it.
Conversely, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes pre-installed with Android 14 and topped with Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1. By promising seven years of OS upgrades and security fixes, Samsung has also increased the bar for software updates. This implies that the Z Fold 6 will last through at least Android 21.
Additionally, Samsung unveiled its Galaxy AI suite, which includes a full spectrum of AI-powered features. Circle to Search, Live Translation, Interpreter, AI summaries, Magic Compose, AI photo editing tools, and many more are a few of them. Since the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has the processing power to handle everything, it comes with all of the Galaxy AI features.
However, this does not imply that the Z Fold 3 is falling behind. It can access two Galaxy AI functions only: Chat Assist and Circle to Search. Therefore, compared to more recent phones, it’s still relatively restricted even if it’s better than nothing.
While the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will continue to function effectively for many years to come, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will shortly reach the end of its useful life.
Cameras: Capturing Moments with Enhanced Clarity
The Z Fold 3’s triple-lens camera system, while capable, feels outdated compared to the Z Fold 6’s upgraded setup. The newer model boasts a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, resulting in sharper images and improved low-light performance.
The innovative new methods that foldables allow you to capture images and videos are among their finest features. Therefore, it’s critical that the gadget has a good camera system.
The triple lens camera technology on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is quite antiquated right now. It has three cameras: a 12 MP telephoto with a 2x optical zoom, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 12 MP primary shooter. The internal camera is only 4MP, while the cover display selfie camera is 10MP. While this could have been enough a few years ago, most phones these days have at least 48MP, so it’s very outdated.
After three years, the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s cameras have significantly improved. A 50MP primary camera, a 10MP telephoto lens with a 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens comprise the triple camera setup on the back. Sadly, there wasn’t much of an upgrade for the selfie cameras, which remain at 10MP on the cover and 4MP on the internal display.
Still, you’ll want the improved cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 if shooting pictures is important to you. Though you’ll probably use the back cameras for that anyhow, it’s a bit frustrating that Samsung didn’t make much of an upgrade to the selfie cameras.
Battery and Charging: Stamina and Speed
Both the Z Fold 6 and Z Fold 3 share the same 4400mAh battery capacity. However, the Z Fold 3’s battery might show signs of degradation if it’s been used extensively for three years. The charging capabilities remain identical, offering 25W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
The battery capacity hasn’t increased much in the last three years, which is surprising. The internal battery of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 6 is 4,400mAh.
It wouldn’t be shocking, though, if your Galaxy Z Fold 3’s battery wasn’t as good as when you originally purchased it at this time. Considering that this phone is three years old, some battery depreciation is inevitable at this stage.
In any case, the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor should also result in a somewhat more power-efficient Galaxy Z Fold 6. We’ve had consistent battery life ever since the Galaxy S24 series debuted with that.
Unfortunately, the cable charging speeds for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 6 are limited to 25 watts only. For the price, you would think Samsung could at least equal the 45W charging speeds of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with the Z Fold 6, but alas, no. That’s just one more thing that disappoints.
Both phones support wireless charging, although the Z Fold 3’s 11W speed is a little bit slower than the Z Fold 6’s 15W pace. Additionally, both continue to use reverse wireless at 4.5W.
Verdict: Time for an Upgrade?
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is nearing the end of its life cycle. With its last major Android update expected to be Android 15, it won’t receive further enhancements. Additionally, security patches will likely cease in the near future.
The Z Fold 6, on the other hand, represents a substantial upgrade in almost every aspect. Its refined design, improved cameras, superior performance, and longer software support make it a compelling choice for those seeking the latest foldable technology.
If you’re a Z Fold 3 owner yearning for the latest features and performance, the upgrade to the Z Fold 6 is justifiable. However, if your Z Fold 3 is still serving you well and you’re not concerned about having the absolute latest tech, you might consider holding off for a future model.
Ultimately, the decision to upgrade depends on your individual needs and priorities. Consider your budget, usage patterns, and desire for the newest features before making your choice.
It appears that now is an excellent opportunity to upgrade to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 if you are still using a Galaxy Z Fold 3. Why? There are several causes.
The Z Fold 3’s useful life is drawing to an immediate conclusion. It will not receive any more major Android upgrades until Android 15, which launches in a few more months, as its final OS upgrade. Also, you’ll only receive security updates for around a year more. With another seven years of operating system updates ahead of it, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will undoubtedly last you a lot longer at this point. Additionally, this Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 device offers up to 1TB of storage, 12GB of RAM
The cameras are another issue. A 12MP camera is just insufficient these days as the majority of phones, including Apple’s iPhone 15, have a primary sensor with at least 48MP. The 50MP primary camera on the Z Fold 6 is unquestionably a significant improvement, even though Samsung left the selfie cameras unchanged.