Editor’s Desk
Android Central’s Editor’s Desk is a weekly column discussing the most recent information, tendencies, and happenings within the Android and cellular tech area.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 launch is correct across the nook, and we’re anticipating some fairly notable adjustments and upgrades to Samsung’s subsequent flip telephone. With rumored options like a bigger cowl display, a thinner chassis, a bigger battery, and a extra highly effective chipset, the Z Flip 7 could possibly be a big improve over the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Nonetheless, with the brand new mannequin on the horizon, I believed I might check out the Galaxy Z Flip 6 to see the way it has held up over the previous yr. Whereas I have been predominantly fixated on final yr’s Razr Plus 2024 and this yr’s Razr Extremely, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 stays considered one of my favourite flip telephones from Samsung, because of its stable {hardware} and dependable software program expertise.
Listed below are my largest takeaways utilizing the Galaxy Z Flip 6 over the previous yr and the way I hope the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will enhance on an already spectacular telephone.
One UI 7 transforms this telephone
“… Drawing Help… is a number of enjoyable to make use of and won’t solely add some pretty lifelike and amusing photographs to your photographs by way of Sketch to Picture however can even flip your doodles into entertaining ‘artworks’ that solely a mom might love.”
Derrek Lee, ‘Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 evaluation’
When the Galaxy Z Flip 6 launched, it was working One UI 6 primarily based on Android 14, which was a reasonably stable improve that introduced adjustments to the Fast Settings panel, added new digital camera enhancing options, and launched Galaxy AI.
And whereas the One UI 7 improve was woefully delayed, the replace doubled down on adjustments with a revamped fast settings/notification panel, stay notifications, a brand new Now Bar, and a redesigned multitasking view. However maybe most significantly, the replace introduced with it the long-awaited vertically scrolling app drawer, one thing Samsung customers might beforehand solely get with the Good Lock app.
One UI 7 has been a refreshing replace, making animations extra fluid than ever and making the Z Flip 6 really feel virtually like a totally new telephone in lower than a yr since its launch.
The telephone additionally has tons of AI options that work fairly properly on the marginally older chip. Picture enhancing is a breeze, you may simply translate whole conversations, and the telephone handles AI-generated content material properly, from textual content summaries to pictures. Drawing Help stays considered one of my favourite options, as you may rework photographs into almost something (inside purpose) by sketching or typing what you need.
I do not like that One UI 7 seemingly eliminated the nook swipe set off for AI assistants, however Gemini has confirmed itself to be a really succesful substitute for Google Assistant and a substitute for Bixby.
One UI 7 is simply the primary main replace for the Galaxy Z Flip 6. One UI 8 is on the way in which and already in beta for the Galaxy S25 sequence. With Android 16, Samsung is bringing upgrades to options like AI Choose, Reminders and Routines, Auracast, and extra.
There have already been three betas for One UI 8, though thus far this system has but to make it to the Galaxy Z Flip 6. That stated, with steady Android 16 already obtainable for the Pixel and the upcoming launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 7, we count on Samsung to increase the replace in some kind comparatively quickly.
The digital camera makes the most effective of its limitations
“I used to be glad to study Samsung upgraded the first digital camera to a 50MP sensor. Whereas I can not say now whether or not it is considerably higher than its predecessor, I am fairly happy with the outcome. Photographs have loads of distinction, depth, and vibrancy.”
Derrek Lee, ‘Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 evaluation’
Flip telephone cameras aren’t identified to be significantly nice and are usually restricted to only two sensors. Samsung continues to make the most effective of the state of affairs, significantly on the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s upgraded 50MP main digital camera. As I famous in my evaluation, I stay happy with the photographs from the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Extra not too long ago, I in contrast Galaxy Z Flip 6 photographs to the brand new Motorola Razr Extremely 2025, and Samsung’s flip telephone managed to maintain up in most conditions. The colour temperature is barely cooler, however photographs can look very comparable between the 2 in good lighting circumstances. I discover the Razr Extremely photographs to be a large achievement for Motorola, however the truth that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 can sustain can be spectacular.
Picture 1 of 20
The variations principally lie in zoom high quality and low-light. Digital zoom high quality truly considerably compensates for the dearth of a telephoto digital camera. Whereas each telephones provide lossless zoom at 2x, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 takes the lead at increased zoom ranges, sustaining a very good stage of element even at 10x, whereas the Razr Extremely struggles.
Then there are low-light and nighttime photographs. Samsung does its greatest to brighten up photographs, which might typically lead to first rate photographs. Nonetheless, it could additionally overdo it, and pictures will come out pretty noisy, and consequently, photographs can look worse than these taken on the Razr Extremely 2025.
However past image high quality, I’ve loved truly utilizing the cameras. The flip telephone kind issue enhances your digital camera expertise with its versatility, permitting you to seize selfies from the duvet display or enter Camcorder Mode for fast, straightforward, and steady video recording.
Sadly, Samsung continues to cover a ton of helpful digital camera settings in its Digital camera Assistant app, which does not come preinstalled. It might be nice if we might see these options built-in out of the field for present and future telephones, particularly a 2x button and Auto HDR, permitting Galaxy Z Flip 7 house owners to get essentially the most out of their cameras.
Cowl display wins and losses
“As anticipated, my expertise with the Galaxy Z Flip 6 cowl display has been blended. Samsung continues to hinder the duvet display expertise in the identical ways in which it did with the Galaxy Z Flip 5.”
Derrek Lee, ‘Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 evaluation’
The duvet display expertise on Samsung’s Z Flip sequence has come a great distance, significantly for the reason that introduction of the Z Flip 5. The three.4-inch exterior show carried over to the Z Flip 6, giving customers extra strong cowl display panels, messaging, full digital camera previews, and extra. But, regardless of having all this room for actions, Samsung nonetheless hides and hinders its greatest cowl display options.
Earlier this yr, I examined the Z Flip 6 and Razr Plus 2024 to see how I’d fare utilizing solely the duvet display for twenty-four hours. Unsurprisingly, the Razr Plus supplied a a lot better expertise, because of the bigger 4-inch display, the power to make use of apps out of the field, cowl display multitasking, a extra linked expertise general on the subject of app transitions throughout shows, and the way in which notifications are dealt with.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is sadly hindered by its smaller and awkwardly formed show and the truth that using apps on the duvet display remains to be not “formally” supported. If you wish to use apps on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 cowl display, you should undergo Good Lock to allow an app panel, and even then, the expertise feels half-baked.
The duvet display is proscribed to the Samsung Keyboard, and it occupies almost your complete display when in use. Multitasking is non-existent, so it’s a must to totally exit an app earlier than opening one other. Moreover, Samsung’s determination to keep away from inserting the cameras on the duvet panel leads to an ungainly display form, and the expertise of utilizing apps feels a bit claustrophobic.
In my expertise, the dearth of apps on the duvet display hasn’t been a dealbreaker for individuals who I’ve met who use the Z Flip 5 or 6. In actual fact, after I present them that they can add apps, it feels extra like a pleasant bonus for them, which considerably works in Samsung’s favor.
That stated, it is not all dangerous, and there have been indicators that Samsung is studying. As talked about earlier, the duvet display permits some distinctive digital camera methods that you just will not discover on a standard candybar telephone. Samsung additionally added a brand new button with One UI 7 that considerably streamlines the choice so as to add cowl display apps, which is a step in the best path.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 remains to be nice, however what comes subsequent?
A yr later, I nonetheless desire Motorola’s Razr sequence to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6. That stated, it stays a fantastic alternative for flip telephone lovers, reminiscent of myself. It is a sturdy, well-built telephone with spectacular specs and loads of useful and enjoyable AI options. I additionally love One UI 7, and I am not afraid to confess that I might relatively have it on the Razr than Motorola’s Hiya UX. Plus, with 7 years of updates, the telephone ought to present loads of worth for years to come back as new options and capabilities are added over time.
And with Amazon Prime Day proper across the nook, it is by no means been a greater time to snag one at a reduction, as there are already some fairly spectacular Samsung offers on the market, particularly if you would like a 512GB Z Flip 6.
Nonetheless, it is clear that this was a yr of refinement, with the Z Flip 6 providing pretty minor upgrades or adjustments when in comparison with its predecessor. That is why evaluating the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Razr Plus 2024 wasn’t as cut-and-dry as you’d count on. One was a notable step ahead that basically targeted on design and the duvet display expertise, whereas the opposite was extra of a spec bump that targeted extra on efficiency. That is why it looks like there’s a lot driving on the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7, as it could lastly introduce the options we have been hoping for.
Moreover, Samsung is predicted to introduce the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, which is rumored to be a extra reasonably priced flip telephone choice (at the least in comparison with the Z Flip 7). If rumors are appropriate, this telephone might provide a virtually similar design to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, albeit with an Exynos chipset, which might complicate the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s place within the lineup.
Nonetheless, if getting the most recent and biggest Samsung telephone is not for you, I am assured that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will probably be greater than enough for many customers, even in 2025.
For extra information and data on Samsung’s upcoming foldables, take a look at our Final Information.
