Just five years into the foldable revolution ?

it's clear that two camps have evolved. While plenty of power users have found their dream devices in the OnePlus Open or Google Pixel Fold, others want to make their smartphones smaller, not bigger. That's where clamshells come in. Over the past year, we've seen phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr+ bring a full app experience to the outer display while housing large folding panels inside. We expect things to get even more impressive in 2024.The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is set to be officially unveiled sometime this year, and we've already heard rumors about what the company's next flippable foldable will be. Whether you're ready to take the plunge into a new form factor or looking forward to upgrading from an older model, here's everything you need to know about the Galaxy Z Flip 6.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Design and Specs ?

While the Galaxy Z Flip 5 wasn't a complete refresh for the series, Samsung made the biggest change to the lineup thanks to its wider front display. The cover screen, dubbed Flex Window, features over a dozen smartwatch-esque widgets with the ability to run the apps you need through Good Lock. These tools let you keep the device closed for most tasks, eliminating one of our biggest complaints about this form factor. With the Galaxy Z Flip 6, early renders seem like the company isn't shaking things up. As with traditional slab phones, there's a lot you can do with a clamshell. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold series, which needs a design revamp in 2024, Samsung's efforts with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 seem to be enough to satisfy most fans for a few years.

That doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement ?

From the outside of the phone, a large Flex Window display would do wonders. If the company can expand beyond its current boundaries, users will get a better app experience than what we saw on the Flip 5. While the rest of the design is largely in place, we'd like to see Samsung go back to a matte finish to prevent the phone from being covered in fingerprints. Unfortunately, it seems the big screen isn't a guarantee; Likewise, we'll have to wait for real-world leaks to know about its glass finish.

We expect Samsung to make big changes to its hinges again. Although the Z Flip 5 is the company's first product to fold flat, it lacks a prominent crease on OnePlus and Motorola phones. Samsung has rested on its laurels for far too long, and it's time to get back to driving development. These are all pipe dreams and pure speculation on our part. What we do know about Samsung's next-generation foldable is its attempt to dustproof the devices, finally bringing IP68 certification to the flexible gadgets. It's a work in progress, though the company's previous comments about dustproofing make it clear that it will take some time before this goal is pulled off.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 render Source: SmartPrix ?

Glasses are a different beast. Not that we have insider knowledge but Samsung is predictable when it comes to this sort of thing. Look for a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, 8GB of RAM and a starting storage capacity of 256GB. The latter two points are given considering the specs of this model's predecessor, and so far, Exynos processors have not been used in the brand's foldables. If Samsung listens, we'd love to see a 1TB version of the Flip 6 At least, a bigger battery seems to be a given

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Software ?

Although we expect the Galaxy Z Flip 6 to arrive by late summer (the usual window for new versions of Android), this phone won't be running Android 15. Instead, buyers will be treated to Android 14 and One UI 6.1. A quick upgrade after Google's new OS version is ready for primetime A UI 7 remains a mystery to us, but it will represent the first major update to the Flip 6 arriving in late 2024. It will likely bring Galaxy AI features, as we've seen on other 2024 Samsung flagships. Speaking of upgrades, Samsung expects the Galaxy S24 lineup to match its promise of seven years of OS upgrades and security patches. It will keep buyers satisfied through 2031 - certainly retaining the hardware.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Camera ?

None of Samsung's foldables are known for having particularly good cameras, but that goes double for its clamshell lineup. With the Galaxy Z Flip 6, it's hard to imagine how that will change. Bigger sensors require more space for better cameras, and that's not available on the Z Flip series as it stands today. You need a complete redesign or an awkward OnePlus-style camera bump to include better hardware. That's not to say new software tricks didn't show up with the Galaxy Z Flip 6. One of the best things about this phone is the flexibility of the device when it comes to shooting from odd angles. This is a major focus of most of the company's advertising. Whether Samsung can add to its arsenal of software tricks in 2024 remains to be seen. Considering the focus on AI techniques with the Galaxy S24 series, anything is possible.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Price and Release Date ?

We will keep this short and simple. Look for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 to debut alongside its bigger sibling in July, possibly in an earlier slot than last year's smartphone. Samsung is like clockwork when it comes to product launches (a few weeks or so), and we don't expect to see anything different this year. As for the price, we'd be surprised if Samsung trended above the $1,000 mark for this phone. Keeping foldables in the triple-digit space is essential to the growth of this market segment, especially when companies like Motorola introduce rivals for sale as low as $500. These remain premium phones and we wouldn't be surprised if the company moves in that direction.