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 cell tech house.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 launch is true across the nook, and we’re anticipating some fairly notable modifications and upgrades to Samsung’s subsequent flip cellphone. With rumored options like a bigger cowl display screen, a thinner chassis, a bigger battery, and a extra highly effective chipset, the Z Flip 7 may very well be a major improve over the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Nonetheless, with the brand new mannequin on the horizon, I assumed I would check out the Galaxy Z Flip 6 to see the way it has held up over the previous 12 months. Whereas I have been predominantly fixated on final 12 months’s Razr Plus 2024 and this 12 months’s Razr Extremely, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 stays one in every of my favourite flip telephones from Samsung, due to its strong {hardware} and dependable software program expertise.
Listed below are my largest takeaways utilizing the Galaxy Z Flip 6 over the previous 12 months and the way I hope the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will enhance on an already spectacular cellphone.
One UI 7 transforms this cellphone
“… Drawing Help… is numerous enjoyable to make use of and won’t solely add some pretty practical and amusing pictures to your pictures through Sketch to Picture however can even flip your doodles into entertaining ‘artistic endeavors’ that solely a mom might love.”
Derrek Lee, ‘Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 overview’
When the Galaxy Z Flip 6 launched, it was operating One UI 6 based mostly on Android 14, which was a fairly strong improve that introduced modifications 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 modifications with a revamped fast settings/notification panel, reside 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 very new cellphone in lower than a 12 months since its launch.
The cellphone additionally has tons of AI options that work fairly effectively on the marginally older chip. Photograph enhancing is a breeze, you may simply translate complete conversations, and the cellphone handles AI-generated content material effectively, from textual content summaries to pictures. Drawing Help stays one in every of my favourite options, as you may remodel pictures into practically something (inside motive) 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 alternative for Google Assistant and a substitute for Bixby.
One UI 7 is barely the primary main replace for the Galaxy Z Flip 6. One UI 8 is on the best way 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 secure Android 16 already out there for the Pixel and the approaching launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 7, we anticipate Samsung to increase the replace in some type comparatively quickly.
The digital camera makes one of the best of its limitations
“I used to be comfortable to study Samsung upgraded the first digital camera to a 50MP sensor. Whereas I am unable to say now whether or not it is considerably higher than its predecessor, I am fairly happy with the consequence. Pictures have loads of distinction, depth, and vibrancy.”
Derrek Lee, ‘Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 overview’
Flip cellphone cameras aren’t identified to be notably nice and are usually restricted to simply two sensors. Samsung continues to make one of the best of the scenario, notably on the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s upgraded 50MP major digital camera. As I famous in my overview, I stay happy with the photographs from the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Extra lately, I in contrast Galaxy Z Flip 6 pictures to the brand new Motorola Razr Extremely 2025, and Samsung’s flip cellphone managed to maintain up in most conditions. The colour temperature is barely cooler, however pictures can look very related between the 2 in good lighting circumstances. I discover the Razr Extremely pictures to be an enormous achievement for Motorola, however the truth that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 can sustain can also 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 shortage of a telephoto digital camera. Whereas each telephones supply lossless zoom at 2x, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 takes the lead at larger zoom ranges, sustaining a superb stage of element even at 10x, whereas the Razr Extremely struggles.
Then there are low-light and nighttime pictures. Samsung does its finest to brighten up pictures, which may typically lead to first rate pictures. Nonetheless, it could possibly additionally overdo it, and pictures will come out pretty noisy, and consequently, pictures 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 cellphone type issue enhances your digital camera expertise with its versatility, permitting you to seize selfies from the duvet display screen or enter Camcorder Mode for fast, simple, and secure 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 could 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 screen wins and losses
“As anticipated, my expertise with the Galaxy Z Flip 6 cowl display screen has been combined. Samsung continues to hinder the duvet display screen expertise in the identical ways in which it did with the Galaxy Z Flip 5.”
Derrek Lee, ‘Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 overview’
The duvet display screen expertise on Samsung’s Z Flip sequence has come a great distance, notably 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 sturdy cowl display screen panels, messaging, full digital camera previews, and extra. But, regardless of having all this room for actions, Samsung nonetheless hides and hinders its finest cowl display screen options.
Earlier this 12 months, I examined the Z Flip 6 and Razr Plus 2024 to see how I’d fare utilizing solely the duvet display screen for twenty-four hours. Unsurprisingly, the Razr Plus supplied a a lot better expertise, due to the bigger 4-inch display screen, the power to make use of apps out of the field, cowl display screen multitasking, a extra related expertise total in relation to app transitions throughout shows, and the best way notifications are dealt with.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is sadly hindered by its smaller and awkwardly formed show and the truth that the usage of apps on the duvet display screen remains to be not “formally” supported. If you wish to use apps on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 cowl display screen, you need to undergo Good Lock to allow an app panel, and even then, the expertise feels half-baked.
The duvet display screen is proscribed to the Samsung Keyboard, and it occupies practically the complete display screen when in use. Multitasking is non-existent, so you must absolutely exit an app earlier than opening one other. Moreover, Samsung’s resolution to keep away from putting the cameras on the duvet panel ends in a clumsy display screen form, and the expertise of utilizing apps feels a bit claustrophobic.
In my expertise, the shortage of apps on the duvet display screen 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 screen permits some distinctive digital camera tips that you just will not discover on a standard candybar cellphone. Samsung additionally added a brand new button with One UI 7 that considerably streamlines the choice so as to add cowl display screen apps, which is a step in the suitable path.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 remains to be nice, however what comes subsequent?
A 12 months later, I nonetheless want Motorola’s Razr sequence to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6. That stated, it stays a fantastic alternative for flip cellphone lovers, reminiscent of myself. It is a sturdy, well-built cellphone 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 would reasonably have it on the Razr than Motorola’s Whats up UX. Plus, with 7 years of updates, the cellphone ought to present loads of worth for years to return 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 in order for you a 512GB Z Flip 6.
Nonetheless, it is clear that this was a 12 months of refinement, with the Z Flip 6 providing pretty minor upgrades or modifications 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 anticipate. One was a notable step ahead that basically centered on design and the duvet display screen expertise, whereas the opposite was extra of a spec bump that centered extra on efficiency. That is why it seems like there’s a lot using on the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7, as it could lastly introduce the options we have been hoping for.
Moreover, Samsung is anticipated to introduce the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, which is rumored to be a extra inexpensive flip cellphone possibility (a minimum of in comparison with the Z Flip 7). If rumors are appropriate, this cellphone might supply an almost 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 cellphone is not for you, I am assured that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 shall be greater than ample for many customers, even in 2025.
For extra information and data on Samsung’s upcoming foldables, take a look at our Final Information.
