Samsung has been at the forefront of foldable phone technology with its Galaxy Z Fold series. To celebrate the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6, we explore the evolution of one of the industry’s most innovative and interesting devices to come out in recent years. We’re going to touch on the Fold’s hinge design and overall form factor as well as how Samsung has consistently made these devices thinner, sturdier, and more compact.
2019: Galaxy Fold – The Dawn of Foldables
The first Galaxy Fold, unveiled in February 2019 and released in September of that year, introduced the world to foldable phones. It unfolded to reveal a large, 7.3-inch tablet-like screen while remaining conveniently pocketable when folded. The inward folding hinge offered robust display protection and a familiar user experience akin to opening and closing a book. This pioneering device marked the beginning of a new category in mobile interaction – the ability to seamlessly switch between a phone and a tablet form factor. It is also the only device in the Galaxy Z Fold series to not feature the “Z” branding in its name.
2020: Galaxy Z Fold2 and Galaxy Z Flip – The Era of Flex Mode
The successor to the groundbreaking Fold arrived in 2020. The Galaxy Z Fold2 took foldables to the next level with an all-new, sophisticated, and refined design. The most notable feature was the Hideaway Hinge. This innovative hinge seamlessly connected the two halves of the smartphone while supporting stable folding and unfolding. It allowed users to position the Galaxy Z Fold2 at various angles, a feature known as Flex Mode, which was ideal for activities like taking selfies, making video calls, or using the phone hands-free while propped up.
The Hideaway Hinge wasn’t just about versatility; it was also thinner than the original Fold’s hinge. This contributed to the overall slimmer profile of the Z Fold2. Samsung also introduced Sweeper Technology with the Z Fold2. This ingenious solution addressed the potential issue of dust entering the gap between the hinge and the display, ensuring a smooth and protected foldable experience.
The Galaxy Z Flip, on the other hand, redefined the concept of a compact phone. When closed, it was incredibly pocketable, transforming into a surprisingly large display phone when unfolded. Both the Z Fold2 and Z Flip capitalised on the Flex Mode functionality, allowing users to capture selfies or video chat hands-free at different angles.
2021: Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 – Conquering Water Resistance
2021 marked a turning point for the Galaxy Z series. Both the Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 achieved breakthroughs that addressed major limitations of foldable phones.
The Z Fold3 conquered water resistance, a constant worry for foldable phone users. Samsung’s innovative engineering, with watertight seals and a special display coating, ensured the Z Fold3 could withstand everyday use. This achievement boosted user confidence and opened doors for wider foldable phone adoption.
The Z Flip3 continued the compact foldable phone legacy, but with a focus on user experience. Samsung significantly upgraded the cover screen, making it more functional for notifications, music control, and even selfies without unfolding the phone. They also prioritized durability, improving the hinge and display materials for a sturdier design. This refined Z Flip3 solidified its position as a powerful phone in a convenient form factor.
With these advancements, 2021 became a pivotal year for Samsung’s foldable phones. Their commitment to innovation paved the way for a future filled with even more exciting foldable advancements.
2022: Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4 – Thinner Folds and Enhanced Flips
The year 2022 saw Samsung refine the Galaxy Z series even further. Both the Z Fold4 and Z Flip4 received significant upgrades that addressed user concerns and pushed the boundaries of foldable phone technology.
The Z Fold4 impressed users with its slimmer profile. Compared to previous Z Fold models, the 2022 iteration boasted a significant reduction in weight and thickness. This improvement made the phone significantly more comfortable to hold and use in its unfolded state. The key to achieving this slimmer design was a redesigned hinge. Samsung likely employed innovative engineering techniques to create a hinge that was lighter and more compact, without compromising on durability or functionality.
The Z Flip4 continued the trend of the compact foldable phone with a focus on enhanced functionality. In August 2022, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip 4, solidifying the foldable phone’s position as the successor to the Galaxy Note line. While the focus was on internal improvements rather than a drastic redesign, the Z Flip 4 did see some subtle changes. The frame adopted a more squared-off look, the hinge became slimmer, and the phone itself had a slightly narrower and shorter footprint compared to the Z Flip 3.
2023: Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5 – The flex Hinge Revolution
The year 2023 saw exciting advancements in the Galaxy Z series, particularly for the Z Fold5. This iteration introduced the groundbreaking Flex Hinge, a revolutionary technology that addressed a major concern with foldable phones – the crease that appeared in the display when folded. The Flex Hinge promised a smoother and almost creaseless folding experience, significantly enhancing the usability of the Fold series. With a display that felt more natural when unfolded, the Z Fold5 offered a truly immersive user experience.
An improvement on its predecessors, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 retains many familiar features while boasting significant upgrades. Samsung claims the Z Flip 5 is 25 percent stronger than the Z Flip 4. It maintains the IPX8 water resistance rating but features a much larger 3.4-inch front display that even accommodates a full keyboard, making it considerably more functional.
2024: Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5 – Galaxy AI Cometh!
Now we come to the present day where Samsung has just lifted the lid off the latest Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series.
The Z Fold6 boasts a significant design refresh with a boxier look and a wider 6.3-inch external display. The internal screen remains 7.6 inches but gains width for better immersion. It features innovative AI features like real-time translation on the external display and AI-powered writing assistance. The powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip with 12GB RAM and up to 1TB of storage fuels the device, but the 4,400mAh battery with only 25W charging feels outdated. The camera system retains the familiar 50MP main sensor setup.
The Z Flip6 takes a more refined approach. It keeps the overall design but the cover screen can now support more apps. It finally gains an IP48 dust and water resistance rating. Internally, it upgrades to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip with 12GB of RAM and boasts a larger 512GB storage option. The battery capacity increases to 4,000mAh, but 25W charging remains. The camera system sees a noteworthy improvement with a new 50MP main sensor. Both Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 benefit from the Galaxy AI features, making them more functional and user-friendly foldables.
Looking to the future of the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series have come a long way since their inception in 2019. From the dawn of foldables with the Galaxy Fold to conquering water resistance with the Z Fold3 and Z Flip3, Samsung has consistently addressed user concerns and pushed the boundaries of foldable phone technology. The 2023 Z Fold5 introduced the revolutionary Flex Hinge, minimising the crease issue. Now, in 2024, the Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 continue the trend of innovation with a focus on AI features and user experience refinements. Samsung’s dedication to foldable phone development ensures an exciting future filled with even more groundbreaking advancements.
The Z Fold6 comes in Silver Shadow, Pink, and Navy for physical stores, with Crafted Black and White available online only. Prices start at RM7,299 for the 256GB variant, and pre-orders are open now with sales starting on 24th July. Whereas, the Z Flip6 comes in Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue, and Mint for physical stores, with Crafted Black, White, and Peach colours available online only. Prices start at RM4,999 for the 256GB variant, with pre-orders open now and sales starting on 24th July. You can check out our first impressions of both the new foldable smartphones here.
