The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 finally has a 50MP camera & AI tools, so what?

The first thing that caught my eye with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 were the cameras.

Though it looks similar to its predecessor, Samsung has taken measures to make the camera lenses more protected. Or at least, that’s how it appears to me. 

The bulkier coloured rims matched its baby blue body and reminded me of Minions from the Universal Studios film. But aside from that, appearance-wise it looks much like the previous Flip5. 

I haven’t used a flip phone since the iPhone was invented, but I do miss the appeal of it. Being able to slam your phone shut after an argument just hits different, so I was excited to see what the latest Z Flip6 offered.

The Flex Hinge leaves no gaps to be seen (goodbye dusty screens) and the crease is still visible but not very noticeable when the phone’s lit up. The Flex Window still sports a 3.4” AMOLED cover screen that has a refresh rate of 60Hz, while the main display remains at a size of 6.7”.

This isn’t necessarily bad because the screens are large enough for its use. Some users on Reddit were hoping that it would get an upgrade, but I believe bigger isn’t always better. Because in this case, bigger would defeat its purpose.

Something old, something new

The cover screen isn’t meant to substitute the main display. Having used the Flip6 for two weeks now, I can report that relying too heavily on it wouldn’t make much sense, nor would it be very efficient. 

Samsung’s settings only allow a select few apps to be used on the Flex Window. Even if you use another application to bypass this (like I did with Samsung’s Good Lock), you’ll quickly realise how impractical it is. 

The main reason is that not all of the applications are optimised to run on the cover screen.

It also heats up quite fast if you’re using it for more than 15 minutes at a go, even faster if you’re using the camera. So you probably shouldn’t be relying on it to complete all your tasks.

Nonetheless, the Flex Window is still a nifty tool if you want to stay informed without risking distractions. I was able to expand and read important emails, check my calendar schedule for the day, and quickly reply to urgent WhatsApp messages. 

Specs-wise, the main upgrade for the Flip6 is its rear camera. It’s equipped with a 50MP rear lens, which means you can take more detailed shots than the previous Galaxy Z Flip5. 

But when comparing the two side-by-side, I’ll say that I don’t notice much difference. It’s only upon zooming into them that I found the 50MP lens produced a less grainy image. 

If you’re only taking photos to upload on the ‘Gram, though, this might suit your lifestyle just fine.

AI seems to be the way of the future

Much like all of Samsung’s recent releases, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6’s selling point is its new AI features.

For one, the camera app on the Flex Window now has an Auto Zoom function that adjusts itself to take the ideal shot. Or as ideal as the artificial intelligence thinks it is. So if you’re too far away from the camera, it’ll automatically zoom in to your face for a close-up. 

Samsung states that it’s a combination of optical quality 2x zoom and AI zoom. We tested this out in the office at different distances and I’ll say it’s not the most consistent. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. 

The maximum zoom I’ve managed to get it to is 3.3x, but Samsung claims that it can actually go up to 10x. This can be switched off for times when you actually want the background in the frame, like during travels at landmark sites.

Another cool feature in the Flip6 is its FlexCam Photography where you can grip it like an old-school camcorder. 

All you have to do is open up the phone halfway and have the camera turned on. The phone will automatically detect this and switch the interface to an optimised camcorder grip that’s great for video recording. 

Here, you’ll find the viewfinder on the top half of the phone, while the other half has your controls. Samsung has also included an intuitive zoom control next to the on-screen shutter button. This allows you to zoom in and out smoothly, just like you would with a traditional camcorder.

I don’t usually film videos often, but it’s a nifty option to have when filming one-handed. The phone weighing 187g isn’t a setback either so long as you have a comfortable grip.

Furthermore, the Galaxy Z Flip6 has AI Chat Assist that helps when communicating with others. For example, it can turn your dry messages into something that’s more tone-fitting to the conversation with the “Writing Style” option.

There’s also the “Composer” option which reminds me a lot of ChatGPT. You just need to insert an idea (like a prompt) and the Galaxy AI will come up with the words for you. 

I can imagine dozens of scenarios where this Chat Assist can be helpful. But I’m still someone who prefers expressing myself in my own words, so I didn’t use it much.

Verdict

Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (another upgrade from the previous model), the phone’s enhanced processing speed and connectivity didn’t disappoint. It didn’t cause any issues and easily connected to WiFi and mobile data. 

The battery lasted decently as well as my daily driver thanks to its larger 4,000mAh size. I only had to charge it once a day before bed and it would juice up within 1.5 hours.

There’s a certain nostalgic and special charm to this Galaxy Z Flip6 that some might value. 

Personally, it’s helped me to reduce my phone usage as the mechanics of the flip serve as a physical “time out”. I felt less inclined to pick up the phone out of sheer habit, making each mobile session more intentional.

The phone also feels like more than just a device to stay connected with others. The novelty of the phone (to me at least) made it feel almost like an accessory, just like a handbag or necklace.

All that said, the high price of RM4,999 can be a huge deterrent for some. But if you’re looking for a less conventional smartphone that’s more than just a daily driver, then the Galaxy Z Flip6 definitely delivers.

• Read other articles we’ve written about Samsung here.
• Learn more about Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 here.

VP Verdict is a series where we personally try and test out products, services, fads, and apps. Want to suggest something else for us to try? Leave a comment here or send the suggestion to our Facebook page.