“I’ve wanted this since the start!” – Z Fold 5 user reacts to Galaxy Z Fold 6 leaks،
So I've gravitated toward foldable and dual-screen phones in recent years. The dual-screen Surface Duo, (almost) every generation of Galaxy Z Fold, quality time with the Google Pixel folding and Oppo Find N2…
I currently chose the latest version Samsung Galaxy Z fold 5, and it's been over a month, but I still love the experience. The honeymoon period is fast approaching.
However, it would be a lie to claim that this is the perfect foldable, especially considering the few things that the competition from Oppo and Google have actually improved on.
So you can imagine I had a reaction when leaks for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 started pouring in, seemingly suggesting that these drawbacks would be resolved and that Samsung would not only catch up, but beat the new competition, in terms of design . …
Finally, should the screen aspect ratio have been this way from the start? Here's why it's very important
Z Fold 5 (right) next to the wider OnePlus Open
In addition to sharper edges, making it closer to other current Samsung flagships like the S24 Ultra, the next Galaxy Z Fold will finally be wider, according to several leaks, including Ice Universe.
If you've never used a Z Fold – you've seen photos – it's a very narrow phone shaped like a candy bar when closed. People like to pretend everything is fine, and even I got upset for a while, but it's not.
Android apps aren't designed for screens that narrow and tall, and don't look as “normal” as you'd like. The touch keyboard experience is also minimal, which really discourages typing on the exterior screen.
When I occasionally put down my Z fold 5 and take my iPhone 15 Plus, it's like a breath of fresh air – a thin, wide phone, where apps look normal? I want this for the Z Fold too!
And luckily, after 5 generations, Samsung is finally tackling this problem. If some of the Z Fold 6 spec leaks are to be believed, we could get a 20:9 aspect ratio on the exterior display.
This change would make the Z-fold 6 feel much closer to a “normal” phone, when closed, than any previous generation. For reference, the iPhone 15 Plus I mentioned that it has a screen aspect ratio of 19.5:9, which is pretty close to 20:9.
So if this rumor is true, Z-fold 6 Users won't need to settle for apps that are too narrow or too bulky, but will enjoy a traditional app experience when using their phone closed. Finally!
This is a big, big deal!
Again, I can't stress this enough: on the current Z Fold, you either use its outer screen and get squashed, ultra-tall apps with tiny text and images, or you use the inner foldable screen and get huge and wide applications. often not designed for this screen size. You never get a “normal” app experience. Both options are not ideal.
So let's hope that the leaks are actually true and that Samsung fixes this glaring problem with the Z-fold 6. I am optimistic!
A thinner design to compete with the stack of competing foldables from Oppo and OnePlus? Although, to be honest…
The Z Fold 6 should lose a few kilos compared to what we know
According to some leaks, and according to our own expectations knowing Samsung, the Z-fold 6 will become thinner. About 11 millimeters thick when folded, to be precise, which would make it closer to feeling like a regular phone in your pocket, and not so much like a candy bar. Losing more than 2 millimeters on an already surprisingly thin foldable is impressive, but Samsung must continue to find clever engineering tricks to get thinner, as growing competition already offers thinner options.
But I will be real – at least once unfolded, the current Z fold 5 is already incredibly thin. Obviously it's a different story when you close it, but this slimmer design, along with the wider aspect ratio, both paint a nice picture of a significant generational update. I'm eager to !
No S Pen? No problem! Let me explain…
Galaxy Z Fold 5 with S Pen case
There was a period during the lifespan of previous Z Folds where we foldable phone fans were hoping Samsung would find a way to include a pluggable S Pen with the phone, but that doesn't seem to be a possibility anymore. realistic expectations.
Samsung naturally continues to try to make this foldable thinner, and it's already an engineering marvel; it's already incredibly thin. Room for a stylus? There isn't, and I suspect there never will be.
Here's why that's not a problem: Samsung has always given us the option to use a stylus, just buy the Z Fold's stylus case, which comes with both a special S Pen with soft tip and a location for it. If you're in the minority of S Pen users, you have the option.
Personally, I don't see myself having a great experience using a stylus on a foldable phone with a fold, but then again, I don't even use my Apple Pencil. I guess I'm just not a stylus guy.
However, for those who are, you can use one. It's just… you know, optional. Because thinness wins now, and Samsung naturally wants to focus on that.
He's already solved the riddle of “how to operate a foldable phone with a stylus, without scratching”, that's pretty impressive.
Better speakers, please! Come on, Samsung…
Galaxy Z Fold 5 speaker grille
I purchased the Samsung kickstand case for my Galaxy Z fold 5. You know why? Because I love the idea of taking this thing out of my pocket, unfolding it and using it as a portable TV (or tablet, to be more in tune with the times).
I like to watch YouTube, for example, while eating dinner, and obviously my hands are quite busy; I can't hold the phone at the same time, so a kickstand for this big phone is a must, I believe.
And you'd think it's the perfect phone for watching content because it's foldable and offers a large screen, but Samsung found a way to disappoint me – by giving it mediocre speakers.
The sound isn't poor, let me be clear, it's just mediocre and nowhere near as punchy as an iPhone. And the iPhone only has one bottom speaker; THE Z fold 5 has stereo speakers, and it still delivers lower sound.
Where's the punch, where's the power, Samsung? It's such a missed opportunity not to give the Z fold 5 the kind of speakers that can at least rival an iPhone. It should not be acceptable to let down the sound quality of a phone that many would use to watch content.
There are no leaks suggesting that Samsung will improve in this area with the Z-fold 6but I hope that if more people complain about it, sooner or later we will see a positive change in this area.
I'm excited about the Z Fold 6, it's not a small upgrade
Z Fold 5 (right) next to the wider OnePlus Open – a form factor I hope the Z Fold 6 will be closer to
So – a larger, more traditional outer screen, a thinner, more “normal panel” build, a slightly larger battery, and hopefully some other improvements that we don’t know about yet…
THE Galaxy Z-fold 6 is shaping up to be a significant update, finally making Samsung's foldable feel like a “normal” phone when used folded.
As I said earlier, it matters a lot. You can't get a traditional app experience on a current Z Fold – apps are either tall and narrow, difficult to read and write, or explode somewhere between a phone and a tablet. It's the same with the feel of the phone in your hand or pocket, when folded: it's unusually thick and narrow.
But the Z-fold 6 is gearing up to fix all of this, making this an important and long overdue upgrade in my eyes. And as a foldable phone enthusiast, I couldn't be more excited about it!
If you're curious, we're expecting its reveal in July, so there are still many months to wait. Stay tuned for more inevitable leaks in the meantime!
Also – share your thoughts – are you excited about the Galaxy Z-fold 6? Are you considering another foldable phone right now?
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