A New Era for Flip Phones? Samsung Flip 5 vs Flip 6 Differences

As the latest launch onto the flip phone market with its unique cover screen, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 was one of the big announcements of the July 2024 Galaxy Unpacked show, where the Z Fold 6, Galaxy Watch 7, Buds3 Series, and Galaxy Ring were also launched.

Made to rival the likes of the Motorola Razr and Oppo Find, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 builds on the success of the Flip 5. While the latest device features a similar design with minimal changes, such as a faster processor and better battery life, is it worth upgrading to the newest of Samsung's Flip phones?

Keep reading as we explore the key differences between the two latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip models available right now, and whether new foldable phones are really worth the investment.

Design, Performance, & Specs: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs 5

Does the $100 higher price tag of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 make it a worthwhile purchase if you already have the Flip 5? Find out what to expect in terms of key specs, design, performance, and camera quality below as we compare the two models.

Performance

In terms of performance, the key difference between the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and 5 devices lies in their battery life. At 3,700 mAh vs 4000 mAh, the Flip 6 offers an extra 300 mAh of battery capacity, which is a significant upgrade compared to older models.

This longer battery life means that users can watch videos for 23 hours, or listen to music for a huge 68 hours, without having to use the reverse wireless charging feature that both devices share.

The Flip 6 also features a new, cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor upgraded from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip used in the Flip 5, which appears in the Galaxy S24 Ultra too.

The processor provides advanced central and graphic processing units, as well as a new vapour chamber cooling system that enhances the device's overall multi-core performance by almost 40%. This is an especially beneficial new feature for gamers looking for a new flip phone to play on.

While the 256 and 512 GB storage options remain the same, the Flip 6 delivers an extra 4GB RAM, taking it up to 12GB to reduce lag and improve loading speeds. Plus, enjoy 7 years of software support and operating system updates vs just 4 years for the Galaxy Z Flip 5, along with the latest Android 14 version and Samsung's One UI software.

Design

Samsung's overall design choices have remained pretty much the same with the Z Flip 6 and 5. The two devices have the same physical size, with outer displays that look almost identical, measuring 6.9mm thick when unfolded and 14.9mm folded.

The Flip 6 also sports the same 3.4-inch cover screen and Flex Window that's a signature of Samsung's flip phone range, which runs at the same 60Hz speed.

However, the Flip 6 is built with a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 material, making the hinge mechanism slightly more durable than the older model when in Flex Mode. This thicker, more scratch-resistant glass also makes the crease across the middle of the main screen a lot less noticeable, though Samsung haven't yet been able to completely eliminate it.

Another improvement is the brighter screen, which offers a maximum brightness of 1172 nits compared with the Flip 5's 827, alongside an improved minimum brightness. This makes it much easier to use both outdoors and in the dark.

When it comes to protection, both the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and 5 offer the same level of water resistance, meaning that they're designed to survive submersion in up to 5 feet of water for 30 minutes.

However, the Flip 6 also has a new IP48 dust protection rating compared to the older IPX8, which is a first for Samsung phones. This keeps the new model safe from scratches caused by large dust particles sized over 1mm.

It also features a cleaner and more stylish matte finish on the outside, with a variety of new colour options to suit your personal style, including:

• Mint
• Blue
• Yellow
• Silver Shadow
• White (online exclusive)
• Peach (online exclusive)
• Crafted Black (online exclusive)

Galaxy AI

Although originally launched on the S24 series, Samsung's take on artificial intelligence with Galaxy AI was also introduced to the Z Flip 5 in March 2024.

A few new features have been announced for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, but not as many as we would have hoped for.

Many of these features are conveniently designed to be used on the FlexWindow, allowing you to check information from multiple Widgets simultaneously and get the most out of your pocket-sized device without even having to open the screen. This includes the following:

• Photo Ambient: This customises your wallpaper based on the time of day and weather wherever you are. You can also view suggested screen layout options to create a more unified look, including changing the frame colour or moving the clock.
• Auto-zoom: The new Galaxy camera feature automatically finds the best framing for your shot and then adjusts the zoom level, which happens completely hands-free.
• Suggested Replies: Chat Assist will analyse your latest messages and come up with a list of Suggested Replies. You can then quickly send your response from the FlexWindow, without needing to type.
• Interpreter App: While not exclusive to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, this new and improved feature makes communication easier by allowing translations to appear on the outer screen.

Camera System

Both the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and 5 feature the same dual 12 MP camera system, which consists of main and ultra-wide cameras.

The key difference with Samsung's new model is the new 50 MP main camera, which offers better camera quality with more realistic colours and enhanced details. The white balance also delivers enhanced tones, while the 2x optical quality zoom is designed to take stunning portraits at a 50mm focal length, which is often used in professional photography.

Plus, the rings around both the ultra-wide and main camera are painted the same colour as the handset, making the design much more sleek and seamless too.

Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs Flip 5: Worth the Investment?

While the shortage of new AI and design features may be a slight disappointment, Samsung have certainly enhanced the performance of their Galaxy Z Flip range with a larger battery, more RAM, enhanced cameras, and advanced processing units.

For lovers of the Flip series or those who don't yet own a foldable phone, the Flip 6 therefore certainly makes a nice upgrade if you're willing to pay the $1,799 price tag.

Protect your investment from accidental bumps, scratches, cracks, and drops today with a high-quality Samsung Galaxy Z Flip case from Ghostek. 

Browse our range of pocket-friendly, shockproof phone cases that combine sleek design with best-in-class engineering, offering everything from durable shock-absorbing technologies to military-grade drop protection for your new phone.