Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Wait for the Z Fold 6?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is undeniably one of the most technologically advanced devices on the market today. It's a smartphone that transforms into a tablet, offering the best of both worlds in a single, sleek gadget. Samsung has been at the forefront of perfecting foldable and flip phone technology, with many competitors like OnePlus and Google following suit. However, the Galaxy Z Fold series stands out as a top contender if you're in the market for the best folding smartphone.

But should you purchase the Z Fold 5 now or wait for the upcoming Z Fold 6? Let's delve into the details to help you make an informed decision.

Design is critical for any foldable phone. It needs to look good and have a robust mechanism to withstand the countless folds it will undergo over its lifetime. Samsung has mastered this with the Z Fold series, and we don't expect any major deviations with the Z Fold 6. However, there are rumors of subtle yet significant design changes in Z Fold 6.

The Z Fold 6 is expected to be slightly shorter and wider than the Z Fold 5. This change could address some complaints about the Z Fold 5's long and narrow cover display, which has a 23.1:9 aspect ratio that can feel awkward for watching videos and other media. The Z Fold 6 is rumored to adopt a more conventional 20:9 aspect ratio, which could make it more user-friendly.

Performance-wise, the Z Fold 6 is anticipated to feature the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, following in the footsteps of the Galaxy S24 series. While this chip will undoubtedly offer improved performance and power efficiency, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Z Fold 5 is already capable of easily handling demanding tasks and 3D games. Therefore, the difference in real-world performance may be mild.

In terms of storage, leaks about the Z Fold 6 suggests that offer the same options as the Z Fold 5: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. RAM is expected to remain at 12GB. This will provide ample capacity for multitasking and running intensive applications.

Samsung's Z Fold series may not be its flagship for photography but the Z Fold 5 still boasts impressive camera capabilities. It features a triple-lens rear camera system with a 50MP main lens, a 10MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. The cover display has a 10MP selfie camera and a 4MP under-display camera on the inner screen.

While the Z Fold 6's camera specs are still under wraps, we can expect incremental improvements. The primary focus of the Z Fold series remains its versatility and innovation in form factor rather than leading-edge camera technology.

Battery life is critical for any foldable device, given the large internal display that demands significant power. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 houses a 4,400mAh battery, which is expected to see a slight increase in the Z Fold 6. Reports suggest an additional 200mAh, coupled with the more power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, could result in noticeable improvements in battery longevity.

One area where Samsung could significantly improve is the charging speed. The Z Fold 5's 25W charging is relatively slow for a high-end device. While there is no concrete evidence yet, we hope Samsung will enhance the charging capabilities of the Z Fold 6.

Both the Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 6 will run on Samsung's One UI, based on Android, ensuring a similar user experience.

Here are the rumored software updates for Galaxy Z Fold 6:

• Android 14: Both phones will likely run the latest Android version.
• One UI: Samsung's custom interface ensures a similar user experience on both devices.
• Galaxy AI: This feature is coming to the Z Fold 5 anyway.
• Update Advantage: The Z Fold 6 might receive software updates for an additional two years thanks to Samsung's extended commitment (7 years vs. 5 years for Z Fold 5).

Typically, Samsung unveils its new Z Fold models in August. However, rumors indicate that the Z Fold 6 might be released in July, to coincide with the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. This strategic timing could lead to early discounts on the Z Fold 5, making it a more attractive purchase if you want to save money.