The 6th-generation of Samsung’s iconic Flip phones is now finally on sale, and there are still special offers and deals available from various vendors to tempt you into upgrading to the world’s most powerful AI smartphone.
Although Google offers the “purest” Android experience, the most advanced Android experience in the world unquestionably comes from Samsung. It’s OneUI experience builds upon regular Android with a raft of additional features, not least of which is a panoply of AI features that Google isn’t yet offering, and which Apple has only started delivering in incomplete beta iOS 18.1 developer form, which is nowhere near ready for prime time, and which won’t be available when the next iPhones launch in sometime in September.
Samsung is describing its 2nd generation of AI features as “the next chapter of Galaxy AI”, and they are available on Samsung’s Flip6, and its smartphone which folds out into a tablet, the Fold6, but this article will focus on the Flip.
The video below contains my impressions of the Flip6, Fold6 and new Samsung Watch Ultra, so please take a look, after which is a look at the features the Flip6 offers, as well as local Australia pricing. I was recording on a 4K camera, but after a false start, I didn’t press the record button again on my Camtasia 2024 software, and this is the Zoom backup recording. For some reason Zoom recorded it in only 640 x 320, so I tried some upscaling software, but it’s still fuzzy. Even so… you can still hear and see my presentation, so please enjoy nevertheless!
The Samsung Galaxy Flip6 is an evolution of all the previous Flip models before it, stylish folding in half, without a gap where the screen actually folds, with a squared off design, better cameras, longer battery life, a stronger case, and even a vapour chamber to keep the phone as cool as possible, even while it is operating at maximum capacity when playing games.
Naturally Android 14 is installed, but aside from the design improvements, the start of the show is the AI features, which are so far unmatched in the industry, and available now.
Here’s how Samsung describes its AI features:
“When it comes to communication, easily understand someone in another language whether just by listening or having a conversation with Interpreter, making the most of the unique dual screen form factor. Reply while on the move with Suggested replies, which recommends tailored responses to messages without even needing to open the device.
“Stay productive with Composer, which generates emails and social posts based on just a few simple keywords, and Note Assist, which offers a new PDF overlay translation feature, as well as transcription of audio files. Creativity is boosted with Photo Assist, a suite of AI-powered editing tools to create professional-grade content effortlessly. Plus, FlexCam, now supported by Auto Zoom, automatically frames up the perfect selfie all hands-free.”
When folded, you have the 3.4-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow, which delivers AI-assisted functions without even needing to open the device, such as being able to reply to texts with Suggested replies which analyses your latest messages to suggest a tailored response.
There are more convenient AI features to discover on the outside screen, whether it is answering a call on speakerphone, accessing Samsung Health updates and notifications, select the next track you want to listen to on your music widget, or interacting with multiple Widgets simultaneously. It’s definitely cool and fun to play with.
That AI-powered Photo Ambient feature is wallpaper can change in real-time based on the time and weather. You can also easily create a unified look and feel with suggested screen layout options by analysing your wallpaper — such as moving the clock and changing the frame colour to ensure the background image stands.
Then you also get the AutoZoom feature mentioned above, which is part of a newly even more versatile camera experience, where the FlexCam feature automatically finds the best framing for your shot by detecting the subject and zooming in and out before making any necessary adjustments– and it’s all hands-free. Content creators will love it!
Those cameras are a new 50MP Wide and 12MP Ultra-wide sensors that provide an upgraded camera experience – something you expect every time you get a new phone – with clear and crisp details in pictures.
Naturally there’s an optical zoom capability – the new 50MP sensor supports 2x optical quality zoom for noise-free photos, while offering AI zoom for an advanced shooting experience with up to 10x zoom.
Nightography is one of Samsung’s special features, enhanced with video HDR, so you can capture more brilliant videos too, not just photos — even in dim lighting — and goes further by partnering with popular social apps as well. The night capturing feature is now available in-app on Instagram, so you can take amazing photos in low light and message or share them directly from within the app.
Personally, I’d like to see this in-app on more apps, like X, but no doubt these will come.
When it comes to the main 6.7-inch screen, which you see when you open the Flip, there IS still a crease, but it’s the shallowest crease seen thus far. Of course I wish it could be completely flat, but it’s not an issue you’ll be worried about. It’s even something you may enjoy feeling, as you know your thumb or finger is in the centre of the screen. One day a folding screen without any crease at all will be possible, but don’t let this hold you back!
The range of Flip6 accessories has never been wider – from protective cases to NFC inserts and more. You won’t be lacking for choice in this regard.
Of course you get better battery life too, which is made possible by hardware and software optimisation.
The Flip6 is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, the most advanced Snapdragon mobile processor yet, combining a CPU, GPU, and NPU for the best Android smartphone chip experience. The processor is optimised for AI processing and offers enhanced graphics along with improved overall performance. The upgraded cooling system maximises performance with a larger vapour chamber on Galaxy Z Fold6 and, for the first time ever, as noted above, there’s a vapour chamber on Galaxy Z Flip to keep it as cool as possible while under pressure delivering AI, gaming, or anything else.
Samsung’s smartphones are also secured by Samsung Knox, which Samsung Galaxy’s multi-layer security platform. In the era of AI, Samsung notes its “commitment to empowering you with choice over your device settings allows you to control your data to enhance AI experiences through Galaxy AI settings” – and what this also means is that you can choose for your AI experiences to be powered solely on-device, or you can choose to use cloud-powered AI too – it’s up to you in the settings.
There’s also “Enhanced Data Protection” as an added layer of protection, for “end-to-end encryption when you backup, sync or restore your data with Samsung Cloud.”
The security and privacy features include Knox Vault, Security & Privacy Dashboard, Auto Blocker, passkeys, Secure Wi-Fi, and [rivate sharing in Quick Share.
To top it all off, there’s also the promise of seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates.
Pricing for the Galaxy Z Flip6 in Australian dollars starts at $1,799 for the 12GB + 256 GB model, while the 512GB model is $200 more at $1,999.
Depending on the electronics retailer or phone store, the available colours are Blue, Silver Shadow, Mint and Yellow.
Colours exclusive to Samsung are Crafted Black, White and Peach.
If you’re looking to upgrade from an older Android, be it Samsung or not – or even an iPhone – then check it out in stores and online – here is Samsung’s Flip6 site with all the extra info.
TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics said: “Samsung’s long history of innovation has allowed us to lead in the mobile space, creating the foldable form factor and ushering in the mobile AI era. Now, we are excited to bring these two complementary technologies together and unlock new possibilities for users around the world.
“Our foldables meet the unique needs of every user and now enhanced by the power of Galaxy AI, Samsung is delivering an experience like never before.”
Eric Chou, the Head of Mobile eXperience at Samsung Electronics Australia said: “Since launching Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S24 series earlier this year, we’ve confirmed that Australians are eager for a new generation of AI – powered mobile phones that unlock new experiences. We’re thrilled to now be leading the next phase of mobile innova tion, incorporating Galaxy AI into our latest range of foldables and taking it one step further by expanding the power of Galaxy AI to our wearables range. Samsung is redefining the potential of mobile by offering unparalleled Galaxy AI experiences on more devices.
“At Samsung we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI- driven features in smartphones and wearables, offering our users enhanced functionality, improved durability, and cutting- edge design. Our newest range of Galaxy AI powered foldable and we arable devices reflect our commitment to creating an integrated and intelligent ecosystem for our users.
“With Galaxy AI and Samsung Health driving next- gen benefits, we’re confident our 2024 wearables range will continue to change the game for Australian customers. Our latest range of wearables with Galaxy AI provides more comprehensive, intelligent and pers onalised health insights, along with motivational encouragement to help improve daily wellness.”
Here’s my video interview with Eric:
