Samsung, a trailblazer in the foldable phone industry, has consistently delivered top-tier products with its Galaxy Z Fold series. The anticipation is high for what’s next, and the buzz is all about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and possibly, a Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra.
The Ultra Model
The Ultra model has piqued our interest. With rising competition in the foldable phone market, such as the OnePlus Open and the Google Pixel Fold, it’s logical for Samsung to differentiate itself with a premium version of the Fold. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra, if real, would take the Fold 6 as the base and incorporate features from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, like a built-in S Pen and a 200-megapixel camera.
However, it’s still early days for these foldable phone rumors, so let’s delve into what we know so far about the alleged Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra and what we hope to see.
Latest News
The next Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event could be on July 10, when the Z Fold 6 Ultra might be unveiled.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A rumored ultra-premium foldable from Samsung |
| Release Date | Possibly July 10 |
| Price | Likely more than $1,799 / £1,749 / AU$2,599 |
Potential Release Date and Price
If Samsung does launch a Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra, it’s likely to happen at the next Galaxy Unpacked event, currently rumored for July 10 in Paris. The Z Fold 6 Ultra might be launched alongside the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, and the Galaxy Ring.
However, a model number for a South Korean version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra has surfaced, and there’s no sign of models for other regions, suggesting limited availability.
As a more premium version of Samsung’s already pricey folding flagship, we expect it to cost significantly more than the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s starting price of $1,799.99 / £1,749 / AU$2,599.
Potential Design
Rumor website Smartprix, in collaboration with @OnLeaks, has produced detailed 5K renders of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra. These renders, along with a 360-degree video and possible specs, give us a glimpse of what we might expect from an Ultra variant of Samsung’s next Fold.
If the renders are accurate, Samsung will revamp its design for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra, moving away from the gentle curves used in the Galaxy S series and the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and adopting the more angular design seen on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The renders suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra will be slightly shorter but wider than the Fold 5. They also align with a prototype Galaxy Z Fold 6 design posted by leaker IceUniverse last year, suggesting the next-generation Fold phones may draw from the aesthetics of the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
What We Want to See
Improved Display and Toughness
One thing we’d like to see less of is the crease in the center of the main screen. Samsung has made this less noticeable with each iteration of the Galaxy Z Fold. Could the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and a potential Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra, be the first phones to make it disappear completely?
This would likely require improved ultra-thin glass, but Samsung’s display arm continues to produce impressive foldable and rollable AMOLED screens, so there’s certainly potential to further reduce a Fold’s crease or eliminate it.
Rumors suggest the cover screen will maintain the narrow 6.2-inch size seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 5, rather than a larger 6.4-inch panel. If true, it could be a missed opportunity, as a wider cover display can make for a more usable foldable phone when closed.
We hope Samsung will use Corning Gorilla Glass Armor to protect the cover display, as it’s used in the Galaxy S24 Ultra. An IP52 dust and water resistance rating, as seen in the Motorola Razr Plus, would also be appreciated. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 had an IPX8 water resistance rating but lacked dust protection, which is important due to the complex moving parts in folding phones that can get clogged with dust or grime.
Proper Ultra-grade Cameras
The Galaxy Z Fold 5’s camera system was good, but it was unchanged from the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s 50MP, f/1.8 wide, 10MP, f/2.4, telephoto, and 12MP, f/2.2 ultra-wide combo.
We hope Samsung updates this with something closer to the Galaxy S24 Ultra‘s more impressive camera setup, which features a 200MP, f/1.7 main camera, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 50MP, f/3.4, periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP, f/2.4, telephoto offering 3x optical zoom. However, if the specifications in Smartprix’s renders are for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra and not a standard Z Fold 6, fans could be very disappointed, as they lack camera specs with an Ultra flavor.