Updated February 14: Article originally published February 11.
Samsung documents indicate significant design changes for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Update: Monday, February 12: There has already been speculation that Samsung's efforts to release a cheaper "Fan Edition" of the Galaxy Z Fold lineup will drop support for the S-Pen stylus. The latest leaks offer good news for those interested in the Galaxy Z Fold 6 flagship.
Not only does the Samsung Fold support the S-Pen, but the Z Fold 6 stylus should have its own storage slot. Previously, the S-Pen had to be carried separately, it was easy to lose, and much more. Difficult to handle and use in situations requiring quick response.
Adding a storage compartment would create more space between the Z Fold 6 and a potential Z Fold 6 FE, presenting the more expensive model as a business model while the FE version could easily position itself as a great choice for the public.
Update: Wednesday, February 14th. The only update that doesn't seem to be planned for the Z Fold 6 is the camera. Supply chain experts say the camera hardware will mirror that of the Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 5.
This means a triple-lens rear camera: a 50-megapixel sensor with f/1.8 aperture, a 10-megapixel f/2.4 telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens. The technical specifications are not very good, but quality is difficult to guarantee.
While Samsung has taken a hard line on the Galaxy S24 family's camera software and hardware, maintaining stability may seem like a foolproof solution for the Z Fold 6, but it's a short-term solution. High prices create high expectations in a difficult situation. The camera must be as perfect as possible; Otherwise, consumers will be sold the sticker price.
How Samsung fixes the Galaxy S24's camera issues and what it does to match the Z Fold 6, if not rival wallets like the OnePlus Open, will be part of the company's folding story.
Details of the new hardware changes are contained in a patent recently awarded to Samsung. Called "Electronic Device with Flexible Display" (PDF link), it solves one of the biggest problems with flexible smartphones in traditional use: their size compared to standard models, especially when closed.
Firstly, the folding assembly is thinner than that of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which is always welcome. The load that can be placed on the foldable device by the hinge joint is also considered.
This allows the device to have multiple "fixed" positions while moving along an arc of motion. If Samsung goes this route with the Z Fold 6, it will get a foldable phone with some preferred slots. When open, I recommend a completely flat position, at 90 degrees to reflect the shape used in Samsung's marketing materials, and perhaps 120 degrees to provide a comfortable viewing angle for multimedia content.
These pads should support both sides of the Z Fold 6, reducing pressure between the two sides of the device.
Also pay attention to the examples contained in the patent. The foldable device doesn't match the current design of Z Fold devices. Instead of the current tall and narrow shape, the top screen becomes wider and shorter when closed, bringing it closer to the Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy A phones. This approach is used on devices like the OnePlus Open and Honor Magic V2.
Standardizing the Z Fold 6 to bring it closer to a regular phone is key to its adoption. While these examples are general, patents can indicate a company's thinking and direction regarding a product.
While the features and processes shown in the patent aren't guaranteed to make it into consumer hardware, I expect to see most of the technology, if not the entire suite, as part of the Galaxy Z Fold in regards to the hinge. . Folding phone mount. 6.
Now let's talk about Samsung's other 2024 foldable phone, the Z Flip 6...
