As an Apple girlie, who had her first iPhone (the OG iPhone 3G) in secondary school, I’ve never considered jumping onto the android bandwagon until my recent hands-on experience with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6.
Not only was I blown away by the compact design of the device, I was sold on the Galaxy AI features which were not only smart but was easily an extra tool to make my daily tasks more productive.
AESTHETICALLY PLEASING
While I had always toyed with the possibility of switching from an iOS phone to an android flip phone, I always found it particularly hard to be convinced because of the seemingly visible line where the device folds.
When I first got my hands on the Galaxy Z Flip6, I was immediately drawn to the folding edge which was almost invisible. Now when I watch videos on the device, when opened, I no longer get irritated with seeing the folding edge in the middle which is brilliant as that used to be my biggest pet peeve with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip models.
Even though the Galaxy Z Flip6 still looks similar to its predecessor, it now has an updated straight edge design which gives it a more modern and sleek look.
I received the peach unit, an online-only colour, which I initially didn’t like but I did get around to appreciating the colour combination of silver and peach once I saw how the flat aluminium edges gave it a more uniformed and premium feel.
GALAXY AI FEATURES
One of the Samsung Galaxy AI features that I particularly loved was the Interpreter which essentially worked like an in-built Google Translate, except instead of typing, I could easily use it to translate a conversation that was happening in real time.
Similar to the feature when used on the Samsung Galaxy Fold6, the Flip6 is able to replicate the ease of conversation between two people by using the FlexWindow to display the dialogue as well. So, instead of having to share or pass the phone from one person to the other to make the translation, the Flip6 makes it more convenient to have a conversation between two people without the language barrier.
Though I did not take this to try with a real life stranger who did not speak my language, I roped in my Korean friend to exchange a few words with me in her native tongue.
While the translation mostly worked, there were times when the interpreter did not deliver and had given us translations that misrepresented what we were trying to say. This, of course, was not a huge issue for me as like any machine learning software, this would be something that gets improved upon over time.
Another AI feature of the device that I particularly enjoyed was the Sketch to Image function.
As a non-artistic person, I can never draw something the way I envisioned it in my mind. However, this all changed when I tried using this feature to bring my drawing of a dog to life.
In exchange for my inept drawing, Sketch to Image offered me AI suggestions of what they think I drew, adding colours and expressions that gave the artwork more depth.
While this feature could also be used to personalise a photo taken, I did encounter some issues when it came to detecting the drawing on the photo, especially when I tried to add a ribbon or a hat to the head.
FLEXCAM AUTO ZOOM
I really enjoyed taking photos using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 with their newly upgraded 50MP camera which produced sharper and more vividly coloured photos.
I found myself choosing to take photos the hands-free way more often, using the FlexCam and the Auto Zoom feature instead of the traditional way with the device opened fully.
Like everyone else, I often get frustrated when I try to take photographs of my surroundings because there are limitations to how my iPhone 15 Pro Max takes photographs — which is either through a selfie or having to position my phone at some angle to take in my background, or getting a stranger to take my photo.
But, with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, I have found the perfect solution to my photography woes.
Launching the camera app through the FlexWindow, I am able to select the Auto Zoom feature which is essentially a hassle-free way for me to take a photo as it automatically adjusts the zoom levels based on AI-enabled recognition to help frame my photo so that my background along with my face and body is captured nicely.
Here’s a look at the photos I took using my current iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6.
With the Z Flip6, my photo came out sharp with brighter colours as compared to the photo taken with the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s selfie camera, which came out grainy and had more muted colours.
The best part about this is that the images are not captured with the selfie camera, like other smartphones, but using the rear camera of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6!
LONG BATTERY LIFE
Built with the Galaxy Z Flip’s longest lasting battery, the Galaxy Z Flip6 houses a 4000 mAh battery which promises long lasting performance, all day long.
I was initially skeptical about the battery performance but was pleasantly surprised when I found that the battery of the Z Flip did not deplete as much as my iPhone 15 Pro Max would after a day of heavy usage. In fact, over the course of my test period of the device, I only had to charge it three times as compared to a daily charge for my own phone.
The battery performance is supported by the first-ever Vapor Chamber on the Galaxy Z Flip which helps to keep things cool and running smoothly while dissipating heat quickly.
While this may be true in some aspects, I have found that the portion with the FlexWindow does heat up fairly quickly and don’t often dissipate as quickly as expected, especially when the AI features are being utilised.
IS THE SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FLIP6 WORTH IT?
Having used the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 for almost two weeks, I am 85% convinced that a change might be in the horizon for me. It is the first Android device that I have felt very strongly about, even though I am heavily embedded in the Apple ecosystem.
While I might still take some time to actually make the jump, the Z Flip6 is definitely a good device to consider if you are in the market for a foldable smartphone that is reliable and utilises AI to make your everyday more productive.
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