Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 6 Is Coming in July, Report Says
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 could be about four months away from being announced, possibly with a boxier design.
Evolution of a folding phone's hinge: On the bottom is a Galaxy Z Fold 4 and on top is the Z Fold 5.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6, likely the next update to the Samsung folding smartphone, appears primed to launch this summer. And this year, it looks like it'll be taking on a boxier design, with squared edges similar to those on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Renders, or images of what the folding phone might look like based on leaks and reports, were published online Wednesday by frequent device-news leaker OnLeaks and the publication Smartprix. Smartprix said it collaborated with OnLeaks to present the renders but didn't elaborate. CNET wasn't able to confirm the veracity of the renders. In response to CNET's query, Samsung said it doesn't comment on rumors or speculation.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 renders put it at mostly the same dimensions as its predecessor, including the inner and outer screens. USB-C slots, volume buttons and SIM card slots all appear unchanged, and Smartprix says even the cameras will likely use the same sensors as the current Galaxy Z Fold 5. Smartprix said it expects the Z Fold 6 to stand out for the new Galaxy AI features announced in January, such as the search and live translation functions.
The expected Galaxy Z Fold 6 could bolster Samsung's image as a smartphone rival to Apple and its iPhones and Google and its Pixels. Popular among techies, folding phones are often pitched as the next evolution in smartphone design, beyond the flat slab phones we're used to today.
But a big downside of folding phones is their price. Last year, Samsung's Z Fold 5 launched at $1,800 before discounts and incentives, far above the $800 starting price of the Galaxy S24 line of phones. Another downside is that they're fragile, though Samsung has steadily improved on that. With the Z Fold 5, the company introduced a new hinge design that lets the phone close completely, with no gap, and makes the device more durable, according to Samsung.
The Korea-based tech giant hasn't yet announced its Unpacked event for the summer, or the launch of a Galaxy Z Fold 6. But both seem increasingly likely, particularly after Samsung teased, earlier this year, its Galaxy Ring smart device for health tracking. The Galaxy Ring has quickly become one of CNET's most anticipated product launches of the year.
Read more: The Galaxy S24 Is Just the Start. Here's What Else Samsung May Launch in 2024