This is the sixth year of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, but unlike previous years, the foldable landscape has become much more competitive. At the company Unzipped At an event earlier this month, Samsung unveiled Galaxy Z Fold 6with notable upgrades in design, software features and durability.
Also: I replaced my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with a Z Fold 6 in a week — and there’s no going back
I used to Z Fold 6 test and found this to be Samsung’s most refined model to date, with a thinner and lighter design that reminded me of OnePlus Opena late bloomer from last year stolen foldable crown from Samsung.
So, with two devices at the top of their class, here’s a breakdown of the key reasons why you should buy one over the other.
Specifications
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 |
OnePlus Open |
|
|
Display |
Outer display: 6.3-inch 120Hz AMOLED 2X, Main display: 7.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED 2X, 2,600 nits |
Outer display: 6.3-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED, Main display: 7.6-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, 2,800 nits |
|
Weight |
239g |
239g |
|
Processor |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 3rd Generation |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 2nd Generation |
| RAM/Storage | 12GB RAM and 256GB/512GB/1TB storage | 16GB RAM and 512GB internal memory |
| Battery | 4,400mAh | 4.805mAh |
| Camera | 50MP wide, 12MP ultra wide, 10MP telephoto, 4MP front (inside), 10MP front (outside) | 48MP wide, 48MP ultra wide, 64MP telephoto, 20MP front (inside), 32MP front (outside) |
| Color | Pink, Navy Blue, Silver Ball, White, Handcrafted Black | Emerald Dusk, Voyager Black |
| Price | Starting at $1,899 | Starting at $1,699 |
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 if…
1. You want a foldable product that thrives in the age of AI
Big features boosted with new Galaxy Z Fold 6 is AI — specifically, how you can interact with the larger screen to research information, create images, and better communicate with friends and family. Tools like Interpreter Mode, which shows live translations on both the inner and outer displays as you chat with others, and Sketch to Image, which turns your doodles into polished graphics, are not yet available on the OnePlus Open.
Also: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Z Fold 5: Which premium model should you buy?
With Samsung’s commitment to seven years of software updates and security patches, you can expect the Z Fold 6 to stay relevant until at least 2031. That’s better than OnePlus’ commitment to four years of software updates.
2. You want the most durable foldable (and better repair support)
Aside from having the advantage of an official IP48 rating for water and dust resistance, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is, in theory, built to be more durable than the OnePlus Open. Some of the new improvements include a Dual Rail hinge that distributes shock forces, a folded edge for increased resistance to pressure and sharp objects, more durable exterior materials like Armor Aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, etc.
Perhaps more importantly, Samsung offers better after-sales support than OnePlus, with repairs available at many retailers and stores nationwide.
3. Do you plan to add accessories to your phone?
Whether you’re picking up a case or an S Pen for sketching on the phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes with a wider range of accessories — both first-party and third-party — than the OnePlus Open. Notably, Samsung itself makes some high-quality cases for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, including a slim S Pen case and a faux-leather option.
You should buy the OnePlus Open if…
1. You want a foldable phone for less
If we are playing a numbers game, OnePlus Open offers a much better value than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. It’s certainly true that Samsung increased the price of its foldable by $100 this year, creating a $200 premium over competing devices.
Also: 3 reasons why I ditched my Samsung Galaxy foldable for a OnePlus Open
Only if we compare retail prices. With the OnePlus Open now a few months old, I’ve seen it drop as low as $1,399 during major sales events. If you buy a used model, you’ll likely find it for even less. Those few hundred dollars could be spent on a new one in-ear headphones or smart watch, or save for later.
2. You appreciate OnePlus’ bug fixes (faster charging, multitasking, etc.)
OnePlus Open has some groundbreaking features that are unique to the brand, such as 65W SuperVooc charging, which gives the phone a full battery in just a few minutes of charging, and Open Canvas, which lets you quickly switch between floating windows for seamless multitasking.
Since using Open Canvas, I’ve found traditional split-screen multitasking to be cumbersome and unwieldy. I attribute Open’s fluidity to the 16GB RAM configuration, which is a bit higher than Samsung’s 12GB. You also get 512GB of base storage, double the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s 256GB. Again, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 starts at $200 more.
Alternatives to Consider
