Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6 could feature a surprising downgrade as a leaked specs sheet recently surfaced and revealed that the cover display will feature an IPS LCD panel instead of an AMOLED screen.
This would be a big change, as all Z Flip models prior to this upcoming model featured an AMOLED display. According to 9To5Google, the screen size will be 3.4 inches with a 720 x 748 resolution, similar to that of the Z Flip 5.
It's a move that has people on the Internet baffled, especially considering that AMOLED displays allow for higher visual quality compared to LCDs. Colors are more vibrant, blacks are darker, and the technology is even more energy efficient.
So why is Samsung opting for a display that is arguably worse than AMOLED? Tom's Guide believes there are two reasons for the change.
First, LCD panels are “less prone to screen burn-in… therefore, they tend to last longer.” Samsung might prefer a more durable part. Second, they are “cheaper to produce than OLED displays.” There has been a rumor that the price of the Z Flip 6 will increase to $1,099, and the company could be looking to make some extra cash on its next smartphone.
However, news site SamMobile disagrees, claiming that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will not have an LCD cover display and will retain the AMOLED screen. They explain that the “Samsung employee [who] created [the] The leaked spec sheet made a typo.” It’s unclear how true this is, as the publication doesn’t mention its source or how it received the information. The claim could be completely unsubstantiated, so take it with a grain of salt.
Interpreter Update
In addition to the changes to the cover screen, “leaked marketing materials published by [insider] Evan Blass” reveals that Samsung is updating Interpreter Mode on both the Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6. Interpreter Mode, if you’re not familiar with it, allows users to engage in conversations in other languages more easily. You speak into the microphone, the tool quickly translates your words, and the text appears in another language at the bottom.
The Interpreter update would use the foldables’ outer display to “show translations to the other person.” You won’t have to turn the phone, as the text will appear on both sides. Images in marketing materials suggest the feature only works in Flex mode, meaning the device is halfway open. The Pixel Fold has a similar capability, but it must be fully open.
Samsung is set to hold its next Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10. We'll know for sure what these smartphones are capable of, so stay tuned for our coverage of the big day.
In the meantime, check out TechRadar's roundup of the best Galaxy phones for 2024.
