Galaxy S24+ Vs Galaxy Z Fold6

Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£337.00

Versus £997.95 new

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Galaxy Z Fold6
Galaxy Z Fold6
Starting at

Refurbished price:£524.00

Versus £1,685.59 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, launched in July 2024, represent distinct approaches to modern smartphone design. While the S24 Plus offers a traditional, high-performance slab experience, the Z Fold6 introduces a unique foldable form factor, transforming from a compact device into a larger tablet-like display. These devices cater to different user preferences, primarily differing in their physical design and the versatility offered by the Z Fold6's dual-screen setup.

Scores

Durability

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its build quality, software support, and ease of repair.

  • Software Longevity: Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the Galaxy Z Fold6 were launched with Android 14 and are promised extensive software support, receiving seven years of operating system and security updates. This commitment means both devices are expected to remain current with the latest software features and security patches until at least 2031, offering a long functional life.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 Plus features an Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, along with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, indicating robust protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy Z Fold6 also uses an enhanced Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its cover screen and back panel. It improves on previous foldable models with an IP48 rating, adding dust resistance to its water resistance capabilities.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy S24 Plus has demonstrated a high repairability score, with components like the battery being relatively accessible for replacement. Foldable devices, by their nature, present more complex repair challenges due to their intricate hinge mechanisms and dual-screen design.

Year of Release

2024

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

Both devices are equipped with advanced internal components designed to handle demanding tasks, though their form factors influence how this power is utilized.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy Z Fold6 are powered by current-generation processors, enabling smooth operation across various applications. This allows for quick app loading, efficient multitasking, and responsive performance in graphically intensive games.
  • Multitasking Capabilities: With 12GB of RAM, both smartphones are well-suited for managing multiple applications simultaneously without experiencing slowdowns. The Z Fold6's larger internal display, however, offers a more expansive canvas for split-screen multitasking, allowing users to view and interact with several apps more comfortably.
  • Storage Options: Both models offer a range of internal storage configurations, typically starting from 256GB and going up to 512GB, with the Z Fold6 also offering a 1TB option, providing ample space for applications, media, and documents.
  • Battery Performance: The Galaxy S24 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, generally providing ample power for a full day of typical use. The Galaxy Z Fold6 features a 4400 mAh battery. Despite its slightly smaller capacity, user reports indicate that the Z Fold6 can also last a full day for many users, benefiting from software optimizations and the ability to use the smaller, less power-intensive cover screen for quick tasks.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience is a primary differentiator, with the S24 Plus offering a single, expansive screen and the Z Fold6 providing a versatile dual-screen setup.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for their vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The Galaxy S24 Plus has a 6.7-inch QHD+ display (3120 x 1440 pixels), offering a sharp and detailed viewing experience. The Galaxy Z Fold6 boasts a 6.3-inch cover display and a larger 7.6-inch main foldable display, both with QHD+ equivalent resolutions (2376 x 968 for cover, 2160 x 1856 for main), providing a high level of clarity whether folded or unfolded.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both models offer a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. They also feature adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, which contributes to smooth scrolling and animations while optimizing power consumption. However, some Z Fold6 users have noted that the peak brightness can be limited in certain situations due to thermal management.
  • Viewing Experience: The S24 Plus provides a consistent, large-screen experience ideal for traditional smartphone use. The Z Fold6 offers the flexibility of a standard smartphone display on the cover and an immersive, tablet-like experience when unfolded, which is particularly beneficial for media consumption, reading, and productivity tasks.

Resolution

1440 x 3120

1856 x 2160

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with capable camera systems, designed to capture high-quality images and videos in various conditions.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy Z Fold6 shares a very similar rear camera configuration, also offering a 50MP wide-angle lens with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: Both devices deliver strong performance in well-lit conditions, producing detailed and vibrant photos. The telephoto lenses on both allow for clear zoomed-in shots. For low-light scenarios, the main cameras on both perform competently, though the ultra-wide lens on the Z Fold6 may show more noise in very dim environments.
  • Front-Facing Cameras: The S24 Plus is equipped with a 12MP front camera for selfies and video calls. The Z Fold6 offers a 10MP front camera on its cover screen and a 4MP under-display camera on its main foldable screen, which is primarily used for video calls and facial recognition.
  • Video Capabilities: Both models are capable of recording high-resolution video, offering features like optical image stabilization to ensure steady footage.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

4 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and daily usability of these devices.

  • Connectivity: Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the Galaxy Z Fold6 support 5G networks for fast mobile data. They also include modern Wi-Fi standards, with the S24 Plus supporting Wi-Fi 6E/7 and the Z Fold6 supporting Wi-Fi 6/6E, ensuring robust wireless internet connections. Bluetooth 5.3 is present on both for connecting to accessories.
  • Ports and Sensors: Both devices utilize a USB-C 3.2 port for charging and data transfer. For security, both include an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor. The Z Fold6 also supports S Pen input on its main display, though the stylus is sold separately.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Galaxy S24 Plus measures 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm and weighs 197g, offering a familiar and comfortable feel for a large slab smartphone. The Galaxy Z Fold6, when folded, measures 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm and weighs 239g, making it thicker and heavier than the S24 Plus. When unfolded, it becomes a much thinner device at 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm, providing a larger screen in a relatively thin profile.
  • Build Materials: Both phones feature an Armor Aluminum frame, with the S24 Plus using Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both front and back, and the Z Fold6 using it on its cover screen and back panel.

Weight

197 g

239 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

7.6

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Choosing between the Galaxy S24 Plus and the Galaxy Z Fold6 depends heavily on individual priorities and how a user intends to interact with their device daily. The Galaxy S24 Plus is often praised for its consistent, premium smartphone experience, offering a large, vibrant display and a robust camera system in a familiar form factor. Users appreciate its strong battery life and overall reliable performance for everyday tasks and media consumption. Some users have noted that while its peak brightness is high, it may not always be manually accessible at its maximum.

The Galaxy Z Fold6, on the other hand, garners enthusiasm for its innovative foldable design, which provides unparalleled versatility for multitasking and immersive content viewing. Users frequently highlight the excitement of having a tablet-sized screen in their pocket and the enhanced productivity it enables. Criticisms sometimes point to its increased thickness and weight when folded compared to traditional smartphones, and some users have experienced thermal management affecting peak display brightness in certain conditions. Its camera system is considered competent, though not always leading in all scenarios, particularly in challenging low-light or zoom situations.

Users prioritizing a straightforward, high-performance smartphone with excellent battery life and a traditional design will find the Galaxy S24 Plus well-suited to their needs. It offers a consistent experience for photography, gaming, and general use. Conversely, users who value innovation, desire a larger screen for productivity and media, and appreciate the unique multitasking capabilities of a foldable device will likely lean towards the Galaxy Z Fold6. Both devices offer long-term software support, making them viable choices for an extended period. For those considering either model, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative to new purchases.

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