Galaxy S25+ Vs Galaxy Z Fold6

Galaxy S25+
Galaxy S25+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£549.00

Versus £958.39 new

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Galaxy Z Fold6
Galaxy Z Fold6
Starting at

Refurbished price:£523.00

Versus £1,685.59 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, released in February 2025, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, which became available in July 2024, represent distinct approaches to high-end smartphone design. While the S25 Plus offers a traditional, premium smartphone experience, the Z Fold6 introduces a foldable form factor that transforms from a compact device into a larger tablet-like display. Both devices operate on the Android platform, featuring Samsung's One UI, and integrate advanced features designed to enhance daily usage.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its physical durability and the duration of software support it receives.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S25 Plus was released in February 2025, making it a newer device compared to the Galaxy Z Fold6, which launched in July 2024. This difference in release dates means the S25 Plus will likely receive software updates for a slightly longer period.
  • Software Longevity: Both devices are part of Samsung's commitment to extended software support. The Galaxy S25 Plus is expected to receive up to seven generations of Android OS updates, while the Galaxy Z Fold6 was promised seven years of OS and security updates from its release. This ensures both models remain current with the latest features and security patches for a considerable time.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S25 Plus features an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance and utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for screen protection, contributing to its robust build. The Galaxy Z Fold6, with its foldable design, has an IP48 rating, indicating a lower level of dust and water resistance. Its inner display uses Ultra Thin Glass (UTG), which is more flexible but also more delicate than traditional smartphone glass, and the hinge mechanism, while refined, is a complex component.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy S25 Plus generally offers a higher repairability score, with some reports giving it a 9 out of 10, partly due to easier battery replacement. The Galaxy Z Fold6, due to its intricate foldable design and adhesive-heavy construction, typically receives lower repairability scores, around 4.5 to 5 out of 10, with hinge and foldable screen repairs being particularly complex and potentially costly.

Year of Release

2025

2024

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

Both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the Galaxy Z Fold6 are equipped with powerful processors designed for demanding tasks, though their specific chipsets differ slightly in generation.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S25 Plus is powered by a custom version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, while the Galaxy Z Fold6 features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. Both chipsets are optimized for Samsung devices and deliver strong performance for everyday applications, multitasking, and graphically intensive games. Users can expect smooth app loading and responsive interactions on both.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both models come with 12GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The S25 Plus offers a consistent experience across its single display, while the Z Fold6 leverages its foldable screen for enhanced multitasking, allowing users to run several apps side-by-side on the larger inner display.
  • Storage Options: The Galaxy S25 Plus is available with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. The Galaxy Z Fold6 offers more expansive options, including 256GB, 512GB, and a 1TB variant, catering to users who require significant storage for media and applications. Neither device supports expandable storage via microSD cards.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S25 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for most users, with some reports indicating 6 to 10 hours of screen-on time. The Galaxy Z Fold6 has a 4400 mAh battery. While its capacity is smaller, software optimizations and the efficiency of its processor allow it to achieve respectable battery life, often lasting a full day with mixed usage, and performing well in gaming tests.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

Both smartphones offer high-quality display experiences, but their form factors lead to distinct viewing characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a single 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution (1440x3120 pixels), providing sharp and vibrant visuals. The Galaxy Z Fold6 offers a dual-screen setup: a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display and a larger 7.6-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, both offering high resolutions (2376x968 pixels for the cover and 2160x1856 pixels for the main screen). The main foldable screen of the Z Fold6, when unfolded, provides a more expansive canvas for content consumption and multitasking.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: Both devices boast impressive peak brightness levels of up to 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both the S25 Plus and the Z Fold6 feature adaptive 120Hz refresh rates on their displays. This results in fluid scrolling, smooth animations, and a responsive feel during interactions and gaming. The adaptive nature helps conserve battery by adjusting the refresh rate based on content.
  • Viewing Experience: The S25 Plus provides a traditional, immersive viewing experience on its large, flat display. The Z Fold6 offers versatility; its cover screen functions like a regular smartphone, while the unfolded inner screen provides a tablet-like experience, ideal for media, reading, and productivity. The inner screen of the Z Fold6 still exhibits a visible crease, though it is reported to be more subtle than previous generations.

Resolution

1440x3120

1856 x 2160

Audiovisual

Both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the Galaxy Z Fold6 are equipped with versatile camera systems, though their performance nuances cater to different user expectations.

  • Rear Camera Systems: Both devices feature a triple-camera setup on the rear: a 50MP main wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom with OIS.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S25 Plus delivers good image quality in various conditions, with its 50MP main sensor excelling in low-light scenarios and producing natural colors. The Z Fold6's cameras are considered competent for a foldable, capturing good shots in typical situations, though its zoom capabilities and ultra-wide performance in low light may not match the absolute best traditional flagships. Neither device offers a dedicated macro mode.
  • Video Recording: Both phones are capable of recording 8K video at 30 frames per second (fps) with their main cameras and 4K video at 60fps with other lenses. The S25 Plus also includes a Log mode for video, offering more control during post-production.
  • Front-Facing Cameras: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a 12MP front-facing camera. The Galaxy Z Fold6 has a 10MP camera on its cover display and a 4MP under-display camera (UDC) on its inner foldable screen. The UDC, while discreet, typically produces softer images compared to traditional punch-hole cameras.
  • Audio for Media: Both devices offer a good media consumption experience with clear speaker output, suitable for videos and calls.

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical elements differentiate these two Samsung smartphones.

  • Connectivity: Both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the Galaxy Z Fold6 support 5G connectivity, along with modern Wi-Fi standards and Bluetooth versions, ensuring fast and reliable wireless communication.
  • Port Types: Both devices feature a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. Neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S25 Plus incorporates an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The Galaxy Z Fold6 uses a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Both also support face recognition.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Galaxy S25 Plus is a traditional slab phone, measuring approximately 158.4 x 75.7 x 7.3 mm and weighing around 190g, offering a familiar in-hand feel. The Galaxy Z Fold6, when folded, is more compact but thicker (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm) and heavier at 239g. When unfolded, it becomes a wider, thinner device (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm). The Z Fold6 also supports S Pen Pro and S Pen Fold Edition, though it lacks a built-in slot for storage.
  • Build Materials: Both phones feature glass backs (Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the S25 Plus and the Z Fold6's cover screen) and aluminum frames, contributing to a premium feel.

Weight

190 g

239 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

7.6

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy Z Fold6 cater to different user preferences, each excelling in its own domain. User feedback for the Galaxy S25 Plus often praises its consistent performance, reliable battery life, and high-quality traditional display. Many appreciate its robust build and the familiarity of its form factor, making it a dependable choice for everyday use. Some criticisms occasionally point to its camera system, while competent, not always reaching the absolute peak performance of the most advanced camera-centric flagships.

The Galaxy Z Fold6, on the other hand, is frequently lauded for its innovative foldable design, offering unparalleled versatility with its large inner display for productivity and media consumption. Users value the ability to switch between a compact smartphone and a tablet-like experience. Common observations include the continued presence of a screen crease, though it is noted to be more subtle than in previous generations, and its cameras, while good, are often seen as a compromise compared to Samsung's S-series flagships, particularly in zoom capabilities. Its repairability is also a point of consideration due to the complexity of its design.

Users prioritizing a durable, high-performance smartphone with excellent battery life and a traditional form factor will find the Galaxy S25 Plus well-suited to their needs. Its consistent experience and strong software support make it a reliable daily driver. Conversely, those who value innovation, a larger screen for multitasking and media, and the unique capabilities of a foldable device, despite potential trade-offs in durability and camera performance compared to a traditional flagship, will likely prefer the Galaxy Z Fold6. Both devices offer a premium Android experience, and for those considering a sustainable choice, quality-assured refurbished options for both models can provide an eco-friendly alternative.

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