Samsung talks a lot on how they’ve improved the cameras in its newest phones, but not everyone’s always looking to upgrade their phones on a yearly basis. That’s why I'm looking at the differences between the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold 4, just because that’s usually just enough time to see meaningful improvements.
Just like my other photo shootouts, like between the Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs Motorola Razr 2024, I’ve captured over 200 photos between them to see how they compare in different scenarios to see which is the best phone for photography.
What’s interesting is that their camera specs look identical on paper. This turns out to be a triple camera setup that consists of a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. Their selfie cameras, too, are identical with 10MP cameras on the outer screen — while 4MP under display cams can be found with the inner screens.
Knowing that the setup is identical, it obviously will come down to how the Z Fold 6 tweaks its photos with newer image processing algorithms and AI. And with that, let’s begin!
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Daytime
These shots close to the New York Public Library almost look identical at first glance, but the Z Fold 6 is pulling in better contrast with the Chrysler Building in the far background and in the brickwork of the nearby building on the left. As a result, it adds more clarity to the shot that makes those fine details pop out a smidge more. But if you don’t pixel peep, you could argue that the Z Fold 4 delivers just as good results.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 6
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Dynamic range
This one’s tricky because it was a really cloudy day, so everything around Bryant Park has that soft, evening lighting. However, I ended up pointing at the American Radiator Building because of its darker facade. It’s pretty apparent that the dynamic range performance is better with the Z Fold 6. Not only does the building get treated to a pleasant glow, but the Z Fold 6 also brightens up the shadowed areas of the surrounding trees at Bryant Park. Although, the Z Fold 4 still puts up an excellent shot.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 6
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Closeups
While neither foldable has a dedicated macro mode to get me ultra close to subjects, I still ended up taking these closeups of this Hibiscus flower. My eyes are instantly drawn to the Z Fold 6’s shot mainly for how it captures more fine detail of the pollen around the stem, in addition to how there’s more definition in the petals. It’s not a bad photo with the Z Fold 4, but notice how those details aren’t as sharp to the eye.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 6
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Color reproduction
Due to the brighter exposure of the Z Fold 4’s shot, it overexposes the red and green bell peppers in these shots — whereas the Z Fold 6 has a more neutral exposure that results in more vibrant colors. This also extends to the green zucchinis on the top shelf, as well as the brown ginger root on the bottom.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 6
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Outer screen selfie
I’m not sure what Samsung’s doing to tweak the outer screen selfie shot with the Z Fold 6, but I’m constantly seeing it over sharpening the background. It doesn’t look good when you look at these shots side-by-side.
On one hand, both manage to capture all the fine details of my face, including the fabric and stitching patterns of my shirt, but the background just looks more crisp to me with the Z Fold 4.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 4
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Inner screen selfie
I’m inclined to not recommend using their inner screen selfie cameras, unless you absolutely have to because they’re the weakest cameras on both phones. Since they’re under display cameras, they suffer from extreme softening due to how they’re shooting through the display panel — rather than the unobstructed view in typical selfie punchouts.
Between them, the Z Fold 4 has the softer looks, which I can see when I zoom into my face in these shots. Notice how the background also looks fuzzier with the Z Fold 4.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 6
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Portrait
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is too generous with how it likes to brighten up shots, and these portrait photos at 1x zoom prove it yet again. While it’s great that it gives my face a nice glow, it lacks the natural exposure of the Z Fold 6’s shot — while also blowing out the color of my shirt in the process.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 6
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Zoom
Do you see any difference in these shots of these buildings overlooking Bryant Park at 3x zoom? I know I don’t. It’s not until I crop into the images that I realize that the Z Fold 6’s telephoto camera picks up more of the finer details that the Z Fold 4 misses.
For example, I can make out more of the brickwork in the building with the water tower on top of it — whereas they’re fuzzier, more indistinct with the Z Fold 4. Meanwhile, the water tower itself in the middle of the photos has a little more definition in it with the Fold 6.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 6
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Panorama
Both foldables do a pretty good job at capturing panoramic photos, especially when there’s the option to switch between the main camera and ultrawide. But between them, I’m going to give it to the Fold 6 largely because of its even exposure. The Fold 4 has a tougher time with high-contrast scenes, which results in the highlights being over-exposed. You can see it here in the shot of the fountain at Bryant Park.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 6
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Low light
I’ve always been pleased with the low light performance of the Z Fold 4, but the Fold 6 does a much better job — partly because of how it boosts the exposure in the shadows. Take this tree for example in my yard, which better exposes the leaves and branches. The only downside of how the Fold 6 handles low light is that it casts too much of a warmer color temperature, whereas the Fold 4 has a more natural tone.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 6
Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy Z Fold 4: Verdict
Am I surprised by how this one turned out? Not really. New phones are expected to be incrementally better. However, I was expecting greater results out of the Fold 6 given the two year gap it has over the Fold 4. While it cruised in just about every category, the margin of victory was minimal at most — which is probably due to how the cameras are essentially identical.
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