Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6: The canvas face-off


  • s25-ultra-square

    High-tier efficiency

    Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely

    The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely is the newest flagship from Samsung that comes with the well-known S Pen stylus, and all of the Galaxy AI options you dreamed about. It has a flexible digicam setup, a extra refined footprint that is simpler to carry and use with one hand, and loads of energy to play the newest and most demanding video games.

    Execs & Cons

    • Very good efficiency
    • Versatile digicam setup
    • S Pen help
    • Costly
    • One other small refinement

  • Render of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in gray against a white background.

    The multitask champ


    Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

    $1400 $1900 Save
    $500

    Samsung’s newest tablet-style foldable is a superb possibility for these in search of a powerhouse, a compact design that may fold open, revealing a big pill. It helps the S Pen, has a flagship chipset, and has a big predominant show that permits you to get pleasure from your favourite apps and video games.

    Execs & Cons

    • Stunning show
    • Flagship efficiency
    • S Pen help
    • Digicam remains to be not aggressive
    • Sluggish charging
    • Costly

Samsung continues its small iterative improve cycle, leading to stable however bland flagships throughout its lineup. Whereas the brand new Galaxy S25 Extremely is dubbed as one of many greatest Android flagships you should buy in 2025, it presents few developments in comparison with its predecessor, particularly by way of design and distinctive options.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is in the same place, as the corporate didn’t catch up and keep aggressive. In distinction, different main producers caught up and innovated on Samsung’s greatest foldable smartphone. Nonetheless, there are the explanation why you would possibly think about the S25 Extremely over the Galaxy Z Fold 6. We’re right here to take a look at the small particulars in order that we are able to see the large image.

Worth, specs, and availability

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely is offered from Samsung.com, carriers, in addition to different on-line and offline retailers. On the official Samsung web site, the system comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage configurations, every retailing for $1,300, $1,420 and $1,660, respectively. The system is available in seven colours, with three unique to Samsung.com.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is costlier than its predecessor, beginning at $1,900 for the bottom 256GB mannequin. The 512GB and 1TB fashions retail for $2,019 and $2,259, respectively, and all three variants are supplied in 5 colours, and two are unique to Samsung.com. All regular colorways can be found at Amazon, Greatest Purchase, different carriers, and offline shops.

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
    SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
    Show kind LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz AMOLED, 120Hz
    Show dimensions 6.9″ 7.6” (predominant); 6.3” (cowl)
    Show decision 3120 x 1440 2160 x 1856 (predominant); 2376 x 968 (cowl)
    RAM 12GB 12GB
    Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
    Battery 5,000mAh 4,400mAh
    Cost pace 45W 25W wired, 15W wi-fi
    Cost choices USB-C wired, Qi wi-fi Wired, wi-fi, reverse wi-fi
    Ports USB-C USB-C
    Working System Android 15 and One UI 7 Android 14 with One UI 6.1.1
    Entrance digicam 12MP f/2.2 10 MP f/2.2 (cowl); 4 MP f/1.8 (underneath predominant show)
    Rear digicam 200MP f/1.7 predominant, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawide, 10MP f/2.4 telephoto, 50MP f/3.4 telephoto 50MP, f/1.8 predominant; 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide; 10 MP, f/2.4 3x telephoto
    Mobile connectivity Sub-6 & mmWave 5G 5G, LTE
    Wi-Fi connectivity Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.4 Bluetooth 5.3
    Dimensions 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm 68.1 x 153.5 x 12.1mm (folded); 132.6 x 153.5 x 5.6mm (unfolded)
    Weight 218g 239g
    IP Score IP68 IP48
    Colours Titanium Black, Titanium Grey, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Silverblue Silver Shadow, Pink, Navy, Crafted Black, White
    Stylus Sure, S Pen S Pen (not included)
    Worth $1,300 From $1,899

Learn our hands-on


Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely: The indifference is on show

It may’t be all about AI

Learn our assessment


The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has price Samsung its head begin within the foldable race

An actual tortoise-and-hare state of affairs

Design

Just like their predecessors

The brand new Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely appears to be like almost equivalent to its predecessor, primarily as a result of Samsung hasn’t modified a lot within the design for a number of years. The Galaxy S25 sequence appears to be like almost equivalent to the Galaxy S22 sequence, launched in 2022. For some, that’s an enormous drawback. For others, it’s completely acceptable.

Whereas we agree that if one thing isn’t damaged, it doesn’t want fixing, it’s changing into repetitive to see the identical design and the identical incremental upgrades 12 months over 12 months. The identical could possibly be stated in regards to the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which hasn’t modified a lot because the Galaxy Z Fold 3 sequence.

You’ll see main design enhancements on each gadgets that make them simpler to deal with, slimmer, and extra rugged. Nonetheless, we’re ready for greater upgrades and customization choices. Samsung additionally eliminated the enjoyable colours, forsaking an array of sunshine, pale coloration tones that look something however enjoyable.

Associated


If Samsung needs me to care in regards to the Galaxy S25, it ought to are available in higher colours

And no, the web exclusives do not depend

When it comes to design modifications, Samsung made the Galaxy S25 Extremely barely narrower and thinner, making it simpler to carry and function. The Galaxy Z Fold 6, just like the S25 Extremely, has a barely bigger show, making the general usability simpler and extra pleasing to the eyes. The Fold 6 remains to be slender in comparison with different foldables, however at the least Samsung is heading in the right direction.

The 2 gadgets range when put next side-by-side, because the S25 Extremely is taller, wider, and thinner at its 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm measurements. The Fold 6 measures 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm when closed, and 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm when opened.

The S25 Extremely has a extra rugged show, due to the brand new Gorilla Glass Armor 2 panel that has an anti-reflective coating. The Fold 6 lacks these premium options on each shows. The Extremely can be extra rugged, due to its IP68 certificates. The Fold 6 has an IP48 certificates, which, though it’s rated for the same water resistance stage, it’s not as resilient in opposition to mud, which may additionally harm the hinge parts.

When it comes to design, the system with fewer shifting components nearly all the time comes out as a winner, and that’s the identical time round. Nonetheless, regardless of the shortage of enhancements and main modifications, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 stays among the best and most rugged foldable flagships you should buy right now, even when it’s falling behind in developments in comparison with the competitors.

Show

Identical nice tech, minimal modifications

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 unfolded against a pink backdrop.

The Galaxy S25 Extremely sports activities a 6.9-inch QHD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X show with 120Hz adaptive refresh price. It helps the standard HDR10+ requirements and has a peak brightness of two,600 nits. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cowl show and a 7.6-inch predominant panel that tops out at 2,600 nits of peak brightness.

The S25 Extremely takes the sting right here due to its anti-reflective panel. Whereas the Fold 6 has a barely bigger cowl display screen, it’s nonetheless a bit slender. Some will like this, whereas others will favor a standard-sized show that may be discovered on different gadgets, such because the Pixel 9 Professional Fold or OnePlus Open.

Associated


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When it comes to show know-how, it’s virtually the identical wonderful panel that’s used on each fashions. You’ll hardly have a difficulty with the dimensions of both system. The picture high quality will all the time be good, whether or not you’re watching films, scrolling away on TikTok, or taking part in video games. Nonetheless, the Fold 6 makes for a greater cellular gaming expertise, and the massive display screen makes the on-screen buttons pleasurable and straightforward to function.

Software program and efficiency

Much more concentrate on AI

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with the screen on showing lock screen notifications and AI

The Galaxy S25 sequence launched with the One UI 7 replace, based mostly on Android 15. It comes with the newest Galaxy AI options to make life simpler and extra manageable. Given Samsung’s good status for software program help, we would see these trickle all the way down to older flagships and the foldable lineup within the coming months.

Whereas some could stay unique to the newest flagships, they may seem on older gadgets. The software program replace is one other factor that hasn’t modified. Samsung continues to vow seven years of OS and safety updates throughout its lineup for the Galaxy S and Galaxy Z sequence of smartphones.

As for efficiency, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, within the Galaxy S25 Extremely, will outperform the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset powering the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Nonetheless, other than benchmarks, you’ll have issue seeing a real-life distinction when gaming or utilizing your favourite apps.

Using new AI features on Galaxy S25 Ultra

Gaming for lengthy intervals will doubtless be higher on the S25 Extremely, however the Fold 6 will maintain up as nicely with out breaking a sweat. Each smartphones will carry out nicely underneath full masses, and also you’ll have an incredible expertise on both system, whatever the process.

These wanting the newest options and the very best efficiency will doubtless go together with the S25 Extremely, however these in search of a enjoyable and extra versatile kind issue with simply pretty much as good an expertise will likely be more than pleased with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

Battery life

Samsung remains to be behind the curve

a smartphone face down on top of books

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely makes use of the 5,000mAh battery that’s been used within the Extremely line since 2021. Whereas the dimensions is ample, it’s beginning to look small in comparison with the competitors’s choices with as much as 6,000mAh capability.

Whereas we’re nonetheless testing our assessment unit, we are able to inform that the S25 Extremely is meant to final so long as its predecessor, or possibly even longer, due to the extra superior chip inside. This could end in a few day’s value of energy, with solely energy customers requiring a top-up to maintain the lights on through the day.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 can final about the identical on a single cost, with energy customers and extra demanding duties requiring a top-up. The telephone has a 4,400mAh cell inside, which is a lot for the quilt display screen. Nonetheless, it might probably shortly deplete when the principle display screen is used all through the day.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 half opened on a ledge.

The charging isn’t nice on both of those gadgets. The S25 Extremely helps 45W wired, 25W wi-fi, and 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging. The Fold 6 is caught at 25W wired, 15W wi-fi, and the identical 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging.

In a world the place many telephones help 60W and sooner charging applied sciences, it’s not sufficient to prime up an costly flagship that takes over an hour. The S25 Extremely at the least helps Qi2-compatible equipment to make wi-fi charging simpler.

Digicam

Comparable efficiency, 12 months over 12 months

a smartphone face down on a bookshelf next to a book

The Galaxy S25 Extremely makes use of the same setup to the one it used on the Galaxy S24 Extremely, consisting of a 200MP f/1.7 vast, a 50MP f/1.9 ultrawide, a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto digicam with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP f/3.4 periscope telephoto digicam with 5x optical zoom. The Fold 6 additionally makes use of the same setup to its predecessor, together with a 50MP f/1.8 vast, a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, and a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto with 3x optical zoom.

When it comes to numbers, the Galaxy S25 Extremely wins right here because it has a extra versatile and higher digicam setup, to not point out a greater periscope telephoto sensor for higher-quality zoom pictures.

A close-up on the Galaxy Z Fold 6's camera.

Whereas we’re evaluating the digicam efficiency of the S25 Extremely, we are able to confidently say that the Fold 6 captures first rate pictures. They’ve loads of element, nice colours, and good efficiency in most lighting situations. Nonetheless, don’t anticipate it to be equivalent to a $1,200 flagship smartphone, because it falls quick in that division.

That’s to not say it’s unhealthy. It’s simply not as aggressive when seen side-by-side. Samsung is proscribed by area, stopping it from equipping its highest-end and most costly gadgets with a real flagship digicam, and it exhibits. If the digicam is one thing that you simply care about, you’ll doubtless have to attend for our full assessment of the Galaxy S25 Extremely. If you happen to don’t thoughts the distinctive kind issue and a beneath high-end digicam on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, it’ll nonetheless seize lovely pictures.

Which is best for you?

Primarily based on the above particulars, you would possibly see an ongoing pattern. Samsung hasn’t modified a lot for a number of years, and it’s beginning to really feel too repetitive and iterative 12 months over 12 months to see marginal enhancements. Whereas neither of those two telephones significantly stands out – because the competitors has nearly caught up with Samsung – the Galaxy S25 Extremely will doubtless stay a stable contender and among the best Android flagships in 2025.

s25-ultra-square

Strongest Samsung flagship

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely

The Galaxy S25 Extremely is likely to be one other small iterative improve, however it comes with a number of noteworthy upgrades over its predecessor. It’s smaller, curvier, and considerably sooner due to the brand new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip. It nonetheless brings all of the qualities, and predominant upgrades we anticipated, making it a brand new go-to flagship in 2025.

It has a top-of-the-line chipset, a big and delightful show with an anti-reflective coating that’s a should – after you get used to it – and a aggressive digicam expertise. It doesn’t have the largest battery or the quickest charging speeds, however it’s nonetheless one of many higher choices you possibly can select from.

Render of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in gray against a white background.

Distinctive kind issue


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

$1400 $1900 Save
$500

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 stays a powerhouse, and among the best foldables in the marketplace. It helps the S Pen stylus, has a robust chip inside, a good digicam efficiency, and whereas the battery measurement and charging pace leaves loads to be desired, it’s nonetheless among the best foldables you may get your arms on right now.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is in the same place. It doesn’t excel at every part, however it helps the S Pen, providing you with the choice to make use of the stylus on the large inside show. It makes note-taking, sketching, and drawing pleasurable and akin to doing these duties on a pill or a telephone. It has loads of energy to make use of your favourite apps, video games, and something you need. It has a good digicam however a sluggish charging pace. If the distinctive kind issue and options are all you care about, this can be a greater possibility than a typical bar-type smartphone.



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