Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Sony Xperia 5 IV
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 6 justifies its $900 premium with a revolutionary foldable design and significantly superior specs. The 7.6-inch inner display with 2160 x 1856 resolution and 2600 nits brightness crushes the Xperia's 6.1-inch 1000-nit panel, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor outperforms the older Gen 1 chip by a meaningful margin. Camera capabilities lean toward Samsung, featuring a 50MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and 8K video recording versus Sony's 12MP f/1.7 setup limited to 4K at 120fps. However, Sony delivers practical advantages: the Xperia 5 IV is noticeably lighter at 172g versus 239g, includes a full IP68 rating versus IP48, and offers more generous 30W wired charging against Samsung's 25W. Battery capacity favors Sony at 5000mAh to 4400mAh. The Xperia also runs closer to stock Android with fewer bloatware concerns. For productivity and multimedia consumption, the Z Fold 6's folding tablet experience is genuinely transformative. For those prioritizing everyday usability, durability, and simpler software, the Xperia 5 IV delivers excellent value at half the price. Choose Samsung if you want cutting-edge innovation; choose Sony if you value practicality and savings.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 if…
- →Lighter and slimmer than the Z Fold 5
- →Improved 2600-nit displays inside and out
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy performance
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 IV if…
- →Compact 6.1-inch form factor at 172 g
- →5000 mAh battery in a compact body
- →3.5mm headphone jack
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Pros
- Lighter and slimmer than the Z Fold 5
- Improved 2600-nit displays inside and out
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy performance
- Galaxy AI optimized for the foldable display
- Seven years of software support
Cons
- Very expensive at $1899
- Charging still capped at 25W
- Visible inner display crease remains
- Cameras lag behind the S24 Ultra
- IP48 rating (no dust protection)
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch form factor at 172 g
- 5000 mAh battery in a compact body
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Wireless charging added (absent on 5 III)
- Excellent manual camera controls
Cons
- 12 MP cameras feel dated in 2022
- Slow 30W charging
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 thermal issues
- Niche appeal limits accessories and cases
- Auto camera mode behind iPhone and Pixel
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 | Sony Xperia 5 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14, One UI 6.1.1 | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 239 g | 172 g |
| Material | Armor Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP48 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm unfolded | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 10 MP cover, 4 MP under-display | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | 10 MP 3x optical | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2.5x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4400 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 7.6 inches inner, 6.3 inches cover | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO | OLED |
| Resolution | 2160 x 1856 inner, 2376 x 968 cover | 2520 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2600 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.39 GHz + 5x3.1 GHz + 2x2.9 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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