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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Sony Xperia 5 IV

Updated Apr 2026phones
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
$1,900
8.7/10
Winner
VS
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Sony
Sony Xperia 5 IV
$999
7.4/10

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.

Value5 IV
CameraFold 6
Battery5 IV
DisplayFold 6
PerformanceFold 6

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

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Value
7.1
8.9
Camera
8.9
8.2
Battery
7.2
8.6
Display
9.5
8.0
Performance
9.1
7.8

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

SpecSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 6Sony Xperia 5 IV
SoftwareAndroid 14, One UI 6.1.1Android 12
Body
Weight239 g172 g
MaterialArmor Aluminum frameAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus
IP ratingIP48IP68
Dimensions153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm unfolded156 x 67 x 8.2 mm
Camera
Main camera50 MP, f/1.8, OIS12 MP, f/1.7, OIS
Front camera10 MP cover, 4 MP under-display12 MP, f/2.0
Video8K@30fps, 4K@60fps4K@120fps
Telephoto10 MP 3x optical12 MP, f/2.4, 2.5x optical zoom
Ultrawide12 MP, f/2.212 MP, f/2.2
Memory
RAM12 GB8 GB
Storage options256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB128 GB, 256 GB
Battery
Capacity4400 mAh5000 mAh
Charging25W wired30W wired
Wireless charging15W15W wireless
Display
Size7.6 inches inner, 6.3 inches cover6.1 inches
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X LTPOOLED
Resolution2160 x 1856 inner, 2376 x 968 cover2520 x 1080
Refresh rate120Hz120Hz
Brightness (nits)26001000
Processor
CPUOcta-core (1x3.39 GHz + 5x3.1 GHz + 2x2.9 GHz)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 730
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 3 for GalaxyQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Connectivity
5G
NFC
USBUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth5.35.2

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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.

Explore more in phones, see all Samsung products or all Sony products. View full details for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the Sony Xperia 5 IV.