What is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition? We compare with the Z Fold 6

Samsung continues to push the boundaries within the foldable phone category and has officially announced a Special Edition of its latest book-style Galaxy Z Fold.

While the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is an impressive iteration, the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition takes things a step further. Though both devices share much of the same DNA, there are various key differences that set them apart.

Let’s take a closer look at three major distinctions between these two foldable flagships.

Display

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 already features impressive screen technology with a 6.3-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch main screen. These provide a good foldable experience, but the relatively narrow cover display has raised our eyebrows.

The Z Fold Special Edition, however, addresses this by offering larger displays. The cover display grows to 6.5-inch, with a 21:9 aspect ratio, making it feel more like a traditional bar phone when folded.

This improvement greatly enhances usability when using the phone in its folded state.

Additionally, the main display increases to 8-inch, with a 10:9 aspect ratio, giving users more screen real estate for tasks like multitasking and media consumption.

This change makes the Special Edition a better choice for those who prioritise larger displays and a more expansive foldable experience.

Design

While both models maintain Samsung’s high-end build quality, the Z Fold Special Edition is notably slimmer and lighter.

When folded, the Special Edition is just 10.6mm thick, compared to the Z Fold 6’s 12.1mm, and it measures a mere 4.9mm when unfolded.

Additionally, the Special Edition weighs 236g, 3 grams lighter than the standard Z Fold 6, which weighs 239g.

However, this sleek and slim design comes with a tradeoff

However, this sleek and slim design comes with a tradeoff: the Z Fold Special Edition does not support the S Pen, a key feature for users who enjoy Samsung’s stylus for productivity.

If S Pen support is important to you, the standard Z Fold 6 might be the better option.

Camera upgrades

The camera systems between the two models are surprisingly different.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 features a 50Mp main camera, a 12Mp ultrawide camera without autofocus, and a 10Mp telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.

While capable, this setup doesn’t bring major innovations for foldable photography.

The Z Fold Special Edition, on the other hand, makes significant upgrades. It boasts a 200Mp main camera with OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation), potentially providing a dramatic improvement in image quality and detail.

Additionally, the 12Mp ultrawide lens now has autofocus, enhancing versatility, especially for wide-angle shots. The telephoto and selfie camera setups remain similar, but the improved main and ultrawide cameras make the Special Edition stand out for photography enthusiasts.

If taking high-quality photos is a priority, the Special Edition offers a major advantage over the standard model.

Other differences

In addition to the major distinctions in display, design and cameras, the Z Fold 6 Special Edition also offers Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, an upgrade over the Wi-Fi 6E found on the standard Z Fold 6.

The Special Edition also comes with 16GB of RAM, compared to the 12GB on the standard Z Fold 6.

This extra RAM could make a difference in heavy multitasking and demanding apps, giving the Special Edition an edge in performance.

Shared specs

Besides that, both devices share many of the same core features. Here are the specs that remain the same across both models:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
• Storage: 512GB (only option on Special Edition)
• Battery: 4400mAh with 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging
• Software: One UI 6.1 based on Android 14, with 7 years of software updates
• IP rating: IP48 water and dust resistance
• Speakers: Dual stereo speakers
• Selfie cameras: 10Mp cover selfie camera and 4Mp under-display selfie camera
• Rear cameras: Shared 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom
• Foldable display: 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support
• Wireless connectivity: 5G, Bluetooth 5.3

Price & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is widely available and starts at £1,799/$1,899. It is available for purchase in many regions, including the US and UK, through Samsung’s own website, Amazon, and various carriers.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition, however, is currently exclusive to South Korea, priced at KRW 2,789,600 (approximately £1,654/$2,028). Although rumours suggest it may be released in China under the name Galaxy W25, it’s unclear whether this model will become available in other regions like the UK or US.

However, if this does happen, we’ll update this section with regional pricing for the Special Edition.

Verdict

The Z Fold 6 provides global availability, supports the S Pen, and delivers a refined foldable experience with great software support and features. It is a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade to a premium foldable that is both functional and familiar.

On the other hand, the Z Fold Special Edition stands out with its larger displays, improved 200Mp camera, and slimmer, sleeker design, making it the ultimate foldable for users who want the best possible hardware.

However, it’s only available in Korea for now and lack of S Pen support may be dealbreakers for some.

For now then, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the obvious choice for anyone in the West who doesn’t want to wait for a phone which may never arrive. If you can get the Special Edition, it offers top-tier hardware and design upgrades that make it a tempting option.

If you think the Z Fold 6 is the right phone for you, then check out our guide to the best Z Fold 6 deals. You can also check how the competition compares with our guide to the best folding phones.