Don't Spend $2,000 — This Samsung Foldable Is the Smarter Buy in 2025

Samsung desperately needed to shake things up with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The company’s book-style foldable lineup had grown stagnant, and users were right to expect more from a $2,000 smartphone. Thankfully, Samsung delivered a major upgrade this year — making the Fold 7 the first big foldable I’d recommend to casual users.

But not everyone wants to drop that much money. Luckily, there’s a far more practical option for Samsung fans who still want the folding experience without the eye-watering price tag. Enter the Galaxy Z Fold 6 — a phone that may look a bit older but still performs like a premium flagship in 2025, often selling for less than half the cost of the Fold 7.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 Still Holds Its Own

When the Fold 6 launched, I was one of its critics. It didn’t seem like a big leap from the Fold 5, and I complained about Samsung’s conservative approach. Yet, time and price have been kind to it. Now that the Fold 6 costs under $1,000, all those concerns fade fast — and what’s left is a surprisingly strong, durable device that feels great in hand.

If you enjoy compact foldables, the Fold 6 might actually be a better fit than the Fold 7. It’s slightly thicker, but easy to hold and unfold one-handed. The 6.3-inch cover screen remains comfortable for typing, and the hinge feels rock-solid after a year of use.

In some ways, buying the older Fold even gives you more features. The Fold 6 supports the S Pen — a beloved feature that Samsung dropped on the Fold 7. Even if you don’t use it daily, having stylus support unlocks the full potential of the large inner display.

Software and AI: No Compromises Here

With the One UI 8 update, Samsung brought nearly all its new Galaxy AI features to the Fold 6. The phone runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and packs 12GB of RAM, meaning it’s still blazing fast. Whether you’re gaming, editing videos, or multitasking between apps, the Fold 6 handles it effortlessly.

Performance-wise, it even competes with newer foldables from Google. And while I’m not completely sold on Galaxy AI, I have to admit that features like Now Bar have improved how I use my phone. It gives me at-a-glance info like media controls or directions without needing to unlock the screen.

Better yet, Samsung promises six more years of updates for the Fold 6, putting it on par with the newest flagships. That means you’re getting a long-term device that won’t feel outdated anytime soon.

Performance Meets Practicality

One of the Fold 6’s biggest strengths is value. You can frequently find it around $900 — nearly $1,000 cheaper than the Fold 7. At that price, any initial disappointment about its launch fades away completely. The build quality is top-tier, the hinge feels strong, and durability issues that plagued older generations are largely gone.

You’ll always find someone online sharing a horror story about foldable screens, but over the past few generations, Samsung has seriously improved reliability. Treat it like any other premium smartphone and it’ll hold up just fine.

Perfect for Productivity and Creativity

If you’re a content creator, entrepreneur, or just love multitasking, the Fold 6 is an excellent entry point into the world of large foldables. The expansive inner screen is ideal for split-screen work, app stacking, and note-taking with the S Pen. It’s like carrying a tablet that fits in your pocket.

For those who rely on their phone for business, presentations, or creative projects, the Fold 6 offers immense flexibility. You can edit photos, manage documents, and even run DeX mode for desktop-style productivity — all without needing to spend $2,000 on the latest model.

The Smarter Foldable Choice in 2025

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is undoubtedly a fantastic device, but the Fold 6 now represents the sweet spot between performance and affordability. You get nearly the same power, a better price, and even a few features Samsung decided to remove in the newer model.

Unless you absolutely need the latest specs or design tweaks, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the smarter buy in 2025 — a flagship foldable that delivers luxury without the premium price tag.