The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 foldable phone is rumored to have the same camera as last year's model, instead of the latest camera hardware.
The Galaxy Z Fold phones have never had the absolute best cameras that Samsung offers. This is likely because the foldable display already makes the phone expensive, so Samsung doesn't want to raise the price more with a top-tier camera. The Galaxy S series remains Samsung's camera flagship.
According to leaks, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will reuse the 50MP main camera from the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Samsung may rely on software improvements and AI processing to boost camera performance. While some prototypes likely exist with the Galaxy S24 Ultra's 200MP camera, this would hurt battery life in the Fold 6.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is expected to launch in July 2024, a bit earlier than the August launch of the last two generations. Launching earlier in Q3 will maximize sales potential.
Overall, the camera choice highlights the compromises in foldable phone design. The focus is on display innovation and flexibility. The camera only needs to be good enough, not the absolute best. Other areas like battery life and durability are higher priorities. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 will likely have a capable camera, but camera excellence will remain in the Galaxy S series.