Foldable Feud: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. OnePlus Open – A Comprehensive Comparison

The foldable smartphone market is a battleground of innovation, and at the forefront of this revolution are two heavyweights: the long-established Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series and the ambitious newcomer, the OnePlus Open. Both devices aim to deliver a phone and tablet experience in one, but they approach this vision with distinct philosophies in design, software, camera capabilities, and overall user experience.

As of July 2025, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 has solidified its position as the latest iteration of Samsung’s foldable flagship, bringing with it refinements and the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. The OnePlus Open, launched in October 2023, while a year older, remains a formidable contender, having impressed many with its thoughtful design and robust performance. This in-depth comparison will dissect every aspect of these two premium foldables, helping you decide which one best suits your needs and budget.

Price and Availability in Kenya (Mobihub Electronics and Beyond)

Let’s start with a crucial factor for many consumers: the price. Foldable smartphones are inherently premium devices, and these two are no exception.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in Kenya is currently priced around KSh 160,000 to KSh 175,599 for the 256GB/512GB variants, as seen at Mobihub Electronics and other retailers. This is a significant investment, reflecting Samsung’s position as the market leader and its commitment to offering cutting-edge technology. The Z Fold 6 typically comes with 12GB of RAM.

The OnePlus Open, being an older model, offers a more competitive price point. In Kenya, you can find the OnePlus Open (16GB RAM, 512GB storage) for approximately KSh 137,999 to KSh 170,000 at various outlets, including Mobihub Electronics. This price difference, sometimes as much as KSh 20,000 to KSh 30,000, can be a major deciding factor for many, especially considering the OnePlus Open often comes with a higher base RAM and storage configuration.

It’s worth noting that while Mobihub Electronics and other local retailers are good sources, prices can fluctuate, and it’s always advisable to check for the latest deals and availability. The OnePlus Open might also be more prone to discounts as it ages.

Design and Build Quality: Form and Function

The physical design is arguably the most defining characteristic of a foldable phone, and here, Samsung and OnePlus take different paths, each with its own advantages.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Samsung has consistently refined the Z Fold’s design over the years, and the Z Fold 6 continues this trend with a focus on slimness, lightness, and an improved aspect ratio for its cover screen.

• Dimensions & Weight: The Z Fold 6, when unfolded, measures around 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm, and when folded, it’s 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm. It weighs in at 239g. Samsung has aimed for a more compact and easier-to-handle device, especially in its folded state. The narrower design makes it more comfortable for one-handed use as a regular smartphone.
• Materials: The Z Fold 6 features a durable construction with an Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the cover screen and the back panel. The inner display utilizes Samsung’s Ultra Thin Glass (UTG).
• Durability: A significant upgrade for the Z Fold 6 is its IP48 rating for water and dust resistance, making it Samsung’s first foldable with certified dust protection. This is a considerable advantage over many foldables on the market.
• Hinge and Crease: Samsung has continuously worked on minimizing the visible crease on the inner display. While it’s still present, it’s less noticeable than on older Z Fold models. The hinge mechanism is robust and allows for Flex Mode, enabling various viewing angles.

OnePlus Open: OnePlus approached its first foldable with a fresh perspective, prioritizing a wider, more traditional smartphone-like cover screen and a nearly crease-free inner display.

• Dimensions & Weight: The OnePlus Open, when unfolded, measures 153.4 x 143.1 x 5.8 mm (Emerald Dusk variant) or 5.9 mm (Voyager Black variant). When folded, it’s 153.4 x 73.3 x 11.7 mm (Emerald Dusk) or 11.9 mm (Voyager Black). It’s also remarkably light, at 239g (Voyager Black) or 245g (Emerald Dusk). While slightly wider than the Z Fold 6 when folded, its thinner profile when unfolded is noticeable.
• Materials: The Open uses a glass front (Ceramic Guard for the cover, plastic for the unfolded screen), a glass or eco-leather back, and an aluminum frame. The Ceramic Guard on the cover screen is designed for enhanced durability.
• Durability: The OnePlus Open has an IPX4 splash resistance rating, which is good for everyday splashes but doesn’t offer the same level of water and dust protection as the Z Fold 6.
• Hinge and Crease: One of the most praised aspects of the OnePlus Open is its nearly invisible crease on the inner display. This is achieved through a more sophisticated hinge design that allows the screen to fold with a larger radius, reducing the stress on the flexible panel.

Design Verdict: For sheer durability and peace of mind with its IP48 rating, the Z Fold 6 has an edge. However, the OnePlus Open’s wider cover screen makes it feel more like a regular smartphone when closed, and its almost imperceptible inner crease offers a more seamless tablet experience. The choice here comes down to preference: a more compact folded experience with better ingress protection (Z Fold 6) or a wider, more “normal” outer screen and a less visible crease (OnePlus Open).

Displays: The Windows to Your World

Both devices boast impressive AMOLED displays, but their aspect ratios and characteristics differ significantly.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6:

• Main Display: A 7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel with a resolution of 1856 x 2160 pixels (~374 ppi). It supports a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and can reach a peak brightness of 2600 nits. The aspect ratio is still somewhat tall and narrow when unfolded.
• Cover Display: A 6.3-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 968 x 2376 pixels (410 ppi). It also has a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 2600 nits peak brightness. Samsung has made the cover screen wider than previous generations, making it more usable, though still not as wide as a conventional smartphone.

OnePlus Open:

• Main Display: A larger 7.82-inch Foldable LTPO3 Flexi-fluid AMOLED display with a higher resolution of 2268 x 2440 pixels (~426 ppi). It also features a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of 2800 nits. The aspect ratio of the inner display on the Open is more squarish, making it feel more expansive for content consumption.
• Cover Display: A 6.31-inch LTPO3 Super Fluid OLED with a resolution of 1116 x 2484 pixels (431 ppi). This display also offers a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2800 nits. Crucially, the aspect ratio of the cover screen is very close to that of a standard smartphone (20:9), making typing and general smartphone usage much more comfortable.

Display Verdict: The OnePlus Open takes the lead in display quality. Its wider cover screen is a significant advantage for usability in phone mode, providing a more natural typing and viewing experience. The inner display of the Open is also larger and sharper, and the less noticeable crease further enhances the immersion. While the Z Fold 6’s display is excellent, the Open’s thoughtful aspect ratios and superior crease management give it the edge. Both offer exceptional brightness and smooth refresh rates.

Performance: Raw Power vs. Refined Experience

Performance is where the age difference between these two devices becomes most apparent on paper, but real-world usage can tell a different story.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6:

• Processor: Powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm). This is the latest and most powerful mobile chipset available in Android phones, offering significant improvements in CPU, GPU, and AI processing.
• RAM & Storage: Comes with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB (UFS 4.0).
• Real-world Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ensures blistering performance across the board. From demanding games to intensive multitasking, the Z Fold 6 handles everything with ease and excellent efficiency. It’s built for the future with robust AI capabilities integrated into its software.

OnePlus Open:

• Processor: Features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), which was the flagship processor of 2023. While not the very latest, it remains incredibly powerful and capable.
• RAM & Storage: Uniquely, the OnePlus Open comes with a generous 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB or 1TB of UFS 4.0 internal storage as standard. The higher RAM is a notable advantage for heavy multitaskers.
• Real-world Performance: Despite being a generation behind, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus Open delivers a top-tier flagship experience. Apps open instantly, games run smoothly at high settings, and general navigation is fluid. The extra 4GB of RAM compared to the Z Fold 6’s base model can certainly help with app retention and switching for power users.

Performance Verdict: On raw benchmarks, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy will undoubtedly come out on top. It offers more future-proofing and slightly better performance for the most demanding tasks. However, the OnePlus Open’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, coupled with its substantial 16GB of RAM, is still an incredibly capable chipset that will satisfy almost all users. For everyday tasks and even intense gaming, the difference in perceived performance might be minimal for many users. If you crave the absolute latest and greatest, the Z Fold 6 wins; if you prioritize an abundance of RAM for power multitasking, the Open is highly competitive.

Cameras: Capturing the World, Folded or Unfolded

Camera performance is a crucial aspect of any modern flagship, and both foldables offer versatile camera systems, albeit with different strengths and approaches.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6:

• Rear Camera System:
  • Main: 50MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
  • Telephoto: 10MP, f/2.4, 66mm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom (up to 30x Space Zoom with AI Super Resolution)
  • Ultrawide: 12MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 12mm
• Front Cameras:
  • Cover: 10MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide)
  • Under-Display (Inner): 4MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide)
• Video Recording: Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps.
• Camera Performance: Samsung’s cameras are known for their consistent and vibrant output. The Z Fold 6 generally produces sharp, detailed images with good dynamic range, though sometimes it can be a bit aggressive with saturation and artificial sharpening, especially in low light. The 3x optical zoom is reliable, and video stabilization is excellent. The under-display camera on the inner screen is primarily for video calls and facial recognition, and its image quality is modest.

OnePlus Open:

• Rear Camera System (Hasselblad Tuned):
  • Main: 48MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.43″ sensor, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
  • Telephoto: 64MP, f/2.6, 70mm (telephoto), 1/2″ sensor, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom (up to 6x optical quality zoom via in-sensor zoom)
  • Ultrawide: 48MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2″ sensor, PDAF
• Front Cameras:
  • Cover: 32MP, f/2.4, 22mm (ultrawide)
  • Inner: 20MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide)
• Video Recording: Up to 4K@60fps.
• Camera Performance: The OnePlus Open, with its Hasselblad collaboration, focuses on more natural color science and excellent detail, particularly with its high-resolution sensors. It excels in dynamic range, taming highlights effectively. The 64MP telephoto offers more detail at 3x zoom and beyond. The ultrawide also offers higher resolution. The selfie cameras, particularly the cover screen one, are higher resolution than Samsung’s. The inner selfie camera also performs better than Samsung’s under-display camera due to it being a punch-hole cutout.

Camera Verdict: This is a closely contested category. The OnePlus Open often produces more natural-looking photos with better dynamic range and more detail, especially with its zoom lens and ultrawide. Its selfie cameras are also notably superior. However, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 offers better video stabilization and, for some, a more consistently bright and punchy image output, even if it’s sometimes oversaturated. For overall versatility and higher resolution across the board, the OnePlus Open often nudges ahead, especially if you appreciate more natural color reproduction.

Battery Life and Charging: Powering Through the Day

Battery life and charging speed are critical for any smartphone, and foldables, with their larger displays, pose a unique challenge.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6:

• Battery: 4400 mAh (typical).
• Charging: Supports 25W wired fast charging (50% in 30 minutes, advertised), 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Notably, Samsung does not include a charger in the box.
• Battery Life: With the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Z Fold 6 is expected to offer improved battery endurance compared to its predecessor. Users can generally expect a full day of moderate use.

OnePlus Open:

• Battery: 4805 mAh (typical).
• Charging: Supports 67W wired fast charging (100% in 42 minutes, advertised), and importantly, the charger is included in the box. It does not support wireless charging.
• Battery Life: The OnePlus Open, with its larger battery and efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, often provides slightly better battery endurance than the Z Fold series, comfortably lasting a full day or more for many users. The fast charging is a significant advantage.

Battery & Charging Verdict: The OnePlus Open clearly wins the charging speed battle with its 67W SuperVOOC charging and the inclusion of the charger in the box. Its larger battery also gives it a slight edge in overall endurance. While the Z Fold 6 benefits from wireless and reverse wireless charging, the sheer speed and capacity of the Open’s battery setup make it more convenient for quick top-ups.

Software Experience: One UI vs. OxygenOS & Multitasking

The software experience on a foldable is paramount, as it dictates how effectively you can utilize the dual-screen form factor. Both Samsung and OnePlus have their custom Android skins with unique approaches to multitasking.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (One UI 6.1.1, Android 14, with Galaxy AI):

• One UI: Samsung’s One UI is a mature and feature-rich Android skin, optimized for its foldable form factor. It offers a wide array of customization options, a robust DeX desktop experience (for connecting to external displays), and excellent app continuity between the cover and inner screens.
• Multitasking: The Z Fold 6 offers powerful multitasking features, including split-screen view, floating windows, and a persistent taskbar for quick app switching. Drag-and-drop functionality is also well-implemented.
• Software Updates: Samsung is a leader in software support, promising an impressive seven years of OS upgrades and security updates for the Z Fold 6. This ensures long-term usability and access to the latest Android features and security patches.
• Galaxy AI: A major highlight of the Z Fold 6 is the integration of Galaxy AI features. These include live translation for calls and messages, AI-powered photo editing (like generative fill and object eraser), Circle to Search, and more, significantly enhancing productivity and creativity.

OnePlus Open (OxygenOS 14, Android 14):

• OxygenOS: OnePlus’ OxygenOS is known for its clean, fast, and near-stock Android experience, with thoughtful additions. For the Open, OnePlus developed “Open Canvas,” a unique multitasking system that allows for seamless resizing and arrangement of up to three apps on the main screen, with additional apps “out of view” but easily accessible by dragging the screen.
• Multitasking: Open Canvas is highly intuitive and makes multitasking feel incredibly fluid and natural. It often feels more efficient and less cramped than traditional split-screen implementations.
• Software Updates: OnePlus promises four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates for the Open. While good, this falls short of Samsung’s seven-year commitment, which is a significant factor for long-term ownership.

Software Verdict: For raw longevity and cutting-edge AI features, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 with its seven years of updates and comprehensive Galaxy AI suite is a compelling choice. However, for sheer multitasking efficiency and a more intuitive foldable-first experience, many users prefer OnePlus’ Open Canvas. OxygenOS on the Open is generally very fluid and fast. The choice here depends on whether you prioritize long-term software support and AI innovations (Z Fold 6) or a more streamlined, foldable-centric multitasking paradigm (OnePlus Open).

Other Features and Considerations

• S Pen Support (Z Fold 6): The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 continues to support the S Pen (sold separately), offering enhanced productivity for note-taking, drawing, and precise interaction. There is no built-in slot for the S Pen, however. The OnePlus Open does not support stylus input.
• Audio Quality: Both devices offer stereo speakers tuned for a rich audio experience. The OnePlus Open boasts “Multi-spatial speakers” for an enhanced soundstage.
• Haptics: Both provide excellent haptic feedback for a premium feel.
• IR Blaster (OnePlus Open): The OnePlus Open includes an IR blaster, allowing it to function as a universal remote control for various appliances, a feature absent on the Z Fold 6.
• User Interface on Cover Screen: While the Z Fold 6’s cover screen is wider than before, the OnePlus Open’s wider, more traditional aspect ratio makes it much more comfortable for daily smartphone use without opening the device. This is a significant differentiator.
• Crease Visibility: As mentioned, the OnePlus Open has a remarkably less visible crease than the Z Fold 6, contributing to a more seamless tablet display experience.

Conclusion: Which Foldable Reigns Supreme?

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the OnePlus Open is a nuanced decision, as both are exceptional foldable smartphones that cater to slightly different priorities. There isn’t a single “winner” for everyone; rather, it’s about identifying which device aligns better with your specific needs and preferences.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 if:

• You want the absolute latest performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy offers the most powerful Android experience currently available.
• Long-term software support is paramount: Samsung’s seven-year update policy is unmatched and provides exceptional future-proofing.
• Durability and water/dust resistance are crucial: The IP48 rating offers superior protection.
• You heavily rely on AI features: Galaxy AI integration provides a suite of smart functionalities.
• S Pen support is essential for your workflow: While sold separately, the S Pen enhances productivity.
• You prefer a more compact phone experience when folded: The Z Fold 6’s narrower form factor is easier to handle with one hand.

Choose the OnePlus Open if:

• You prioritize a more traditional and comfortable cover screen experience: Its wider aspect ratio is a joy to use as a regular phone.
• A nearly invisible inner display crease is a must-have: The Open’s hinge design makes the crease almost disappear.
• You value a superior multitasking paradigm: Open Canvas is intuitive, fluid, and highly effective.
• Faster wired charging and an included charger are important: The 67W SuperVOOC charging is incredibly convenient.
• You appreciate a strong camera system with natural color science: The Hasselblad-tuned cameras offer excellent photo quality, especially with zoom and selfies.
• You want a premium foldable experience at a slightly lower price point: The Open offers remarkable value, especially for its base RAM and storage.
• Higher RAM (16GB) for heavy multitasking appeals to you.

In essence, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 represents the pinnacle of refinement and future-proofing, offering the latest performance, robust durability, and an unparalleled commitment to software longevity, topped with innovative AI features. It’s the safe and established choice, continually improving its formula.

The OnePlus Open, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. It rethought key aspects of foldable design, delivering a more user-friendly cover screen, a practically invisible crease, and a truly exceptional multitasking experience. Its slightly older processor is still immensely capable, and its charging speed and higher base RAM make it a compelling value proposition.

Before making your final decision, we highly recommend visiting a Mobihub Electronics store or other reputable retailers in Nairobi to experience both devices firsthand. Feel them in your hand, test their hinges, and play around with the software. The tactile experience and personal preference for aspect ratios and software interfaces will ultimately guide you to the foldable that truly opens up new possibilities for you.