'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Buying a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6? Make sure to order this model
Samsung today launched the newest generation of the Galaxy Z Fold series during its Unpacked event, making it year six for the phone-to-tablet foldable. If you've been following the journey all this time, then you know full well how far the product has come in terms of design, software features, and the synergy of the two.
Also: Everything unveiled at Samsung Unpacked 2024: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Watch Ultra, Buds 3 Pro, Ring, more
You may also be aware of the company's tendency to offer online-exclusive colorways on top of the "general launch" options. This year is no different. Along with Pink, Navy, and Silver Shadow -- which, I will say, all looked quite appealing during my brief hands-on session -- Samsung is also launching a slick-looking White and Crafted Black option through its website.
Let's zoom in on the Crafted Black option, which flaunts a carbon-fiber-like look and feel that I've never seen before on a foldable. The unique material choice isn't just a case or decal skin layered over the Z Fold 6's back cover; it's a sophisticated coating that gives the phone an extra touch of classy.
Depending on the lighting direction, the Crafted Black option gives off a clean, darkened shimmer or a patterned weave from one corner to the other. Here's a shot I took when I tested the Z Fold 6 variant for the first time.
Of course, this may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I appreciate Samsung taking a bigger swing with the industrial design this time around. Beyond aesthetics, the textured finish of the Crafted Black makes the Z Fold 6 less slippery in the hands than the standard frosted back covers.
That alone may be an even bigger reason to opt for this colorway over the others -- and it costs the same! Just know that you can only buy it directly from Samsung, so don't expect your local phone carrier or Best Buy to offer the same thing.