As smartphone makers continue to innovate in the still-young world of foldable devices, Samsung is gearing up to unveil the latest iterations of its category-defining Galaxy Z series. Yesterday brought leaked renders claiming to show the design of the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6. Today, it’s the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s turn in the spotlight.

New renders from frequent leaker OnLeaks and Indian tech site SmartPrix purport to show Samsung’s next-generation clamshell foldable from all angles. At first glance, it retains the basic look of last year’s well-received Z Flip 5. The size appears unchanged, with a 6.7-inch inner folding screen and a 3.4-inch outer display. But look closer, and a few key upgrades stand out.

While the overall silhouette is familiar, the Z Flip 6 looks set to put on some weight. SmartPrix claims the thickness will increase from 6.9mm to 7.4mm to accommodate a larger battery. A report last year from Dutch tech blog GalaxyClub said Samsung is aiming to squeeze a 4,000mAh cell into the flip phone, up from 3,700mAh in the preceding model. That modest bump could pay dividends in daylong endurance for moderate to heavy use.

The Z Flip 6 is also tipped to run Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip for blistering performance befitting a 2024 flagship. The cameras are said to remain 12MP like the Z Flip 5’s array, though Samsung may swap a standard lens for a sharper 50MP shooter. New color options are coming too, including light purple and mint green to stand out from the high-tech crowd.

Of course, much remains uncertain about Samsung’s next-generation foldable – price and launch timing among them. If history holds, we can expect a July announcement alongside the Z Fold 6. Last year’s models started at $1,000, a threshold Samsung may aim to maintain even with upgrades throughout.

One thing is for sure: software enhancements through Samsung’s One UI interface will play a big role in setting the new phone apart. Features like Flex Mode for more versatile multitasking are tailor-made for these unconventional devices. And with Google boosting Android support for folding displays, the software gap to normal slab phones continues to narrow.

For a category still finding its footing with consumers, every improvement helps. If Samsung can deliver on the promising hardware teased in these early leaks, while polishing the software, the Z Flip 6 may flip more newcomers onto foldable when it likely arrives this summer.