Update 1 (08/05/2020 @ 11:01 PM ET): We have now learned that despite the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 features Qualcomm's FastConnect 6900, the device does NOT support Wi-Fi 6E or Bluetooth 5.2. Scroll to the bottom for more information.

At Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung unveiled the second-gen model of its horizontally folding smartphone, the Galaxy Fold. The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 features substantial improvements over the first-gen model, with fixes for the display peeling issue, a thin layer of Ultra-Thin Glass for protection, an improved hinge design with support for Samsung's "Flex Mode", a full-screen cover display, a more immersive foldable display with a hole-punch cutout rather than a notch, and 120Hz refresh rate support. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a marvel of smartphone engineering, but it's not just impressive externally. The new foldable is also the first device to feature a new piece of hardware: Qualcomm's FastConnect 6900.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Forums

Announced back in May, the Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 is Qualcomm's latest mobile connectivity solution for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on mobile devices. It's the first FastConnect chip to support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. Wi-Fi 6E is an extension of Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) into the 6GHz band that aims to solve congestion issues in 2.4GHz and 5GHz ranges; in the U.S., the FCC has allocated almost 1200MHz of unlicensed spectrum in the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi 6. Of course, few people have Wi-Fi 6-compatible routers at home, and nobody has a Wi-Fi 6E-compatible router yet, so it'll take a while for this technology to actually become usable by consumers.

In addition, the FastConnect 6900 enables support for Bluetooth LE Audio which includes features like multi-point audio sharing and broadcasting audio, it also has a second Bluetooth antenna with intelligent switching capabilities to overcome signal shadowing issues.

We were initially expecting devices with the Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 to launch in early 2021, but it seems that Samsung has managed to include it in the 2020 Galaxy Z Fold 2. We don't have a release date for the device, but Samsung will hold a separate event on September 1st to provide more details. That's also when pre-orders will begin. At the very least, we can expect the Z Fold 2 to launch before the end of 2020, which means it'll support next-gen Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies before any other commercial device.

Specification

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

Dimensions & Weight

  • Folded: 159.2 x 68 x 16.8 mm
  • Unfolded: 159.2 x 128.2 x 6.9 mm
  • 279g

Display

  • Outer Display:
    • 6.23" HD+ Super AMOLED
    • 2,260 x 816 pixels
    • 25:9 aspect ratio
    • Infinity-O
    • 60Hz refresh rate
    • HDR10+ support
  • Inner Display:
    • 7.6" FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X
    • 2,208 x 1,768 pixels
    • 5:4 aspect ratio
    • Infinity-O
    • 120Hz refresh rate
    • Dynamic refresh rate
    • HDR10+ support

SoC

Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus

RAM & Storage

12GB LPDDR5 + 256GB

Battery & Charging

  • 4,500 mAh
  • 25W wired fast charging
  • 11W wireless charging
  • Reverse wireless charging

Fingerprint sensor

Side-mounted fingerprint scanner

Rear Camera

  • Primary: 12MP, f/1.8, OIS
  • Secondary: 12MP, f/2.2, ultra-wide-angle
  • Tertiary: 12MP, f/2.4, telephoto

Front Camera

  • Folded: 10MP, f/2.2, fixed focus
  • Unfolded: 10MP, f/2.2, fixed focus

Other Features

  • Folding design
  • 5G: SA, NSA, mmWave

Android Version

Android 10 with One UI

Update 1: No Wi-Fi 6E or Bluetooth 5.2 support

It is true that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 features the Qualcomm FastConnect 6900, and it is also true that the Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 does not, in fact, support either Wi-Fi 6E or Bluetooth 5.2. We have reached out to Samsung for comment on why this is the case and will update this article if we hear back.