Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review: After Six Years, Samsung Finally Masters the Foldable Future

In terms of smartphones, certain companies stick with conventional approaches (such as Apple), while others make bold moves, including LG, Nokia, and occasionally Samsung.

I've been using the new Galaxy Z Fold 7 for a week now, and overall, this is the foldable smartphone people have imagined. Of course, the S Pen is missing (more about that later), but when closed, it truly feels like a regular phone—it simply has the ability to unfold into an 8-inch screen.

Certainly, anyone familiar with this site understands that its beginnings were tied to smartphones, particularly Windows Mobile/Phone. That endeavor failed, but Microsoft made another attempt with its Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 phones. Because they were market bombs Microsoft never reached it Microsoft didn't get there Microsoft failed to arrive Microsoft wasn't able to make it Microsoft couldn't reach it Microsoft did not succeed in getting there Microsoft was unable to achieve it Microsoft never managed to get there Microsoft never succeeded in reaching it Microsoft never got to it a third iteration , which is unfortunate, since the Surface Duo 2 represented a significant upgrade from the original model.

However, Samsung demonstrates that perseverance is valuable. After seven iterations and six years, Samsung finally discovered the successful formula. If Microsoft had remained committed to the Surface Duo (even if adapted into a folding design), it might also have reached such success, similar to how the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Pro 11 became breakthroughs for their respective designs.

This evaluation was made possible due to a complimentary review unit supplied by Samsung. Samsung did not have any involvement or view the content of this review before it was published.

Build quality and features

The Fold 7 is my fourth Fold device, but I sent back the Z Fold 4 because it was essentially unusable, so I'm well-versed in how this line has developed over time.

Calling the Fold 7 a significant improvement over the Fold 6 would be putting it very mildly, considering just how remarkably slim it is when compared to last year's version. Anyone I demonstrate it to reacts with widened eyes and often says "wow," something I myself experienced even though I was fully aware of all its features beforehand.

Measuring 8.9mm when closed and 4.2mm when open, it functions as a regular 6.5-inch contemporary smartphone. This year introduces a somewhat broader cover screen with a more conventional 21:9 ratio (compared to 22.1:9 on the Fold 6). As a result, typing has become more straightforward compared to previous models, allowing for frequent use of the Fold 7 in its folded state.

However, if you're looking for an enhanced experience, you can enjoy a stunning 8-inch (up from 7.6 inches) QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2184x1968 and a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes viewing your pictures or reading more pleasant.

Another addition this year is a 200MP camera, replacing the previous 50MP sensor. This has typically been a compromise with these high-cost folding smartphones: inferior photography capabilities. However, this issue appears to be largely resolved nowadays. Although it lags behind the Galaxy S25 Ultra in terms of lens choices, the standard, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses suffice for the majority of users. For someone who has enjoyed the S25 Ultra, this now makes switching easier because, as far as I know, they feature the identical main camera.

I also think the new "blue shadow" color variant is great.

Regarding the screen crease, it is still present, though significantly more subtle than on the Fold 6 when you run your finger over it.

Could I also share how much I favor OneUI nowadays? OneUI 8 is merely an incremental upgrade from OneUI 7, yet Samsung's operating system and pre-installed applications remain among my top preferences. The weather, health tracking, Now Brief, optimized app, and even Samsung News are all my go-to options simply because I enjoy using them so much (I'm still not fully convinced by Samsung Wallet, however). When you add Samsung's Good Lock application for advanced personalization, I feel quite content.

In general, Samsung consistently delivers strong hardware, and the features shown in advertisements match what you receive. They have mastered this design, with only minor issues here and there (I'll mention them further down).

The S Pen controversy

Where is the missing S Pen? The reduction in thickness was achieved by eliminating the digitizer required for the S Pen, which is why devices like the Pixel 9 Pro and the OnePlus Open Find N2 Flip remained slimmer compared to the Samsung Fold line.

Certainly, no other companies currently competing with Samsung in the foldable market use a stylus.

Does it matter that it's no longer around? Not at all. I'm someone who is deeply fond of the idea about the S Pen (which is truly great), but who rarely utilized it on earlier Folds and Ultra models ( and Surface Duo 2 ) And Samsung understands that this applied to most Fold owners as well (it wasn't helpful that you needed to purchase the S Pen individually or use a large case to transport it).

However, Samsung took a risk: They believed more users would value the slim design over being upset about the absence of the S Pen. I believe they were correct.

With that being said, I still hope the S Pen makes a comeback without requiring a digitizer, as it caters to a specific group of users who appreciate it.

Other gripes

A minor annoyance I have is that you have to awkwardly lift open the Fold 7, which was the problem I encountered with the Fold 4 (and appeared to be resolved with Fold 5 and Fold 6). Samsung might gain from having a small notch or some kind of grip area. Using a case can help, yet some people may justifiably object to this choice since it "spoils" their experience.

Another instance involves the absent under-screen camera, which was certainly an innovative way to offer a smooth, tablet-style look, yet honestly, it wasn’t great either. For the Fold 7, Samsung has returned to a basic punch-hole camera, and as my peers at Tom’s Guide pointed out, this change works significantly better. In my opinion, this shift is more of a positive development rather than a complaint; although, I would have been fine with Samsung simply eliminating the camera altogether.

Many people are upset because Samsung is utilizing a conventional 4,400mAh lithium-ion battery rather than the advanced silicon-carbon variety seen in some Chinese manufacturers, which offers greater capacity within a compact size. Given Samsung's history with "explosive" devices, it makes sense that they might be cautious about embracing newer battery technologies, as these aren’t always fully refined—silicon-carbon batteries reportedly degrade more quickly and lose their charging ability at a faster rate compared to traditional lithium-ion ones, plus there could be challenges related to manufacturing and scaling them effectively.

Another option is the slower charger, offering only 25 watts (with 15 watt for wireless charging), which seems outdated in 2025.

Lastly, pricing. Individuals once mocked Microsoft's $1,399 Surface Duo despite it being $400 less expensive than Samsung's Fold. In fact, the expectation was that Samsung would reduce the cost eventually. However, in the U.S., Samsung has increased the price twice, bringing it up to $1,999. This makes it hard for many consumers to accept!

How is the battery?

So far, the battery life of the Fold 7 matches that of the Fold 6, which isn't something to overlook. Despite being much slimmer, it uses a similarly sized battery. While battery consumption could potentially increase because of the bigger screens, the "Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Mobile Platform for Galaxy" is powerful enough to offset this issue.

Furthermore, even without a vapor chamber this year, the Fold 7 is said to Additionally, although it doesn't feature a vapor chamber this time around, the Fold 7 is reported to In addition, regardless of not having a vapor chamber this year, the Fold 7 is allegedly Nevertheless, with no vapor chamber included this year, the Fold 7 is supposedly Even so, despite missing out on a vapor chamber this year, the Fold 7 is claimed to operates at a lower temperature compared to the Fold 6 (The same footage demonstrates Fold 7 narrowly outperforming Fold 6 in the battery test.)

Overall, the Fold 7 serves as my go-to device throughout the day, typically having about 20 to 30% battery left when I charge it at night. It's not exceptional, but it's sufficient. In contrast, my S25 Ultra usually ends the day with between 40 and 50% remaining.

Samsung Z Flip 7 versus Galaxy S25 Ultra

I've primarily used the S25 Ultra since its release, even though I really enjoyed the Fold 6. The reasons are because of the S25 Ultra's stunning non-glare display, which is essentially a compromise between the Fold's outer and internal screens in terms of size, yet offers superior quality.

The S25 Ultra, simply put, is the top choice for the majority of users. To be honest, I can honestly state that the S25 Ultra is the finest phone I've ever owned. The camera, battery performance, screen quality, S Pen functionality, and what I believe is an ideal design all stand out. I wouldn't like to see them alter the configuration at all—just enhance the internal components. Unfortunately, that isn't how technology progresses; often, changes happen merely for the sake of updating annually (and let's face it, Apple played a big role in initiating this practice).

The ability to purchase the S25 Ultra right now at $1,099 offers significant cost savings of $900 compared to the Fold 7, which could make a big difference. Naturally, if you're seeking that compact tablet-like feel along with nearly all the capabilities of the S25 Ultra, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is truly impressive—so ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference and budget.

(For what it’s worth, Samsung.com offers great trade-ins Similar to Apple, once you're "in" with Samsung devices, upgrading annually can greatly lower the cost. For instance, my Fold 6 qualifies for a $1,000 discount toward the Fold 7. Several members of the Windows Central team have switched to Samsung for this reason, as well as because these devices integrate most effectively with Windows 11. Phone Link , due to unique characteristics.)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Positive or Negative?

Initially skeptical of the Fold series, I commend Samsung for their dedication to refining this design. It certainly isn’t suitable for all, yet they've taken significant chances to reach the seventh iteration with clear determination. In contrast, Microsoft gave up on the Surface Duo after just two versions, even though they were achieving meaningful advancements. Picture how much more advanced the Surface Duo 4 could have become if they hadn't stopped.

Therefore, my summary is that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is an impressive achievement and the initial foldable phone worth considering for those interested in this design. Unfortunately, the cost is high, but apart from that, I plan to use it for many years.

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