The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: A New Era of Foldable Innovation
One of the standout successes of 2024 was undoubtedly the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. This exceptional device proved to be a top choice for users who prioritise visual and audio performance, backed by a range of high-quality features that enhanced its multimedia capabilities. Similarly, this year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra earned Samsung another five-star review, thanks to its impressive Pro Scaler video upscaling feature, which delivered sharp and vivid visuals.
The excitement continued when Samsung announced the latest addition to its Galaxy Z Fold series, which incorporates many of the features that made the S25 Ultra so popular. The Galaxy Z Fold 7, which we had an early glimpse of ahead of its official announcement, is set to be a compelling option for film enthusiasts—provided they have the budget to match.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will launch later this month starting at £1799, matching the price of the current Galaxy Z Fold 6. This price includes the 256GB model with 12GB of RAM. For those seeking more storage, there’s also a 512GB/12GB model available for £1899, and a 1TB version with 16GB of RAM priced at £2149.
Samsung has introduced a pre-order offer that allows buyers to double their storage without any additional cost. However, this means committing to an early purchase of this premium device.
Build and Design
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is impressively slim, surpassing even the recently released Galaxy S25 Edge. When folded, it measures just 8.9mm, and when unfolded, it’s a mere 4.2mm thick—barely thicker than the USB-C port on the bottom of the device.
In hand, the phone feels even more futuristic than its predecessor, featuring a sleek side profile and a smooth new Armour Flex Hinge with a “multi-rail structure.” This design enhances the folding experience, making it feel even smoother. When folded, the device closely resembles the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Despite its slim profile, the phone remains comfortable to hold, weighing only 215g. The matte glass rear panel adds necessary grip, especially for the larger device. It is also expected to be more durable, thanks to a new under-display titanium lattice that increases rigidity, along with Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and Ceramic 2 coatings for better drop protection.
Additionally, the device comes with an advanced aluminium armour metal chassis, making it more robust overall. Samsung is offering the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in a range of vibrant colours, including Jetblack, Silver Shadow, and Blue Shadow, which was featured in our hands-on demo. A Mint Green finish will also be available through Samsung’s official website.
Features and Performance
Samsung has taken a bold approach in equipping its devices with an array of advanced features, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is no exception. Regardless of the chosen storage configuration, users will get the Snapdragon Elite for Galaxy chipset, Qualcomm’s latest flagship processor with a slightly higher clock speed.
This powerful hardware runs the Android 15 operating system, with Samsung’s One UI 8 system layered on top. The processor also supports the Galaxy AI suite, which includes generative edit photo tools, live translation for calls and texts, writing suggestions, and Circle to Search with Google.
A notable return is the Pro Scaler feature, originally launched with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This video upscaling technology, developed in collaboration with Samsung’s 8K TV division, allows the device to upscale lower-resolution content to fit its Quad HD display.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 features a 6.5-inch 21:9 aspect ratio cover screen and an 8-inch internal display, both using Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel technology. These displays support a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz and can reach a claimed peak brightness of 2600 nits. They also support HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos immersive audio via stereo speakers and headphones.
The camera setup includes the same 200MP main shooter as the S25 Ultra, along with an upgraded 12MP ultrawide lens that also functions as a macro lens. Interestingly, Samsung has removed the under-display selfie camera, opting instead for a traditional front-facing camera due to performance trade-offs.
The battery capacity remains the same as the previous model at 4400mAh, but Samsung claims improved battery life through AI-backed software optimisation.
Picture and Sound
While our assessments of the picture and sound performance are not final, we observed some promising early impressions. We watched clips from the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps film, as well as trailers for Superman, Predator: Badlands, and the latest season of The Bear.
The Z Fold 7 delivers crisp, rich images with balanced yet eye-catching colours. Detail levels and contrast were impressive, likely due to the Pro Scaler feature. The 8-inch main display, however, leaves some wasted space when watching 16:9 or 18:9 content, but the 21:9 cover screen offers a better cinematic experience.
Regarding sound, we didn’t conduct formal testing due to the environment, but we played the trailer for The Bear and noted the spatial separation between the speakers. This has been a consistent strength of the Z Fold series, thanks to the physical separation between the earpiece and speaker.
Early Verdict
It’s too soon to determine whether the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will outshine its predecessor, but the initial signs are encouraging. Its futuristic, ultra-slim design is impressive, and the new displays are ideal for on-the-go film watching. However, a full review will ultimately decide its final rating.
For more information, you can read our full reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, as well as our picks for the best smartphones.
