A New Era for Samsung’s Foldable Flagship
Throughout various points in life, we end up encountering different crossroads where we need to decide on the best path to move forward. The same is true with companies and the devices they sell. For Samsung, this has been particularly evident with its Galaxy Z Fold series. Over the past few generations, the foldable phone lineup has felt somewhat stagnant. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 marks a significant shift, offering a fresh take on what a flagship foldable can be.
A Thinner Design with Enhanced Performance
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 feels like a “do-it-all” device, thanks to its improved displays. The cover screen is wider, making it more comfortable to use without feeling overly large. The inner screen is also larger, which is great for multitasking, split-screen work, and gaming. More importantly, Samsung introduced a redesigned hinge that significantly reduces the “crater” found in previous models.
Google Gemini and Galaxy AI have also received upgrades to take full advantage of the larger inner display. This means users can expect more floating windows and dual-pane layouts when interacting with AI features. One UI 8 is also onboard, enhancing these improvements by allowing drag-and-drop functionality between apps in split-screen mode.
How Thin Is It?
One of the most impressive aspects of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is its slim design. After spending about an hour with the device, it’s clear that Samsung has made significant strides in reducing the thickness. Compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the Fold 7 feels much lighter and more manageable. It’s akin to the transition from the Pixel Fold to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
What truly amazed me was how thin the phone is compared to the Galaxy Watch 8. When unfolded, it almost fits between the front of the watch and the top of the band. Even when folded, the Fold 7 is just slightly thicker than the Watch 8’s casing but thinner when considering the BioActive sensor.
This level of thinness is an engineering feat in itself, especially given the space required for the USB-C port.
Trade-offs for Thinness
However, achieving such a slim design came at a cost. Samsung removed the digitizer layer from the display, meaning the S Pen will no longer be compatible with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. This decision appears to be based on the assumption that fewer users actually used the S Pen with previous Z Fold models. It’s possible that the lack of inclusion in the box—unlike the Galaxy Tab S lineup—has contributed to this trend.
Another downside is the battery capacity, which remains at 4,400mAh. While Samsung claims that One UI and the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy will improve battery life, I remain skeptical. This will be something I test during the review and beyond.
Upgraded Camera System
The camera system on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is another notable upgrade. The primary sensor is now 200MP, joined by a 10MP telephoto and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The ultrawide sensor now features autofocus, enabling macro photography. In One UI 8, Samsung is using its “Next Gen ProVisual Engine” to enhance photo quality, potentially offering results similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Final Thoughts
There is still much to explore about the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but my hands-on experience has already highlighted several key improvements. Performance and software features are expected to align with those seen in the Galaxy S25 lineup. The real test will be how well everything has been optimized for the larger foldable form factor.
In many ways, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 feels like the upgrade we’ve been waiting for. While it may not be named the Galaxy Z Fold Ultra, it certainly delivers an “ultra experience.” Samsung is finally taking the fight to other foldable phones, even if it feels a bit unusual to think about.
