David Bridges
The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 takes center stage at Samsung’s summer Unpacked event. This remarkable device stands out as the thinnest and lightest book-style foldable smartphone ever created by Samsung. It successfully embodies the revolutionary concept of a smartphone that can effortlessly transition into a larger tablet, all while sparing you the burden of carrying an excessively bulky device in your pocket.
Discover the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Samsung.com.
To truly appreciate the advancements of the Z Fold 7, one must physically hold it. Having experienced every iteration of the Z Fold since the original launch in 2019, I was astonished by the significant year-over-year improvements from the Z Fold 6 to the Z Fold 7. When closed, the Z Fold 7 measures an impressive 8.9mm, closely resembling the 8.2mm thickness of the S25 Ultra. Remarkably, the Z Fold 7 is also lighter than the S25 Ultra by about 3g. The real wow factor emerges when you unfold it; in its tablet configuration, it boasts a thickness of just 4.2mm, making it even slimmer than the 5.8mm S25 Edge. In contrast, the Z Fold 6 measures 12.1mm when closed and 5.6mm when unfolded. I spent the first five minutes simply marveling at the Z Fold 7, as Samsung has truly engineered a foldable that is as light and thin as a standard flagship bar phone.
Further enhancing the Z Fold 7’s resemblance to a conventional bar phone when closed, Samsung has upgraded the cover screen to a generous 6.3 inches with a wider 21:9 aspect ratio. This adjustment also leads to a larger inner folding screen measuring 8 inches diagonally, effectively doubling the external screen size. The outcome is a phone that feels more substantial in your hand when closed, addressing a significant critique of Samsung’s book-style foldables since the original model. Users will appreciate that it no longer resembles a TV remote when gripped, providing a more comfortable experience for regular-sized app content.
Similar to the Z Flip 7, Samsung has significantly enhanced the durability of the Z Fold 7. The use of “armor” aluminum provides increased strength, although it remains prudent to handle the phone cautiously, as it may still break under pressure. The cover screen and rear glass are both constructed using robust Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, respectively. Although the inner folding screen is thinner than its predecessor, the Z Fold 6, Samsung has incorporated a titanium plate to enhance its structural integrity while also making the glass surface 50% thicker. While I am optimistic about these improvements, only real-world testing will determine if the Z Fold 7 is immune to issues like the infamous #bendgate. A downside to these enhancements is the removal of S Pen stylus support; Samsung claims that research indicated minimal user interest in the stylus with previous Z Fold models. Unfortunately, this may disappoint the few users who valued the S Pen functionality.
As part of enhancing the Z Fold 7’s performance to match that of the Ultra series, the device is equipped with Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB of RAM. Users can choose between storage options of 256GB or 512GB. Unfortunately, the battery capacity remains unchanged from the Z Fold 6, still featuring a 4,400 mAh cell. Typically, a thinner design comes with the drawback of a smaller battery, although improvements in chipset efficiency may help mitigate this issue. We will conduct our own tests to determine whether the Z Fold 7’s battery life meets or exceeds that of its predecessor.
Samsung has made significant strides with the Z Fold 7’s camera system, which includes a robust triple-lens configuration. The main camera features an impressive 200-megapixel sensor from the S25 Ultra, complemented by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens. Both the cover camera and the inner hole-punch camera also boast a resolution of 10 megapixels each. To enhance image quality for both photography and videography, which now supports 10-bit HDR, Samsung has optimized the ProVisual Engine for superior low-light performance and minimized video noise. I look forward to evaluating this performance when I receive a review unit of the Z Fold 7; during Samsung’s demo, the lighting was well-controlled to showcase the camera’s capabilities.
Samsung is taking a measured approach to integrating AI features into the Z Fold 7, opting for a more refined implementation compared to other smartphone manufacturers. This device allows users to maximize the advantages of its larger screen by enabling Google’s Gemini AI chatbot to be used in multiple configurations, including split view or as a floating window over existing content. Gemini’s versatility is notable as it can seamlessly transition between understanding visual input from the camera, processing verbal commands, and responding to written text prompts. Additional AI enhancements include drag-and-drop functionality for AI-generated content and an Audio Eraser tool that can effectively eliminate background noise such as wind or traffic from recordings. One of the most practical AI features, Circle to Search, can now provide gaming tips while users play, functioning essentially as a personal GameFAQs at your fingertips.
So, does the Z Fold 7 offer everything you could desire in a smartphone? The answer is contingent on your budget, as this exceptional device comes with a price tag of ,000. The reality of book-style foldable devices, particularly those from Samsung, is that they are unlikely to see significant price reductions in the near future. Despite having six years to lower the cost of the Z Fold, the pricing has only continued to rise. While $2,000 is a substantial investment for a foldable, you are effectively acquiring a dual-purpose device—a phone and a tablet—without the usual weighty drawbacks. If this combination does not appeal to you, it may be best to explore other options. The Z Fold 7 is now available for pre-order and will officially launch on July 25.
Explore more about the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Samsung.com.
Brandon Fletcher
Ethan Carter
