Samsung unveils its latest suite of foldable smartphones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and a new, budget-friendly Z Flip 7 Fan Edition, bringing advanced functionalities and design refinements to its foldable lineup.
The tech giant Samsung has expanded its lineup of folding smartphones from two to three models, introducing a more affordable Fan Edition of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 alongside the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7. All three phones come with Android 16, One UI 8, and the latest Galaxy AI functionalities, with prices starting at $900 and reaching beyond $2,000. Each model showcases the company’s continued evolution towards a more refined and user-friendly foldable phone experience.
The seventh generation of the Z Fold series marks significant strides in design. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is substantially thinner and lighter than its predecessors, measuring 0.35 inches when folded and 0.16 inches opened, with a weight of just 7.58 ounces. This design includes a new Advanced Armor Aluminum frame to reduce weight while enhancing strength. Samsung has also redesigned the Armor FlexHinge to improve movement fluidity and display protection. The slimmer, lighter form factor allows the device to be more comfortably portable, matching the ease of carrying a standard slab phone.
The same enhancements are applied to the Z Flip 7, which is slightly thinner at 0.26 inches and lighter, weighing 6.63 ounces. Changes include a broader and shorter construction, optimizing the aspect ratio for easier typing on both the outer and inner screens. The Flip 7 Fan Edition (FE) retains more of the Z Flip 6’s design attributes but remains a viable option for those seeking a functional foldable device without the full premium features.
Hinge durability has been a notable evolution across all models, with a more solid and smooth-feeling hinge that significantly differentiates them from the initial iterations’ creaky designs. Both the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are crafted using the durable Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 in the front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 at the rear, while the inner screen of the Fold has a new Grade 4 titanium layer for added protection. Details on the Flip 7 FE’s durability specifications were not disclosed.
Color choices are simpler this year. The Z Fold 7 is available in black, blue, or silver, while the Flip 7 comes in black, blue, or coral red. The FE’s minimalist options are black or white. Exclusive mint green versions of the Fold 7 and Flip 7 are available for online orders, offering vibrant alternatives that stand out.
Screen designs have seen favorable updates with a focus on usability. The Z Fold 7’s outer screen now measures 6.5 inches with a 21:9 aspect ratio, whilst the inner display has expanded to 8.0 inches, akin to a small tablet. Both screens maintain a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and utilize Dynamic AMOLED 2x technology for exceptional sharpness and brightness. However, S Pen compatibility has been sacrificed in the Fold 7 to achieve its reduced thickness.
The Z Flip 7 enjoys a notable display upgrade, with its exterior screen growing to 4.1 inches, featuring narrow bezels that create a near-full glass facade. The inner screen has increased to 6.9 inches, with improved typing space due to a wider aspect ratio. Samsung has integrated Vision Booster technology to enhance outdoor visibility, ensuring the screen remains bright even in direct sunlight.
The Z Flip 7 FE maintains similarities with the previous Flip 6, with its smaller 3.6-inch Flex Window appearing more compact compared to the enhanced Flip 7.
Camera technology in the Z Fold 7 features the 200MP sensor from Samsung’s flagship S25 Ultra and an advanced ProVisual Engine for superior photo and video processing. The sensor captures images at varying resolutions, with improved capabilities for macro shots. The photography suite includes multiple camera options tailored for different shooting needs, such as telephoto and ultra-wide lenses.
Meanwhile, the Z Flip 7 possesses a 50MP main camera, supported by the same ProVisual Engine for enhanced image quality. Samsung has improved its selfie capabilities—a new Auto Zoom for effortless hands-free photos and a handy one-handed Zoom Slider allow precise control over zoom levels. The Flip 7 FE shares similar camera specifications but utilizes a different processing engine.
Under the hood, Samsung’s upgrades incorporate powerful components to maximize performance. The Z Fold 7 operates on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite for Galaxy processor, carrying forward storage options of up to 1TB. The Z Flip 7 is equipped with a home-grown Exynos 2500 chip, coming with up to 512GB of storage and 12GB RAM. The specifics for the FE’s processor were not detailed, although storage options include 128GB and 256GB configurations.
Despite these advancements, the battery capacities remain unchanged from last year, with both the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 continuing to offer equivalent battery life and charging speeds. The Z Fold 7 promises up to 26 hours of video playback, while the Z Flip 7 can reportedly reach 31 hours under optimal conditions. Samsung’s conservative approach to charging speed leaves both models at 25W wired charging, a step behind competitors boasting faster capabilities.
Connectivity includes the latest Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 7 support, and 5G compatibility, though details regarding which 5G frequencies are supported by each model were not fully provided. It is expected that the Fold and Flip 7 include comprehensive 5G support, while the FE model might have some limitations.
This year’s lineup signifies Samsung’s focused effort to consolidate design refinement, advanced hardware, and broader accessibility in the foldable smartphone market.