Samsung’s newest flagship folding phone appears to have shed some weight. The outcome is one of the sleekest and lightest devices on the market, significantly enhancing its portability.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 8.9mm in thickness when closed. Excluding the camera bump at the back, its profile is comparable to that of a typical smartphone, making it easy to fit into your pocket, but it unfolds to a folding tablet at just 4.2mm thick.
However, priced at £1,799 (€2,099/$2,000/$2,899), this device comes at a steep cost. It represents an expensive, cutting-edge solution that potentially replaces your phone, tablet, or PC within one compact device.
The ultra-slim design results in a notable camera bump that extends approximately 5.5mm from the rear. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The seventh iteration of Samsung’s folding technology addresses many of the issues found in its predecessors. Weighing only 215g—24g lighter than last year’s edition—it resembles a typical large smartphone when closed.
It fits comfortably in your pocket. Sending messages, making calls, navigating, and taking photos feels just like using a conventional phone. Even the front 6.5-inch screen is vibrant, colorful, and smooth with a 120Hz refresh rate. The enhancements to the fingerprint scanner on the power button are quick and precise.
When opened like a book, the Fold 7 is impressively thin, only slightly thicker than the USB-C port itself. Its lightweight feel is deceptive; it’s solidly built. One wonders how the device can achieve such thinness without forgoing the charging port. The flexible 8-inch OLED screen is smooth, bright, and almost square, capable of running two apps side by side.
The exterior screen and back are shielded by the latest tempered glass technology, while the inner screen features a layer that is softer than standard glass, making it prone to fingerprints and a bit shiny. The crease along the fold is nearly invisible, visible mainly under glare.
With Flex Mode, you can enjoy viewing content on the Fold 7 in a half-folded position, resembling a mini laptop setup. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Specifications
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Main screen: 8-inch QXGA+ 120Hz (368PPI) AMOLED Flexible Display
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Cover screen: 6.5-inch FHD+ 120Hz (4222PPI) AMOLED
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Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Galaxy Elite
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RAM: 12GB
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Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
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Operating System: One UI 8 based on Android 16
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Camera: 200MP + 12MP + 10MP rear, 3x telephoto. 10MP + 10MP selfie cameras
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Connectivity: 5G, Dual SIM, E-SIM, USB-C, WiFi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, GNSS
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Water Resistance: IP48 (1.5 meters for 30 minutes)
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Folded Dimensions: 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9mm
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Expanded Dimensions: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2mm
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Weight: 215g
Power for Multitasking
The Fold 7 achieves a full charge in 82 minutes and reaches 60% in under 30 minutes utilizing a USB-C power adapter of 25W or higher (not included). Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Fold 7 is equipped with the same flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB of RAM as the S25 Ultra and S25 Edge. This setup ensures excellent performance for daily tasks and high-end gaming, outpacing competitors like the Google Pixel 9 Pro fold.
Its battery reliably lasts about two days, with each screen being used for around four hours and several hours spent on 5G. This performance level mirrors its predecessor and functions similarly to a standard smartphone. Depending on usage, many find they need to recharge every other day.
One UI 8 for Android 16
The Fold 7 can run two apps in full size, and allows for a total of up to 8 apps using split-screen and floating windows. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Fold 7 stands out as one of the first devices to ship with One UI 8 (Android 16). While it hasn’t seen drastic changes since last year’s software, it still offers an impressive suite of features. This includes the handy Now Valle Bar at the bottom of the lock screen, showcasing live sports scores, music, timers, and other commonly used tools.
Samsung effectively leverages the multitasking capabilities afforded by the folding format better than its competitors. Up to 8 apps can be accessed concurrently on the internal screen, with each having its own unique home screen layout. Users can adjust app sizes and shapes, use apps in a partially folded state, and move them seamlessly between screens.
Moreover, the Fold 7 integrates all the AI features from the S25 series, including Google Gemini, Circle to Search, Writing and Drawing tools, Transcription, and Audio Editing capabilities. While some of these are useful, others tend to be superfluous, much like many trendy AI offerings. Notably, Samsung commits to providing Android and security updates until July 31, 2032.
Camera
Capturing photos is simple with the Fold 7, whether closed or opened slightly for hands-free shots. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The prominent camera system on the back includes a 200MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x zoom. There’s also a pair of 10MP selfie cameras on either screen.
The main 200MP camera excels in a range of lighting conditions, delivering high-quality photos and representing a significant improvement over its predecessor’s capabilities.
The 12MP Ultra Wide Camera offers commendable performance and can achieve good macro shots, while the 3x telephoto camera produces pleasing portraits, albeit with some softness in low-light scenarios, lacking the 5x zoom found on some higher-end models. Similar limitations apply to the selfie camera, as it can be grainy in dim lighting. However, users can utilize the outer screen as a viewfinder when taking selfies with the main camera, leading to better results.
The camera app is user-friendly, boasting numerous shooting modes and solid video recording capabilities. Overall, the Fold 7 presents a robust camera system that competes well against flagship slab phones, delivering impressive results.
Sustainability
The Fold 7 closely resembles a standard smartphone from both the front and back. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The battery is expected to retain at least 80% of its original capacity over 2,000 full charge cycles.
The phone is generally reparable, with internal screen repairs estimated at around £500. Samsung also offers a self-repair program similar to CARE+ that can bring repair costs down to £139.
The Fold 7 incorporates recycled materials such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, plastic, rare earth elements, and steel, which make up 13.7% of its total weight. Additionally, Samsung has trade-in and recycling programs for older devices, aiming to mitigate the environmental impact of smartphones as outlined in their sustainability reports.
Price
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 begins at £1,799 (€2,099/$1,999.99/$2,899).
For comparison, the Galaxy Z Flip is priced at £1,049, the Galaxy S25 Edge at £1,099, the S25 Ultra at £1,249, and the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold at £1,399.
Verdict
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a remarkably high-tech device that represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, addressing many of the typical issues associated with folding smartphones.
When closed, it feels significantly thinner and lighter, akin to a traditional phone. Upon opening, the internal screen is still flexible, with creases that are almost imperceptible, paired with vibrant visuals that enhance multitasking capabilities.
The camera, while effective, doesn’t overshadow the device’s overall utility, but it can cause the phone to wobble when placed flat on a surface. In addition, the Fold 7 features the same advanced processors as Samsung’s top-tier regular smartphones, alongside good battery life and solid software support.
However, the fragile nature of the folding mechanism, lack of proper dust resistance, the delicate inner screen, and hefty price tag remain notable drawbacks. If your primary aim is to have a compact device that serves as both phone and tablet, this model may not sway you.
Nevertheless, the Fold 7 stands out as the finest folding phone on the market, presenting the major upgrades that Samsung has been striving for in recent years.
Pros: Combines phone and tablet functionality, feels like a standard phone when closed, boasts exceptional software with robust multitasking features, impressive tablet display, top-notch performance, reliable battery life, water resistance, and extended software support.
Cons: Expensive, lacks dust resistance, potentially more fragile than standard devices, costly repairs, and limited zoom capabilities compared to traditional smartphones.
You might easily forget that the Fold 7 can be unfolded, as it functions and feels like a standard smartphone when using the external display. Photograph by Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Source: www.theguardian.com
