Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 review

Design

Samsung has seriously upgraded its foldable design this time around. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 is significantly slimmer than the Z Fold6 – just 4.2mm thick when unfolded and 8.9mm when folded. That means that even when it’s closed, the Z Fold7 is not much thicker than most regular flagship smartphones (for reference, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is 8.2mm). It’s also surprisingly light, weighing in at just 215g, so while it’s certainly heftier than its Flip sibling, it remains comfortable in the hand, even when you’re using it a lot.

In terms of durability, the Z Fold7 is the first Galaxy foldable fronted with Corning® Gorilla® Glass Ceramic 2, but that’s not the only upgrade. It also boasts an Advanced Armor Aluminium frame and a thinner and lighter Armor FlexHinge – according to Samsung, it can still function effectively after 500,000 folds.

You’ll be fine if you get caught in the rain, too. This handset has an IP48 rating, meaning it offers substantial water resistance, but lacks in the dust department compared to regular smartphones (for reference, the S25 Ultra is rated IP68). To date, this is pretty standard on most foldables, as the hinges naturally make them more susceptible to dust.

Display

The displays on the Galaxy Z Fold7 are a masterclass in mobile screen tech. Unfolded, the 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main screen becomes a truly expansive and high-spec canvas, with stunningly bright colours and deep blacks. Its generous 2184 x 1968 resolution renders every detail with crisp, sharp clarity – a notable ~7% increase in pixels vs. the Fold6. The newly adaptive 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth, judderless motion on screen; handy for fast-paced scrolling and action-heavy gaming. But it’s efficient for your battery too, dropping the number of refreshes per second when your activity slows down.

The tablet-like main screen might provide a viewing experience that feels limitless, but the 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display has seen some equally impressive upgrades. It’s far more than just a play screen; it's a vibrant, versatile tool for quick interactions, effortless navigation, and staying on top of notifications – all without needing to unfold the device. Now able to render Full HD+ with around 18% more pixels (2520 x 1080), it shines with that unmistakable Samsung brilliance.

Performance

With the powerhouse Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset at its core, the Galaxy Z Fold7 delivers Samsung’s fastest foldable performance to date. Like the Z Fold6, the device is available with 256GB or 512GB of storage, both paired with 12GB of RAM. The top-tier 1TB version, however, offers an advance with 16GB of RAM for enhanced multitasking power.

Security remains paramount with this generation. While Samsung’s trusted Knox platform diligently safeguards your data in the background, the swift and dependable side-mounted fingerprint sensor ensures secure and convenient access. The Fold7 might not have the theatrical flair of 3D face unlock (as seen on the Pixel Fold), but the efficiency and reliability of fingerprint authentication make it a perfect fit for this device, which is built for productivity on the go.

Software

Running on Android 16, enhanced by Samsung’s intuitive One UI 8, the interface of the Z Fold7 is designed to optimise the expansive folding screen while making multitasking feel incredibly natural. The software also gracefully adapts to the phone’s dual-screen design, with genuinely helpful flexibility rather than gimmicks.

Features like App Continuity work seamlessly across both displays, automatically shifting your activity from the cover screen to the internal panel without missing a beat. Flex Mode and split-view multitasking now feel ready for anything – whether that’s video-calling while typing or browsing while taking notes, everything flows naturally.

Samsung’s Galaxy AI integration takes centre stage here, as with a lot of their most recent releases. It brings useful, enhanced tools like Generative Edit and Circle to Search to your fingertips. On-device and cloud-based intelligence now lets Gemini AI scan your voice, camera view, and what’s on-screen all at once.

Everyday intelligence makes life easier too. The Now Bar and grouped notifications declutter your workflow, while predictive layout adjustments and app suggestions help you stay productive without thinking. It’s fast, responsive, and smart in all the right ways. The Fold7’s software isn’t just built for now; it’s built to last. It balances powerful AI features, intuitive foldable-specific tools, and is backed by an industry-leading commitment to seven years of OS and security updates – making it a premium experience.

Battery

The Galaxy Z Fold7’s 4,400mAh battery might not sound like much for a phone that doubles as a tablet. But try not to jump to conclusions, because the device doesn’t rely solely on raw capacity. Paired with the power-efficient Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset and Android 16’s smarter-than-ever power optimisation, the Fold7 handles its energy budget well. Even with that expansive 8-inch main display, Samsung promises a full day of battery life under typical use.

Charging is hassle-free too. It may not chase after high-wattage bragging rights, but the Fold7’s 25W Super Fast Charging and 15W Fast Wireless Charging keep things moving.

Cameras

The Z Fold7 brings flagship photography capabilities into foldable form. Leading the camera setup is an impressive 200MP Wide sensor – matching the S25 Ultra – alongside a versatile 12MP Ultra-Wide and a 10MP Telephoto lens. Together, they’re able to capture sharp detail, high contrast, and rich colour across a wide range of shooting scenarios.

It’s not all about the hardware though – the Fold7 offers a seamless blend of optical precision and AI intelligence. Powered by the latest iteration of Samsung’s ProVisual Engine and enhanced Scene Optimiser, the camera adapts effortlessly to lighting, motion, and depth so every shot feels expertly tuned. Whether you’re snapping sweeping landscapes or detailed portraits, this device keeps composition balanced and visually stunning, even before you hit edit.

Low light is no longer a compromise thanks to the upgraded Nightography mode, now fine-tuned for the Fold’s larger form. It intelligently reduces noise while enhancing exposure and detail, making nighttime cityscapes and candlelit moments equally impactful. For zoom, the 10MP Telephoto lens works hand in hand with Samsung’s AI-driven Super Resolution Zoom, delivering clean, defined images, even at higher magnifications.

The Fold7’s unique design enhances its camera experience, too. With Flex Mode, the phone becomes its own tripod, perfect for hands-free selfies or long-exposure creativity. And despite housing such high-end optics, the Fold keeps its camera bump minimal, offering clean lines and a premium, understated aesthetic.

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 brings meaningful innovation to foldable phones. It’s lighter and thinner than ever, with an 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 200MP Wide camera, and powerful Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy chip. With Android 16 and One UI 8, multitasking feels natural, while Galaxy AI delivers smart, useful features across both displays. It’s more durable, more versatile, and designed to keep up with whatever you throw at it, all while looking seriously sleek.

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