Galaxy Z Fold 7 & Flip 7 First Impressions: Bold Upgrades

Samsung has officially unveiled its latest foldable lineup at the second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year. As anticipated, the main focus was on the newly unveiled Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. However, Samsung surprised everyone by introducing a third foldable device — the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. This model is aimed at offering a more budget-friendly option, making Samsung’s foldable technology accessible to a wider range of users while still delivering a premium experience.

While hands-on time with the FE variant remains limited for now, early impressions suggest it borrows heavily from the design language of last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 6. More insights will follow once we spend time testing the device in real-world conditions.

One of the most significant announcements from Samsung this year is that both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 are the first smartphones globally to ship with Android 16 out of the box, paired with Samsung’s new One UI 8. This marks a major leap forward in software experience for foldables.

Galaxy Z Fold 7: Sleeker, Smarter, and Surprisingly Light

Having used the Galaxy Z Fold 6 for over a year, I was eager to see if the Galaxy Z Fold 7 would bring noticeable improvements. The answer is a resounding yes. Samsung’s latest foldable is not only thinner and lighter but also more refined in nearly every aspect.

The design has taken a bold leap forward. At just 8.9mm thick when folded, the Fold 7 is slimmer than its predecessor (Fold 6 was 12.1mm) and even lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The cover screen has also grown—from 6.3 inches to 6.5 inches—with a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio, making multitasking and content consumption more natural. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, it’s one of the toughest foldables on the market.

Display That Delivers: Samsung has increased the size of the main internal display by 11% over the Fold 6. 

The 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, delivers 2600 nits of peak

brightness, and boasts vibrant colors and deep contrast—ideal for productivity, media, and multitasking. The pixel density sits at 368PPI, promising crisp visuals at every angle.

Performance and Hinge Upgrades: The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy powers the Fold 7, delivering top-tier Android performance with added AI enhancements. Samsung continues to invest in Galaxy AI, and the Fold 7 comes packed with features tailored for smarter photography, productivity, and communication.

Samsung’s new Armor FlexHinge is another notable upgrade. It’s lighter and more durable thanks to a redesigned multi-rail structure. The frame and hinge are made from Armor Aluminium, which Samsung claims boosts durability by 10%.

Camera: Massive Leap Ahead: One of the biggest surprises is the inclusion of a 200MP primary camera sensor—a dramatic jump from the 50MP sensor on the Fold 6. 

The setup also includes a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP telephoto shooter. 

 Both Under display and cover display selfie cameras comes with 12MP. 

In my brief hands-on time, images appeared crisp, vibrant, and full of detail, though I’ll reserve my full thoughts for a complete review.

Storage, Battery & Charging: The Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be available in:

• 12GB + 256GB
• 12GB + 512GB
• 16GB + 1TB configurations.

However, battery specs remain unchanged. The 4400mAh cell supports 25W fast charging, with Samsung claiming 50% charge in 30 minutes—same as last year. The phone is IP48 rated, which offers water resistance but limited dust protection.

Available color options include Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, and Jet Black, with a Mint variant sold exclusively via Samsung.com.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Bigger Cover Screen, Smarter Upgrades, and a Refined Design

Samsung has finally delivered the long-awaited upgrades to its beloved clamshell foldable—and it’s clear that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the most refined Flip yet. At the heart of this improvement is a larger, more powerful cover display, offering a meaningful boost in functionality and usability.

A Cover Screen That Does More: The most notable enhancement is the introduction of a 4.1-inch AMOLED cover display—the largest ever seen on a Galaxy Z Flip model. This upgraded screen not only provides more space but also delivers impressive performance, boasting a peak brightness of 2600 nits and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. 

It’s a significant step up from the previous 3.4-inch panel on the Flip 6. With built-in support for Google Gemini, the cover screen now enables features like smart replies and productivity tools, all accessible without opening the device.

A Sharper, Larger Main Display: Unfold the Flip 7, and you're greeted by a 6.9-inch AMOLED main display with a 1080 x 2520 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. 

It’s a subtle size increase from the Flip 6’s 6.7-inch panel, but in real-world usage, the added space feels more immersive and the overall experience is smoother and brighter. Text appears sharper, and brightness levels have noticeably improved.

Slimmer Design, New Chipset: Samsung has trimmed down the Flip 7 to a thickness of just 13.7mm, making it sleeker and more comfortable to use one-handed compared to its predecessor. 

However, unlike the Fold 7, the Flip 7 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chipset, not the Snapdragon 8 Elite. It comes in two storage options:

• 12GB RAM + 256GB storage
• 12GB RAM + 512GB storage

Although the Exynos 2500 is still awaiting real-world testing, Samsung’s decision to use it highlights the company’s growing trust in its own chip development.

Camera and Software: Camera-wise, the Flip 7 doesn’t bring any major hardware upgrades. 

The setup and camera UI appear nearly identical to the Flip 6—and consistent with Samsung’s overall design language. That said, I haven’t spent enough time with the cameras to provide a full verdict, so expect detailed insights in the upcoming review.

The device ships with One UI 8 based on Android 16, delivering a fresh, AI-powered software experience across the board.

Battery & Charging: Another welcome upgrade is the battery. The 4300mAh cell (up from 4000mAh in the Flip 6) promises better endurance, although charging remains capped at 25W wired. 

While that might disappoint power users, it’s in line with what Samsung currently offers across its foldables.

Final Thoughts on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 & Galaxy Z Flip 7

Samsung’s second Unpacked event of the year has proven one thing: foldables are no longer experimental—they’re refined, powerful, and ready for the mainstream. With the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, Samsung has delivered meaningful improvements that solidify its dominance in the foldable space.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 – Built for Power Users and Multitaskers

The Z Fold 7 is more than just an iteration—it’s a full-fledged upgrade. A thinner and lighter body, a larger cover and main display, and the blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 "Elite for Galaxy" chip make this the most capable Fold yet. The new 200MP primary camera brings the Fold line closer to the flagship Galaxy S series in terms of imaging prowess, while One UI 8 layered over Android 16 ensures a fluid, intelligent software experience.

Yes, the battery specs and charging speeds remain unchanged, but the Fold 7’s improved durability, brighter displays, and refined form factor make it the ultimate productivity powerhouse for anyone serious about mobile multitasking.

Galaxy Z Flip 7 – Smart, Stylish, and Sharper Than Ever

Meanwhile, the Z Flip 7 focuses on practicality and style. Its larger 4.1-inch cover screen finally transforms the Flip into a genuinely useful compact device—even when folded. The Exynos 2500 might raise eyebrows for some, but Samsung seems confident in its performance. Battery life gets a subtle bump, and the phone feels sleeker and more user-friendly than ever.

Though the camera hardware hasn’t seen a major revamp, the Flip 7's combination of smarter software, a vibrant cover display, and compact portability makes it the most complete clamshell foldable Samsung has created to date.

In 2025, Samsung isn't just experimenting anymore—it’s perfecting. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 are not just impressive pieces of tech—they represent Samsung’s commitment to making foldables functional, reliable, and future-forward.

Whether you're a power user drawn to the Fold's expansive screen real estate or someone who wants a stylish, compact phone with actual usability when closed, Samsung now offers a foldable for everyone. And with Android 16 and One UI 8 bringing Galaxy AI deeper into the mix, these devices are as smart as they are sleek.