Samsung Z Fold 7 First Impressions: Why This Upgrade Matters
Every year Samsung alternates between a subtle “tick” and a transformative “tock” for its foldables, and 2024 is clearly the latter. The Samsung Z Fold 7 lands with a statement: lighter, thinner and finally equipped with flagship photography hardware. In hand it instantly feels different; each half of the chassis now measures just over 4 mm, bringing the total closed thickness to 8.9 mm—a hair wider than a USB-C port. That engineering feat alone signals a new chapter for the series. If you have followed the category you know Chinese brands have flirted with ultra-slim hinges for a while, but this is the first time Samsung matches them without sacrificing the trademark wide 8-inch inner display. For newcomers the device looks downright futuristic, while seasoned Android fans will appreciate that the South-Korean giant is no longer coasting. Opening the phone reveals One UI 8 on top of Android 16, so the moment you finish setting it up you can run three windows, drag-and-drop files, or even resize floating YouTube videos. In short, the Samsung Z Fold 7 finally feels like the premium multitasking computer its $1,999 price tag demands. Throughout this foldable phone review we’ll compare it to the companion Samsung Z Flip 7 and to other devices to see where it truly stands.
Design & Display: Thinner Samsung Z Fold 7 Meets Larger Z Flip 7
Samsung’s design team has clearly spent the past two years shaving millimetres. The Samsung Z Fold 7 is 30 g lighter than its predecessor at 215 g—lighter than a Galaxy S25 Ultra despite hiding an extra display and hinge mechanism. Side-by-side photos show how the buttons and even the capacitive fingerprint reader have been slimmed so they sit flush with the 8.9 mm rails. When closed, the Samsung Z Fold 7 rests comfortably in a pocket with almost no hinge gap, a common complaint on earlier generations. Open the Fold and you are greeted by an 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel that reaches 2,600 nits outdoors while retaining the 120 Hz refresh rate. Streaming HDR video or editing Lightroom images finally feels tablet-esque instead of cramped.
On the flip side—literally—the Samsung Z Flip 7 receives its own makeover. The inner slab stretches from 6.7 in to 6.9 in, effectively turning the clamshell into a full-size flagship when unfolded. More impressive is the new 4.1-inch edge-to-edge cover display: Samsung ditched the “postage stamp” window and now wraps the panel around the dual-camera rings just like Motorola’s Razr+. Widgets, message replies and even Google Maps navigation run comfortably without opening the phone. Together, both devices show that modern foldable design no longer means compromising usability, a point we explored further in our Galaxy Z Fold 7 specs breakdown.
200MP Camera and Snapdragon 8 Elite Performance
Hardware upgrades are not limited to exterior polish: photography and silicon get a serious bump this year. On paper, the Samsung Z Fold 7 camera system inherits the 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP2 sensor from the S25 Ultra, and owners reap the benefits. Pixel-binning to 16 MP output creates brighter night shots, and the full-resolution mode captures jaw-dropping detail for creative cropping. The ultrawide and 3× tele modules remain 12 MP and 10 MP respectively, but most users lean on the primary lens for 80 % of their photos, making the improvement more than cosmetic. The only downside? A camera bump so large the phone rocks on a desk—grab a case.
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy powers the Fold with 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM (16 GB on the 1 TB model). Early benchmarks show a 15 % CPU uplift and a 25 % GPU jump over last year while using less power, translating into smoother DeX sessions and console-level gaming on the 120 Hz screen. Galaxy AI features such as live call translation and generative photo editing run locally in seconds.
The Flip 7 tells a slightly different story: Samsung swapped back to an in-house Exynos 2500. Real-world testing will reveal whether the 2 nm node can close the gap, but history suggests the Snapdragon still edges out in sustained graphics performance. For a deeper photographic comparison, check our complete Galaxy S25 Ultra camera deep dive.
Battery Life, Charging Speeds & Durability Concerns
Powering these cutting-edge displays and processors is a familiar 4,400 mAh dual-cell pack inside the Samsung Z Fold 7 and an upgraded 4,300 mAh unit inside the Z Flip 7. On paper the Fold matches last year, but competitors like Honor’s Magic V5 are creeping toward 5,800 mAh using silicon–carbon chemistry. Samsung continues to play it safe after the Note 7 era, yet many enthusiasts feel a $2,000 handset deserves bleeding-edge energy density. In mixed use—two hours of video streaming, an hour of navigation and a flurry of social posts—the Samsung Z Fold 7 lasted 7 ¼ hours of screen-on time in preliminary tests, roughly on par with its predecessor but aided by Snapdragon 8 Elite efficiency. Forty-five-watt wired charging replenishes 50 % in 30 minutes; wireless tops out at 15 W.
Durability shows real progress. The hinge uses a simplified dual-rail assembly rated for 400,000 cycles, double the Fold 5 spec, and the Ultra-Thin Glass layer is 20 % thicker now that Samsung removed the S-Pen digitiser. IPX8 water resistance remains, and new internal bristles mitigate dust ingress. If you plan to work outdoors, the matte Armor Aluminum frame shrugs off fingerprints better than the glossy competition. For additional reassurance Samsung Care+ offers same-day screen repairs—see our guide to extended phone warranties for a deeper breakdown. Battery life could be bolder, but build quality reaches an industry high.
Pricing, Availability and Value Compared to Other Foldables
The 2024 pricing matrix may raise eyebrows. The base Samsung Z Fold 7 with 12 GB/256 GB starts at $1,999—$100 more than last year—while the Samsung Z Flip 7 holds steady at $1,099. Pre-orders include a free storage bump and a slim case, yet the sticker shock is real when rival foldables import for under $1,500. Still, you have to weigh total value. You’re getting a flagship 200 MP sensor, Android 16 with seven years of OS updates, Wi-Fi 7 and UWB, plus Samsung’s expansive ecosystem that plays nicely with the new Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Buds 3.
Trade-in programs soften the blow: Samsung USA currently offers up to $1,000 for a Fold 5 in good condition, effectively halving the upgrade cost. Carriers are also bundling the Flip 7 with discounted Galaxy Tab S10 slates; keep an eye on our roundup of the best Galaxy Z Fold 7 deals for updated promotions. From a resale perspective, previous Fold models retain 60-65 % of their value after 12 months, outperforming most Android flagships. That matters if you upgrade annually.
If the price is still out of reach, the new Galaxy Z Flip 7 price for the FE edition at $899 delivers much of the clamshell experience with an Exynos 2400. For context, see our budget foldable phone review to understand what you surrender in durability and software support when you drop below the four-figure mark.
Final Verdict: Is the Samsung Z Fold 7 the Foldable to Buy?
In a market that finally feels crowded, the Samsung Z Fold 7 reclaims the throne through refinement rather than risky experimentation. By slimming the hinge, shaving 30 g and transplanting the S25 Ultra’s imaging stack, Samsung checked the three boxes most users complained about. Performance is top-tier, One UI keeps getting smarter and the hardware feels premium down to the matte finish. Yes, the phone remains eye-wateringly expensive, and yes, battery capacity would benefit from silicon–carbon cells, but day-to-day usage leaves little room for envy.
For creative professionals and productivity junkies, the Samsung Z Fold 7 is now a credible laptop replacement. Multi-window juggling, DeX desktop mode and the generous 8-inch canvas translate into real time savings. If you prioritise pocketability and selfies, the Samsung Z Flip 7’s larger cover display combined with a bigger battery make it the most rounded clamshell yet, though we’ll reserve judgment on the Exynos 2500 until full reviews land.
Would we recommend upgrading from a Fold 6? Only if the improved ergonomics or camera quality speak to you. For Fold 4 owners or anyone still on a slab, the jump feels transformational. Ultimately, the Samsung Z Fold 7 proves that foldable phones are maturing into mainstream devices—not prototypes—with only incremental gaps left to close. Check back soon for our long-term battery test and for an in-depth Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Samsung Z Fold 7 camera comparison.
