Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review: A Perfected Foldable Experience?

Samsung has consistently pushed the boundaries of mobile technology, and the Galaxy Z Fold series stands as a testament to its innovative spirit. Each iteration has refined the foldable phone concept, moving it from a niche curiosity to a viable and powerful productivity tool. Now, with the arrival of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, we see the most significant leap forward yet. This device isn’t just an incremental update; it’s a culmination of user feedback, engineering breakthroughs, and a clear vision for the future of smartphones.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 addresses many of the lingering concerns from previous models while introducing advancements that redefine what a foldable can be. From a redesigned hinge that eliminates the crease to a revolutionary under-display camera and a new level of software integration, this phone aims to be the ultimate all-in-one device. This comprehensive review will dive deep into every aspect of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, exploring its design, performance, cameras, and how it stacks up against its predecessors and the competition.

A Design Perfected: Thinner, Lighter, and No Crease

One of the most immediate and impactful changes in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is its physical design. Samsung has clearly listened to the market, delivering a device that is more refined, durable, and comfortable to use than ever before.

The All-New Teardrop Hinge

The most significant engineering feat is the new “teardrop” or “waterdrop” hinge. This redesigned mechanism allows the inner display to curve into a teardrop shape inside the hinge when the device is closed. The result? The phone now folds completely flat, eliminating the awkward wedge-shaped gap that plagued previous Folds. This not-so-subtle change has a massive impact on the user experience. The device feels more solid and premium in the hand, and it’s less susceptible to dust and debris getting between the two halves of the screen.

More importantly, this new hinge dramatically reduces the visibility and feel of the infamous screen crease. While not entirely invisible from extreme angles, the crease is now so subtle during normal use that it effectively melts away. For the first time, using the large inner display feels like interacting with a single, uninterrupted tablet screen, finally delivering on the initial promise of the foldable form factor.

Thinner Profile and Lighter Build

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is noticeably thinner and lighter than the Z Fold 6. By shedding several millimeters in thickness and over 20 grams in weight, the device feels far less cumbersome. When folded, it’s closer to the dimensions of a conventional flagship phone, making it more pocketable and easier to manage with one hand. This reduction in bulk is a critical step towards making foldable phones a mainstream reality, as it addresses one of the primary complaints of potential buyers. The use of lighter, yet stronger, “Armor Aluminum” for the frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 3 on the Cover Screen and back panel ensures that this lighter build doesn’t come at the cost of durability.

Integrated S Pen Silo

Answering the call of power users and longtime Note fans, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 now features an integrated S Pen silo. Unlike previous models that required a bulky case to carry the stylus, the new design seamlessly incorporates the S Pen into the phone’s chassis. This makes the S Pen a core part of the experience rather than an optional accessory.

The S Pen itself has been re-engineered to be shorter and slightly flatter to fit within the slimmer frame, but it retains all its core functionality, including Bluetooth-enabled Air Actions. Having the S Pen instantly available transforms the Fold 7 into a true digital notebook, perfect for taking notes, sketching ideas, or precisely editing documents on the go.

Display Technology: A Visual Masterpiece

The displays have always been the star of the Fold series, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 takes them to another level with brighter panels, smarter refresh rates, and a truly invisible under-display camera.

The Uninterrupted Main Display

The 7.6-inch main display is a technological marvel. It now boasts a peak brightness of 2000 nits, making it incredibly vibrant and easily viewable even in direct sunlight. This Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel continues to offer a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, but the optimization is more intelligent, smoothly scaling from 1Hz to 120Hz to conserve battery life without compromising on fluidity.

The real game-changer is the next-generation Under-Display Camera (UDC). The pixel density over the camera lens has been significantly increased, making the camera virtually impossible to spot during everyday use. Watching full-screen videos, playing games, or browsing the web is now a completely immersive experience, free from the distraction of a punch-hole or notch.

A More Capable Cover Screen

The Cover Screen is no longer just a secondary thought. Samsung has widened the aspect ratio of the 6.2-inch display, making it feel less cramped and more like a traditional smartphone screen. Typing, navigating apps, and performing quick tasks are now much more comfortable. It also gets the same 2000-nit peak brightness and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate as the main display, ensuring a consistent and premium experience whether the phone is open or closed.

Under the Hood: Flagship Power and Performance

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is powered by the “Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy,” a custom-tuned version of Qualcomm’s latest flagship chipset. This processor offers higher clock speeds for both the CPU and GPU compared to the standard version, delivering unmatched performance for demanding tasks.

Next-Generation Processor and RAM

Paired with a generous 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM as standard, the Z Fold 7 is an absolute multitasking powerhouse. You can run multiple apps in split-screen and pop-up views without a hint of lag. The advanced vapor chamber cooling system has been enlarged by 30%, ensuring the device stays cool under sustained load, whether you’re gaming for hours or exporting a 4K video. Storage options are equally impressive, starting at 512GB and going up to a massive 2TB, all using the latest UFS 4.1 standard for lightning-fast read and write speeds.

All-Day Battery Life and Faster Charging

Despite its slimmer profile, Samsung has managed to fit a 5,000mAh dual-cell battery into the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Thanks to the power efficiency of the new Snapdragon chip and the smarter adaptive refresh rate, the device comfortably delivers all-day battery life for most users.

Charging speeds have also received a welcome boost. The Fold 7 now supports 65W wired Super-Fast Charging, allowing you to go from 0 to 70% in just 30 minutes. Wireless charging is also faster at 25W, and the 10W reverse wireless charging (Wireless PowerShare) is perfect for topping up your Galaxy Buds or Watch on the move.

Camera System: Closing the Gap

Historically, the camera systems on Fold devices have been a step behind Samsung’s slab-style flagships. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 finally closes that gap, incorporating a primary camera system that rivals the best on the market.

A Flagship-Grade Main Sensor

The main camera array is headlined by a 200MP ISOCELL HP3 sensor, the same core technology found in the Galaxy S series. This large sensor, combined with advanced pixel-binning technology, captures breathtakingly detailed and vibrant photos in all lighting conditions. The “Expert RAW” mode gives photography enthusiasts full control over their shots, capturing 16-bit computational RAW files for unparalleled editing flexibility.

Versatile Supporting Lenses

The main sensor is supported by a 12MP ultrawide camera with an improved field of view and better edge correction, ensuring your landscape shots are crisp and distortion-free. The telephoto system sees a major upgrade with a 50MP sensor providing a 5x optical zoom. This allows for incredibly sharp long-range shots, and the digital “Space Zoom” is now more usable up to 30x thanks to enhanced AI stabilization algorithms.

Unique Foldable Camera Modes

Of course, the foldable form factor provides unique camera capabilities. Flex Mode allows you to use the phone like a camcorder, placing it on a flat surface for stable video recording or long-exposure night shots. Dual Preview lets your subject see themselves on the Cover Screen as you take their photo, and Rear Cam Selfie enables you to use the powerful main camera system for high-resolution selfies.

Software and Multitasking: The Foldable Advantage

Hardware is only half the story. The true potential of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is unlocked through its software, which has been meticulously optimized for the large, flexible screen.

An Evolved Taskbar and DeX Mode

Running on One UI 7 over Android 15, the software experience is more polished than ever. The persistent taskbar, which mimics a desktop OS, now holds up to eight recent and pinned apps, making app-switching and drag-and-drop multitasking incredibly fluid.

Samsung DeX has also evolved. You can now launch a full desktop experience directly on the main display without needing an external monitor. When paired with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (or the S Pen), the Z Fold 7 can genuinely replace a laptop for many productivity tasks, from managing spreadsheets to writing long-form documents.

Enhanced App Continuity and Split-Screen

App continuity is smoother than ever, with more applications seamlessly transitioning from the Cover Screen to the main display when you unfold the device. The split-screen functionality is more intuitive, allowing you to easily save app pairs and launch them together with a single tap. The ability to drag and drop content—be it text, images, or files—between apps running side-by-side is a productivity game-changer.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. The Competition

While Samsung pioneered the large-format foldable, the market is heating up. How does the Fold 7 compare?

Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6

Compared to its direct predecessor, the Fold 7 is a monumental upgrade. The gapless hinge, integrated S Pen, lighter build, invisible UDC, 200MP camera, and 65W charging are all major advancements. While the Z Fold 6 remains a capable device, the Z Fold 7 addresses nearly every compromise, making it a far more complete and compelling product.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Google Pixel Fold 2

Google’s rumored Pixel Fold 2 is expected to focus on a wider, more traditional cover screen and deep AI integration. While the Pixel Fold 2 will likely have a strong camera system and clean software, it will struggle to compete with the Z Fold 7’s mature feature set, including the S Pen, Samsung DeX, and the sheer power of its custom-tuned processor. Samsung’s hardware refinement and four generations of user feedback give it a significant head start.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. OnePlus Open 2

The first OnePlus Open was praised for its thin design and impressive specs. The successor will likely continue this trend. However, OnePlus cannot match Samsung’s software ecosystem and deep integration. Features like DeX, advanced S Pen functionality, and the vast suite of Samsung-exclusive apps provide a level of productivity and cohesion that competitors have yet to replicate.

Is the Galaxy Z Fold 7 Worth It?

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an expensive device, and it’s not for everyone. It is for the tech enthusiast, the mobile professional, and the power user who wants a single device that can be a phone, a tablet, and a quasi-laptop. It’s for the person who values ultimate productivity and is willing to invest in cutting-edge technology.

With this generation, Samsung has eliminated nearly all the “buts” that used to accompany a foldable recommendation. The crease is a non-issue, the device is no longer overly bulky, the S Pen is always with you, and the camera is truly flagship-grade. It is the most complete and polished foldable phone ever made. If you want to experience the absolute pinnacle of smartphone technology, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is, without question, the device to get.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the crease completely gone on the Galaxy Z Fold 7?
The new teardrop hinge design makes the crease on the main display extremely subtle. In most lighting conditions and viewing angles, it is virtually invisible. While you might be able to feel a slight indentation if you run your finger over it, it no longer distracts from the viewing experience.

2. Does the Galaxy Z Fold 7 come with the S Pen?
Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has an integrated silo that houses the S Pen, which is included with the purchase. This is a significant upgrade from previous models that required a separate case for S Pen storage.

3. Is the Galaxy Z Fold 7 waterproof?
Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 retains its IPX8 water resistance rating. This means it can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. However, it is not rated for dust resistance, so care should be taken in sandy or dusty environments.

4. How durable is the folding screen?
The Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) on the main display has been improved for greater durability. It is designed to withstand over 200,000 folds, which equates to folding and unfolding the device 100 times a day for more than five years. The pre-installed screen protector should not be removed by the user.

5. Can you use any S Pen with the Galaxy Z Fold 7?
No, you must use the special “S Pen Fold Edition” designed for the flexible screen. Using a standard S Pen from a Galaxy Note or S series device can damage the delicate inner display due to its harder tip. The included S Pen is specifically engineered for this purpose.

6. What are the main advantages over the previous Galaxy Z Fold 6?
The key advantages are the gapless, flat-folding design, a much less noticeable screen crease, the integrated S Pen, a significantly lighter and thinner body, a true flagship 200MP camera system, and much faster 65W wired charging.

7. Does the Galaxy Z Fold 7 support a desktop mode like Samsung DeX?
Absolutely. The Z Fold 7 offers an enhanced DeX experience. You can run it directly on the main display for a tablet-like desktop or connect it to an external monitor for a full-fledged computer experience, making it one of the most versatile productivity devices available.

8. Is the battery life good enough for a full day?
Yes. Thanks to the power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset and a large 5,000mAh battery, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is designed to provide all-day battery life for typical users. Heavy gaming or extensive use of the main display will, of course, drain it faster, but the 65W fast charging can quickly top it up.