Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: The new flip phone champ

Greatest Costs Immediately: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Flip telephones have been round for greater than half a decade, however one model continues to dominate, a minimum of within the UK and US: Samsung. 

The Korean large’s Galaxy Z Flip line has led the best way for some time, however in 2024, Motorola’s Razr 50 Extremely ended up being Tech Advisor’s finest flip cellphone of the 12 months, with that large cowl show taking part in a significant function. 

Samsung has responded with a canopy display improve of its personal on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, delivering arguably the most important generational change we’ve seen since its 2020 debut. 

Is it sufficient for Samsung to regain its crown because the flip cellphone maker to beat? After testing the Razr 60 Extremely earlier this 12 months, I spent every week utilizing the Galaxy Z Flip 7 to search out out, and the outcomes weren’t what I used to be anticipating. 

Design & Construct

• Larger cowl and inside shows 
• Slim, light-weight construct with powerful hinge 
• IP48 water and mud resistance 

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 has an enormous design improve, and I’m right here for it. 

Whereas the overall kind issue is identical – a small cowl display that opens to disclose a daily cellphone display – the scale have modified considerably. 

The large information is that the duvet display (or ‘FlexWindow’, as Samsung formally calls it) has elevated massively, from 3.4 inches on the Z Flip 6 to 4.1 inches right here. It extends virtually all the best way to the sting of the machine, with a slim bezel making it look much more trendy. Lastly, Samsung has matched the bar set by Motorola on this space.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

To make room for it, Samsung has additionally elevated the interior show from 6.7- to six.9 inches. It’s a delicate change, however one I seen right away, because it makes the cellphone considerably taller (75.2mm as an alternative of 71.9mm). Initially, I discovered the cellphone just a little uncomfortable to make use of (one-handed utilization is just about out of the query), but it surely didn’t take too lengthy to regulate. 

And when that inside show is turned on, the crease is completely invisible. The one occasions you’ll discover it’s in the event you occur to relaxation your finger on it, which was fairly uncommon in my case. 

I additionally actually admire how sturdy the aluminium hinge feels. I haven’t precisely been cautious when opening and shutting it, aiming to simulate the impact longer-term utilization, but it surely didn’t present any indicators of weak point by any means. I’d be assured in it surviving a few years of open-close cycles. 

In contrast to early Galaxy Z Flip fashions, the Flip 7 folds in half fully flat, but stays a comparatively svelte 13.7mm. Mixed with a light-weight 188g construct, these compact dimensions meant I usually forgot the cellphone was even in my pocket. It’s one in every of only a few handsets that’s seemingly to slot in girls’s trousers, although I can’t confirm that. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Sturdiness basically is a key energy of the Z Flip 7. The again of the machine is provided with Corning’s powerful Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which is particularly designed to guard it from drops onto tough surfaces. 

The machine additionally retains an IP48 ranking, which means it’s secure from submersion in as much as 1.5m of freshwater although it stays susceptible to particles smaller than 1mm (corresponding to sand). Like all present flip telephones, I’d be further cautious when taking it to the seashore. 

The Z Flip 7 is out there in 4 colors: ‘Blue Shadow’, ‘Jetblack’, ‘Coralred’ and ‘Mint’, with the latter unique to the Samsung web site. I examined the previous, a deep navy hue that shimmers within the gentle and appears actually elegant. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

In contrast to non-folding telephones, the color you go for is essential, as I wouldn’t suggest making use of a case. Regardless of being constructed from glass, the matt coating on the again of the machine makes it impressively grippy and customarily proof against fingerprint smudges. 

Speaking of fingerprints, the sensor for unlocking the machine is constructed into the facility button on the best aspect. Samsung has cleverly positioned it to be in a pure place when each folded and unfolded, and it’s persistently quick and dependable. I don’t miss an under-display scanner in any respect. 

Display & Audio system

• 4-inch, 120Hz AMOLED cowl display 
• 6.9-inch, 120Hz AMOLED inside show 
• Stereo audio system 

As talked about above, each of the Z Flip 7’s shows are larger than their Z Flip 6 equivalents. However what are they really like to make use of? 

Briefly, excellent. On the 4-inch cowl display, Samsung lastly has an exterior show that’s match for its flagship flip. And the brand new 6.9-inch inside show is without doubt one of the finest you’ll discover on any cellphone – folding or not. 

Let’s begin with the duvet display, the only greatest improve this time round. Samsung has improved virtually every thing about this show, and it’s actually paid off. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The decision has elevated to 948 x 1048, leading to crisp visuals and glorious readability. A doubling of the refresh fee to 120Hz means navigating the show is clean and fluid, whereas a peak brightness of 2600 nits ensures out of doors visibility is superb.  

And, in fact, that is nonetheless an AMOLED panel, which means you get these vivid colors and deep blacks that we’ve come to affiliate with Samsung telephones. 

The show now stretches across the digicam lenses, which may forestall you from accessing some performance, significantly on third-party apps which aren’t optimised.  

To treatment this, you’ll discover a small on-screen button on the backside of the show that means that you can cycle between three completely different side ratios, together with one that appears like a daily cellphone. It’s a easy but very efficient answer. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Talking of normal telephones, the interior show seems to be identical to another Samsung flagship, which is nice information. At 6.9 inches, it’s on the bigger aspect, however not unparalleled for a contemporary handset. 

And I’ve no complaints in relation to high quality. The Full HD+ (1080 x 2520) decision is fractionally decrease than final 12 months’s Z Flip 6, but it surely’s virtually unimaginable to inform the distinction. In different phrases, it provides greater than sufficient element for anybody to be glad. 

As an AMOLED, it’s nice for any visible content material, from gaming and social media to TV exhibits and flicks. And the 783 nits I recorded in ‘Further brightness mode’ (426 with it turned off) means you possibly can clearly see the display in virtually any atmosphere. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The 120Hz refresh fee stays (the Razr 60 Extremely’s 165Hz isn’t broadly supported), but it surely’s irritating to be restricted to both a hard and fast 60Hz ‘Normal’, or ‘Adaptive’, which alternates between the 2. I’d wish to see Samsung introduce LTPO, which might enable the refresh fee to drop as little as 1Hz when not required, plus the choice to remain at 120Hz on a regular basis.  

Nonetheless, general, there’s no doubting that the Z Flip 7 has a pair of fantastic shows. 

By way of audio, the Z Flip 7 has the stereo speaker setup we’ve come to anticipate on trendy telephones – one downward-firing, one earpiece. Sound high quality is okay, getting decently loud with none audible distortion, but it surely’s actually nothing particular. Throughout longer listening periods, you actually discover the marginally tinny sound and lack of bass. 

As regular, in the event you’re severe about sound high quality, I’d extremely suggest connecting headphones or a Bluetooth speaker. 

Specs & Efficiency

• Samsung Exynos 2500 chipset 
• 12GB of RAM 
• 256- or 512GB of non-expandable storage 

Samsung has switched issues up with the Galaxy Z Flip chipset this time round. After years of Qualcomm silicon, the Z Flip 7 is powered by the corporate’s personal Exynos line as an alternative – particularly, the Exynos 2500. Right here, it’s paired with 12GB of RAM throughout each fashions. 

As previous benchmarks have proven, this isn’t as highly effective because the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm’s newest and biggest. So, what does that imply for Z Flip 7’s efficiency? 

More often than not, little or no. Throughout a full week of normal utilization, I didn’t run right into a single efficiency challenge. The Z Flip 7 was persistently quick and dependable, even with over 100 Chrome tabs open (I do know) and shortly switching between plenty of apps.  

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

In case your each day utilization seems to be something like mine, with loads of net looking, messages and emails, plus some pictures and the occasional name, the Z Flip 7 will cope simply nice. Impressively, all through all these duties, the machine by no means even received heat to the contact.  

As anticipated, demanding gaming proves to be extra of a problem. Whereas gameplay is mostly clean, I seen fairly a couple of dropped frames right here and there, particularly on PUBG Cellular and Actual Racing 3. 

Name of Responsibility: Cellular was extra constant, however all three triggered important warmth build-up, significantly across the cowl display. It additionally depleted battery life rather more shortly than the rest I used the Z Flip 7 for. 

You’re in all probability not shopping for this machine for its gaming efficiency, and informal titles gained’t be an issue. However in the event you’re severe about cell gaming, go for a book-style foldable or non-folding cellphone as an alternative.

I’m happy to see Samsung improve the storage on the bottom mannequin from 128- to 256GB with out rising the worth. That must be sufficient for most individuals, however with no help for Micro-SD expandable storage, step as much as 512GB in the event you’re not sure. 

The Z Flip 7 helps the most recent Wi-Fi 7 commonplace, plus Bluetooth 5.4 and NFC for the likes of contactless funds. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 benchmarks

Cameras

• 50Mp, f/1.8 major 
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide 
• 10Mp, f/2.2 front-facing 

The Galaxy Z Flip 7’s digicam {hardware} is similar to its predecessor. And judging from the outcomes, there are not any significant modifications to Samsung’s software program processing, both. 

However, somewhat than repeat what I mentioned in my Z Flip 6 evaluation, I’ll attempt to describe issues a bit in another way. The quick model is that the primary lens is superb, the ultrawide sensor is respectable and the front-facing digicam is a bit underwhelming, however you’ll be utilizing the rear lenses to take selfies anyway. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The 50Mp major lens is a small step down in comparison with the easiest digicam telephones available on the market, together with the 200Mp sensor on the Galaxy S25 Extremely. But it surely nonetheless delivers persistently glorious images throughout a variety of conditions.

In good lighting, pictures are clear, crisp and brimming with element. Samsung’s tendency for vibrant, high-contrast images has been toned down in recent times, however there’s nonetheless a noticeable increase to colors. The outcomes are visually interesting, albeit not true to life.

Nonetheless, the Z Flip 7 handles advanced shadows and exposures very nicely, capturing nice element in a few of the moody skies. Dynamic vary can be excellent, which means a variety of various brightness ranges may be precisely represented. 

I discovered the primary lens to be equally adept at landscapes, road pictures and complicated structure – it’s very versatile.  

In low gentle, the night time mode kicks in robotically, doing an excellent job of brightening the picture with out making it look synthetic. Nonetheless, it does introduce some noise and might battle with any shiny lighting. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

The 12Mp ultrawide is a succesful secondary lens, providing the flexibility of a 123˚ area of view with no main drop-off in high quality. There’s a transparent distinction intimately and color accuracy between the 2, however I used to be nonetheless completely happy to make use of it in quite a lot of situations. 

Nonetheless, with no telephoto lens, you’re fully reliant on this sensor and the Z Flip 7’s disappointing digital zoom capabilities. Something past 2x shortly loses definition and color accuracy, with Samsung limiting this to 10x feeling like an admission of those limitations. 

Up to now, I may nearly perceive the argument {that a} third lens would get in the best way of the display. However with the Z Flip 7 shifting to a full-screen cowl show, they’re obstructing it anyway. As somebody who enjoys going to concert events, even a 3x optical zoom would make an enormous distinction. 

Even when together with three completely different lenses isn’t potential (and whereas I discover that tough to imagine, I’ve a concept as to why additional down this evaluation), I’d want Samsung to comply with Motorola’s choice with the 50 Extremely to swap the inferior ultrawide lens for a telephoto, which might make an enormous distinction to each portrait photographs and zoomed-in snaps.

In fact, a key promoting level of flip telephones is the flexibility to make use of the rear lenses to take selfies. I really like the best way the primary lens precisely captures my pores and skin tone and delivers a convincing background blur in portrait mode. In the meantime, switching to the ultrawide makes it good for group selfies, and I really like you can simply maintain up your palm to start out a countdown timer. 

The precise front-facing digicam is a good 10Mp sensor that’s in step with most trendy smartphones. There’s nothing essentially flawed with it, although video calls are the one time I may see myself utilizing it. 

On the video aspect, the primary lens can shoot in as much as 4K at 30fps, although the default 1080p at 30fps can be simply nice for most individuals. OIS (optical picture stabilisation) means footage stays comparatively regular, although it will possibly look washed out and sometimes struggles with publicity. 

It’s completely nice for social media and residential movies, however I wouldn’t suggest it for something extra severe. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 4300mAh battery 
• 25W wired charging 
• 15W wi-fi, 5W reverse wi-fi 

I complained in regards to the Galaxy Z Flip 6 battery life rather a lot, so I’m glad to see Samsung improve the capability from 4000mAh to 4300mAh. Nonetheless, when most non-folding telephones exceed 5000mAh, that’s nonetheless just a little underwhelming. 

Battery life has undoubtedly improved, to the extent that I often don’t fear about it lasting to the tip of a full day. Nonetheless, none of my testing days concerned something greater than average utilization, so I’d be frightened about it holding up on a demanding day of travelling, for instance.

Sadly, our regular PCMark battery check wouldn’t run correctly on the Z Flip 7, so I can’t provide any goal comparisons. However what I can say is that after three hours of utilization throughout a 16-hour day, the Z Flip 7’s battery went from full to fifteen%, which isn’t supreme. 

Battery life positively isn’t the weak point it as soon as was, however I wouldn’t name it a energy, both. 

Sadly, the charging scenario is even worse. Samsung nonetheless hasn’t improved the measly 25W charging speeds, and it proved to be a relentless supply of frustration. With no charger within the field, you’ll have to provide one in every of your personal, however I’m assured you have already got one which’s loads quick sufficient. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

In my testing, the Z Flip 7 went from 0-18% in quarter-hour, then 33% by the half-hour mark. At that fee, it’ll take over 90 minutes to go from empty to full. As somebody who likes to cost their cellphone earlier than they go away dwelling within the morning, that’s a little bit of an issue. 

15W wi-fi charging stays for comfort, however there’s nonetheless no help for the most recent Qi2 commonplace. And 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging is simply appropriate for giving equipment corresponding to wi-fi earbuds a fast prime up. 

Software program & Apps

• One UI 8 over Android 16 
• Numerous Galaxy AI options 
• Seven years of OS and safety updates 

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is without doubt one of the first gadgets to run One UI 8, the most recent model of Samsung’s Android pores and skin on the time of writing. It’s primarily based on Android 16, however retains a really completely different feel and look.  

One UI 8 introduces a couple of modifications in comparison with One UI 7, however that doesn’t embody Android 16’s upcoming ‘Materials 3 Expressive’ redesign. I wouldn’t anticipate Samsung to introduce lots of Google’s large visible modifications to its gadgets. 

So, on the interior show, it’s most enterprise as regular, with Samsung’s distinctive aesthetic, intensive customisation choices and big selection of inventory apps. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

For me, the latter is a unfavorable – virtually each Google app has a Samsung model, resulting in a cluttered and probably complicated person expertise. Frustratingly, a few of these Samsung apps can’t be uninstalled, making them annoying bloatware. 

Nonetheless, from a pure design perspective, I nonetheless want One UI aesthetic to the Pixel one. Samsung’s widgets are attractive, its fast settings panel is extra intuitive, and the highly effective AI-enhanced search is a game-changer. 

Speaking of AI, the suite of synthetic intelligence right here is nearly similar to what you’ll discover on the Galaxy S25 sequence. The one additions of be aware are computerized detections of individuals and audio within the background of images, movies and voice recordings, which make it even simpler to take away. 

Galaxy AI provides a complete suite of writing, translation, summarising and generative AI instruments, lots of that are helpful, enjoyable, or each. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discover Circle to Search and the Gemini digital assistant to be probably the most helpful. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Samsung has added Gemini help to the duvet display for the primary time, permitting you to simply set off it through the standard lengthy press of the facility button. It really works nicely, and appears to simply as correct at recognising what I’m saying. 

One other new cowl display function is ‘Now Transient’, which was launched on the Galaxy S25 sequence as a solution to summarise key, personalised data all through the day. It might probably draw on quite a lot of completely different sources, together with your calendar, gallery, well being knowledge and information, however except you personal Samsung sensible dwelling or wearable gadgets, I don’t suppose it’s significantly helpful. 

And, as I discussed in my Z Flip 7 dwell weblog, the empty platitudes within the introductions actually annoy me. What does “clouds within the sky give immediately a tranquil vibe” even imply? 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Then there’s the frankly ridiculous course of for getting any app operating on the duvet display: Set up the ‘Good Lock’ app from the Galaxy Retailer. Open it, then set up and open ‘MultiStar’. Faucet it, then ‘I ♡ Galaxy Foldable’, allow the ‘Launcher Widget’ and faucet any apps you need to add to the duvet display. Lastly, go to Settings and add the Good Lock widget to entry them. 

As irritating as that is, the expertise when you get it arrange is surprisingly good. Regardless of none of those apps seemingly being optimised for the smaller display, every thing I attempted labored with out challenge. 

Regardless of a few of the shortcomings talked about, Samsung’s software program expertise stays among the finest within the enterprise, together with its lengthy dedication to updates. 

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 will obtain seven years of main OS updates and 7 years of safety patches, which might make it secure to make use of till 2032. That continues to be the joint-best you’ll see on any cellphone, and a key motive to purchase it over the Razr 60 Extremely (three years’ OS, 4 years’ safety). 

Worth & Availability

At launch, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 begins at £1,049/$1,099. 

That’ll get you the 256GB mannequin I examined, although you possibly can double it to 512GB for £1,149/$1,219.  

You should buy one outright from quite a lot of retailers, together with Samsung and Amazon within the UK or Samsung and Amazon within the US. The cellphone can be out there on contract from a variety of various networks within the UK and US. 

With no worth rise this time, the Z Flip 7 is now cheaper than its major rival within the Razr 60 Extremely/Razr Extremely 2025 (from £1,099/$1,299), which can be a dealbreaker for some, particularly in the event you’re within the US, the place the distinction is larger. That wasn’t the case with the final era, with the Z Flip 6 priced larger than its closest Motorola rival.

I do ponder whether the choice to omit that all-important telephoto lens helped to undercut Motorola this time round. Admittedly, Samsung’s present worth isn’t beneath the £1,000/$1,000 mark that the 50 Extremely was again in 2024, so worth for cash isn’t fairly as spectacular – although inflation should even be taken under consideration.

Should you don’t want a flip cellphone, loads of the most effective telephones you should buy are extra reasonably priced. 

Do you have to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7?

Should you’re out there for a flip cellphone and prepared to pay the premium, sure. Regardless of a couple of key faults, the Z Flip 7 is my prime really useful Flip cellphone proper now.

Why? The mix of a smooth, premium design, glorious shows, a fantastic major digicam and a top-tier software program expertise makes it exhausting to beat. A full seven years of updates is the icing on the cake. 

Nonetheless, the mixture of mediocre battery life and sluggish charging may very well be a dealbreaker for some folks, whereas the dearth of a telephoto digicam may be problematic at occasions. 

This smartphone sequence hasn’t obtained a worth hike this 12 months, as Motorola’s did, making it a fair higher worth proposition. Nonetheless, the truth that the identical frustrations from the Z Flip 6 persist stops it from getting a fair larger rating.

Nonetheless, in the event you’re on the lookout for a flip cellphone that can serve you nicely now and into the long run, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the machine for you. 

Specs

• 4.1-inch, 120Hz AMOLED cowl show   
• 6.9-inch, 120Hz LTPO AMOLED major show   
• Samsung Exynos 2500 
• 12GB RAM   
• 256/512GB storage   
• 50Mp, f/1.8 major digicam   
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digicam   
• 10Mp, f/2.2 selfie digicam   
• 4300mAh battery  
• 25W wired charging   
• 15W wi-fi charging  
• 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging  
• Stereo audio system   
• IP48 water and mud resistance   
• Gorilla Glass Victus 2 again  
• Wi-Fi 7 
• Bluetooth 5.4  
• 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5 mm (open), 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7 mm (closed)  
• 188g   
• One UI 8 over Android 16