Samsung Z Fold 7 Review: The Ultimate Foldable Phone Gets Even Better
The foldable phone market has matured significantly since its rocky beginnings, and Samsung's latest offering - the Z Fold 7 - proves just how far this technology has come. As someone who's tested every generation of Samsung's foldables, I can confidently say the Z Fold 7 represents the most refined, practical, and impressive iteration yet.
After two weeks of intensive use, here's my comprehensive review of what makes the Z Fold 7 special, where it still falls short, and whether it's worth its premium $1,799 price tag.
Design & Build: Thinner, Lighter, More Durable
Samsung has shaved off another 15 grams from last year's model, with the Z Fold 7 now weighing just 239 grams. The thickness when folded has been reduced to 13.4mm (from 14.2mm in the Z Fold 6), making it noticeably more pocketable.
The hinge mechanism has seen its most significant redesign yet:
- New "Dual Rail" hinge that's 30% smaller but just as durable
- IP58 certification (up from IPX8) - now officially dust resistant
- Armor Aluminum 2.0 frame with improved scratch resistance
- Gorilla Glass Victus 3 on both cover and main displays
In hand, the Z Fold 7 feels substantially more premium than its predecessors. The matte finish on my review unit (Phantom Black) resists fingerprints beautifully, and the symmetrical design when folded gives it a sleek, minimalist aesthetic.
Displays: Brighter Than Ever
The Z Fold 7 retains the same 7.6-inch main display and 6.2-inch cover display sizes as before, but with several key upgrades:
- Main display now reaches 2,800 nits peak brightness (up from 1,750 nits)
- Both displays feature LTPO 4.0 technology with 1-120Hz adaptive refresh
- Under-display camera is now 4th generation - nearly invisible in most lighting
- New anti-reflective coating reduces glare by 45% according to Samsung
In real-world use, the brightness boost makes the Z Fold 7 perfectly usable in direct sunlight - something previous foldables struggled with. The crease is still visible at certain angles but is significantly less noticeable than before.
Performance & Battery Life
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (a slightly overclocked version of Qualcomm's flagship chip), the Z Fold 7 is an absolute powerhouse:
- 12GB LPDDR5X RAM (with 16GB option in certain markets)
- UFS 4.0 storage (256GB/512GB/1TB options)
- 4,500mAh battery (same capacity but more efficient)
- 45W wired charging / 15W wireless charging
In my testing, the Z Fold 7 consistently delivered 6-7 hours of screen-on time with mixed usage (both displays). Heavy users will still need to charge daily, but the improved efficiency means you're less likely to run out of juice before bedtime.
Camera System: Flagship-Level Photography
Samsung has finally brought its S24 Ultra camera technology to the Z Fold line:
- Main: 50MP f/1.7 (1/1.28" sensor) with Dual Pixel Pro AF
- Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.2 (120° FOV)
- Telephoto: 10MP f/2.4 (3x optical zoom)
- Cover display selfie: 10MP f/2.2
- Under-display selfie: 4MP f/1.8
The camera improvements are immediately noticeable, especially in low-light conditions. The new "Flex Mode" enhancements allow for creative shooting angles when partially folded, and the improved processing means colors look more natural compared to Samsung's sometimes oversaturated style.
Software & Multitasking
OneUI 6.1 (based on Android 14) brings several foldable-specific enhancements:
- Taskbar now persists across all apps (like a desktop OS)
- Up to 4 apps can be open simultaneously on main display
- New "Flex Mode" panel provides quick controls when partially folded
- Enhanced S Pen support with lower latency (2.8ms)
The productivity potential here is staggering. I regularly had Slack, Chrome, Google Keep, and YouTube running simultaneously with no noticeable lag. The S Pen integration (sold separately) transforms the Z Fold 7 into a legitimate digital notebook.
Also Read
If you're interested in foldable technology, check out these related reviews:
YouTube Shorts: Z Fold 7 in Action
Watch the Samsung Z Fold 7's folding mechanism and multitasking capabilities in our quick video demo.
Verdict: Who Should Buy the Z Fold 7?
Worth buying if:
- You want the most advanced foldable phone available
- Productivity is your top priority
- You're willing to pay premium for cutting-edge tech
Consider waiting if:
- You're happy with your current phone's form factor
- Camera quality is your absolute top priority (S24 Ultra still wins)
- You're budget-conscious (deals usually appear 3-4 months after launch)
At $1,799, the Z Fold 7 remains an expensive proposition, but it's also the most polished, capable foldable phone money can buy today. For power users who want to carry a tablet in their pocket, there's simply nothing better.
