Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Samsung continues to redefine smartphone innovation with the Galaxy ZFold 7, its newest foldable flagship. With several enhancements over its predecessor, this device aims to deliver a superior foldable experience while keeping the premium features fans expect. Let’s dive into what’s new, improved, and whether the ZFold 7 is the right investment.

Design and Build

The ZFold 7 introduces a sleeker and lighter design compared to last year’s model. When folded, it measures 8.9mm, almost matching conventional smartphones, and unfolds to an ultra-thin 4.2mm profile. Despite larger screens, it’s 24 grams lighter, improving daily handling and comfort.

The back panel uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and the frame is crafted from reinforced armor aluminum, boosting durability. The device maintains an IP48 rating, offering both water and dust resistance. Samsung has redesigned the hinge, making it smaller, sturdier, and capable of holding the phone at multiple angles without gaps. While the crease on the inner display is still visible, it’s flatter and less noticeable during use.

Display: Inner and Outer Screens

The 8-inch foldable OLED inner display delivers crisp visuals, a 120Hz refresh rate, and high resolution. Samsung added a titanium layer under thicker glass for enhanced durability. Although S Pen support has been removed, the screen remains sharp, HDR10+ compatible, and perfect for gaming or media consumption (Dolby Vision is still unsupported).

The cover display now spans 6.5 inches with a 21:9 aspect ratio, closer to a traditional smartphone experience. Protected with Gorilla Glass Ceramic, it offers a significantly better viewing experience. Both screens are slightly dimmer than last year but still reach 1,400 nits in auto mode, ensuring visibility in direct sunlight.

Thanks to LTPO technology, the 120Hz refresh rate adapts down to 1Hz when idle, helping preserve battery life. Animations feel smooth, making multitasking and general usage effortless.

Audio and Security

The ZFold 7 features stereo speakers, which are slightly quieter than the previous model, delivering clear vocals and treble but modest bass. Security is handled with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which is fast and reliable. Storage options range from 256GB to 1TB, but there’s no microSD slot for expansion.

Software and Interface

Running One UI 8 on Android 16, the ZFold 7 retains a familiar look but adds new features like an enhanced circle-to-search function, now functional in games. Multitasking remains intuitive with split-screen and pop-up window capabilities. Samsung’s Gemini AI further elevates the experience, allowing context-aware assistance across multiple apps.

Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the ZFold 7 delivers flagship-level performance on par with the Galaxy S series. Benchmark tests confirm top-tier speed and responsiveness, though heavy, prolonged usage can lead to thermal throttling, a common trait among high-end devices.

Battery and Charging

The 4,400 mAh battery remains unchanged. Testing shows the inner display lasting 11 hours 44 minutes and the cover display 12 hours 56 minutes—decent, though not class-leading. Charging supports 25W wired, wireless, and reverse wireless, but a charger isn’t included. Full charging takes about 90 minutes, slightly faster than last year but still moderate.

Camera System

Samsung has overhauled the camera system:

• Main Camera: Now 200MP, offering excellent detail, color accuracy, and dynamic range.

• Ultrawide Lens: Features autofocus, delivering sharp shots and macro capabilities.

• Telephoto Lens: 3x zoom performs well in daylight; low-light performance is limited but improved with night mode.

The inner 10MP selfie camera replaces the previous low-quality under-display cam, offering a wider field of view and superior image quality. For the best selfies, the rear camera can be used with the cover display as a viewfinder.

Video Capabilities

The ZFold 7 supports 8K video at 30fps on the main camera and 4K at 60fps on other lenses. Video is sharp, with vibrant colors and wide dynamic range. Ultrawide videos have minor edge softness, but stabilization is strong, and low-light video quality is acceptable.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Slimmer, lighter design

• Larger, high-quality inner and cover displays

• 200MP main camera with improved ultrawide

• New inner selfie camera with wider FOV

• Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate

• Advanced multitasking with One UI 8 and Gemini AI

• Seven years of software and security updates

Cons:

• Slightly quieter stereo speakers

• No S Pen support

• Moderate charging speed

• Telephoto camera struggles in low light

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy ZFold 7 stands out as one of the best foldable smartphones available today. Its lighter, sleeker design, improved displays, and enhanced camera system make it a compelling choice for foldable enthusiasts. While compromises like quieter speakers and the lack of S Pen support exist, the overall improvements in usability, AI integration, and software features justify its premium positioning.

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