Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: 3 biggest wins and biggest misses

Yahoo

3 days ago

It's official, Samsung has finally shown off its latest entry into the world of foldable phones, and unlike the last few years, they're impressive.
On July 9, 2025, Samsung held its Summer Unpacked event, where we saw new watches and phones. I've been critical of Samsung in the past because I know the Android-OEM giant can do better than it has.
Not that I'm taking a sliver of credit, the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a significant departure from previous models, making me very happy in nearly every category a phone can offer.
As I recently wrote about skipping the last two Z Fold models, the Z Fold 7 tempted me. A big reason for the skips and recent temptation is the increasing size and bulk of previous models year after year.
Meanwhile, the competition, in the US and abroad, surpassed Samsung by offering thinner phones. With the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung is back in the game and in a big way.
Looking at the chart above, you can see the monumental change between the Z Fold 7 and last year's Z Fold 6. While a difference of just over 3mm when closed may not seem like much, it makes a huge difference in hand and pocket.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is bested by 1.6mm, which previously held the crown for the thinnest foldable in the US. Then, depending on which model is the current titleholder of the thinnest folding phone in the world, the Honor Magic V5, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is thinner.
I can't overstate how excited I am to get my hands on this phone. When I held the Honor Magic V3 at MWC this past March, I marveled at its thinness, measuring 9.2mm when folded. It truly felt like a regular phone in my hand.
Considering the Galaxy Z Fold 7 comes in .3mm thinner, that has me vibrating with anticipation.
When it comes to foldables and cameras, folding phones often fall short when compared to their slab counterparts. This isn't only a Samsung issue, but the technology behemoth may have been the worst offender.
If we consider that many of Samsung's phones from the past have been among the best camera phones available, it's frustrating that the most expensive phone it currently sells doesn't measure up.
Thankfully, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn't taking the same approach. Samsung gave its latest foldable the same 200MP camera as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and that's a big deal.
While we weren't overly impressed with it in our review of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, even if it's underwhelming there, it's a welcome change for the Z Fold 7. The Z Fold 6 had a paltry 50MP sensor that struggled in most situations, but it also limited digital cropping or digital zoom.
That's important with a foldable. Those 100X zoom shots don't work on something like the Z Fold 7 because there isn't room for the periscope-style telephoto lenses. So, digital cropping is important, and so is the number of pixels.
The main camera isn't the only upgrade on that front, as we get a new 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a new 12 MP ultrawide.
Can't forget the selfie camera on the inside. It's no longer the sad 4MP under-display option from before. Now, we have a 10MP sensor to capture clear images when the phone is open.
In addition to gaining a more svelte exterior by shaving off millimeters from its frame, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 also loses some grams.
While many will be quick to point out that this weight loss is due to a smaller battery for a smaller phone, that isn't the case. This year's book-style foldable from Samsung keeps the same 4,400mAh cell found in last year's Z Fold 6.
I give Samsung a lot of credit here for not taking the easy route of making the phone lighter by shrinking the battery size.
This is a primary culprit in our phone's weight, so Samsung found ways to cut weight in other ways. Making big strides year over year to make its latest foldable the lightest in the world, and besting the Z Fold 6 by 24g, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold by a whopping 42g.
It's obvious that phone makers are looking for any edge possible to differentiate their devices from others.
In many cases, phone design has greatly slowed down, leaving software as the area where brands can find separation. One of those software features is AI, and it has loads of potential, but I have yet to find a necessary use.
Yes, I know AI is used for many functions in phones and many other electronics. It's the phrase that Samsung used during its presentation that struck me and gave me a slight feeling of nervousness: AI is the new UI.
While this may not be a literal expression that AI is the user interface moving forward, the idea that Samsung wants to lean that way is one that I don't like. AI can do many great things, but it can also get in the way.
I don't think the systems, interface, needs, platforms, and safety measures are fleshed out enough yet to give users truly natural, unimpeded ways to use their devices, with AI being the primary point of interaction.
Samsung decided that the S Pen is no longer more powerful than the sword. Previous models of the Z Fold lineup, going as far back as the Z Fold 3, worked with Samsung's S Pen stylus.
While it required a special version of the pen to use with the inner display safely, the option was great. However, it was a nuisance that you had to get a case to hold the pen or risk losing it, since it couldn't be easily inserted into the device like the S25 Ultra.
Book-style phones, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, are ideal for using the S Pen, given their large displays.
However, despite my appreciation for the stylus option, it's not a feature I would use frequently. Still, it's one of those things that, if it isn't there, you need it, but when it is, you don't.
While I gave Samsung credit earlier for not shrinking the battery size from the Z Fold 6 to the Z Fold 7, sticking with 4,400mAh, I am disappointed that Samsung stopped pushing the envelope.
I previously mentioned the Honor Magic V5 as the thinnest foldable in the world, depending on which model you choose, but the phone is about more than just being razor-thin. Honor packed a 5,820mAh battery in its latest foldable; even its previous model had a 5,150mAh battery.
For two phones that are similar in dimensions, you'd expect similar battery sizes. However, Honor trounces Samsung here by using a newer battery tech that not only allows for greater energy density but also charges much faster.
Samsung stuck with the tried-and-true graphite core lithium-ion battery, while Honor and some others are moving to a silicon carbide lithium-ion battery.
As for the charging, Samsung maxes out at 25W wired and 15W wireless, whereas Honor can handle 66W wired and 50W wireless.
It has been years since I've used a Samsung flagship phone, primarily because I couldn't find anything overly exciting.
Each year, as the next Unpacked event drew near, I felt the excitement building. Hoping that the rumors were wrong, only to be disappointed in a bland rehash.
I'm happy to say that while the aesthetic design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is as dull as ever, the change from previous models is phenomenal.
From the weight and thinness to the processor and cameras, this foldable feels like an upgrade. While the battery, AI, and lack of S Pen are downers, I think that the rest of the phone will far outweigh those issues for me.
I'm thrilled to see Samsung trying again in a category it helped to pioneer and join the race to bring foldables to the masses.