Samsung's new folding phone feels just like a regular phone
At the company's annual Unpacked launch event, this year in New York, Samsung president Roh Tae-moon announced the Galaxy Z Fold7, which is significantly slimmer and lighter than the company's previous foldable models, yet has a much bigger front screen.
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News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Solves ‘crease' issue
No one forgets their first phone. For me, it was a tiny, bright green LG flip covered with way too many charms and stickers. I wasn't lucky enough to get my hands on the iconic hot pink Motorola Razr (aka the ultimate 'cool kid' item of the 2000s), but now I'm making up for lost time with a gadget that would still look great in a MySpace mirror selfie and absolutely crush the sassy flip manoeuvre. Enter Samsung's latest: the Galaxy Z Flip7, which in my opinion is the sleekest and most convenient model in the lineup yet. It's more compact but offers more screen time, and finally solves one of the range's biggest issues - the 'crease problem'. QUICK LINKS Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7*, from $1799 at The Good Guys Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, Senior Shopping Writer Tech Home & Appliances I don't want a smartphone that feels like I'm holding a Tamagotchi. I've always preferred a bigger display, even if it means sacrificing a little of the pocketability – but the Galaxy Z Flip7 finally delivers the best of both worlds. It's slimmer than previous Samsung flip models, unfolds to a similar sized display to the latest S25 Ultra, and has a more interactive cover screen. Plus, it looks seriously sleek. After years of user complaints, the crease problem also seems to be resolved, with the main screen now showing a more seamless design. (Obviously it won't be totally crease free since it's a hinged device, but you won't be able to see noticeable marks or lines when you're watching videos or playing games in landscape mode.) Camera quality isn't bad either, mostly thanks to Samsung's advanced ProVisual Engine that's similarly featured in the Galaxy S series. It won't take jaw-dropping pictures and videos, but it can still pick up a good amount of detail and produces fairly consistent results under different lighting conditions. The foldable design also makes it easy to turn the gadget into a makeshift camera and tripod for group shots and selfies. At checkout, it's our mission to help you make informed shopping decisions. To ensure you buy the right product at the best price, we rigorously test products so you don't have to. As well as sorting through mountains of consumer reviews, product manuals and conducting thorough product research, our team of expert writers puts each product we review through a series of hands-on tests to ensure we give you honest feedback about its performance and whether it's worth your hard-earned money. DESIGN The Galaxy Z Flip7 revealed a serious glow up, donning the largest FlexWindow as well as the slimmest design in the Galaxy Z series. It doesn't feel too stiff when unfolding, although I did have to dig a fair bit into the phone when I needed to open the smartphone with one hand. That said, the hinge feels sturdy -there's no wobble or looseness that might cause it to open unexpectedly. Like its Galaxy S series counterparts, the Flip 7 features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the cover and back for added durability and protection. You can also expect an Armour Aluminium frame, plus seven years of Android and security upgrades. Cover screen The FlexWindow is now just over three times larger than the Flip6 - and I am obsessed. Honestly, I was sceptical about how convenient a small screen could actually be when you still had to unlock the phone to reply to messages. Like, how much could you really do? It's fair to say I got a little addicted and ended up using Google Gemini more than I ever have, even when the I was using the main screen. It made it quick and easy to call friends, calculate prices while shopping, check my groceries list, control my Spotify and do other things that would usually need two hands for. You can also use Multi Widget View to see different apps, take photos and videos, and respond to messages by typing on a full Qwerty keyboard. There are also plenty of customisation options, which I absolutely appreciate as an avid fan of having everything personalised. Main screen The device may be pocket sized but the Galaxy Z Flip7 didn't feel cramped to use – and that's coming from a large screen diehard who uses the beefy S25 Ultra. (I also previously owned the S24 Ultra, S21 Ultra, one of the Galaxy Note models and an iPhone 7 Plus.) After all, both models similarly have a 6.9-inch main screen. It's a major change from the 7.6-inch display in the previous Galaxy Z Fold6, which is great if you're like me and prefer bigger screens but also want a more compact build. I've loved being able to quickly slip the Flip7 into my pocket or handbag, which sometimes isn't as easy with an ultra-sized smartphone. Hinge We've finally waved goodbye to the infamous 'crease problem' in the Samsung's foldable series, with the Galaxy Z Flip7 now bearing a sleeker look and a much less noticeable dent smacked in the middle of the main screen. Unless the flip phone is sitting 90 degrees for a hands-free selfie, or showing a black screen in 'sleep mode', the crease isn't obvious and it didn't really affect my view while watching videos in landscape. Unfolding the phone didn't feel overly stiff or loose either, although I did have to put a fair bit off effort if I wanted to flip it open one handed like some kind of sassy power move. CAMERA While I do love the nostalgia of a flip phone, the lower camera quality on the Galaxy Z range was the main reason I stuck to my Ultras. The Flip7 was better than I expected and the unit even boasts similar specs to the S24 and S25 series. It can pick up a good amount of detail, offer pretty sharp photos and work well in a variety of conditions. But for me, I would prefer a much better camera quality for a $1799 smartphone. Sometimes images come out looking like it's painted, or in that in-between zone where it initially seems okay but then you start to doubt yourself and ask 'is it out of focus or is that the camera quality?'. Overall, it's fine for everyday use and sending fun pictures and videos to friends and family. Just keep in mind you won't be able to get the same incredible zoom as the S range and other non-Samsung phones. BATTERY LIFE AND PERFORMANCE You can expect all the same fun stuff like Galaxy AI and Google Gemini, along with a decent battery life because the Flip7 actually houses the largest battery on a Galaxy Z Flip (4300mAh). Samsung DeX is also now on the device, which is handy if you want to connect the gadget to a screen and create a makeshift computer with your phone. One of my favourite new additions showcased in a pre-release launch was the live caption feature, which essentially gives you 'subtitles' during a call to help you understand what the other person is saying in loud and disruptive environments. Unfortunately, my name is not Tiny Dre or Tiny Jake and most of the captions were inaccurate and nonsensical in very loud settings, such as car rides with multiple people and group conversations with lots of background noise. It does work better where there is some disruption, but honestly it would be easier to text or call back later. But my biggest gripe was the overheating. While I'm not a heavy gamer, I use a few apps at once (e.g. Instagram, Youtube, Facebook Messenger and Google) and the device gets a little warm more quickly compared to other models I've tried. Although it's moreso worse when gaming or taking videos. HOW MUCH DOES THE GALAXY Z FLIP COST? Depending on the storage option, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is available for $1799 (256GB) or $1999 (512GB). But right now, you can save $200 and get the larger 512GB model for the same price as the 256GB unit. It comes in three colours, including Coralred, Jetblack and Blue Shadow. Samsung also introduced the Samsung Z Flip7 FE, making it the more budget friendly first Fan Edition version in the Galaxy Z series. These range between $1499 (128GB) and $1599 25GB), although you can similarly snag the more storage friendly 256GB option for the same price as the 128GB model. You can purchase the new model from Samsung's online store or the usual retailers like The Good Guys. IS THE SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FLIP7 WORTH BUYING? The Galaxy Z Flip7 is pretty much everything I want in a flip phone, minus an Ultra camera quality. I really loved the upsized main display, which made it feel more like a 'regular' phone, similar to the S-series models. But what truly won me over was the improved cover screen. It was surprisingly useful and I found myself using it more and more over time, especially since the larger FlexWindow makes it feel comfortable and natural to use. Battery life was also impressive. It repeatedly survived entire days without needing a refuel midday, and performance-wise, I didn't experience any noticeable lag that made me miss using a standard, non-foldable device. That said, the biggest downside for me was how quickly the device warmed up. While it never got hot, it didn't take a heavy game or hours of non-stop videos to make it heat up – just playing YouTube videos or using multiple apps at once. The camera is fine for everyday use if you're not overly picky, but at $1799 (or $1999 for the 512GB model), I expected a bit more. I wish there was a telephoto lens and that the overall quality for photos and videos came out better. I haven't really been excited about the Z Flip since the original launched, but seeing the improvements in this new release has made me so much more keen on seeing what's next. If you're looking for a new phone and want a stylish, compact foldable option, the Flip7 is definitely worth considering. Sign up to our free shopping newsletter to stay up-to-date on the biggest sale events and latest top-rated product roundups.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review: High tech home cleaning
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more Touted as the ' world's most powerful cordless stick vacuum ', the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra might just be the suckiest appliance on the market. And as someone whose floors are constantly riddled with dog hair (as well as my own), I couldn't have been more excited to put it to the test. Having tested a variety of vacuum cleaners in my job, I've learned that strong suction power isn't all it's cracked up to be and there's definitely more to a good buy than big numbers. Samsung's new cordless stick vac packs long battery life, auto empty, a bunch of cleaner heads and accessories and a stylish and surprisingly slim design. And for anyone who's chronically attached to their phone, the vacuum is compatible with the SmartThings app so the appliance can actually let you know when you're getting a phone call or text message. Check out our first impressions of Samsung's latest cordless stick vacuum cleaner below. 30-SECOND REVIEW Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, Senior Shopping Writer If I could describe the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra in one word, it would definitely be efficient. While it comes with a higher price tag and a few 'non-essential' bells and whistles, it cleans different types of gross dry and wet messes exceptionally well, particularly on hard floors, and doesn't require much effort to use, pick up dirt and maintain. The stick vac also lets you customise the gadget in a variety of ways, and everything is easy to assemble and take apart. HOW WE TESTED THE SAMSUNG BESPOKE AI JET ULTRA STICK VACUUM At checkout, it's our mission to help you make informed shopping decisions. To ensure you buy the right product at the best price, we rigorously test products so you don't have to. As well as sorting through mountains of consumer reviews, product manuals and conducting thorough product research, our team of expert writers puts each product we review through a series of hands-on tests to ensure we give you honest feedback about its performance and whether it's worth your hard-earned money. DESIGN Samsung's AI Jet Ultra Stick Vacuum wins the beauty crown with its stylish and sleek design, while the slim build makes it a decent contender for shoppers wanting something small-space friendly. It's also self standing so you don't need to mount the appliance to the wall, and the cradle is a convenient fix for the accessories. Aside from the all-in-one charging dock and auto-empty station, the Samsung stick vacuum includes: • Active dual brush • Slim LED brush+ • Pet tool+ • Combination and long reach crevice tool • Spray spinning sweeper For our particularly tall readers, the pole can be extended just like the crevice tool. The box also includes antibacterial reusable pads and disposable wet pads for the sweeper, plus three dust bags. I was mostly excited to try the flex tool, which essentially works like an extra arm that can bend up to 90 degrees to help give you 'better aim'. I really like how it can be used with different cleaner heads but honestly it felt flimsy and made the vacuum harder to control. If having a bendy stick vacuum is on top of your list, our checkout editor Melody raved about the flexibility of Shark's PowerDetect Clean & Empty Vacuum. (It similarly has an auto-empty function, decent battery life and retails for $700 cheaper.) The two 'main cleaner' heads – aka the active dual brush and slim LED brush+ — are the only tools compatible with the AI mode and each work incredibly well. I'm an especially big fan of using the slim LED brush+ to light up the monsters under the bed, a task which surely makes vacuuming as one of the most-hated chores. Clean Station I absolutely love how the HEPA vacuum boasts a self-empty feature, similar to many robot vacuum cleaners and new premium cordless vacuum cleaners. It's particularly fantastic if you want to minimise your exposure to dust. The dust bag is easy to change and fits up to two litres of debris. When it's time to repurchase, Samsung usually offers five disposable bags which can last a while even if you vacuum daily. The dustbin can be manually emptied, but I found the debris got so tightly packed that I had to dig deep into the container. It's much easier to leave the cleaning to the self emptying station, especially if you're like me and want to prevent airborne dust particles triggering any allergies. BATTERY LIFE The Bespoke Jet AI Ultra offers up to 100 minutes of cordless cleaning, which is great compared to many other options on the market – including the popular Dyson Gen5detect Absolute which retails at a similar price point ($1549 RRP) and lasts up to 70 minutes. If you want to sneak in extra runtime, this stick vacuum has a detachable battery design which lets you swap in another fully charged pack (sold separately, of course). Since it's already quite powerful on the lower settings, I could get away with cleaning all the rooms in one go and have enough power leftover to go over my desk and any awkward spots without having to recharge. HOW WELL DOES THE SAMSUNG VACUUM CLEAN? To give the AI-powered stick vac a run for its money, I opened Pandora's box (aka a gross and decently filled dust bag from my robot vacuum). And it's fair to say I immediately nerded out. I was surprised at how powerful the lowest setting ended up being, and how I didn't need to ramp up to a higher mode when dealing with the meatiest dust balls. If it wasn't a loan unit shared by a long list of tech reviewers, I could've vacuumed my bed with the pet tool+ at the end of a deep clean and had battery to spare. Although I did test it out on my couch and the handheld vac picked up the small pet hairs pretty easily. Samsung's new stick vacuum also introduces cleaning mode 2.0 to help avoid wasting unnecessary energy. It works similar to the auto mode on other cordless units but rather than automatically adjusting the settings simply based on whether it's on carpet or not, or how dirty the surface is, the Bespoke Jet AI Ultra changes the power level and brush speed depending on the environment (including if it's against a wall corner, on short or long pile carpet, or even picked off the ground and not being used at a particular moment). It's worth mentioning you also do need to register the stick vac on Samsung's SmartThings App to activate the new and improved AI features (plus any future updates). I actually didn't find it that much more useful than a regular auto setting, and there are mixed reviews online where people have had some trouble on carpet. When it comes to washing floors, the spray spinning sweeper is a nice little alternative to the traditional mop. It lets you control when the appliance releases water, which makes it much more easier to control how wet the surface gets compared to some other wet dry vacuums. In saying that, I prefer this tool for refreshing tiles and hardwood rather than as a complete replacement of a mop and bucket. Otherwise, you will need to make sure you're washing the pads after every clean (or repurchasing new packs if you prefer the disposable option) to prevent bacteria and mould making a new home under your vacuum. The built-in water tank also fits up to 150ml water before it needs to be refilled, which is a significantly smaller capacity to many cordless wet dry vacuums and robot vacuums. HOW MUCH IS THE SAMSUNG BESPOKE AI JET ULTRA IN AUSTRALIA? The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra retails for $1699 and is available from Samsung's online store and the usual leading retailers such as The Good Guys and Appliances Online. IS THE SAMSUNG BESPOKE AI JET ULTRA WORTH BUYING? Given the fact many brands are charging a small fortune for home appliances, I love how this vacuum cleaner comes with a variety of easily adjustable attachments to better tailor each clean. There's no trigger button to leave my hands feeling tired after a long cleaning session, and all the controls and attachments are super easy to use. Unlike some other vacuums I've tried, the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra does a great job of effortlessly picking up different types of debris without having to go over the same mess multiple times. The mop attachment doesn't over saturate the floors too much, either. Plus, you have total control of how much water is released – something which I wish was more common in wet dry vacuums. On the downside, the unit is pricey and most of the AI features don't add that much to what other vacuums pretty much already do. But it still is a great two-in-one vacuum and mop, especially if you're interested in investing in a self emptying model. *Product has been loaned by Samsung for a 100 per cent independent, honest review. Sign up to our free weekly shopping newsletter to stay in the loop on the latest deals, trends and sale events.
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Courier-Mail
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the new Lamborghini of phones
Don't miss out on the headlines from Smartphone. Followed categories will be added to My News. As I'm checking out emails and Google chat messages across two screens on a super thin 8 inch display, a fellow editor is enviously watching on. 'I want one,'' she gushes as I show off the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to her. And she's not alone. After three weeks of testing, this is probably the best phone I've reviewed in the past two decades. If there's a Lamborghini of AI-powered smartphones right now, this is it. And like the supercar, it's a design story that has been years in the making. Finally, we have a foldable phone that should tempt many to switch to the innovative format. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is not only super thin but also very light to work with. As expected, the first thing you notice when you take it out of the box is how incredibly thin, stylish and yet solid it really is. Then as you start to use it, you notice how light it is. It's an engineering wonder. Folded, it's the size of a normal phone. There's no bulge in the pocket, the feeling is the same as with any other phone. The front screen display is more than adequate for checking messages, even scanning website headlines and stories, reading emails, and scrolling through social media sites. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is designed as a productivity powerhouse with a fast processor and big screen for multi-tasking. With a new 200MP camera, it finally meets what I needed in a foldable phone: Something to take great pictures and video in a compact form, while being able to edit them on a bigger canvas. And if I want to throw in a bit of AI image generation, or get Gemini to revamp my email, it's also there. And that's the beauty of this phone. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a nice ultra wide lens. Photo: Mark Furler On the move it's a normal phone but the laid-back experience you get on the bigger screen means you can use it for everything from creating new marketing materials for your business to enjoying a movie while on a flight. The Fold7 phone is 8.9mm thick compared to 12.1mm in the Fold 6. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 camera set up. Unfolded it is a super thin 4.2mm. It weighs less than the S25 Ultra at 215 grams – something you really notice when you are holding it up for extended periods of time while gaming or watching a movie. But what about battery life in the Galaxy Z Fold 7? My big worry was the 4400mAh battery wouldn't last the distance. And after a big workout on the first few days, it was getting close to running out of juice. I took it on a beach photo shoot before sunrise, including shooting lots of video, and then took it for a full day at Australia Zoo, again shooting lots of video and photos. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 put to the test. Photo: Mark Furler I also accidentally left video recording on a few times after hitting the record button again after stopping so the use was higher than it should have been. Even with all that, the battery did get me through the day with about 20 per cent of charge left. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 put to the test. Photo: Mark Furler But given its hefty price tag, some have rightly suggested Samsung might have offered the more advanced silicon-carbon battery. Oppo, for example, has a 5910mAh battery in one of its phones. There are also a few other things that are annoying about the Fold 7. You definitely notice more reflection on the screen when in full sunlight, though you can get an anti-reflective screen protector. While I was not a huge user of the S Pen, given the creativity options you have with a larger canvas, the lack of support for it in the Fold 7 is also disappointing. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 doesn't support the S Pen which is disappointing for some. As someone who goes to the beach a lot, the Fold doesn't have the same dust resistance so the risk of tiny sand granules causing damage could be a concern. But for 99 per cent of what most people will use a phone like this, it is an incredible device which combines creativity with fun, functionality and productivity. What is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 camera set up like? The number one reason I wouldn't buy a foldable phone in the past was because the cameras were never as good. With the Fold 7, this has definitely changed. It now comes with a 200MP ultra high resolution main camera with a two times optical zoom, a 12 megapixel ultra wide camera and a 10MP camera with a three time optical zoom. In comparison, the S25 Ultra and the top of the range iPhone offer a 5X optical zoom. But in our testing, even when we took the Fold 7 to 10x (a hybrid zoom), we were getting very good video and photos, especially in our daylight shoots. The camera set up is equipped with a ProVisual Engine which Samsung says offers more than 160 AI-powered imaging technologies. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 takes a nice portrait. Photo: Mark Furler The end result is definitely sharper, more vivid night videos. Samsung says the wide angle camera captures shots that are 44 per cent brighter and four times more detailed than those taken with the Fold 6. We tested with a night time shoot from a balcony above the Brisbane River and the results, in both video and photos, were stunning. The beauty of the 200MP lens during daytime shoots is that you don't need to zoom in. With that much resolution you can crop your photo in later without losing detail. One of the biggest challenge for me on the beach is how well my camera will capture the pooches on the move. With a shutter speed up to seven times faster, the Fold 7 did a great job in getting shots of Ava and Maggie in full flight while I love the option of being able to create little slow motion videos by just holding down the video while it is playing back and saving the clip. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's 8 inch screen is a good canvas for playing around with generative AI. When I am wandering around our neighbourhood, I love to try to capture some of the bright colours of the flowers in full bloom, moving the camera really close to see what extra details it might pick up. The 12MP ultra-wide lens on the Galaxy Z Fold7 now supports auto focus, enabling macro photography. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 put to the test. Photo: Mark Furler To maintain precise focus at close range, Samsung says the device leverages Dual Camera Depth Calibration — a system that gauges subject distance, switching between the wide and ultra-wide cameras when needed. For those into selfies (not I), the 100-degree front camera on the main display allows you to take larger group photos. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 balances the colour and light nicely. Photo: Mark Furler When faces are near the edges, the camera uses Wide Distortion Correction, which automatically adjusts proportions and reduces distortion. It also produces more natural skin texture on photo subjects, thanks to AI-driven adjustments. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 put to the test. Photo: Mark Furler Samsung says AI-powered filters trained on over 5,000 real analog film images let you fine tune your photos based on contrast, saturation and colour temperature. When it comes to editing your photos and video, needless to say being able to do it on a bigger screen helps from the outset. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 now has macro photography capability. Photo: Mark Furler You can easily remove unwanted objects from your photos and then have the AI naturally fill in the background. In the photos we tested, it did an exceptional job. Through Galaxy AI's scene-understanding capabilities, Suggest Erases proactively suggests edits like removing passers-by or other distractions in photos. With the 8 inch screen, Side-by-Side Editing lets you compare original and edited versions of your photos in real time. Through better AI prompt engineering, Portrait Studio helps pet lovers and portrait enthusiasts alike refine images to capture vibrant expressions and striking profiles. Overall, there's a lot to love about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. With a starting price of $2899 it's not for everyone but if you use your phone a lot for work and play, it's certainly worth checking out. Originally published as Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the new Lamborghini of phones | Australian review
