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Economic Times
3 days ago
- Economic Times
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review : Style, portability, and a more polished foldable experience
Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a smartphone of two halves, both literally and figuratively. When you hold it, the polished design and expanded FlexWindow suggest a new era for foldable devices. But upon closer inspection, the phone reveals certain quirks in performance. We have taken our time to write this review to understand what's beyond the form factor here. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is now available in the market, with a starting price that feels ambitious given some of its compromises. The base model is around ₹1,09,999, making it a premium purchase. It's available in two variants: 12GB RAM and 256GB storage: Rs 1,09,999 12GB RAM and 512GB storage: Rs 1,21,999 You can purchase it directly from Samsung's online and physical stores, as well as from major retail partners like Flipkart and design of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is certainly a step forward, but it's not without its issues. The build quality feels solid, and the phone feels premium in hand. It boasts an IP48 rating, which is a welcome addition, though it still falls short of the higher IP68 standard found on many non-folding flagships. The hinge, while robust, still results in a noticeable crease on the main display, which can be distracting during phone is available in several stylish colors, including Blue Shadow, Jet Black, and Coral Red. We reviewed the Blue Shadow model, which has a deep, vibrant outer display, now called the FlexWindow, has grown significantly to 4.1 inches. It's certainly more useful than its predecessors, allowing you to check notifications and use a few widgets, but it's still a compromise compared to a full-sized main inner screen is a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a high 2,520 x 1,080 resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. On paper, these are impressive specs. However, the presence of a distinct crease in the center of the display is an unavoidable reality of the form factor. While it's easy to get used to, it's a constant reminder that you're using a folding phone, and it can be especially noticeable when viewing foldable form factor does offer some unique use cases, such as Flex Mode, which allows you to prop the phone up for hands-free photography or video calls. The larger outer display also lets you handle quick tasks like joining a Google Meets call without unfolding the phone, but the limited functionality of the outer screen can be dichotomy between the folded and unfolded states is a core part of the Z Flip 7 experience, but it also highlights its compromises. The outer display is useful for quick glances, but its limitations mean you'll often find yourself unfolding the phone for tasks that could be handled more efficiently on a larger, more traditional unfolded main display is great for content, with vibrant colors and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. However, the dual stereo speakers, while a good addition, are a step below the audio quality of some competitors. The immersive experience is often hampered by the visible Galaxy Z Flip 7 runs on Android 16 with Samsung's latest One UI 8. The software is well-optimized for the foldable design, with seamless transitions between displays. Samsung's promise of seven years of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates is a strong point for a device at this price. The deep integration of Google Gemini is a key feature, but some of its capabilities feel more like a proof of concept than a fully realized tool. While features like Circle to Search and on-device translation are useful, their novelty may not justify the phone's premium price for all users. The native support for the Gemini app on the cover screen is a good idea, but the user experience can still feel a bit clunky compared to a full-screen interface. This is arguably the most disappointing area of the Galaxy Z Flip 7. In a surprising move for a flagship device, Samsung chose to equip it with the Exynos 2500 processor instead of the top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 'Elite' found in the Z Fold 7. This decision is quite surprising. While the Exynos 2500 performs well for most daily tasks and gaming, it falls short of the raw power and efficiency of its Qualcomm life is decent, but a major complaint from previous generations remains: the lack of a true fast-charging solution. The phone supports a meager 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, which is far behind the competition. A full charge takes a considerable amount of time, an unfortunate reality for a premium camera system on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a mixed bag. While it features an improved dual-camera setup on the back with a 50MP wide-angle primary lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens is a major omission for a phone in this category. The 2x optical quality zoom is a decent compromise but cannot compare to the versatility of a true telephoto photography is strong, but photos can occasionally be overly saturated, which is a common complaint with Samsung's image processing. The new AI-powered Nightography feature is good, but it still falls short of the market leaders in low-light performance. The folding form factor does enable some creative shooting modes. You can use the main 50MP camera for high-quality selfies, with the large FlexWindow acting as a viewfinder. This is a genuinely useful feature. Video capabilities are solid, with 4K at 60fps recording and AI-powered video stabilization. New Galaxy AI features like Audio Eraser and Generative Edit are fun additions, but they feel like software tricks rather than fundamental improvements to the core camera hardware. Verdict The Galaxy Z Flip 7 blends eye-catching design with practical foldable features, making it a great choice for those who value portability and unique usability. It may not push the envelope in raw performance or camera hardware compared to some traditional flagships, but its charm lies in how it transforms everyday interactions with your phone. If you've been considering a foldable, this is one of the most refined clamshell options yet.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review : Style, portability, and a more polished foldable experience
Samsung 's Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a smartphone of two halves, both literally and figuratively. When you hold it, the polished design and expanded FlexWindow suggest a new era for foldable devices. But upon closer inspection, the phone reveals certain quirks in performance. We have taken our time to write this review to understand what's beyond the form factor here. Price and Availability The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is now available in the market, with a starting price that feels ambitious given some of its compromises. The base model is around ₹1,09,999, making it a premium purchase. It's available in two variants: Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program 12GB RAM and 256GB storage: Rs 1,09,999 12GB RAM and 512GB storage: Rs 1,21,999 You can purchase it directly from Samsung's online and physical stores, as well as from major retail partners like Flipkart and Amazon . Design The design of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is certainly a step forward, but it's not without its issues. The build quality feels solid, and the phone feels premium in hand. It boasts an IP48 rating, which is a welcome addition, though it still falls short of the higher IP68 standard found on many non-folding flagships. The hinge, while robust, still results in a noticeable crease on the main display, which can be distracting during use. The phone is available in several stylish colors, including Blue Shadow, Jet Black, and Coral Red. We reviewed the Blue Shadow model, which has a deep, vibrant tone. The outer display, now called the FlexWindow, has grown significantly to 4.1 inches. It's certainly more useful than its predecessors, allowing you to check notifications and use a few widgets, but it's still a compromise compared to a full-sized screen. Display The main inner screen is a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a high 2,520 x 1,080 resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. On paper, these are impressive specs. However, the presence of a distinct crease in the center of the display is an unavoidable reality of the form factor. While it's easy to get used to, it's a constant reminder that you're using a folding phone, and it can be especially noticeable when viewing content. The foldable form factor does offer some unique use cases, such as Flex Mode, which allows you to prop the phone up for hands-free photography or video calls. The larger outer display also lets you handle quick tasks like joining a Google Meets call without unfolding the phone, but the limited functionality of the outer screen can be frustrating. Folded vs. Unfolded Use Cases The dichotomy between the folded and unfolded states is a core part of the Z Flip 7 experience, but it also highlights its compromises. The outer display is useful for quick glances, but its limitations mean you'll often find yourself unfolding the phone for tasks that could be handled more efficiently on a larger, more traditional screen. The unfolded main display is great for content, with vibrant colors and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. However, the dual stereo speakers, while a good addition, are a step below the audio quality of some competitors. The immersive experience is often hampered by the visible crease. Operating System and Software The Galaxy Z Flip 7 runs on Android 16 with Samsung's latest One UI 8. The software is well-optimized for the foldable design, with seamless transitions between displays. Samsung's promise of seven years of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates is a strong point for a device at this price. The deep integration of Google Gemini is a key feature, but some of its capabilities feel more like a proof of concept than a fully realized tool. While features like Circle to Search and on-device translation are useful, their novelty may not justify the phone's premium price for all users. The native support for the Gemini app on the cover screen is a good idea, but the user experience can still feel a bit clunky compared to a full-screen interface. Performance This is arguably the most disappointing area of the Galaxy Z Flip 7. In a surprising move for a flagship device, Samsung chose to equip it with the Exynos 2500 processor instead of the top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 'Elite' found in the Z Fold 7. This decision is quite surprising. While the Exynos 2500 performs well for most daily tasks and gaming, it falls short of the raw power and efficiency of its Qualcomm counterpart. Battery life is decent, but a major complaint from previous generations remains: the lack of a true fast-charging solution. The phone supports a meager 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, which is far behind the competition. A full charge takes a considerable amount of time, an unfortunate reality for a premium device. Camera The camera system on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a mixed bag. While it features an improved dual-camera setup on the back with a 50MP wide-angle primary lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens is a major omission for a phone in this category. The 2x optical quality zoom is a decent compromise but cannot compare to the versatility of a true telephoto sensor. Daylight photography is strong, but photos can occasionally be overly saturated, which is a common complaint with Samsung's image processing. The new AI-powered Nightography feature is good, but it still falls short of the market leaders in low-light performance. The folding form factor does enable some creative shooting modes. You can use the main 50MP camera for high-quality selfies, with the large FlexWindow acting as a viewfinder. This is a genuinely useful feature. Video capabilities are solid, with 4K at 60fps recording and AI-powered video stabilization. New Galaxy AI features like Audio Eraser and Generative Edit are fun additions, but they feel like software tricks rather than fundamental improvements to the core camera hardware. Verdict The Galaxy Z Flip 7 blends eye-catching design with practical foldable features, making it a great choice for those who value portability and unique usability. It may not push the envelope in raw performance or camera hardware compared to some traditional flagships, but its charm lies in how it transforms everyday interactions with your phone. If you've been considering a foldable, this is one of the most refined clamshell options yet.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Sleeker, smarter foldable that finally nails everyday usability
If last year's Fold was Samsung's big step towards mainstream foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the stride that makes the book-style design feel genuinely everyday. It's thinner, lighter and more practical, with meaningful upgrades to the cover screen, cameras and performance, plus the full weight of Galaxy AI. There are still trade-offs (no S Pen support and pricing that remains firmly premium), but for power users who live across documents, multitasking and long days on the road, this is the best Fold yet. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the sleekest and smartest foldable launched by Samsung till date.(Debahis Sarkar) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Price in India and key specs at a glance The Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at ₹1,74,999 in India for 12GB/256GB, ₹1,86,999 for 12GB/512GB, and ₹2,16,999 for 16GB/1TB. Colours at launch are Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow and Jet Black, with an online-exclusive Mint on Samsung's website. Headline specs include a 6.55-inch (21:9) cover screen and a 7.98-inch main screen, both Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with adaptive 1–120Hz refresh; a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy platform; a 200MP main camera flanked by 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP 3x telephoto; two 10MP selfie cameras; a 4,400mAh battery with 25W wired charging and Fast Wireless Charging 2.0; IP48 dust/water protection; and Wi-Fi 7/Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. Storage options run 256GB/512GB/1TB with 12GB RAM on the first two and 16GB on the 1TB variant.w Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at ₹1,74,999 in India for 12GB/256GB, ₹1,86,999 for 12GB/512GB, and ₹2,16,999 for 16GB/1TB. (Debashis Sarkar) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Design and build The Fold 7's first impression is how un-Fold-like it feels in the hand. At 215g and 4.2mm when open (8.9mm closed), it's the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Fold to date, and that reduction genuinely changes daily comfort. The hinge feels taut and refined, and the frame uses Advanced Armor Aluminum, while the cover glass is Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 and the back panel Gorilla Glass Victus 2, a stack that improves scratch resistance without adding heft. The IP rating moves to IP48, protection against dust ingress and water immersion that's a notch more useful for India's monsoon-meets-metro reality than older 'X8' phones. Practical touches matter too: the side-mounted capacitive fingerprint reader is quick, the buttons are reassuringly clicky, and Samsung offers the phone in a palette that ranges from understated Jet Black to cooler Silver/Blue Shadow. At 215g and 4.2mm when open (8.9mm closed), it's the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Fold to date.(Debashis Sarkar) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Displays Samsung has addressed a long-standing Fold gripe: the tall, narrow cover screen. The Fold 7's 6.55-inch cover display adopts a 21:9 aspect ratio that mirrors a conventional slab phone, so typing, messaging and rapid replies feel natural. Inside, the 7.98-inch main canvas remains the Fold's party piece, ideal for split-screen work, reviewing decks or simply sinking into UHD streaming. Both panels are 1–120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X and rated up to 2,600 nits peak brightness, which noticeably improves direct-sun usability. Pixel density is a crisp 422ppi on the cover and 368ppi on the main panel. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's 6.55-inch cover display adopts a 21:9 aspect ratio that mirrors a conventional slab phone(Debashis Sarkar) The crease is still present, but it's less obvious in day-to-day scrolling than earlier generations, and the uniform brightness across the fold makes reading feel more like a small tablet and less like a tech demo. Samsung's mDNIe tuning aids colour management without hammering battery, and the wider cover makes app continuity (switching an app from cover to main screen) far more seamless. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Performance and software Samsung's custom-tuned Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy brings tangible speed gains over older Folds: Samsung quotes CPU up to 38%, GPU up to 26% and NPU up to 41% improvements, which tracks with the snappy feel when juggling three apps in split view, exporting photos or running live transcription. The Fold 7 ships with Android 16 and One UI 8 out of the box, and Samsung's seven-year update policy means it's covered for OS upgrades and security patches through the long haul, critical for a ₹1.75-lakh device. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 works pretty smoothly for day to day multitasking.(Debashis Sarkar) Galaxy AI now feels native to the Fold form factor. Writing Assist and Transcript Assist are particularly handy in India's meeting-heavy workflows, letting you summarise web pages on the cover screen, drag those notes onto the main display, transcribe recordings and generate structured summaries with suggested reminders. Samsung has also integrated Gemini Live for real-time conversational help, which you can invoke quickly and treat like a persistent assistant across apps. None of this is gimmicky on a big screen; it's the closest a phone/tablet hybrid gets to a travelling PA. A note for stylus fans: despite its tablet-like main display, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 does not support S Pen input. If stylus annotation is central to your workflow, that's a real limitation. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Cameras The Fold 7's rear trio is headlined by a 200MP wide-angle sensor (with OIS), joined by a 12MP ultra-wide (Dual Pixel AF) and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and OIS. Samsung's 'Optical Quality Zoom' adds a clean 2x step from the 200MP sensor crop, and Space Zoom reaches up to 30x for quick distant framing. Up front, there are two 10MP selfie cameras, one on the main screen and one on the cover, which keeps video calls sharp on either display. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's rear trio is headlined by a 200MP wide-angle sensor (with OIS).(Debashis Sarkar) In practice, daytime images lean toward Samsung's familiar punch, bright skies, saturated foliage, but the sensor depth gives you latitude to dial back vibrancy in post with minimal noise. Low light is helped by larger effective pixels and smarter multi-frame processing; highlights are kept in check, and faces don't smear. The 3x tele is steady and dependable at events, and 2x from the main sensor is useful for portraits with minimal quality trade-off. Ultra-wide edge acuity is solid, and colour matching across lenses is closer than before. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Camera(Debashis Sarkar) Where the Fold 7 shines is composing on the big screen. Dual Preview lets your subject see themselves on the cover while you frame on the main display, and the Split UI makes it easy to jump into settings without losing the shot. It's a photographer's 'live view' in your pocket. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Battery and charging Capacity holds at 4,400mAh, which on paper looks conservative for such a large dual-cell setup. In use, however, the lighter chassis plus a more efficient Snapdragon and smarter display drive mean the Fold 7 comfortably lasts a standard workday of mail, calls, intermittent camera use and streaming. When you do need a top-up, 25W wired charging delivers roughly 50% in around 30 minutes (USB-C 3A cable required). Wireless charging supports Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare for topping up earbuds or a watch. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Connectivity and extras The Fold 7 ticks modern boxes: 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7 for high-throughput home/office networks, Bluetooth 5.4, and Dual SIM (nano + eSIM). Samsung's side fingerprint reader remains faster and less finicky than many in-display sensors, especially welcome when you're constantly switching between folded and unfolded states. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Everyday experience What makes the Fold 7 click is the phone-first feel. With the wider 21:9 cover, you're no longer forced to open the device for simple tasks, WhatsApp replies, quick edits, turn-by-turn navigation, but when you do open it, the 7.98-inch canvas turns into a genuine productivity slate. Flex Mode is handy for hands-free video calls, and app continuity is now near-instant, with fewer redraws as you transition from cover to main and back. Brightness is ample for Indian summers, and the lighter body means less fatigue during long e-book or spreadsheet sessions. What makes the Fold 7 click is the phone-first feel.(Debashis Sarkar) The caveats? Pricing remains a hurdle; even with launch offers, this is premium-plus territory. And if you annotate documents, whiteboard in meetings or mark up PDFs, the lack of S Pen support is a missed opportunity on such a great display. Finally, while the IP48 rating is welcome, you should still treat it with care around dust and water, this is intricate hardware. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Competitors and who should buy it At this tier, rivals like the OnePlus Open 2 and Vivo's X Fold series will tempt with aggressive pricing or faster charging, but Samsung's ecosystem polish, software longevity (seven years of updates) and better third-party app optimisation on a tablet-style fold give the Fold 7 an edge for long-term ownership. If your day includes constant context-switching - Slack, Docs, Sheets, Zoom, Lightroom, and you value a device that can be a phone on the metro and a tablet at the desk, the Fold 7 makes a convincing case. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Verdict Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the most approachable Fold yet. The wider cover screen fixes the daily-use gripe, the big inner display remains unmatched for multitasking, the 200MP main camera is a reliable all-rounder, and Snapdragon 8 Elite power plus Galaxy AI adds brains to the brawn. It isn't cheap, and stylus support is conspicuously absent, but if you're the sort of user who treats a phone as a workhorse, this is the foldable to beat in 2025. Pros • Slimmer, lighter design with sturdier materials • Wider 21:9 cover screen transforms usability • Strong performance with efficient battery life • Capable cameras, useful 3x tele and 2x 'optical-quality' crop • Seven years of updates and deep Galaxy AI features Cons • No S Pen support • Premium pricing in India • Crease still visible (though less obtrusive)
GSM Arena
31-07-2025
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 breaks pre-order record
If you actually meaningfully upgrade a device over its predecessors, a lot of people will want it - who knew? This is the lesson Samsung has now learned with the Galaxy Z Fold7. After many years of coasting by and allowing Chinese foldables to beat its top of the line offering in a lot of areas, Samsung actually tried this year with the Fold7 - and succeeded. The company has now announced that the phone has broken the pre-order record in the US. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Samsung has seen the highest number of pre-orders ever for a book-style foldable. Pre-orders jumped more than 25% over last year overall, while carrier partners saw an even more massive 60% jump cumulatively for the Fold7 and Flip7. The duo became available last week, and in the first week of availability orders have continued to outpace the previous generation by more than 25% combined. The Fold7 is actually outperforming its predecessor by nearly 50%. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Interestingly, the Blue Shadow colorway made up nearly half of the Fold7's pre-orders, which proves to Samsung that people don't just want black and silver foldables. As for the Flip7, the Coral Red colorway has exceeded expectations, making up 25% of pre-orders. These color trends "are remaining steady through the first week of availability", Samsung says. If you're interested to find out more about Samsung's latest high-end foldables, take a look at our review of the Fold7 and our review of the Flip7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Source
India.com
31-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Stocked Out in Select Indian Markets Amid Unprecedented Demand
Samsung India has reported an incredible feedback to its new foldable flagship the Galaxy Z Fold7 that has already flown out of inventory in some of its import markets in India. The company is also increasing its manufacturing capacity at a plant in Noida to quench its demand after it recorded a record breaking 210,000 pre-orders in 48 hours of its seventh-generation of foldable models like Galaxy Z Fold7, Flip7 and Flip7 FE. Samsung designed its thinnest and lightest foldable Galaxy Z Fold7 with only 215 grams of weight and just 8.9 mm when folded. It comes in an eye-catching four colors of Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Mint and Jet Black. Some of the most popular stores in the retail marketFE such as Vijay Sales, Electronics Mart India, and Poorvika Mobiles reported having to turn over their existing stocks as soon as they arrived; and that in record time, showing just how eager the customer is to experience foldable phones in mainstream success. The Fold7 is also equipped with state-of-the-art features including One UI 8 with Gemini Live AI and KEEP (Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection) and offers privacy-driven, smart power. It has Armor FlexHinge, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, and Titanium reinforced display which makes it durable and high quality in design. It has one of the most enormous performance updates ever in a Galaxy powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite engine, making it super fast whether used globally or locally. It also embraces a 200MP wide camera in the device, which gives clearer images in a brighter and more detailed nature. The impressive specs, innovative design, and mind-blowing market reception of the Galaxy Z Fold7 make the decisive evidence that proves the premise that the phone is a flagship that reshapes what a smartphone can be in India.
