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Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I've been testing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 for a week — 7 things I like and 4 things I don't
I've been carrying the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 around in my pocket ever since it launched. Not just because it's my job to try out new devices like this, but because Samsung's biggest foldable phone upgrade yet is genuinely a fantastic product to use. While we wait for our full Galaxy Z Fold 7 review to arrive, I've distilled what I love about the Galaxy Z Fold 7 into, conveniently enough, seven specific points. I still have a few nits to pick, but we'll get into those later. On balance, it still feels likely that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is going to make it onto our best foldable phones list. Here's what I like — and what I don't like — about the Z Fold 7 so far. Samsung made the Galaxy Z Fold 7 thinner, lighter and tougher than previous Z Folds — the holy trinity of improvements for a smartphone body. The 26% reduction in the Z Fold 7's thickness compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 6's is an incredible leap to make in a single generation. The 10% weight reduction is welcome too, especially considering the overall increase in screen size (which we'll look at more in a moment) and the new tougher materials. There's Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the outer screen and new, thicker ultra-thin glass on the inside, along with a returning IP48 rating for dust/water resistance, should all help to keep this valuable phone intact and functional for as long as you use it. Galaxy Z Fold 7 preorder: up to $1,150 off w/ trade-in @ SamsungFree storage upgrade! Samsung is knocking up to $1,150 off Galaxy Z Fold 7 preorders when you trade-in an older phone. Additionally, you'll get a free storage upgrade with your preorder. The phone features an 8-inch AMOLED (2184 x 1968) 120Hz main display, 6.5-inch AMOLED (2520 x 1080) 120Hz cover display, Snapdragon 8 Elite CPU, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. On the rear you get a 200MP f/1.7 main wide-angle lens, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, and 10MP f/2.4 telephoto lens. Selfie cams include a 10MP f/2.2 main display and cover camera. In our Galaxy Z Fold 7 hands-on, we called it the first foldable we'd want to carry and use all day. Samsung used to be a bit stingy with the cameras on its foldables, but that's changing with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Its 200MP main camera means you're now on par with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and likewise with the upgraded ultrawide camera that now features autofocus and support for macro shots. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Samsung could still have bumped up the Z Fold 7's ultrawide camera to 50MP, plus its 3x 10MP telephoto is starting to show its age. But the overall loadout is now worthy of a two-grand foldable, with the benefits clear to see in comparisons such as my Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Galaxy Z Fold 6 camera shoot-out. The enlarged 8-inch inner display of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 means you now basically have a pocketable iPad mini, similar to rival devices from China. You do lose a little bit of space to the new camera punch-hole, but like on a regular phone, the cutout virtually disappears as soon as you start focusing on your game, video or feed. This increased size didn't come at the expense of the crease down the center of the panel. These are present on all foldable phones to one extent or another, but Samsung revised its hinge technology to make the Z Fold 7's crease look and feel less obvious. Samsung also made the smaller cover screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 wider and larger at 6.5 inches (up from 6.3 inches). That makes the new Z Fold much more comfortable to use closed up. Previous Z Folds only worked at their best when open, as their outer screens were awkwardly narrow for typing. With the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it's now up to you which configuration of the phone works best for what you're doing at the moment. A Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is as good as it gets for an Android phone, and the "For Galaxy" edition is even better. Only Apple's A18 chipsets do better, and even then only on select benchmarks. This makes playing games like Wuthering Waves immersive on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, although you'll have to get used to playing your games in a square window if you want the big screen open. Opening up multiple apps for productivity works brilliantly, too, and all without taking a major toll on battery life. Samsung's under-display camera on the inside display of the previous Z Folds helped make the display look cleaner (minus a few odd-looking pixels), but it severely impacted the camera's performance. Even companies dedicated to perfecting the UDC, such as ZTE, have yet to get it right. Samsung's decision to go back to a more typical punch-hole camera is overall better for the phone, even if a few users won't like the new hole in their screen. You can see the difference it makes to photography in my selfie comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. I'm not huge on AI features, but Samsung, with the help of Google in some cases, has thought carefully about ways to make these features work better on a foldable's big inner screen. My favorite is how you now get a before/after view when editing photos, a really simple idea but one with a lot of potential value. You can also move Gemini and other AI prompt windows freely around the display, letting you get answers or images without obscuring your other apps, and copy the output into those apps more conveniently. A $100 increase to $2,000 for the Fold 7 really stings. And this comes after a $100 price increase last year as well. Granted, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 still costs the same as last year here in the U.K. at £1,800, so while Samsung gets a point for not increasing the price here, you can't deny it's an expensive phone, even compared to other foldables. Considering how excellent the Galaxy S25 series is, while costing up to half as much, it can be hard to justify spending so much more for a foldable. You'll have to be certain you want to go the foldable route before you commit to spending this much money. I've been able to get a day's use from the Galaxy Z Fold 7 without an issue. But that doesn't detract from the fact that Samsung could have done even better. While the batteries in the Z Fold 7 take up less space than previous generations, it still has the same 4,400 mAh battery capacity that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 introduced four years ago. Considering that rival foldables like the Honor Magic V5 and Oppo Find N5 are fitting close to 6,000 mAh of capacity — thanks to new silicon carbon technology — there's a lot of space for Samsung to grow into. Samsung lets you open up to three apps, plus one slide-over app, at the same time on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. This works decently, but it's not as good as OnePlus' Open Canvas system for its OnePlus Open. Although that foldable's coming up to two years old, the ability to open apps in larger windows and slide between them as needed is a much smarter use of screen space than the cramped look of the Galaxy Z Fold 7's interface with all possible apps open. The Z Fold 7 does offer a DeX desktop mode too, but that's designed for use with a dedicated monitor rather than just the device. Samsung gave up S Pen support with the Z Fold 7 in favor of thinning out the design. And while I'm full of praise for how far Samsung's engineering has come, I wish this was one caveat it didn't come with. I admit I never used the S Pen much, but I still liked the availability being there, as it rounded out the Z Fold's versatility and identity as a pocketable tablet. Especially considering that rival foldables are just as thin and still offer stylus support. I'm not just talking about the iinner display, but on the outer display too, which is something Samsung somehow never managed to offer.
India Today
5 days ago
- India Today
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Vivo X Fold 5: Every difference that you wanted to know
Samsung and Vivo are back in the foldable game, and this time, both brands are aiming big. If you're wondering which of these two latest foldables deserves your attention (and your money), you're not alone. On one side, Samsung brings the Galaxy Z Fold 7, packed with top-end specs, sleek design, and long-term software support. On the other hand, Vivo has introduced the X Fold 5, loaded with a massive battery, faster charging, and a triple 50-megapixel camera setup. If you're in the market for a foldable phone in 2025, here's a clear breakdown of how these two compare across key and BuildBoth phones are built to impress. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is slightly slimmer at 4.2mm when unfolded and 8.9mm when folded. The Vivo X Fold 5 is marginally thicker at 4.3mm and 9.2mm, though the difference isn't really noticeable in day-to-day use. Samsung is also a bit lighter at 215 grams, while Vivo comes in at 217 grams. In terms of protection, Samsung uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and Gorilla Glass Armor (cover screen), along with IP48 dust and water resistance. Vivo uses its own 2nd Gen Armor Glass and offers IP59 protection, which gives it better dust resistance. Samsung gives you more colour choices too – Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Jet Black, and Mint. Vivo sticks with Titanium the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5 come with big, sharp AMOLED inner screens with a 120Hz refresh rate. Vivo's 8.03-inch inner display offers a resolution of 2200 x 2480 pixels and a peak brightness of 4500 nits. Samsung's 8-inch inner screen delivers a slightly lower resolution of 1968 x 2184 pixels and a peak brightness of 2600 nits. On the outside, Vivo has a 6.5-inch cover display with a 1172 x 2748 pixel resolution, while Samsung features a 6.5-inch panel as well, with a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels. Vivo also edges ahead with a slightly sharper outer screen, both in terms of resolution and brightness. However, the real-world difference is pretty Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is powered by the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Vivo uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is still great, but slightly behind in overall power. Samsung also offers more flexibility with RAM and storage – up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. Vivo offers just one variant with 16GB RAM and 512GB is one area where Samsung takes a clear lead. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 runs OneUI 8 based on Android 16 and promises seven years of software updates. Vivo's X Fold 5 comes with Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, with four years of updates. Not bad, but not as future-proof as Samsung. Additionally, Samsung offers a wider range of AI features in OneUI as opposed to the ones on Funtouch and chargingVivo dominates this round with a huge 6,000mAh battery compared to Samsung's 4,400mAh. The X Fold 5 also supports 80W wired and 40W wireless charging. Samsung offers 25W wired and 15W wireless on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which is a lot slower. If you want a phone that charges quickly and lasts long, Vivo is the one to brings a 200-megapixel primary rear camera, along with a 10-megapixel telephoto and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide. Vivo uses a different approach with three 50-megapixel cameras for wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto shots. Samsung's sensor should give you more detail, but Vivo's setup is likely to offer more consistency across all three lenses. Both phones have dual front cameras (cover screen and internal screen) — 10-megapixel on Samsung, and 20-megapixel on offers the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in three variants — the 12GB RAM + 256GB model costs Rs 1,74,999, the 12GB + 512GB version is priced at Rs 1,86,999, and the top-end 16GB RAM + 1TB storage model is priced at Rs 2,16,999. Vivo has launched just one variant of the X Fold 5 with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage at Rs 1,49, upAt the end of the day, both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Vivo X Fold 5 offer something impressive. Samsung gives you stronger software support, a slightly more refined design, and more powerful performance. Vivo counters with a bigger battery, faster charging, and a seriously bright display. Whichever one you choose, you're getting a premium foldable packed with features. It all comes down to what matters more to you.- Ends
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, Z Fold 7, and Z Flip 7 FE foldable mobiles launched in India
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025: Samsung has introduced its next generation of foldable smartphones—Galaxy Z Flip 7, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and the more accessible Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. The devices offer refined form factors, new AI-driven features, and upgraded hardware. With an increasing focus on AI, Samsung has built One UI 8 on Android 16 to power new multimodal tools tailored for foldable screens. Pre-orders for all three models begin July 9, and general availability starts July 25. Samsung's 2025 foldable lineup includes the Galaxy Z Flip7, Z Fold7, and the budget-friendly Z Flip7 FE. The latest foldables feature improved durability, AI integration, and upgraded displays. (HT) Galaxy Z Flip 7: Slimmer Build, Brighter FlexWindow The Galaxy Z Flip 7 now features a 4.1-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow—its largest yet. With edge-to-edge usability and 2,600 nits of peak brightness, the display supports quick messaging, app previews, and widgets directly on the cover screen. The internal display measures 6.9 inches with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Key specifications: Processor: Exynos 2500 (3nm) Battery: 4,300mAh dual-cell Rear Cameras: 50MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide Front Camera: 10MP RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM with 256GB or 512GB Weight: 188g Durability: IP48 rated, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Armor Aluminum frame AI Tools: Gemini Live, Photo Assist, Now Brief, Circle to Search Samsung DeX is now available on a Flip device, turning the phone into a compact workstation when connected to a screen. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Galaxy Z Fold 7: Thinner Fold, Larger Screen, Pro Camera The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the most compact Fold in Samsung's lineup, weighing 215g and measuring 4.2mm when unfolded. It includes a 6.5-inch cover display with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a new 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display. Key specifications: Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy Battery: 4,400mAh dual-cell Rear Cameras: 200MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide + 10MP telephoto Front Cameras: 10MP (cover) + 10MP (main screen) RAM/Storage: Up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage Durability: Titanium plate layer, Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, Armor Aluminum AI Tools: Drag & Drop AI, Generative Edit, Side-by-side Editing, Audio Eraser Samsung has optimised multitasking with AI-assisted editing, ProVisual Engine, and expanded Split View for content creators and professionals. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Affordable Entry Into Foldables The new Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE brings foldable features to a lower price segment. It features a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED main display and a 3.4-inch cover screen. The device retains key functions such as FlexCam, Now Brief, and wireless charging. Key specifications: Processor: Exynos 2400 Battery: 4,000mAh Rear Cameras: 50MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide Front Camera: 10MP RAM/Storage: 8GB RAM with 128GB or 256GB Weight: 187g Durability: IP48 rated, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Armor Aluminum Colours: Black and White The Flip 7 FE supports most AI features found on the Flip 7, including Gemini integration and cover screen customisation. Software and Security All three phones run One UI 8 based on Android 16, with Samsung Knox Vault and Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP). Samsung has also integrated quantum-resistant encryption for Secure Wi-Fi, adding another layer of mobile security. Availability and Colours The Galaxy Z Flip 7, Z Fold 7, and Z Flip 7 FE will be available for pre-order from July 9, with sales starting July 25. Colour options include: Z Flip 7: Blue Shadow, Jet Black, Coral Red, and Mint (online exclusive) Z Fold 7: Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Jet Black, and Mint (online exclusive) Z Flip 7 FE: Black and White All three models include six months of Google AI Pro access and 2TB of cloud storage at no additional cost. Buyers can also opt for Samsung Care+ for protection against accidental damage.
GSM Arena
09-07-2025
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 hands-on
Over the last few years, Samsung has been feeling the market pressure to radically overhaul its Galaxy Z Fold to be able to compete properly with the challengers from China. And this year, with the Galaxy Z Fold7, Samsung finally delivers. Samsung made its big foldable thinner and lighter, gave it a serious camera system (for a foldable anyway), and most importantly, made it usable while closed. Let's get into the details! The Galaxy Z Fold7 is the company's thinnest and lightest Fold yet. At just 8.9mm when folded, it's 26% thinner than the 12.1mm Fold6. Even more impressive, at just 215g, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is 24g lighter than its predecessor, and is even lighter than the 218g Galaxy S25 Ultra. At only 0.7mm thicker when folded, the Z Fold7 isn't far off the S25 Ultra in girth too. Samsung also finally gave its Fold a serious camera system. Gone is the under-display selfie camera, replaced by a regular 10MP sensor. On the back, the main camera is the same 200MP unit in the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Edge, while the 12MP ultrawide has autofocus and macro capability. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 specs at a glance: Body: 158.4x143.2x4.2mm, 215g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus Ceramic 2) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame; IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min), Advanced Armor aluminum frame, Stylus support. 158.4x143.2x4.2mm, 215g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus Ceramic 2) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame; IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min), Advanced Armor aluminum frame, Stylus support. Display: 8.00" Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak), 1968x2184px resolution, 9.99:9 aspect ratio, 368ppi; Titanium plate layer for display support, Cover display:, Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, 6.5 inches, 1080 x 2520 pixels, 422 ppi. 8.00" Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak), 1968x2184px resolution, 9.99:9 aspect ratio, 368ppi; Titanium plate layer for display support, Cover display:, Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, 6.5 inches, 1080 x 2520 pixels, 422 ppi. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm): Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M); Adreno 830 (1200 MHz). Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm): Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M); Adreno 830 (1200 MHz). Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM; UFS 4.0. 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM; UFS 4.0. OS/Software: Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8. Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8. Rear camera: Wide (main) : 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm, 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS; Telephoto : 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle : 12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF. : 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm, 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS; : 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; : 12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF. Front camera: Internal screen : 10 MP, f/2.2, 18mm, 1.12µm; Cover screen : 10 MP, f/2.2, 24mm, 1.12µm; : 10 MP, f/2.2, 18mm, 1.12µm; : 10 MP, f/2.2, 24mm, 1.12µm; Video capture: Rear camera : 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/120/240fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps (gyro-EIS), 10-bit HDR, HDR10+; Front camera : 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS. : 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/120/240fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps (gyro-EIS), 10-bit HDR, HDR10+; : 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS. Battery: 4400mAh; 25W wired, QC2.0, 50% in 30 min, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless. 4400mAh; 25W wired, QC2.0, 50% in 30 min, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless. Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4, aptX HD; NFC. 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4, aptX HD; NFC. Misc: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); stereo speakers; Samsung DeX (desktop experience support), Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, Circle to Search. The biggest upgrades, and quite literally, are the displays. The cover screen has grown by 0.2-inch to 6.5-inch and is now wider, with a regular 21:9 aspect ratio (vs 22.1:9 on the old phone) so it no longer feels like you're using a Hershey Bar phone. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X has all the bells and whistles you'd expect - an LTPO 1-120Hz refresh rate and mighty brightness. The folding screen is also bigger at 8.0-inch. Bigger displays, finally! These diagonals put the Galaxy Z Fold7 in line with high-end rivals such as the vivo X Fold5 and Honor Magic V5 - something Galaxy faithfuls have been demanding for years now. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Moving to the Galaxy Z Flip7. Like the Fold, the new Flip made displays the priority. Both the cover and the inner screen grew compared to the Galaxy Z Flip6. The cover screen is the biggest upgrade - at 4.1 inches, it is bigger even than the one in the Moto Razr 60 Ultra. It's a major jump up from the 3.4-inch unit on the Z Flip6. But even more so than size, the screen is now 120Hz and bright at 2,600 nits. Inside, the screen has grown to 6.9 inches - the biggest on a Z Flip device ever. Continuing that thread, this is the thinnest Galaxy Z Flip ever. At 13.7mm when folded, the new Flip is 1.2mm thinner than its predecessor. When you unfold the Z Flip7, it's 0.4mm thinner at 6.5mm. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 specs at a glance: Body: 166.7x75.2x6.5mm, 188g; Plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame; IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min), Armor aluminum frame. 166.7x75.2x6.5mm, 188g; Plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame; IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min), Armor aluminum frame. Display: 6.90" Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak), 1080x2520px resolution, 21:9 aspect ratio, 397ppi; Cover display:, Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 2600 nits (peak), 4.1 inches, 948 x 1048 pixels (Gorilla Glass Victus 2). 6.90" Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak), 1080x2520px resolution, 21:9 aspect ratio, 397ppi; Cover display:, Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 2600 nits (peak), 4.1 inches, 948 x 1048 pixels (Gorilla Glass Victus 2). Chipset: Exynos 2500 (3 nm): 10-core (1x3.3GHz Cortex-X5 & 2x2.74GHz Cortex-A725 & 5x2.36GHz Cortex-A725 & 2x1.8GHz Cortex-A520); Xclipse 950. Exynos 2500 (3 nm): 10-core (1x3.3GHz Cortex-X5 & 2x2.74GHz Cortex-A725 & 5x2.36GHz Cortex-A725 & 2x1.8GHz Cortex-A520); Xclipse 950. Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM; UFS 4.0. 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM; UFS 4.0. OS/Software: Android 16, One UI 8. Android 16, One UI 8. Rear camera: Wide (main) : 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm, 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS; Ultra wide angle : 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚, 1/3.2", 1.12µm. : 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm, 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS; : 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚, 1/3.2", 1.12µm. Front camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm. 10 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm. Video capture: Rear camera : 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+; Front camera : 4K@30/60fps. : 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+; : 4K@30/60fps. Battery: 4300mAh; 25W wired, QC2.0, 50% in 30 min, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless. 4300mAh; 25W wired, QC2.0, 50% in 30 min, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless. Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4; NFC. 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4; NFC. Misc: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); stereo speakers; Circle to Search. What Samsung didn't change on the Z Flip7 are the cameras. Aside from advancements such as the ProVisual Engine, Enhanced Nightography, and 10-bit HDR video, the sensor hardware seems the same as on the Galaxy Z Flip6. Speaking of, Samsung added a one-more-thing in the form of the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE - the first 'Fan Edition' model in its Z lineup. The Z Flip7 FE has a 3.4-inch 60Hz cover screen, a 6.7-inch 120Hz cover screen, a 50MP wide + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP selfie camera system, and a 4,000mAh battery with 25W charging. If those specs sound identical to the Galaxy Z Flip6's, they are. The difference between the Z Flip6 and Z Flip7 FE is the chipset - the new phone swaps the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for an Exynos 2400, which is more of a side-grade rather than an upgrade, on paper at least. Let's explore the hardware in more tangible detail, shall we? Page 2
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: So très élégant
I keep reaching into my bag thinking I've left my phone at home. Not because I'm forgetful, but because the Galaxy S25 Edge has basically no presence when you're not actively using it. Samsung has created something genuinely outlandish here: a phone that makes you question whether every other gadget you've held was just unnecessarily chunky. Measuring 5.8mm, the Edge is the slimmest in the lineup, a design that feels almost hollow when you first pick it up, like those display units at carrier stores. Except this one actually works, and it's packing flagship specs into a frame that seems to defy physics. But here's where things get interesting: making something impossibly thin means something else has to give. Samsung made some calculated sacrifices to achieve this sleek profile, and whether those trade-offs work for you depends entirely on how you actually use your phone. So let's see if Samsung's skinny experiment is the start of something bigger, or just another case of solving problems nobody knew they had. Where did all the phone go? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The numbers tell one story: 5.8mm thick, 163 grams, but they don't capture the jarring disconnect between what you expect and what you get. Pick up any other flagship phone and you know exactly what you're holding. The S25 Edge messes with that familiarity in a way that's genuinely unsettling at first. The screen bezels, the button placement, the general proportions, it's all exactly what you'd expect from a Samsung flagship. This normalcy makes the weight reduction feel even more pronounced, like someone secretly hollowed out your phone overnight. Pulling it from a tight pocket feels effortless, and it slides even more effortlessly. The chances are you'd forget that it's even in your pocket; I did too. Even after using it for weeks, picking up any other phone feels like grabbing a brick. And yes, you'll probably find yourself showing it off to friends more than you'd care to admit, mostly because their reactions mirror your own initial surprise. Samsung's titanium frame does the heavy lifting here, literally and figuratively. The matte finish gives you something to grip onto, which matters more than usual when there's so little phone to actually hold. The frosted Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back continues that secure feeling, though you'll notice the camera bump becomes proportionally more prominent when the rest of the phone basically disappears. It's one of those quirks you adapt to quickly, but it does make the phone rock slightly on flat surfaces. The build quality feels solid despite the extreme thinness, no concerning flex or hollow spots that make you wonder if Samsung cut too many corners. That IP68 rating survived the diet, along with all the usual ports and buttons in their expected places. The power button and volume rocker sit exactly where your fingers expect them, though they feel a bit more recessed given the overall profile. Cases present an interesting paradox with the S25 Edge. Most people will want protection for their lakh rupee investment, but adding even a slim case transforms the phone from "impossibly thin" to "just regular thin." So, that's one thing you'd want to remember. But I'd suggest getting a case. Screen dreams on a diet The 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display doesn't suffer from the phone's extreme diet. At 1440p resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate, it delivers the same visual experience you'd get from Samsung's chunkier flagships. Colours pop with that characteristic Samsung vibrancy, brightness peaks at 2,600 nits for outdoor visibility, and the adaptive refresh rate smoothly scales from 1Hz to 120Hz depending on what you're doing. Text stays crisp, animations feel fluid, and streaming video looks exactly as good as it should on any lakh-rupee phone. What's missing is the anti-reflective coating that makes the S25 Ultra so pleasant to use in bright conditions. It's not a dealbreaker, because if you haven't used an Ultra in the past two years, you won't feel any differently. Where things get mildly interesting is in day-to-day usage: this extreme thinness means your grip naturally shifts compared to regular phones, and you might find yourself being more deliberate with gestures and swipes. One-handed use remains challenging given the 6.7-inch size, but at least your hand won't cramp from supporting a heavy device whilst you stretch your thumb to reach the top corners. Thin exterior, thick plot Using the Edge daily gives a sense of déjà vu, but the good kind. Under that impossibly thin profile lies the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chip that powers its regular S25 siblings. That's paired with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage, the same as the other Galaxy S25s. The phone handles everything you throw at it with the same buttery smoothness; multitasking feels effortless, and the AI features work exactly as they do on the regular S25. OneUI 7 runs identically across the lineup, complete with all the AI assistants you probably don't need. Gemini handles the heavy lifting whilst Bixby sits in the corner like a talented but underused backup dancer. The Now Bar at the bottom still acts like Samsung's take on the Dynamic Island, though it feels slightly more prominent on the Edge's screen real estate. The AI features like Circle to Search and generative editing work perfectly, as they have. Though the Edge's reduced thermal mass means it might get a bit toastier, that's only when you push the phone too hard. The only instances I felt it was being too warm were when I was out in Delhi's scorching 45 degrees clicking pictures, when I was using it for navigation, or the time when I played games a little too much. Another quirk of the phone's thinness is that it creates a sort of battery anxiety, which I'd say is more psychological than practical. Samsung has put a 3,900mAh battery inside the Edge. I know reading this capacity, you'd be taken back to the late 2010s, when the juiciest of batteries used to max out at this capacity. But, if we see it today, the Edge's battery is even smaller than what the Galaxy S25 comes with, and that is something to be anxious about. I'd be honest here: the Edge won't probably get you to the next day, but it'll easily last you till the end of it (though it has some ifs and buts). If you use your phone judiciously, the full charge will last you till your day ends. But, if you're someone who's on their phone the whole time, you will have to plug it in probably in the evening. It's better than what I expected when I started using the phone, and credit where credit is due, Samsung has done some work to make a phone this thin last a day. Whilst the battery life isn't a concern today, it could be a few years down the line. As batteries age, they tend to lose their maximum capacity, and phones last a few hours less. That's where using a silicon carbon battery, which could possibly have a couple of hundred mAh more, and that would have been better. Charging is also the same as other vanilla S25s, which I hoped it shouldn't be like that. It takes over an hour for a full charge, which feels particularly prolonged when you're babying such a delicate-seeming device. Less is more, literally (used) The Galaxy S25 Edge doesn't try to cram every possible lens into its impossibly thin frame just to tick marketing boxes. Instead, Samsung took their 200-megapixel sensor, paired it with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and called it a day. I'd say it's a calculated decision. No telephoto lens, no periscope zoom, no kitchen sink approach. That 200-megapixel sensor is the same one you find on the little more expensive Ultra. It captures genuinely impressive detail in good lighting, with Samsung's characteristic vibrant colours that either look fantastic or slightly oversaturated depending on whether you're Team Natural or Team Samsung. Portrait shots come out crisp with natural-looking background blur, whilst the ultra-wide that's the same one from regular Galaxy S25s handles group photos and scenic shots without the usual fisheye distortion. The only hiccup is the inconsistency when switching between lenses, where colours and exposure don't always perfectly match. The 12-megapixel selfie camera up front does its job without fuss; it smooths out skin tones nicely, and portrait mode selfies have a pleasant background blur. No telephoto means no dedicated 3x or 5x zoom, but Samsung's using sensor cropping on the 200MP sensor to deliver "optical quality" 2x zoom. It's not the same as a proper telephoto, but it's surprisingly competent for most shooting scenarios. Though, missing out on the telephoto lens has its own quirks: push beyond that 2x crop and you'll quickly notice where the digital zoom magic runs out of steam. So, if you're the type who loves zooming in to get that perfect concert shot from the nosebleeds, you'll miss having real optical zoom. Video recording holds up its end of the bargain too, shooting 8K at 30fps or 4K at a buttery smooth 120fps. The stabilisation works well enough. Though what hits it again is the lack of a telephoto, which essentially means you're relying on digital zoom for those distant shots. The cameras on the back and front both can do LOG videos, a feature that even the Ultra doesn't have. The future feels surprisingly familiar I wouldn't call the Galaxy S25 Edge the "phone nobody asked for", it's the one we didn't know we wanted until we held it. Yes, it makes compromises: the battery won't coddle heavy users, and lensmen will miss that telephoto lens. And thinness brings its own oddities, like the way it rocks slightly on flat surfaces due to the camera bump, or how easy it is to forget it's in your pocket. You'll either love the near-invisibility or keep patting your pocket to make sure it's there. You lose some, you win some. But here's the thing: once you adapt to the Edge's featherweight presence, those quirks become part of its character rather than annoyances. The S25 Edge bets on a different kind of experience, one where lightness, design, and just enough of everything else take centre stage. You'll find yourself unconsciously comparing every other phone to this, wondering why everyone else is lugging around what suddenly feels like unnecessarily hefty rectangles. Now, that's how most thin phones would feel like, isn't that what you're thinking? Not necessarily. In the past, thin phones haven't been really good at being a phone, and that's what sets the Edge apart, it stays good at being a phone without sacrificing fundamentals for millimetres. The Edge's screen still delivers quality visuals, the hardware still runs exactly like you'd expect from a top-tier phone, and the cameras, the two Samsung managed to squeeze in, still work the way they should. Even that seemingly modest battery still manages to stretch further than its capacity suggests it should, though you'll definitely notice when it doesn't. If you're okay charging once a day and don't mind zooming with your feet, the Edge gives you something rare, a phone that doesn't feel like a brick in your pocket. At Rs 1,09,000, the Galaxy S25 Edge is certainly not "affordable", and it's not the most obvious phone at this price. But it might just be the one you keep coming back to. If you can honestly tell yourself "the daily reality is that most of us live near chargers, and honestly, how often do you really need to zoom beyond 2x?" then the Edge delivers exactly the trade-off you didn't know you wanted, giving you an early glimpse into the future, one where elegance feels essential, not optional. Our rating: 4/5 AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
