Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Review: The New Flip Phone Champ

Worth When Reviewed

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Finest Costs As we speak: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Flip telephones have been round for greater than half a decade, however one model continues to dominate, not less than within the UK and US: Samsung. 

The Korean big’s Galaxy Z Flip line has led the best way for some time, however in 2024, Motorola’s Razr 50 Extremely ended up being Tech Advisor’s finest flip cellphone of the 12 months, with that massive cowl show enjoying a serious function. 

Samsung has responded with a canopy display improve of its personal on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, delivering arguably the most important generational change we’ve seen since its 2020 debut. 

Is it sufficient for Samsung to regain its crown because the flip cellphone maker to beat? After testing the Razr 60 Extremely earlier this 12 months, I spent per week utilizing the Galaxy Z Flip 7 to seek out out, and the outcomes weren’t what I used to be anticipating. 

Design & Construct

• Larger cowl and inside shows 
• Slim, light-weight construct with robust hinge 
• IP48 water and mud resistance 

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a giant design improve, and I’m right here for it. 

Whereas the overall kind issue is similar – a small cowl display that opens to disclose a daily cellphone display – the scale have modified considerably. 

The massive information is that the duvet display (or ‘FlexWindow’, as Samsung formally calls it) has elevated massively, from 3.4 inches on the Z Flip 6 to 4.1 inches right here. It extends virtually all the best way to the sting of the gadget, with a slim bezel making it look much more trendy. Lastly, Samsung has matched the bar set by Motorola on this space.

To make room for it, Samsung has additionally elevated the inner show from 6.7- to six.9 inches. It’s a delicate change, however one I observed right away, because it makes the cellphone considerably taller (75.2mm as an alternative of 71.9mm). Initially, I discovered the cellphone somewhat uncomfortable to make use of (one-handed utilization is just about out of the query), however it didn’t take too lengthy to regulate. 

And when that inside show is turned on, the crease is completely invisible. The one occasions you’ll discover it’s should you occur to relaxation your finger on it, which was fairly uncommon in my case. 

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a giant design improve, and I’m right here for it

I additionally actually respect how sturdy the aluminium hinge feels. I haven’t precisely been cautious when opening and shutting it, aiming to simulate the impact longer-term utilization, however it didn’t present any indicators of weak spot in any way. I’d be assured in it surviving a few years of open-close cycles. 

In contrast to early Galaxy Z Flip fashions, the Flip 7 folds in half utterly flat, but stays a comparatively svelte 13.7mm. Mixed with a light-weight 188g construct, these compact dimensions meant I typically forgot the cellphone was even in my pocket. It’s one in every of only a few handsets that’s seemingly to slot in girls’s trousers, although I can’t confirm that. 

Sturdiness basically is a key energy of the Z Flip 7. The again of the gadget is provided with Corning’s robust Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which is particularly designed to guard it from drops onto tough surfaces. 

The gadget additionally retains an IP48 score, that means it’s protected from submersion in as much as 1.5m of freshwater although it stays susceptible to particles smaller than 1mm (resembling sand). Like all present flip telephones, I’d be additional cautious when taking it to the seashore. 

The Z Flip 7 is out there in 4 colors: ‘Blue Shadow’, ‘Jetblack’, ‘Coralred’ and ‘Mint’, with the latter unique to the Samsung web site. I examined the previous, a deep navy hue that shimmers within the gentle and appears actually elegant. 

In contrast to non-folding telephones, the color you go for is essential, as I wouldn’t advocate making use of a case. Regardless of being made out of glass, the matt coating on the again of the gadget makes it impressively grippy and usually immune to fingerprint smudges. 

Speaking of fingerprints, the sensor for unlocking the gadget is constructed into the ability button on the appropriate aspect. Samsung has cleverly positioned it to be in a pure place when each folded and unfolded, and it’s constantly quick and dependable. I don’t miss an under-display scanner in any respect. 

Display & Audio system

• 4-inch, 120Hz AMOLED cowl display 
• 6.9-inch, 120Hz AMOLED inside show 
• Stereo audio system 

As talked about above, each of the Z Flip 7’s shows are greater than their Z Flip 6 equivalents. However what are they really like to make use of? 

In brief, excellent. On the 4-inch cowl display, Samsung lastly has an exterior show that’s match for its flagship flip. And the brand new 6.9-inch inside show is among the finest you’ll discover on any cellphone – folding or not. 

Let’s begin with the duvet display, the one greatest improve this time round. Samsung has improved virtually every part about this show, and it’s actually paid off. 

The decision has elevated to 948 x 1048, leading to crisp visuals and glorious readability. A doubling of the refresh price to 120Hz means navigating the show is clean and fluid, whereas a peak brightness of 2600 nits ensures outside visibility is superb.  

And, after all, that is nonetheless an AMOLED panel, that means you get these vivid colors and deep blacks that we’ve come to affiliate with Samsung telephones. 

There’s no doubting that the Z Flip 7 has a pair of fantastic shows

The show now stretches across the digicam lenses, which may stop you from accessing some performance, notably on third-party apps which aren’t optimised.  

To treatment this, you’ll discover a small on-screen button on the backside of the show that lets you cycle between three completely different facet ratios, together with one that appears like a daily cellphone. It’s a easy but very efficient answer. 

Talking of standard telephones, the inner show appears identical to some other Samsung flagship, which is nice information. At 6.9 inches, it’s on the bigger aspect, however not exceptional for a contemporary handset. 

And I’ve no complaints in relation to high quality. The Full HD+ (1080 x 2520) decision is fractionally decrease than final 12 months’s Z Flip 6, however it’s virtually inconceivable to inform the distinction. In different phrases, it presents greater than sufficient element for anybody to be happy. 

As an AMOLED, it’s nice for any visible content material, from gaming and social media to TV reveals and flicks. And the 783 nits I recorded in ‘Further brightness mode’ (426 with it turned off) means you’ll be able to clearly see the display in virtually any atmosphere. 

The 120Hz refresh price stays (the Razr 60 Extremely’s 165Hz isn’t extensively supported), however it’s irritating to be restricted to both a hard and fast 60Hz ‘Normal’, or ‘Adaptive’, which alternates between the 2. I’d prefer to see Samsung introduce LTPO, which might permit the refresh price to drop as little as 1Hz when not required, plus the choice to remain at 120Hz on a regular basis.  

Nonetheless, general, there’s no doubting that the Z Flip 7 has a pair of fantastic shows. 

When it comes to audio, the Z Flip 7 has the stereo speaker setup we’ve come to count on on trendy telephones – one downward-firing, one earpiece. Sound high quality is okay, getting decently loud with none audible distortion, however it’s actually nothing particular. Throughout longer listening classes, you actually discover the marginally tinny sound and lack of bass. 

As ordinary, should you’re critical about sound high quality, I’d extremely advocate connecting headphones or a Bluetooth speaker. 

Specs & Efficiency

• Samsung Exynos 2500 chipset 
• 12GB of RAM 
• 256- or 512GB of non-expandable storage 

Samsung has switched issues up with the Galaxy Z Flip chipset this time round. After years of Qualcomm silicon, the Z Flip 7 is powered by the corporate’s personal Exynos line as an alternative – particularly, the Exynos 2500. Right here, it’s paired with 12GB of RAM throughout each fashions. 

As previous benchmarks have proven, this isn’t as highly effective because the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm’s newest and best. So, what does that imply for Z Flip 7’s efficiency? 

More often than not, little or no. Throughout a full week of standard utilization, I didn’t run right into a single efficiency subject. The Z Flip 7 was constantly quick and dependable, even with over 100 Chrome tabs open (I do know) and shortly switching between a number of apps.  

In case your each day utilization appears something like mine, with loads of internet searching, messages and emails, plus some images and the occasional name, the Z Flip 7 will cope simply superb. Impressively, all through all these duties, the gadget by no means even bought heat to the contact.  

As anticipated, demanding gaming proves to be extra of a problem. Whereas gameplay is usually clean, I observed fairly a couple of dropped frames right here and there, particularly on PUBG Cell and Actual Racing 3. 

Name of Obligation: Cell was extra constant, however all three brought on important warmth build-up, notably across the cowl display. It additionally depleted battery life far more shortly than the rest I used the Z Flip 7 for. 

Throughout a full week of standard utilization, I didn’t run right into a single efficiency subject

You’re in all probability not shopping for this gadget for its gaming efficiency, and informal titles received’t be an issue. However should you’re critical about cellular gaming, go for a book-style foldable or non-folding cellphone as an alternative.

I’m happy to see Samsung improve the storage on the bottom mannequin from 128- to 256GB with out rising the value. That needs to be sufficient for most individuals, however with no help for Micro-SD expandable storage, step as much as 512GB should you’re not sure. 

The Z Flip 7 helps the newest Wi-Fi 7 commonplace, plus Bluetooth 5.4 and NFC for the likes of contactless funds. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 benchmarks

Cameras

• 50Mp, f/1.8 fundamental 
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide 
• 10Mp, f/2.2 front-facing 

The Galaxy Z Flip 7’s digicam {hardware} is equivalent to its predecessor. And judging from the outcomes, there are not any significant modifications to Samsung’s software program processing, both. 

However, relatively than repeat what I mentioned in my Z Flip 6 evaluation, I’ll attempt to describe issues a bit in a different way. The quick model is that the principle lens is superb, the ultrawide sensor is first rate and the front-facing digicam is a bit underwhelming, however you’ll be utilizing the rear lenses to take selfies anyway. 

The 50Mp fundamental lens is a small step down in comparison with the perfect digicam telephones available on the market, together with the 200Mp sensor on the Galaxy S25 Extremely. Nevertheless it nonetheless delivers constantly glorious images throughout a spread of conditions.

In good lighting, pictures are clear, crisp and brimming with element. Samsung’s tendency for vibrant, high-contrast images has been toned down in recent times, however there’s nonetheless a noticeable enhance to colors. The outcomes are visually interesting, albeit not true to life.

Nonetheless, the Z Flip 7 handles advanced shadows and exposures very nicely, capturing nice element in a few of the moody skies. Dynamic vary can be excellent, that means a spread of various brightness ranges will be precisely represented. 

I discovered the principle lens to be equally adept at landscapes, road images and complicated structure – it’s very versatile.  

In good lighting, pictures are clear, crisp and brimming with element

In low gentle, the night time mode kicks in robotically, doing a great job of brightening the picture with out making it look synthetic. Nonetheless, it does introduce some noise and might wrestle with any shiny lighting. 

The 12Mp ultrawide is a succesful secondary lens, providing the flexibility of a 123˚ subject of view with out a main drop-off in high quality. There’s a transparent distinction intimately and color accuracy between the 2, however I used to be nonetheless completely satisfied to make use of it in a wide range of eventualities. 

Nonetheless, with out a telephoto lens, you’re completely reliant on this sensor and the Z Flip 7’s disappointing digital zoom capabilities. Something past 2x shortly loses definition and color accuracy, with Samsung limiting this to 10x feeling like an admission of those limitations. 

Up to now, I might nearly perceive the argument {that a} third lens would get in the best way of the display. However with the Z Flip 7 transferring to a full-screen cowl show, they’re obstructing it anyway. As somebody who enjoys going to concert events, even a 3x optical zoom would make an enormous distinction. 

Even when together with three completely different lenses isn’t potential (and whereas I discover that onerous to imagine, I’ve a idea as to why additional down this evaluation), I’d choose Samsung to observe Motorola’s resolution with the 50 Extremely to swap the inferior ultrawide lens for a telephoto, which might make an enormous distinction to each portrait pictures and zoomed-in snaps.

After all, a key promoting level of flip telephones is the flexibility to make use of the rear lenses to take selfies. I really like the best way the principle lens precisely captures my pores and skin tone and delivers a convincing background blur in portrait mode. In the meantime, switching to the ultrawide makes it excellent for group selfies, and I really like you could simply maintain up your palm to start out a countdown timer. 

The precise front-facing digicam is a good 10Mp sensor that’s consistent with most trendy smartphones. There’s nothing essentially unsuitable with it, although video calls are the one time I might see myself utilizing it. 

On the video aspect, the principle lens can shoot in as much as 4K at 30fps, although the default 1080p at 30fps will probably be simply superb for most individuals. OIS (optical picture stabilisation) means footage stays comparatively regular, although it may look washed out and infrequently struggles with publicity. 

It’s completely superb for social media and residential movies, however I wouldn’t advocate it for something extra critical. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 4300mAh battery 
• 25W wired charging 
• 15W wi-fi, 5W reverse wi-fi 

I complained in regards to the Galaxy Z Flip 6 battery life rather a lot, so I’m glad to see Samsung improve the capability from 4000mAh to 4300mAh. Nonetheless, when most non-folding telephones exceed 5000mAh, that’s nonetheless somewhat underwhelming. 

Battery life has undoubtedly improved, to the extent that I normally don’t fear about it lasting to the top of a full day. Nonetheless, none of my testing days concerned something greater than reasonable utilization, so I’d be frightened about it holding up on a demanding day of travelling, for instance.

Battery life positively isn’t the weak spot it as soon as was, however I wouldn’t name it a energy, both

Sadly, our ordinary PCMark battery check wouldn’t run correctly on the Z Flip 7, so I can’t supply any goal comparisons. However what I can say is that after three hours of utilization throughout a 16-hour day, the Z Flip 7’s battery went from full to fifteen%, which isn’t supreme. 

Battery life positively isn’t the weak spot it as soon as was, however I wouldn’t name it a energy, both. 

Sadly, the charging scenario is even worse. Samsung nonetheless hasn’t improved the measly 25W charging speeds, and it proved to be a continuing supply of frustration. With no charger within the field, you’ll have to produce one in every of your individual, however I’m assured you have already got one which’s a lot quick sufficient. 

In my testing, the Z Flip 7 went from 0-18% in quarter-hour, then 33% by the half-hour mark. At that price, it’ll take over 90 minutes to go from empty to full. As somebody who likes to cost their cellphone earlier than they depart dwelling within the morning, that’s a little bit of an issue. 

15W wi-fi charging stays for comfort, however there’s nonetheless no help for the newest Qi2 commonplace. And 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging is simply appropriate for giving equipment resembling wi-fi earbuds a fast prime up. 

Software program & Apps

• One UI 8 over Android 16 
• Numerous Galaxy AI options 
• Seven years of OS and safety updates 

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is among the first units to run One UI 8, the newest model of Samsung’s Android pores and skin on the time of writing. It’s primarily based on Android 16, however retains a really completely different feel and look.  

One UI 8 introduces a couple of modifications in comparison with One UI 7, however that doesn’t embrace Android 16’s upcoming ‘Materials 3 Expressive’ redesign. I wouldn’t count on Samsung to introduce a lot of Google’s massive visible modifications to its units. 

So, on the inner show, it’s most enterprise as ordinary, with Samsung’s distinctive aesthetic, in depth customisation choices and wide selection of inventory apps. 

For me, the latter is a destructive – virtually each Google app has a Samsung model, resulting in a cluttered and probably complicated person expertise. Frustratingly, a few of these Samsung apps can’t be uninstalled, making them annoying bloatware. 

Nonetheless, from a pure design perspective, I nonetheless choose One UI aesthetic to the Pixel one. Samsung’s widgets are beautiful, its fast settings panel is extra intuitive, and the highly effective AI-enhanced search is a game-changer. 

The Samsung software program expertise stays among the finest within the enterprise, together with its lengthy dedication to updates

Speaking of AI, the suite of synthetic intelligence right here is sort of equivalent to what you’ll discover on the Galaxy S25 collection. The one additions of notice are automated detections of individuals and audio within the background of images, movies and voice recordings, which make it even simpler to take away. 

Galaxy AI presents a complete suite of writing, translation, summarising and generative AI instruments, a lot of that are helpful, enjoyable, or each. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discover Circle to Search and the Gemini digital assistant to be probably the most helpful. 

Samsung has added Gemini help to the duvet display for the primary time, permitting you to simply set off it through the standard lengthy press of the ability button. It really works nicely, and appears to simply as correct at recognising what I’m saying. 

One other new cowl display function is ‘Now Temporary’, which was launched on the Galaxy S25 collection as a technique to summarise key, personalised info all through the day. It could possibly draw on a wide range of completely different sources, together with your calendar, gallery, well being information and information, however until you personal Samsung sensible dwelling or wearable units, I don’t suppose it’s notably helpful. 

And, as I discussed in my Z Flip 7 stay weblog, the empty platitudes within the introductions actually annoy me. What does “clouds within the sky give as we speak a tranquil vibe” even imply? 

Then there’s the frankly ridiculous course of for getting any app operating on the duvet display: Set up the ‘Good Lock’ app from the Galaxy Retailer. Open it, then set up and open ‘MultiStar’. Faucet it, then ‘I ♡ Galaxy Foldable’, allow the ‘Launcher Widget’ and faucet any apps you need to add to the duvet display. Lastly, go to Settings and add the Good Lock widget to entry them. 

As irritating as that is, the expertise when you get it arrange is surprisingly good. Regardless of none of those apps seemingly being optimised for the smaller display, every part I attempted labored with out subject. 

Regardless of a few of the shortcomings talked about, Samsung’s software program expertise stays among the finest within the enterprise, together with its lengthy dedication to updates. 

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 will obtain seven years of main OS updates and 7 years of safety patches, which might make it protected to make use of till 2032. That continues to be the joint-best you’ll see on any cellphone, and a key purpose to purchase it over the Razr 60 Extremely (three years’ OS, 4 years’ safety). 

Worth & Availability

At launch, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 begins at £1,049/$1,099. 

That’ll get you the 256GB mannequin I examined, although you’ll be able to double it to 512GB for £1,149/$1,219.  

You should purchase one outright from a wide range of retailers, together with Samsung and Amazon within the UK or Samsung and Amazon within the US. The cellphone can be accessible on contract from a spread of various networks within the UK and US. 

With no value rise this time, the Z Flip 7 is now cheaper than its fundamental rival within the Razr 60 Extremely/Razr Extremely 2025 (from £1,099/$1,299), which can be a dealbreaker for some, particularly should you’re within the US, the place the distinction is larger. That wasn’t the case with the final era, with the Z Flip 6 priced larger than its closest Motorola rival.

I do wonder if the choice to omit that all-important telephoto lens helped to undercut Motorola this time round. Admittedly, Samsung’s present value isn’t underneath the £1,000/$1,000 mark that the 50 Extremely was again in 2024, so worth for cash isn’t fairly as spectacular – although inflation should even be taken into consideration.

In the event you don’t want a flip cellphone, loads of the most effective telephones you should buy are extra inexpensive. 

Must you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7?

In the event you’re out there for a flip cellphone and keen to pay the premium, sure. Regardless of a couple of key faults, the Z Flip 7 is my prime beneficial Flip cellphone proper now.

Why? The mix of a glossy, premium design, glorious shows, an ideal fundamental digicam and a top-tier software program expertise makes it exhausting to beat. A full seven years of updates is the icing on the cake. 

Nonetheless, the mixture of mediocre battery life and gradual charging could possibly be a dealbreaker for some folks, whereas the shortage of a telephoto digicam will be problematic at occasions. 

This smartphone collection hasn’t obtained a value hike this 12 months, as Motorola’s did, making it an excellent higher worth proposition. Nonetheless, the truth that the identical frustrations from the Z Flip 6 persist stops it from getting an excellent larger rating.

Nonetheless, should you’re in search of a flip cellphone that can serve you nicely now and into the longer term, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the gadget for you. 

Specs

• 4.1-inch, 120Hz AMOLED cowl show   
• 6.9-inch, 120Hz LTPO AMOLED fundamental show   
• Samsung Exynos 2500 
• 12GB RAM   
• 256/512GB storage   
• 50Mp, f/1.8 fundamental digicam   
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digicam   
• 10Mp, f/2.2 selfie digicam   
• 4300mAh battery  
• 25W wired charging   
• 15W wi-fi charging  
• 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging  
• Stereo audio system   
• IP48 water and mud resistance   
• Gorilla Glass Victus 2 again  
• Wi-Fi 7 
• Bluetooth 5.4  
• 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5 mm (open), 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7 mm (closed)  
• 188g   
• One UI 8 over Android 16