Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review: The North Star of Foldables

With the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung has as soon as once more demonstrated its skill to reinvent the foldable phase. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 was an awesome system, nevertheless it adopted a design language that did not really feel like an improve over its predecessor. Samsung, throughout closed-door briefings for the Fold 7, claimed that it nearly made the brand new foldable from the bottom up. And, the second you maintain the Fold 7 and 6 concurrently in your palms, you may see for your self the big distinction. While of course, the modern profile is the largest spotlight of the Fold 7, the upgrades do not cease there.

Apart from being thinner and lighter than its predecessor, the Fold 7 incorporates a cowl display improve that means that you can use it like a daily bar telephone, offering extra display actual property. Even the inside show receives a bump in measurement, matching that of a small-screen pill. Of course, the digicam will get a large improve over the Fold 6, which we are going to break down in our digicam part. Samsung hasn’t simply stored the surprises restricted to {hardware}, but in addition on the software program aspect.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is amongst a handful of units that launch with One UI 8 based mostly on Android 16 out of the field. Yes, the brand new Pixel launch continues to be a number of days away on the time of scripting this evaluate, however we are able to expertise the newest OS on a non-Pixel system. However, one other bump Samsung has handed on the Fold 7 is in pricing, from the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s launch worth of Rs. 164,999 (for the 12GB + 256GB variant). You should shell out Rs. 1,74,999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The top-of-the-line variant, that includes 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, is priced at Rs. 2,16,999. Yes, the Fold 7 is at present the one smartphone in India that exceeds the Rs. 2 lakh threshold. A feat I wasn’t able to see this yr!

Pricing apart, is the Galaxy Z Fold 7 the best and greatest foldable system Samsung has but produced? Let me reply that on this evaluate.

The Fold 7, very like different premium Samsung telephones, does not ship with a charger

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Design: Thin is in

• Dimensions – 158.4×143.2×4.2mm
• Weight – 215 grams
• IP Rating – IP48

Samsung has nailed the design this yr. The firm has simply resolved the largest ache level, which was associated to the book-style foldables – thickness. At 4.2mm (unfolded), the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the slimmest foldable obtainable in India. At 215 grams, the Fold 7 is lighter than some non-folding units on sale in India. To put some context, the Fold 7 is lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro Max (227 grams) and even the Vivo X Fold 5 (217 grams), its closest rival. In reality, it’s lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra (218 grams). Now you may think about how extremely light-weight Fold 7 is.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 weighs 215 grams

Jumping to the hinge, which is the spine of a foldable system. This yr, Samsung has revamped the hinge and launched a brand new Armour FlexHinge, which the corporate claimed in its keynote presentation is compact and considerably extra sturdy than the one seen on the Fold 6. Thanks to the brand new hinge design, the crease is generally invisible throughout common use until you begin being nitpicky. With the brand new hinge design, the system does, in its preliminary days, really feel tighter and will get robust to open typically – particularly when you might have sweaty palms. Another factor that immediately caught my consideration was the sides of the telephone. It tends to dig into your palms with common use, and a curved therapy would have been extra appropriate. A workaround for that is to make use of a case that resolves the difficulty.

Samsung says that the up to date Armour aluminium within the body and hinge housing will increase power and hardness by 10%

For safety, Samsung has used Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the quilt show whereas the again panel will get Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The aluminium armour feels premium in hand, and, of course, gives sufficient confidence whereas in day by day use. Compared to the Fold 6, the Fold 7 is now wider and taller in design – and belief me, each these components impression on a regular basis utilization in a great way. You can now use the quilt display of the Fold 7 as a daily telephone. The energy button integrates a fingerprint scanner, making it handy to make use of and simply accessible whereas utilizing the Fold 7 with only one hand. The quantity rocker buttons are additionally straightforward to achieve when utilizing with only one hand and are additionally tactile sufficient. The Fold 7, nevertheless, is a really slippery system, and at instances, I needed to be additional cautious when taking it out of my pocket or choosing it up from the desk.

The cowl display on the Fold 7 (on the appropriate) visibly seems larger than the one on the Fold 6 (on the left)

At the again, the Fold 7 takes inspiration from the Fold 6, however upon nearer inspection, you realise that the digicam housings are actually protruding greater than in its predecessor, to such an extent that the Fold 7 wobbles on a flat floor when positioned with the show dealing with upwards. For water ingress safety, Samsung has added an IP48 score. Unfortunately, the Fold 7 nonetheless does not get a mud safety score, which suggests you’ll have to take extra care of this expensive system.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 8.9 mm in thickness when folded and 4.2 mm when unfolded

In India, the Fold 7 is on the market in Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, and Jet Black colors. I received the Blue Shadow for this evaluate, and it’s one of essentially the most placing colors. Overall, the Fold 7 is an improve that feels leaps and bounds forward of the Fold 6 in additional methods than your eyes can see.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Display: Solid improve

• Display – Main: 8-inch foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X with 1968×2184 pixels, 2600nits, 368PPI, 120Hz
• Cover: 6.5-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X with 1080×2520 pixels, 422PPI
• Additional options – Titanium plate layer for show assist

The shows on the Fold 7 have acquired an improve, and that makes the foldable best to be used as a bar telephone. Starting with the quilt show, the Fold 7 incorporates a 6.5-inch display, in comparison with the Fold 6’s 6.3-inch display. The decision has additionally been upgraded, now providing 1080×2520 pixels and a 422 PPI pixel density. It options an LTPO AMOLED display and contains all of the modern-day options, comparable to a 120Hz refresh charge and HDR10+ assist.

The telephone gives 2600 nits of peak brightness

Jumping to the inside show, Samsung has massively bumped the display measurement from 7.6 inches to eight inches on the Fold 7. This means you might have a show as massive as an 8-inch pill. It is a foldable LTPO OLED panel that includes a 120Hz refresh charge, HDR10+ assist, 368 PPI, and a decision of 1968×2184 pixels. You additionally get HDR streaming on Netflix, YouTube and different OTT platforms. Samsung has as soon as once more dropped Dolby Vision assist, nevertheless it’s unlikely that you will discover the distinction in day-to-day utilization. It helps peak brightness of 2600nits.

The 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x inside show gives wealthy distinction, true blacks and vibrant particulars

Both shows are brilliant sufficient for use beneath direct daylight and supply crisp photographs and sharp textual content. The Fold 7 is a enjoyable system for all media consumption, whether or not for gaming, binge-watching, or studying. With two shows, the consumer has the liberty to decide on the side ratio and display measurement through which they wish to eat media on the Fold 7—a alternative that your common system does not supply.

Overall, the shows on the Fold 7 elevate the consumer expertise, providing a greater side ratio and display measurement. The high quality, doubtless, is among the many greatest I’ve seen on a foldable recently.

Both shows keep dazzlingly seen even in direct daylight

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Camera: Inspired by the most effective

• 200-megapixel main sensor with f/1.7 aperture, PDAF, OIS
• 10-megapixel telephoto sensor with PDAF, f/2.4 and 3x optical zoom
• 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with f/2.2 and twin pixel PDAF
• Cover selfie digicam – 10-megapixel sensor
• Main – 10-megapixel sensor with f/2.2 aperture
• Video assist – 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, 1080p at 120fps

The digicam division on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will get the largest replace. First up, it will get the identical main sensor because the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Edge – a 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP2 with PDAF, OIS, and f/1.7 aperture. The 12-megapixel Sony IMX564 ultrawide digicam is identical as final yr, however one essential addition is autofocus assist, which was lacking on its predecessor. There’s additionally a devoted 10-megapixel telephoto (3x) Samsung ISOCELL 3K1 sensor with PDAF and f/2.4 aperture. Both selfie cameras have additionally acquired a minor replace, now that includes a 10-megapixel Sony IMX374 sensor on the quilt and inside show. Samsung, nevertheless, selected to stay with fastened focus for some cause.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 options the primary 200-megapixel main digicam within the Galaxy Z sequence

Jumping straight to real-world efficiency, the first digicam is the Fold 7’s greatest power. As I discussed within the efficiency part, the upgrades on the newest foldable make it a real flagship. The 200-megapixel sensor can take some gorgeous daylight photographs with plentiful particulars and correct colors. The sharpness is on level, and the dynamic vary is great. The pores and skin tones and textures additionally come out nicely on the first digicam. The 2x photographs from the first digicam are additionally respectable, and we do not see a lot element loss. Even the portrait photographs come out nicely with good topic isolation and a superb quantity of blur—some samples beneath in your reference.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 daylight samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

Switching to the telephoto digicam (3x), the Fold 7 proves to be a succesful shooter, boasting a strong setup for zoom photographs. In daylight, the telephoto manages to seize loads of particulars.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 telephoto (3x) samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

The zoom efficiency of the Fold 7 can be respectable, though the digital zoom is primarily unusable, and you shouldn’t exceed 10x. Like within the photographs beneath, you may see the zoom efficiency of the Fold 7

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 telephoto (3x) pattern (faucet to see bigger picture)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 10x pattern (faucet to see bigger picture)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 20x zoom pattern (faucet to see bigger picture)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 30x pattern (faucet to see bigger picture)

The ultrawide digicam with autofocus assist has been an awesome addition to the Fold 7, one thing I missed on the Fold 6. The dynamic vary is nice, and particulars are respectable. The color accuracy and sharpness are additionally good, and you’ll verify some samples beneath. However, the ultrawide sensor is not nearly as good as the first digicam, which should not come as a shock.

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 ultrawide digicam samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

For selfies, the Fold 7 gives twin cameras – one on the quilt display and one other on the inside show. Both are succesful, and you’ll not be disillusioned. The pores and skin tones are captured nicely, and there are sufficient particulars. The daylight selfies are top-notch, whereas low-light selfies lose some particulars, and a few quantity of grain can be seen within the selfies.

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 indoor digicam samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

Moving on to the low-light efficiency of the Fold 7, I’m not as impressed as I’m with the S25 Ultra, nevertheless it nonetheless excels within the foldable class. The particulars drop a bit in pitch-dark circumstances, whereas color accuracy can be barely off. Some of the evening samples I clicked got here out as delicate and had loads of noise. However, the digicam does justice when there is a gentle supply round and it type of nails the body with correct colors, a superb quantity of particulars, higher white stability, and managed noise. The telephoto and ultrawide samples in low gentle are inferior to the first digicam, however are usable in your social media uploads.

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 low-light digicam samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

This yr, Samsung has additionally upped the ante in the case of video high quality. It can report as much as 8K at 30 frames per second (fps) with the first digicam. It may report slow-motion movies at 240fps in Full HD and 120fps in Full HD. For skilled customers, the corporate has added the Galaxy Log video function, which lets you obtain these movies to your system and carry out color grading. There’s additionally an AI Audio Eraser function on the Fold 7 that can allow you to regulate volumes of completely different components within the video. The video high quality is great from the first digicam.

Overall, the Galaxy Fold 7 is a big leap in phrases of cameras for the Samsung line-up and places it subsequent to the most effective – Galaxy S25 Ultra.

The telephone sports activities a 10-megapixel 100-degree digicam on the primary show that expands the body

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Performance: Finally, a foldable that looks like a flagship

• Processor – Snapdragon 8 Elite
• RAM and storage – 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1 TB
• OS – Android 16 based mostly One UI 8

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 options the top-tier processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, which has been seen in Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra this yr. Every day duties are dealt with easily, and there are not any points with multitasking. The app opens tremendous shortly, and switching between apps is easy. While Samsung is not pushing the Fold 7 as a gaming system, this foldable is a really succesful one.

(*7*)

The Galaxy Z Fold7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, which additionally powers the Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is on the market in three RAM and storage configurations: 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage, 12GB of RAM with 512GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM with 1TB of storage. Samsung ought to have provided a 16GB RAM possibility for all SKUs, contemplating the substantial price ticket. Samsung makes use of LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 on the Fold 7. To present a greater perspective, I ran our suite of artificial benchmark apps, and the outcomes are beneath, in comparison with the Fold 6.

Benchmark	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (Cover/ Main)	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Cover/ Main)	Pixel 9 Pro Fold (Cover/Main)
AnTuTu v10	1,820,509 / 1,845,876	1,642,118 / 1,695,896	11,15,037 / 10,65,151
PCMark Work 3.0	15,854 / 16,187	18,688 / 18,460	13,686 / 12,744
Geekbench 6 Single	1,784/ 1,923	2,216/ 2,197	1,872 / 1,651
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,239/ 8,798	6,725/ 6,689	3,734 / 3,971
GFXB T-rex (fps)	120 / 120	120 / 120	120 / 119
GFXB Manhattan 3.1 (fps)	120 / 120	120 / 120	119 / 86
GFXB Car Chase (fps)	119 / 119	119 / 119	78 / 49
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL ES 3.1	Maxed Out / Maxed Out	Maxed Out / Maxed Out	Maxed Out / Maxed Out
3DM Slingshot	Maxed Out / Maxed Out	Maxed Out / Maxed Out	Maxed Out / Maxed Out
3DM Wild Life	16,474 / 16,742	15,678 / 15,210	8,683 / Maxed Out
3DM Wild Life Stress Test	18,871 / 18,336	18,786 / 17,898	8,948 / 9,273

The foldable does get heat whereas gaming and when utilizing the telephone for prolonged intervals, comparable to for navigation or when the digicam app is in use. But it by no means reaches a degree the place it turns into too heat to deal with.

The audio system on the Fold 7 aren’t very loud, however are adequate to fill a medium-sized room, and the readability is there. Calls on the telephone are respectable, with no name drops resulting from community points or the handset’s lack of ability to latch on to networks. I examined the Fold 7 for 5G on Airtel and Jio networks, and it really works with out a sweat. One of the strengths of the Fold 7 is its skill to latch onto a cellular community in areas with restricted connectivity, comparable to basements or inside elevators.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 runs One UI 8 on Android 16 out of the field

Thanks to the slim profile and an prolonged side ratio, the Fold 7’s cowl display can be utilized as a daily telephone, and I had a good time typing lengthy emails, texts, and even doing a little gentle photograph modifying on apps like Canva. In the true world, the Fold 7 is gentle years forward of the Fold 6, which was powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Jumping to the software program aspect, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is amongst a handful of Samsung units launching earlier than the brand new Pixels with Android 16. That’s one thing we do not typically see, however that is additionally Samsung for you. The One UI 8 relies on Android 16. Talking concerning the interface normally, the One UI 8 does not convey ground-breaking modifications, as One UI 7 final yr already launched large upgrades.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 customers shall be among the many first to get entry to expertise Android 16

Much like Android 16, which focuses on enhancing the under-the-hood elements of the UI, One UI 8 additionally brings minor modifications, together with an improved split-screen multitasking function (90:10 from the sooner 70:30 break up). The Now Bar and Now Brief are half of One UI 8 and shall be rolled out to all suitable units. The Now temporary will present personalised briefings with prompt content material and actions that replace in real-time, relying on the time of day you verify. It sits on the Home display and is a pleasant contact. The Reminder app has additionally undergone an overhaul and can function a companion app for planning your subsequent household vacation. It may take your to-do lists and drop you reminders on time. The Quick Share has additionally acquired some upgrades, making it straightforward to share recordsdata with only one faucet.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 brings AI options like Gemini Live, Photo Assist, Portrait Studio, Audio Eraser, and Circle to Search, amongst others

Of course, there’s the same old AI suite of options, together with Call Assist, Writing Assist, Interpreter, Note Assist, Transcript Assist, Browsing Assist, Photo Assist, Drawing Assist, Audio Eraser, Photo Ambient Wallpaper, and Health Assist.

The digicam app additionally receives useful additions that allow you to swipe up or down to change between rear and entrance cameras. The default searching app has additionally acquired an replace that shows all choices for sharing and different options within the menu. Overall, One UI 8 is a pleasant replace for Samsung customers, and it is useful on the Fold 7.

Samsung claims that the primary show has been redesigned to be thinner, lighter, but stronger

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Battery: Same previous, standard

• Battery – 4400mAh unit
• Charging assist – 25W wired and 15W wi-fi
• Charging pace – 50% in half-hour

If there’s one division that utterly missed the improve cycle on the Fold 7, it needs to be the battery. The telephone packs the identical 4,400mAh battery, which, on paper, seems to be on the decrease aspect when in comparison with new-age flagships launched this yr. The charging pace is once more an Achilles’ heel for the Fold 7, capped at 25W.

There’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the again of the Fold 7

In real-world utilization, the Fold 7 lasts a few day with a full cost and gives a screen-on time of over 5 hours. I most well-liked a barely higher battery backup. The good factor is that Samsung now gives a variety of granular controls for battery settings, permitting you to restrict charging to 80% or barely extra.

When folded, the Galaxy Fold 7 can be utilized with only one hand with ease

For charging, the Fold 7 takes roughly half-hour to cost to 50%, whereas a full cost (0-100%) takes round 80-90 minutes. This is on the decrease aspect, and I want Samsung may have acknowledged this subject.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Verdict

This yr, Samsung has made positive that its Fold 7 comes out as a strong bundle combining energy and panache. It gives top-tier specs in a fantastically crafted, modern physique that may flip heads. It incorporates a top-tier processor that ensures uncompromising efficiency, after which there is a large digicam improve that brings the most effective from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The One UI 8, based mostly on Android 16 with 7 years of software program assist, is the most effective you may get on any Android system in the mean time. The light-weight and modern design is the USP of the system, fixing the foldable conundrum that has been there for years.

The Fold 7 begins at Rs. 174,999 and goes as much as Rs. 216,999

Of course, there are a number of ache factors, such because the charging pace now feeling dated, and I want Samsung had acknowledged it this yr. The battery efficiency is not one thing that units a benchmark, and with the lacking S Pen assist, the Fold loses its appeal as a real multitasking system. Not skipping the worth bump, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an costly system, very like its predecessor.

The upgraded Armour FlexHinge is thinner and lighter, due to a newly applied multi-rail construction that reduces seen creasing

For alternate options, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a strong contender for the Fold 7, if anybody desires a non-folding system. The Vivo X Fold 5 is the closest rival within the book-style folding phase. In the approaching days, we are able to count on the brand new Pixel Fold from Google to affix the foldables league.