Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series has still managed to steal the show with the sleek, eye-catching design and innovative foldable form factor. In the third model, the Galaxy Z Flip 7, it really makes a huge jump. It claims a huge redesign, with bigger screens, a new Exynos chip and beefed-up productivity tools. Is any—or even all—of this enough to explain the hype, and more crucially, the cost? This article dives into the Galaxy Z Flip 7, weighing its benefits against its retained features and comparing it to competitors to help potential buyers make an informed decision.

A Visual Feast: Exploring the Enhanced Displays

The Galaxy Z Flip 7’s most immediately apparent improvement over the Flip 6 is a larger 4.1-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow. The new display size has jumped up considerably from the last model’s 3.4 inches. That larger screen just provides a much more immersive and functional experience. The large 6.7-inch main internal display returns with a fantastic 120hz refresh rate. The cover display is nothing to sneeze at either, boasting a max brightness of 2600 nits, making it extremely readable outdoors in direct, bright sunlight. Both the cover and back of the phone have Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. This strikingly strong material makes for long-lasting, scratch-proof performance.

The larger FlexWindow significantly enhances usability. Daily, users are able to quickly type messages and view their upcoming schedule. As a result, they’re able to quickly see relevant information without having to pull out their phones all the way. The improved multitasking features make it easier for users to check their rideshare ETA without skipping a beat. They can even view the current playing song or get up-to-date sports scores right from the cover screen. These major accessibility improvements help cut down on repetitive daily use, making the phone overall more convenient to use and carry while on-the-go.

One especially cool feature is the Dual Preview. This enables both the photographer and the subject to view and fine-tune their composition in real-time on the FlexWindow. This allows users to get the right photo on the first go for ultimate convenience, especially in selfies and group pictures. The incredible peak brightness helps enhance visual clarity to new heights. This upgrade has resulted in crisp and clear displays even in direct sunlight, an awesome boost that offers drivers a much improved user experience.

Performance Powerhouse: Exynos 2500 Chip and Camera Upgrades

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 runs on the Samsung Exynos 2500 processor. Previously leaked CPU benchmarks confirm that the Exynos 2500 scores around 2,500 points in single-core Geekbench 6. Getting down into the multi-core tests, it barely manages to crack 8,000 points. The Exynos 2500 features a truly impressive 10-core CPU. This is done through one Cortex-X925 core that hits 3.3GHz, two Cortex-A725 cores up to 2.74GHz, five more Cortex-A725 cores at 2.36GHz, and two efficient Cortex-A520 cores at 1.8GHz.

For the sake of performance comparisons, the one-run benchmark scores of the Exynos 2500 and Snapdragon 8 Elite are broadly similar. Against the Snapdragon 8 Elite, it’s only a touch faster at traditional rasterization. At the same time, the Exynos 2500 provides a remarkable 11% boost in ray-tracing performance. In multi-core performance, the Exynos 2500 is 15% slower than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that’s found in non-foldable slab phones, like the Galaxy S25. That said, it is 15% faster than the Snapdragon 8 Elite found on other foldable devices, such as the Motorola RAZR 60 Ultra. And now the Exynos 2500 and Dimensity 9400 are within 12% of Apple’s best graphics performance. This alone ensures that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 becomes a great device for casual gaming, multitasking and heavy productivity applications.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 should feature enhanced camera features. This hi-tech gadget features a prismatic 50MP Wide-angle camera with an exceptional 12MP Ultra-Wide camera. On the front, it packs a 10MP selfie shooter with cool features such as Dual Pixel AF, OIS and 10-bit HDR video recording. Getting video in 10-bit HDR means deeper colors for a more professional looking finish. This unique feature makes it ideal for content creators and anyone with a love for capturing high-quality, cinematic videos.

The Price of Innovation: Considering the Cost and Competition

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is priced at $1,299 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant and $1,399 for the 12GB RAM/512GB storage model. This immediately places it in serious competition with all other foldable cellphones. Take, for example, the up-and-coming Motorola Razr Ultra, which runs $1,299.99 for the 512GB edition and $1,499.99 for the 1TB variant.

Here's a quick comparison of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Motorola Razr Ultra:

  • Processors:
    • Galaxy Z Flip 7: Samsung Exynos 2500
    • Motorola Razr Ultra: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • RAM and Storage:
    • Galaxy Z Flip 7: 12GB RAM, 256/512GB storage
    • Motorola Razr Ultra: 16GB RAM, 512GB/1TB storage
  • Display:
    • Galaxy Z Flip 7: 6.7-inch internal AMOLED panel, 4.1-inch cover screen
    • Motorola Razr Ultra: 6.7-inch internal AMOLED panel, 4.0-inch cover screen
  • Battery Life:
    • Galaxy Z Flip 7: Lasted 22 hours and 3 minutes on a single charge
    • Motorola Razr Ultra: 4,700mAh battery, delivers epic battery life

The upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7 is supposed to make waves with its Exynos 2500 chip and bigger FlexWindow. Meanwhile, the Motorola Razr Ultra is a further cut above with its Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, additional RAM and likely even longer battery life. Each prospective buyer will need to weigh their priorities against these questions to make the best decision possible.

Making the Right Choice: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Here are some factors to consider:

  • Current Phone: If a user is coming from an older phone or a non-foldable device, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers a unique and innovative experience.
  • Usage: For users who frequently use the cover screen for notifications, quick actions, and taking selfies, the larger FlexWindow is a significant upgrade.
  • Performance: The Exynos 2500 chip provides ample power for most tasks, but users who demand the absolute best performance may want to consider alternatives with Snapdragon processors.
  • Budget: The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a premium device with a premium price tag. Potential buyers should consider their budget and whether the features justify the cost.
  • Trade-in Deals: Samsung often offers attractive trade-in deals, which can significantly reduce the price of the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

Ultimately, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a well-rounded foldable phone with a stylish design, powerful performance, and innovative features. The new, larger FlexWindow and improved camera options make this a very attractive upgrade option for current Z Flip users. Potential buyers should carefully weigh the benefits against the cost and consider alternatives like the Motorola Razr Ultra before making a final decision. The first step is determining your personal needs and priorities. From there, choose or reject the Galaxy Z Flip 7 based on how it fits your needs.