The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series is supposed to always be about doing things like this or making a statement. This is the kind of phone you buy for the sake of style and portability. It provides a truly immersive foldable experience that differentiates it from other smartphones. Samsung might’ve hit its best iteration of that formula with the Z Flip 7. It now features a huge new cover screen, a sleeker design and a ton of awesome new features! Is the fun factor enough to make us overlook the frustrations it may cause? Let's dive into a balanced review.
Design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
In fact, the overall design may be the Z Flip 7’s biggest ace up its sleeve. It's a head-turner, plain and simple. When you do fold it, the amazing compact design makes it very easy to tuck away into your pocket. Not to mention that satisfying snap of the hinge—who can resist! It’s easy to tell that Samsung has double-downed on just perfecting the looks and build quality to really bring across that premium feel.
Aesthetic Appeal
The new Z Flip 7 really takes the design cues of its predecessors and expands them. Maybe the biggest difference is that cover screen, which is now much more expansive. The stunningly sharp 0.05-inch bezels surround the display and make it nothing short of arresting. They allow us to display richer content at a glance and increase usability, allowing you to do more without opening the device. This is a pretty big jump compared to this generation’s predecessors. Now, the cover screen is an actually useful tool with more than a notification ticker. The Z Flip 7 has some wonderful lines that really jump out to you. Plus, it’s super chic too—available in a wide array of stylish, beautiful colors!
Build Quality and Durability
With any foldable phone, durability is an issue. Samsung had to ensure this didn’t happen, and they did so with an Armor Frame Aluminum design. The case is ruggedized thanks to a full armor aluminum housing. In the interim, the hinge got a redesign, helping to keep the phone a touch slimmer. Though it still has that same IP48 rating found on the previous model, meaning it’s resistant to dust and water, it’s not waterproof. The 6.9-inch AMOLED (2520 x 1080) inner display with a 120Hz refresh rate is protected by a layer of ultra-thin glass, but it's still more susceptible to scratches and damage than a traditional smartphone screen. That 4.1-inch, 948 x 1048 AMOLED outer display runs at 120Hz too. Careful treatment is absolutely still a must, but with so many advances in materials and construction you can feel much more confident in making that jump. The Z Flip 7 is noticeably slimmer than the last generation at 0.26 inches when unfolded.
Performance and Features of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
There’s more to the Z Flip 7 than its arresting aesthetic. The collapsible device comes fully loaded. It’s not just a gimmick. The increased usability offered by the bigger cover screen, paired with better software integration, makes this thing far more than a gimmick. This is where the inconvenient truth of performance comes in to make things a bit more complicated.
Processing Power and Speed
The Z Flip 7 has an Exynos 2500 processor. It has 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage on board. While this setup is overall very competent, the Exynos processor in particular has been a sore spot for many users over the years. In some markets, Samsung goes with its own Exynos chips. This makes the Android flagship very different from most other flagship phones that run on Force Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. The Exynos 2500 is a heavyweight CPU. It very likely will falter under heavy workloads, such as gaming or video editing, which will be smoother on a Snapdragon chip. Users will inevitably run into unexpected stutters or slowdowns which can be infuriating for a phone that wears such an extravagant price tag.
Unique Features Compared to Competitors
Despite the potential performance risks, these unique features make it one to watch.
- Larger Cover Screen: The 4.1-inch cover screen is a game-changer, allowing users to respond to notifications, control music, take photos, and even run certain apps without unfolding the phone.
- Flex Mode: This allows the phone to be propped up at various angles, making it ideal for video calls, watching content, or taking hands-free photos.
- Software Enhancements: The Z Flip 7 introduces features like Now Brief and Now Bar, borrowed from the Galaxy S25 series, further enhancing the cover screen's functionality and providing quick access to essential information.
The Z Flip 7 has a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 123-degree FoV, and a 10MP selfie camera with an 85-degree FoV. It will get you through the day easily though, particularly if you do the majority of your work on the cover screen. The device is pledged up to 7 years of OS and security updates.
In practice, that software experience does come with some drawbacks. While Samsung has made strides in optimizing One UI for foldable devices, some apps still don't scale properly or take full advantage of the unique form factor. This puts users in a poor experience with an inconvenient location every time, as needed.
Pricing of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
Worst of all, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at $1,099 / £1,049 / AU$1,799. Samsung is providing up to $770 worth of discounts on preorders if you trade in an existing phone. The cheaper Flip 7 FE costs $699.99.
Cost Analysis
The Z Flip 7 is, make no mistake, a premium device and its cost matches that. But because of its foldable design and advanced technology, it’s a bit more complicated than regular smartphones. Therefore, it has more advanced features and thus a bigger price tag. I know, I know—the investment may seem like a lot at first. But what you get with owning a foldable phone are features that set you apart and a clear supercharged status symbol.
Value for Money – Is It Worth It?
Was the Z Flip 7 worth the price Everything will always come down to what we care most about. If you want something that checks all the boxes in terms of style, portability and a just-different-enough user experience, the Z Flip 7 is a strong contender. The bigger cover screen, thinner and lighter design, and other ground-breaking features combine for a big upgrade from past generations.
Prospective buyers should be mindful of the downsides as well. For most of the last decade, Samsung’s Exynos processor has consistently underperformed compared with the experience on Snapdragon-equipped phones. Finally, users might have to put up with buggy software all the time. Price is another big hurdle considering there are plenty of great, traditional smartphones for less.
Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide:
In the end, the Z Flip 7 is a phone that embraces fun, creativity, and playfulness more than it does raw power and practicality. If you’re willing to take on a few annoyances, the Z Flip 7 might be your ideal new device. It provides a stunning and exclusive concept that we believe will turn heads and leave a lasting impression. If pure performance and bang-for-the-buck is your only concern, then you’re probably better served elsewhere.
- Stylish and compact design
- Larger, more functional cover screen
- Unique foldable experience
- Improved build quality
- Long-term software support
Cons:
- Exynos processor performance may be inconsistent
- Software optimization for foldable devices still needs improvement
- Relatively high price
- Durability concerns compared to traditional smartphones
Ultimately, the Z Flip 7 is a phone that prioritizes fun and innovation over raw power and practicality. If you're willing to accept the potential frustrations in exchange for a truly unique and eye-catching device, the Z Flip 7 might just be the perfect phone for you. However, if you prioritize performance and value for money above all else, there are likely better options available.
