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 section. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 was an excellent system, however 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 fingers, you possibly can see for your self the big distinction. While of course, the modern profile is the most important 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 permits you to use it like an everyday 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 digital camera will get a large improve over the Fold 6, which we’ll break down in our digital camera part. Samsung hasn’t simply stored the surprises restricted to {hardware}, but additionally on the software program facet.

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 remains to be just a few days away on the time of scripting this overview, however we will expertise the most recent 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 must 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 the moment the one smartphone in India that exceeds the Rs. 2 lakh threshold. A feat I wasn’t able to see this 12 months!

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

The Fold 7, very like different premium Samsung telephones, would 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 12 months. The firm has simply resolved the most important 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 truth, it’s lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra (218 grams). Now you possibly can 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 12 months, 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 powerful to open typically – particularly when you’ve gotten sweaty fingers. 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 remedy would have been extra appropriate. A workaround for that is to make use of a case that resolves the problem.

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 duvet 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 parts influence on a regular basis utilization in a great way. You can now use the duvet display of the Fold 7 as an everyday 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 simple to succeed in 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 further cautious when taking it out of my pocket or selecting it up from the desk.

The cowl display on the Fold 7 (on the best) visibly appears to be like greater 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 digital camera 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 going through upwards. For water ingress safety, Samsung has added an IP48 score. Unfortunately, the Fold 7 nonetheless would 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 obtained the Blue Shadow for this overview, and it’s one of probably 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 help

The shows on the Fold 7 have acquired an improve, and that makes the foldable superb to be used as a bar telephone. Starting with the duvet 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, corresponding to a 120Hz refresh charge and HDR10+ help.

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’ve gotten a show as massive as an 8-inch pill. It is a foldable LTPO OLED panel that includes a 120Hz refresh charge, HDR10+ help, 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 help, however 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 shiny sufficient for use underneath direct daylight and supply crisp pictures 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 person has the liberty to decide on the facet ratio and display measurement during which they need to eat media on the Fold 7—a selection that your common system would not supply.

Overall, the shows on the Fold 7 elevate the person expertise, providing a greater facet ratio and display measurement. The high quality, no doubt, is among the many finest I’ve seen on a foldable recently.

Both shows keep dazzlingly seen even in direct daylight

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Camera: Inspired by one of the best

• 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 digital camera – 10-megapixel sensor
• Main – 10-megapixel sensor with f/2.2 aperture
• Video help – 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, 1080p at 120fps

The digital camera division on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will get the most important 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 digital camera is identical as final 12 months, however one essential addition is autofocus help, 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 duvet and inside show. Samsung, nevertheless, selected to stay with fastened focus for some motive.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 options the primary 200-megapixel main digital camera within the Galaxy Z collection

Jumping straight to real-world efficiency, the first digital camera is the Fold 7’s largest power. As I discussed within the efficiency part, the upgrades on the most recent foldable make it a real flagship. The 200-megapixel sensor can take some gorgeous daylight pictures with considerable 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 digital camera. The 2x pictures from the first digital camera are additionally first rate, and we do not see a lot element loss. Even the portrait pictures come out nicely with good topic isolation and quantity of blur—some samples under to your reference.

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

Switching to the telephoto digital camera (3x), the Fold 7 proves to be a succesful shooter, boasting a strong setup for zoom pictures. 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 also be first rate, though the digital zoom is primarily unusable, and you shouldn’t exceed 10x. Like within the pictures under, you possibly can 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 digital camera with autofocus help has been an excellent addition to the Fold 7, one thing I missed on the Fold 6. The dynamic vary is nice, and particulars are first rate. The color accuracy and sharpness are additionally good, and you may verify some samples under. However, the ultrawide sensor is not pretty much as good as the first digital camera, which should not come as a shock.

 

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

For selfies, the Fold 7 gives twin cameras – one on the duvet 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 also be seen within the selfies.

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 indoor digital camera 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, however it nonetheless excels within the foldable class. The particulars drop a bit in pitch-dark situations, whereas color accuracy can also be barely off. Some of the evening samples I clicked got here out as comfortable and had loads of noise. However, the digital camera does justice when there is a mild supply round and it form of nails the body with correct colors, quantity of particulars, higher white steadiness, and managed noise. The telephoto and ultrawide samples in low mild are not so good as the first digital camera, however are usable to your social media uploads.

 

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

This 12 months, Samsung has additionally upped the ante in terms of video high quality. It can file as much as 8K at 30 frames per second (fps) with the first digital camera. It may also file 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 totally different parts within the video. The video high quality is great from the first digital camera.

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

The telephone sports activities a 10-megapixel 100-degree digital camera on the principle show that expands the body

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Performance: Finally, a foldable that appears 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 12 months. Every day duties are dealt with easily, and there aren’t 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 supplied a 16GB RAM choice 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 under, 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, corresponding to for navigation or when the digital camera app is in use. But it by no means reaches some extent the place it turns into too heat to deal with.

The audio system on the Fold 7 aren’t very loud, however are ok to fill a medium-sized room, and the readability is there. Calls on the telephone are first rate, with no name drops as a result of community points or the handset’s incapacity 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 cell community in areas with restricted connectivity, corresponding 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 facet ratio, the Fold 7’s cowl display can be utilized as an everyday telephone, and I had a good time typing lengthy emails, texts, and even doing a little mild picture modifying on apps like Canva. In the actual world, the Fold 7 is mild years forward of the Fold 6, which was powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Jumping to the software program facet, 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 on the whole, the One UI 8 would not carry ground-breaking adjustments, as One UI 7 final 12 months already launched large upgrades.

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

Much like Android 16, which focuses on enhancing the under-the-hood features of the UI, One UI 8 additionally brings minor adjustments, together with an improved split-screen multitasking function (90:10 from the sooner 70:30 cut up). The Now Bar and Now Brief are half of One UI 8 and will likely be rolled out to all appropriate units. The Now transient 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 also take your to-do lists and drop you reminders on time. The Quick Share has additionally acquired some upgrades, making it simple to share information 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 may be the standard 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 digital camera app additionally receives useful additions that allow you to swipe up or down to modify between rear and entrance cameras. The default shopping 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 principle show has been redesigned to be thinner, lighter, but stronger

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Battery: Same previous, usual

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

If there may be one division that utterly missed the improve cycle on the Fold 7, it must be the battery. The telephone packs the identical 4,400mAh battery, which, on paper, seems to be on the decrease facet when in comparison with new-age flagships launched this 12 months. The charging velocity 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 popular a barely higher battery backup. The good factor is that Samsung now gives a spread 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 facet, and I want Samsung might have acknowledged this subject.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Verdict

This 12 months, 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 superbly crafted, modern physique that may flip heads. It incorporates a top-tier processor that ensures uncompromising efficiency, after which there is a large digital camera improve that brings one of the best from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The One UI 8, based mostly on Android 16 with 7 years of software program help, is one of the best you will get on any Android system for the time being. 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 just a few ache factors, such because the charging velocity now feeling dated, and I want Samsung had acknowledged it this 12 months. The battery efficiency is not one thing that units a benchmark, and with the lacking S Pen help, the Fold loses its attraction 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 needs a non-folding system. The Vivo X Fold 5 is the closest rival within the book-style folding section. In the approaching days, we will anticipate the brand new Pixel Fold from Google to affix the foldables league.