Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: A New Era of Foldables for 2025

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is Samsung’s latest flagship foldable phone, bringing significant upgrades in design, display, performance, and camera that aim to close the gap with rival foldables. In this blog post, we’ll dive into every major aspect – from its super-slim build and expansive displays to its powerhouse hardware, software enhancements, and how it compares against previous Z Fold models and competitors like Google’s Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of whether the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the right upgrade for you as a SAMRD Mobile user.

Design & Build: Thinner, Lighter, and Stronger

The Galaxy Z Fold 7’s ultra-slim profile when folded makes it the thinnest book-style foldable yet. The most striking change in the Z Fold 7 is its dramatically reduced thickness and weight. When closed it measures just 8.9 mm thick, a huge drop from the 12.1 mm of the Z Fold 6. Unfolded, it’s only 4.2 mm thin, approaching tablet-level slimness. This sleek profile comes with a weight of just 215 g, making the Fold 7 the lightest book-style foldable ever released (about 10% lighter than its predecessor). In fact, it’s lighter than even Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra slab phone. The reduced heft and thickness make a noticeable difference in hand – this is a foldable that finally feels comfortable to carry and pocket, addressing the “chunky” feel of earlier generations.

Despite going thin, Samsung has enhanced the build materials for durability. The Z Fold 7 uses a new Armor FlexHinge with a multi-rail design that not only enables the slimmer profile but also improves strength and reduces the visible crease on the inner screen. The frame is made from Samsung’s strongest Armor Aluminum to date, and the exterior is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front cover display. Samsung claims a 10% increase in overall frame strength. While the phone still lacks dust resistance (no foldable yet has full dust-proofing), it retains an IPX8 water-resistance rating like previous Folds – meaning it can survive submersion in water, an area where many rival foldables (like the OnePlus Open with only an IPX4 splash rating) fall short. Four color options are available this year – Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Jet Black, and Mint – with the latter two being Samsung online exclusives.

Overall, the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s design is a major refinement. It finally achieves a modern, streamlined look that no longer feels like a bulky prototype. As one early hands-on review put it, “this is the Galaxy Fold that foldable fans have been waiting to see from Samsung”. Samsung has focused on “thin and light” – even choosing to drop some features (more on that later) to hit these marks. The result is a foldable that is sleeker yet sturdier, with a hinge that closes fully flat and a footprint matching or beating the slimness of the best Chinese foldables out now. If you found the Z Fold 5 or 6 too unwieldy, the Fold 7’s design changes will be a breath of fresh air.

Displays: Bigger, Brighter, and More Usable

Samsung has also upgraded the Z Fold’s displays in meaningful ways. Both the cover and inner folding screen are larger than before, and crucially, the cover screen is now much easier to use on the go.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7’s enlarged 6.5-inch cover screen has a more conventional 21:9 aspect ratio, making it far more usable one-handed than previous models. The external Cover Display now measures 6.5 inches (up from 6.2″ on the Fold 5) with a 21:9 aspect ratio. This means the cover screen is wider and less cramped than the tall, narrow screens on earlier Folds. In practice, it feels like using a normal smartphone when the device is closed – no more awkward, squished keyboard when typing out messages. The resolution is 1080×2520, and it’s a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung has also used Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on this display for improved toughness and crack resistance.

The foldable Inner Display expands to 8.0 inches (from 7.6″ on the Fold 5/6), giving you even more real estate when the device is unfolded. This tablet-sized canvas (1968×2184 resolution, ~QXGA+) is great for multitasking, gaming, and media. It’s an AMOLED 2X screen with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and now features peak brightness up to 2,600 nits for improved outdoor visibility. This is a huge jump from the Fold 5’s 1,750 nits max brightness, and even brighter than many traditional flagships, ensuring the Fold 7 is easy to view in sunlight. Contrast and colors remain rich and vibrant, with support for HDR10+ content.

Samsung addressed one long-standing issue: the crease where the screen folds. Thanks to a redesigned hinge and a 50% thicker ultra-thin glass layer under the display, the crease on the Fold 7 is shallower and less visible than before. It’s still there (all current foldables have some crease), but early hands-on reports say it’s “definitely less prominent… among the best I’ve seen on a foldable to date” – nearly on par with competitors like Oppo’s Find series which have minimal creases. In other words, it’s much less distracting when you’re viewing content or swiping across the middle.

Another change is the inner selfie camera design. Previous Fold generations hid the inner camera under the display (a 4MP under-display camera), which kept the screen continuous but resulted in very soft, sub-par selfies. Samsung has reversed course on the Fold 7: the 4MP under-display camera has been replaced with a tiny 10MP punch-hole camera on the main screen. You do see a small hole now, but it virtually disappears when you’re focused on content (much like on any phone). In return, you get a sharper front camera for video calls and selfies. As Tom’s Guide notes, this trade-off is worth it – the punch-hole “is overall better for the phone, even if a few users won’t like the new hole… the difference it makes to photography is significant”. The inner selfie shooter also has a wider field of view (now 100°) to fit more into frame, great for group video chats.

Bottom line: the Fold 7’s displays are its best yet – bigger and brighter, with the cover display finally achieving a practical width and the inner display delivering an immersive mini-tablet experience. Whether you’re using it closed as a regular phone or open for productivity and entertainment, the experience is more seamless. The improvements here directly address user feedback: no more “typing on a TV remote” feeling on the cover screen, and a much improved view inside without a distracting camera blotch or pronounced crease. Samsung has managed this while also boosting durability on the folding panel – a welcome bonus for longevity.

Hardware Performance: A True Flagship Powerhouse

Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 gets a serious upgrade with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 “Elite” chipset for Galaxy. This is a custom-tuned high-end SoC (5G chipset) built on a 3nm process, similar to the chip in the Galaxy S25 series, and currently the most powerful processor available for Android phones. Samsung worked with Qualcomm to optimize this “Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy” for better on-device AI performance and efficiency. Compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in last year’s Fold 6, the new chip offers “a performance boost of 41% in NPU, 38% in CPU, and 26% in GPU”. In everyday terms, everything on the Fold 7 feels blazing fast – from launching apps and running multitasking in split-screen to playing high-end games.

The Fold 7 comes with 12GB of RAM on the 256GB and 512GB storage models, and a whopping 16GB RAM on the top 1TB version. That extra memory (a first for the Fold series) is great for power users who keep lots of apps or browser tabs open. Even with 12GB, the Fold 7 is extremely capable at juggling tasks – mobile reviewers report “excellent performance” and note that it handles gaming and multi-app productivity without breaking a sweat. For storage, you can choose 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB (UFS fast storage), though like other recent flagships, there’s no microSD card slot for expansion. Given the focus on productivity and large media files, the lack of expandable storage means you should pick a capacity that will last you long-term.

On the connectivity front, the Z Fold 7 has all the modern trimmings: 5G support, Wi-Fi 6E/6 (with hardware capable of Wi-Fi 7, though not officially advertised yet), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and USB-C for charging and data. Like its predecessors, it supports dual SIM (eSIM + nano SIM configurations in most regions). Biometric security is provided by a fast side-mounted fingerprint scanner (embedded in the power button) and face unlock via the front camera.

In short, the Fold 7 packs top-tier flagship performance. It’s on par with – or in some cases even beyond – the fastest smartphones on the market in 2025. Only Apple’s latest A-series chips hold an edge in certain benchmarks, but in real-world use the Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers more than enough power for any task. Whether you’re editing photos on the big screen, streaming high-resolution videos, or running multiple apps side by side, the Fold 7 handles it all with ease. This is a significant step up from the Fold 5’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and even a nice bump over the Gen 3 in the Fold 6, ensuring a smoother experience and a bit more future-proofing.

Software Experience & Productivity Features

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 runs One UI 8 out of the box, which is Samsung’s latest Android interface (based on Android 16). Samsung’s software is tailored to take advantage of the foldable’s large screens and new hardware capabilities, with a strong emphasis on AI features and multitasking enhancements this generation.

One of the headline additions is Samsung’s new AI assistant platform integrated into One UI 8, referred to as “Gemini.” This is a multimodal AI that you can interact with via text or voice and even images. For example, Gemini Live can be summoned (by voice or a double-press of the power button) and you can ask it questions about whatever is on your screen or whatever you point the camera at. This means you could have a document open and ask Gemini to summarize it, or point the camera at a product and ask for more info – and the AI will understand the context (visual and textual) to give a helpful response. It’s like an on-demand smart assistant woven throughout the OS. Impressively, results can be shown in a split-screen or floating window over your other apps, so you can keep working while the AI provides answers. Samsung demonstrated use-cases like getting gaming tips via Circle to Search (an AI tool that can overlay strategy tips while you play) and real-time language translation of on-screen content. This deep AI integration is a big part of One UI 8’s value-add, and it’s optimized for the Fold’s big display – reviewers noted how you can freely move AI chat windows around or snap a “before and after” view when using AI photo edits, which makes these features far more useful on a tablet-like screen.

Multitasking on the Fold 7 is as flexible as ever. You can run up to three apps in split-screen (side by side or top and bottom) and even add a fourth app in a floating pop-up window. One UI provides a PC-like taskbar at the bottom for quickly launching or switching apps in multi-window mode. Drag-and-drop between apps (e.g. dragging a photo from the Gallery to an open email) is supported, making good use of the screen real estate. Samsung’s continuity feature means if you start an app on the cover screen and then open the Fold, the app seamlessly expands to the big screen (and vice versa, if you close it, apps can continue on the outside). All these existed before, but One UI 8 refines them and, combined with the faster hardware, makes multi-app use feel even smoother. In testing, running several apps at once **“works brilliantly, without taking a major toll on battery life”*.

That said, there’s always room for improvement in multitasking. Some competitors like OnePlus have introduced innovative multitasking layouts – for instance, the OnePlus Open’s “Open Canvas” feature lets you open apps in resizable windows and arrange them more freely. A reviewer pointed out that One UI’s split-screen approach can feel a bit cramped with three apps, and that OnePlus’s system (with larger floating windows and easy swapping) is a more efficient use of screen space in some cases. Samsung does offer the DeX mode, which is a desktop-style interface (with freeform windows) when you connect the Fold 7 to a monitor or TV. DeX isn’t used on the phone display itself, but it’s great for turning your Fold 7 into a desktop PC replacement when paired with a screen and keyboard.

A crucial point for productivity-minded users: Samsung has dropped S Pen support on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Earlier Z Folds (from the Fold 3 onward) supported an optional S Pen stylus for writing on the inner screen, but with the Fold 7, there is no S Pen capability at all – the screen digitizer for stylus input was removed to achieve the new thin design. Samsung’s mobile chief explained that this was a tough trade-off made to shave millimeters and grams off the device. The company is researching thinner S Pen tech and hints that stylus support could return in the future if they can integrate it without bulk. For now, though, Fold 7 users lose the ability to sketch or jot notes on the screen with a pen. If you were a heavy S Pen user on the Fold 5/6, this might be disappointing – you’ll have to decide if a lighter, slimmer phone is worth giving up the stylus. Some commentators actually see a silver lining, noting that relatively few Fold owners used the pen regularly, and the absence simplifies the device (no need for a special soft-tip pen or case to carry it). Still, for productivity purists or artists, this is a notable omission.

Beyond the headline features, One UI 8 on the Fold 7 includes all the familiar Samsung extras: a robust multi-column settings UI, enhanced stock apps for large screens, and support for Flex Mode (which gives tailored controls when the phone is semi-folded like a mini laptop). For example, you can prop the Fold 7 halfway open on a table to do a video call on the top half of the screen while controls sit on the bottom half. Samsung has also ensured a good ecosystem of third-party app support – apps like Microsoft Office, Google Meet/YouTube, and many others are optimized for the Fold’s screen sizes. And if any app isn’t using the whole screen, One UI lets you force aspect ratio adjustments or window it. The overall software experience is polished and geared towards maximizing productivity and entertainment on a foldable. It’s clear Samsung’s years of iterating on foldable software have paid off; everything from multitasking to the new AI tricks feel well-integrated rather than gimmicky.

Camera Capabilities: Ultra-Premium Main Camera, Improved Selfies

One of the most exciting upgrades in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is its camera system – for the first time, Samsung has equipped a Fold with a flagship-grade main camera sensor on par with its S-series Ultra phones. The Fold 7’s rear camera setup is a triple-lens system: a 200MP wide-angle main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto (3× optical zoom). This is a huge jump from the 50MP main shooter that the Fold 5 and 6 used. In fact, it’s the same 200MP sensor from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, meaning the Fold 7 should no longer feel like it’s compromising on camera hardware. The 200MP camera has an f/1.7 aperture and supports pixel-binning (combining pixels for a ~12MP high-detail shot or 50MP mode) and it enables a form of lossless zoom: you can take a crisp 2× zoom photo by cropping into the large sensor, without the quality loss you’d get from a smaller sensor. Samsung touts that this sensor captures 4× more detail and 44% brighter images than the Fold 6’s camera in challenging conditions – a bold claim we’ll see play out in real-world tests, but it’s clear that low-light and overall imaging should see a substantial improvement.

The supporting cameras are similar to before: a 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° field of view) for scenic shots or tight spaces, and a 10MP telephoto (f/2.4) with 3× optical zoom for portraits and zoomed-in shots. While these haven’t changed in hardware, the new Snapdragon chipset’s ISP and Samsung’s updated algorithms should yield better results (Samsung mentions a next-gen ProVisual Engine that processes images faster and reduces noise/motion blur). One downside: the Fold 7 still maxes out at 3× optical zoom, whereas some competitors (and Samsung’s own S Ultra phones) offer 5× or 10× periscope zooms. For example, Google’s Pixel Fold (2023) and Pixel 9 Pro Fold (2024) have a 5× telephoto lens (around 10.8MP), which means they can optically zoom further with better detail. So serious zoom enthusiasts might note that the Fold 7 can’t reach as far natively – though the 200MP sensor helps narrow the gap via high-res cropping for intermediate zoom levels (Samsung says 2× shots from the main cam are effectively lossless).

The front-facing cameras on the Fold 7 consist of a 10MP cover camera (in the punch-hole of the outer screen) and a 10MP interior camera (in the inner screen’s punch-hole). The cover camera is similar to past models – handy for quick selfies or video chats when using the phone closed. The inner camera, as discussed, is a big improvement simply by virtue of being a normal camera now instead of the under-display 4MP. It’s still not likely to be as good as the cover camera (the inner lens is smaller), but initial tests show it’s much sharper than the old 4MP one. Its wider 100° field of view makes it great for group selfies or showing more background in a video call. If you’re someone who uses the huge inner screen as a sort of mini laptop for Zoom/Teams calls, this new 10MP camera will make you look clearer than before (with the trade-off of a tiny black dot on your screen).

Samsung has also packed in a bunch of smart camera software features. The Fold 7 gets the latest AI-powered photography tricks from Samsung’s lineup. For instance, there’s an “Night Video” mode that uses intelligent motion detection to reduce noise and blur when shooting videos in low light. The Generative AI Photo Editing suite introduced on recent Galaxy phones is here too: features like “Photo Remaster” and “Generative Fill/Erase” can use AI to touch up your shots. The Fold 7 specifically adds Suggested Erases in the Editor, which will automatically detect distractions (like strangers in the background) and suggest removing them with a tap. Samsung’s Portrait Studio mode can enhance portraits (including pet photos) with AI, and a Refine Photo feature uses generative AI for things like expanding backgrounds if you took a photo that’s too tightly cropped. All these edits are easier to do on the Fold’s big screen – you can even view before-and-after versions side by side as mentioned earlier, which is a huge benefit of doing photo editing on a foldable.

In terms of image quality, we’ll have to wait for full reviews to see how the Fold 7 stacks up. But on paper, it “has the essence of Ultra” in the camera department, essentially matching the flagship Galaxy S-series in the main camera. That should translate to excellent shots in most conditions. Early impressions are positive – the 200MP sensor is expected to deliver “significantly sharper, more detailed photos in pretty much all conditions” compared to the Fold 6. The Fold series’ Achilles heel was always that its cameras, while good, lagged behind the very best phones. With the Fold 7, that gap has closed considerably.

Comparisons: Versus the Google Pixel Fold, Samsung has leapt ahead in the main camera spec (200MP vs 48MP), but Google still offers that 5× zoom advantage and Google’s famed computational photography, especially in low light. The original Pixel Fold’s camera was praised for its quality and zoom, though its hardware was essentially Pixel 7 Pro-level. Samsung’s processing has improved, and now with a cutting-edge sensor, the Fold 7 may well outgun the Pixel in detail and perhaps even night mode, but Google’s consistency and image processing magic are hard to beat. As for the OnePlus Open, it sports a strong camera trio (48MP main, 64MP 3× tele, 48MP ultra-wide) co-developed with Hasselblad. The Open’s main camera is great in daylight, but it struggled in low light and its color tuning wasn’t as refined as Samsung/Google, according to reviews. The Fold 7 likely now has the edge in overall camera performance (and it gains an advantage of OIS on the main and telephoto, plus Samsung’s superior night mode algorithms). OnePlus did not include a periscope lens either (just 3× zoom), so aside from higher megapixels on paper, the Open’s telephoto doesn’t actually reach farther optically than the Fold 7’s. All told, Samsung finally “made a Fold with cameras worthy of a $2,000 phone” – a critical factor for many considering such a premium device.

Another perk of using the Fold for photography: you can use the rear cameras to take selfies by previewing with the cover screen. The large inner display can also act as a huge viewfinder or an editing workstation for your photos and videos. These usage modes existed before, but with the Fold 7’s better cameras and bigger screens, they’re more compelling than ever. If camera capability was a reason you held back on previous Folds, the Z Fold 7 makes a strong case to change that.

Battery Life & Charging: Adequate, But Room for Improvement

One aspect that did not see a major upgrade in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the battery and charging department. The Fold 7 carries over the same 4,400 mAh dual battery (split into two cells) that the Fold 5 and 6 had. Samsung decided against increasing capacity, likely to keep the device slim and light – in fact, Samsung explicitly said user research showed buyers prioritized the slimmer build and bigger screen over a larger battery, hence the trade-off. While it’s a bit disappointing not to see a bump in mAh, Samsung claims software and efficiency optimizations give the Fold 7 slightly better endurance. They estimate up to 24 hours of usage on a charge, compared to about 23 hours on the Fold 6 in similar tests. The new 3nm chip should indeed be more power-efficient, and One UI 8 likely has some smarter battery management aided by AI.

In real-world use, early testers report the Fold 7 can last a full day of moderate use (which typically means from morning till bedtime with mixed usage). That’s on par with the Fold 6 – decent for a big foldable, but not exceptional. The large internal screen can drain the battery quickly if you’re doing power-intensive tasks (like gaming or hours of YouTube). So heavy users might still need a top-up in the evening. It’s worth noting that competing foldables have started to push battery capacity higher: Google’s Pixel Fold packed 4,821 mAh, and some newer large foldables like the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo/OPPO models approach 5,000–5,500 mAh. In fact, the Honor Magic V5 and Oppo Find N5 use new silicon-carbon battery tech to reach almost 6,000 mAh in a similar form factor. By those standards, Samsung is behind, and it shows in battery longevity comparisons – last year the Fold 6 actually scored worse on web browsing battery tests than the OnePlus Open, Pixel Fold, and others. The Fold 7 might gain back some ground with efficiency, but physics is physics: a 4,400 mAh cell powering two large screens is only going to last so long. If all-day heavy use or multi-day battery life is what you need, today’s Fold still won’t be the champ in that arena.

As for charging speed, Samsung sticks with the status quo: the Galaxy Z Fold 7 supports 25W fast wired charging, which can charge 0–50% in around 30 minutes, and about 80–100 minutes for a full charge. This is unchanged from the past few generations and is notably slower than many competitors (and far behind Chinese brands). For instance, the OnePlus Open can charge at 67W, filling its battery much faster (almost full in ~42 minutes). Google’s Pixel Fold was only slightly faster than Samsung at 30W, but many new foldables from Xiaomi, Vivo, etc., boast 50W+ charging. On the wireless front, the Fold 7 also remains the same: 15W wireless charging (Qi-compatible) and 4.5W reverse wireless to trickle charge earbuds or a watch on the phone’s back. There’s no upgrade to 15W+ reverse charging or anything fancy like that. It gets the job done, but again, it’s not leading any spec sheets.

One silver lining is that the efficiency improvements might make the existing battery perform a bit better. If you’re coming from a Fold 5, the battery life on Fold 7 should last a touch longer under the same use, thanks to the new chip. And Samsung’s power-saving modes can extend use time in a pinch (like dropping refresh rate, lowering brightness, etc.). Still, it’s fair to say that battery life remains one of the Z Fold 7’s weaker points relative to its other cutting-edge features. It’s not poor – you should generally get a full day – but it’s a compromise area. As one reviewer put it, “the battery still has the same capacity introduced four years ago… with rivals fitting close to 6,000 mAh, there’s a lot of space for Samsung to grow into”. If you prioritize a long-lasting foldable, you might envy those bigger batteries. Otherwise, just be mindful that the Fold 7 is a device you’ll be charging every night, and it won’t top up as quickly as some competing devices if you’re in a hurry.

Comparison with Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 6 – Is It Worth the Upgrade?

If you’re a current Galaxy Fold user (Fold 5 or earlier), the Z Fold 7 represents the biggest generational leap in the Fold series in a long time. Samsung has addressed many of the incremental complaints that remained after the Fold 5 and 6. Let’s summarize the key differences:

• Design & Dimensions: The Fold 7 is significantly thinner and lighter than both the Fold 5 and Fold 6. It’s 8.9 mm folded vs 13.4 mm on Fold 5 (and 12.1 mm on Fold 6) – a dramatic reduction in thickness. Weight drops to 215 g from 253 g (Fold 5) and ~239 g (Fold 6). It feels much less bulky in hand or pocket.
• Displays: Fold 7’s screens are larger: 6.5″ outer and 8.0″ inner, compared to 6.2″ and 7.6″ on the Fold 5/6. Importantly, the cover screen’s aspect ratio is 21:9 now (vs the tight 23.1:9 on Fold 5), making it far more usable. Brightness is way up – 2,600 nits peak vs 1,750 nits on Fold 5. Plus the inner display crease is less pronounced thanks to the new hinge design.
• Performance: The Z Fold 7 uses the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) chipset and up to 16GB RAM, versus the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) on Fold 5 (and Gen 3 on Fold 6) which had max 12GB RAM. The new chip brings around 20–30% faster performance across CPU/GPU and big AI gains, so everything feels snappier.
• Camera: Huge jump – 200MP main camera on Fold 7 vs the 50MP main used on Fold 5 and 6. The ultra-wide (12MP) and telephoto (10MP 3×) are similar hardware, but the new main sensor elevates overall photo quality. Also, the inner selfie is 10MP now (punch-hole) instead of that 4MP under-display on Fold 5/6. This greatly improves video call and selfie quality on the big screen (at the expense of a visible lens). If camera performance was a reason you held onto your Fold 5, the Fold 7’s upgrade is very meaningful.
• Battery & Charging: No change in capacity (4,400 mAh) or speeds (25W/15W) across these generations. Fold 7 is more efficient, but fundamentally battery life will feel similar to Fold 5 and 6. No big wins here.
• S Pen Support: Here’s a negative change – the Fold 7 dropped S Pen support that the Fold 5 and 6 had. Neither older model had a built-in pen silo, but they worked with the special Fold Edition S Pen as an accessory. Fold 7 does not support any stylus input. So if you love using the pen on your Fold, be aware the new model won’t let you do that (Samsung chose thinness over this feature).
• Software: Fold 7 launches with One UI 8 (Android 16) whereas Fold 5 started on Android 13 (One UI 5.1.1) and Fold 6 on Android 14 (One UI 6/7). Fold 7 brings new AI features (Gemini, etc.) and some multitasking refinements that the older models don’t have yet. However, Samsung tends to update previous gen phones, so Fold 6 may get some of the new software features in time (except those dependent on the new chipset).

Below is a quick spec comparison table:

Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Z Fold 6 vs Z Fold 5: Key Specs

As the table and previous discussion show, the Z Fold 7 brings substantial improvements in design, displays, performance, and camera over the Fold 5 and 6. The only regressions are the lack of S Pen support and the higher price (we’ll discuss pricing next). If you have a Galaxy Z Fold 5, you likely skipped the Fold 6 because it was a pretty minor refresh. The Fold 7, however, “might be the real refinement we’ve been waiting for”, finally delivering a Fold that feels sleek and modern. The combination of being much slimmer/lighter and having a wider cover screen and better cameras cannot be understated – these affect everyday usage a lot. The phone simply feels more practical and less compromised.

For Fold 6 owners, the calculus is a bit tougher since you already have some of the benefits like a flatter design and good performance. But even then, the Fold 7’s 200MP camera and slimmer build are big changes in just one year. Many early Fold 6 vs Fold 7 comparisons conclude that Samsung “finally nailed it” with the Fold 7 design, implying the Fold 6 was still an iterative step. If you value the camera upgrade or were annoyed by the Fold 6’s heft, the Fold 7 will be very tempting. Just remember you’ll lose using the S Pen. If that’s not important to you, the Fold 7 is arguably the first Fold that truly has no major compromises left, aside from battery life.

How Does It Stack Up Against Google Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open?

Samsung may have pioneered mainstream foldables, but devices like Google’s Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open have shown there’s strong competition. Here’s a look at how the Galaxy Z Fold 7 compares to these two key rivals in the foldable arena:

Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Google Pixel Fold (and Pixel 9 Pro Fold): Google took a different design approach with its Pixel Fold. The Pixel Fold (2023) is shorter and wider when folded – it has a 5.8″ outer display that’s quite wide (because the phone is only ~140 mm tall). This made the Pixel Fold’s cover screen very comfortable for one-handed use (no keyboard crampedness at all), which was a big pro. Samsung has now closed that gap by widening the Fold 7’s cover screen to a 21:9 aspect, though the Fold 7 is still taller and narrower than the Pixel when closed. The inner screen on the Pixel Fold is 7.6″ (aspect closer to 6:5), so a bit smaller than Fold 7’s 8.0″. Pixel’s internal display also had fairly large bezels top and bottom (housing a camera), whereas Samsung’s is nearly all-screen with a tiny camera hole. In terms of display quality and smoothness, both are 120Hz OLEDs; Samsung’s are brighter (2600 nits vs Pixel’s ~1450 nits peak).

When it comes to build, the Pixel Fold is actually heavier and thicker than Samsung’s latest. Pixel Fold weighs 283 g and is ~12.1 mm thick folded (with no gap). Samsung has it beat at 215 g, 8.9 mm – a huge difference. Pixel’s hinge design does allow it to close flat as well (no wedge gap), but Pixel prioritized a robust camera bar and thicker chassis that ended up adding weight. The Fold 7’s engineering is more refined in this regard; it’s noticeably more compact in hand than the Pixel Fold. The upcoming Pixel 9 Pro Fold (2024) slimmed things slightly and improved durability (it was released in late 2024 with presumably a similar size but we don’t have exact weight handy), but it’s safe to say Samsung currently holds the advantage in sleekness and materials (IPX8 water resistance on both – Google matched that – but Samsung’s hinge and armor aluminum build are top-notch).

Performance and software: Google’s Pixel Fold ran on the Tensor G2 chip (same as Pixel 7/7 Pro), which is significantly weaker in CPU/GPU than the Snapdragon in Samsung’s foldables. The Fold 7 simply blows past the Pixel in raw performance and graphics – for example, one comparison showed the Pixel Fold’s Tensor scored around 3,291 in multi-core Geekbench vs over 4,200 on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 foldable like the OnePlus Open, and the Fold 7’s Snapdragon 8 Elite is even faster. That said, Google’s strengths lie in software. The Pixel Fold offers a pure Android experience with some Pixel-exclusive features and arguably more apps optimized for split-screen (Google ensured many of its own apps and third-parties worked great on the Fold). It also introduced neat tricks like using the rear camera for selfies with the outer screen as a viewfinder, which Samsung can also do. Where Pixel really shines is camera software and AI photo capabilities – things like Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser, and superb Night Sight low-light photos. Samsung has introduced its versions of these (Erase Suggestions, etc.), so the gap is narrowing. Both have a heavy AI focus (Google Assistant vs Samsung’s new Gemini, etc.).

One area Pixel had an edge was price – the Pixel Fold launched at $1,799 for 256GB, which is $200 less than Samsung’s new $1,999 price. And often the Pixel Fold has been on sale for ~$1,500–1,600. However, the Pixel Fold is also a first-gen product and had some early issues (reports of screen durability problems, etc., which Google worked on for the Pixel 9 Fold). Samsung’s Fold is on its 5th generation hardware (even though named 7), so it’s a more mature device. Overall, the Fold 7 now likely overtakes the Pixel Fold in most areas: it’s much thinner and lighter, more powerful, with a bigger inner screen and arguably better main camera hardware. Pixel wins if you value a wider phone format when closed or Google’s camera/AI software prowess. It’s also a bit cheaper and has no crease advantage (Pixel’s crease was already quite subtle). Both have water resistance, but Samsung’s build quality and longevity track record might instill more confidence for a device this expensive.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs OnePlus Open: The OnePlus Open (late 2023) was one of the most acclaimed alternative foldables, often mentioned as a strong challenger to Samsung. OnePlus (in partnership with Oppo) designed the Open with a focus on being thin, light, and fast, and in many ways it forced Samsung to up its game. The Open came in at 239 g and ~11.7 mm thick folded – notably lighter and thinner than Samsung’s Fold 5 at the time. Now, the Fold 7 undercuts the Open at 215 g, 8.9 mm, reclaiming the title of slimmest/lightest foldable phone. The Open has a 7.8″ inner display and 6.3″ outer display. Interestingly, its outer screen was already a more standard 20:9 ratio, so Samsung basically matched that idea with a 21:9 outer screen. The inner screens are close in size (8.0 vs 7.8 inches), both 120Hz. The Open’s build used a lot of premium materials (even a ceramic screen coating, and a sturdy hinge) but it only has IPX4 splash resistance (no full water proofing). Samsung’s IPX8 ability to survive dunks is a significant advantage for peace of mind.

In performance, the OnePlus Open runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 16GB RAM. That’s last year’s chip – still very powerful – but the Fold 7’s Snapdragon 8 Elite edges it out in CPU/GPU and especially AI tasks. Both phones are extremely capable, and day-to-day you won’t see much lag on either. OnePlus’s software (OxygenOS) is quite optimized for multitasking – as noted, it has a different approach with Open Canvas allowing apps in hovering windows and a desktop-like layout. Some users and reviewers actually prefer OnePlus’s multitasking implementation, calling it “smarter” than Samsung’s split-screen approach in certain scenarios. So in terms of productivity UI, the Open arguably innovated a bit more. However, Samsung’s One UI is very refined and has features like DeX and a longer update policy. OnePlus promised good support, but Samsung typically offers more years of updates.

Camera comparison: The OnePlus Open features a triple camera system co-developed with Hasselblad: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP 3× telephoto. On paper, the Fold 7’s 200MP main should capture more detail and better low-light than the Open’s 48MP sensor. OnePlus’s ultrawide is high-res 48MP, but in practice 12MP vs 48MP ultrawide usually isn’t a huge difference except in resolution. The telephoto is interesting – OnePlus went with a 64MP 3× zoom, which helps it do up to 6× hybrid zoom pretty well, but it’s not optically longer zoom than Samsung’s 10MP 3×. Notably, the Pixel Fold’s 5× zoom beats both in reach. In reviews, the Open’s cameras were very good, but it fell short of Samsung/Google in low-light processing and color tuning. Samsung’s Fold 7 likely produces more vibrant and arguably more reliable results across scenarios, and has the benefit of that Ultra-series sensor. OnePlus had no under-display camera shenanigans – it has a sharp 20MP inner selfie camera and 32MP outer selfie, which actually gave it an edge for selfie quality (both far higher resolution than Samsung’s 10MP cameras). However, with the Fold 7’s improved inner camera (10MP vs Open’s 20MP, but at least not 4MP anymore), the gap is closer for inner selfies, though OnePlus still wins on raw specs there.

Battery and charging: OnePlus Open has a 4,805 mAh battery with 67W fast charging (full charge in under 45 minutes). It lacks wireless charging entirely (probably to save space/weight). Samsung’s Fold 7, as discussed, 4,400 mAh, 25W charging, but it does have wireless charging. So OnePlus gives you faster wired charging and longer battery life (it easily lasts through a day, even heavy use), while Samsung gives you the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging. If you value quick top-ups, the Open is superior; if you often use wireless pads or PowerShare to charge accessories, Samsung wins there.

Price: The OnePlus Open launched at $1,699 (512GB) – that’s $300 less than the Fold 7’s starting price. OnePlus even ran aggressive trade-in deals (like $200 credit for any old phone) bringing it effectively to ~$1,499. This undercut Samsung significantly and was a big selling point. Samsung, for its part, often provides trade-in offers (pre-order Fold 7 and get double storage, plus up to $1000 off with trade-in), which can mitigate the price difference if you have a device to swap. Still, purely on MSRP, OnePlus is more affordable for a foldable with high-end specs. Google’s Pixel Fold also started cheaper at $1,799, and the newer Pixel 9 Pro Fold launched around £1,749 in the UK (approx ~$1,999). So Samsung is at the top of the price range here.

In summary, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs competitors:

• Vs Pixel Fold: The Fold 7 is much slimmer & lighter, with a larger inner screen and far more horsepower. It now has a camera system nearly on par or better (except for telephoto zoom range). Pixel offers a different form factor (wider phone when closed), Pixel’s renowned camera processing, and possibly a cleaner UI for some. But it’s a first-gen device (or second-gen if considering Pixel 9 Fold) and not as refined hardware-wise. Samsung’s reliability, water resistance, and polish give it an edge for most users, albeit at a higher price.
• Vs OnePlus Open: The Fold 7 essentially catches up or surpasses the Open in design by being even thinner and lighter, while also offering water resistance. The Open still has a larger battery and faster charging, and an arguably more flexible multitasking UI. Samsung counters with wireless charging, a likely better camera experience overall, and longer software support. The Open’s lower price is a big plus for value-conscious buyers – it delivers 90% of the experience at a cheaper cost. But the Fold 7 delivers the absolute cutting-edge (chipset, display brightness, materials). Also, OnePlus’s first-gen foldable might not match Samsung’s proven durability (OnePlus did a great job, but Samsung has iterated this hinge for years).

Here’s a quick spec matchup of the three:

Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Pixel Fold vs OnePlus Open

Galaxy Z Fold 7 Google Pixel Fold OnePlus Open Price (USD at launch) $1,999 (256GB) $1,799 (256GB) $1,699 (512GB) Folded Size (HxW×D) 158.4×72.8×8.9 mm 139.7×79.5×12.1 mm 152.9×73.3×11.7 mm (approx) Weight 215 g 283 g 239 g Outer Display 6.5″ AMOLED 120Hz (21:9) 5.8″ OLED 120Hz (17.4:9) 6.3″ OLED 120Hz (~20:9) Inner Display 8.0″ AMOLED 120Hz, 2600 nits 7.6″ OLED 120Hz, ~1450 nits 7.82″ OLED 120Hz Chipset Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) Google Tensor G2 (5nm) Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) RAM 12 GB / 16 GB 12 GB 16 GB Storage (base/max) 256GB / 1TB 256GB / 512GB 512GB (base, no microSD) Rear Cameras 200MP main; 12MP ultra-wide; 10MP 3× tele 48MP main; 10.8MP ultra-wide; 10.8MP 5× tele 48MP main; 48MP ultra-wide; 64MP 3× tele Front Cameras 10MP cover; 10MP inner (punch-hole) 9.5MP cover; 8MP inner (bezels) 32MP cover; 20MP inner (punch-hole) Battery 4,400 mAh 4,821 mAh 4,805 mAh Charging 25W wired; 15W wireless; 4.5W reverse 30W wired; 7.5W wireless 67W wired; No wireless Water Resistance IPX8 (waterproof up to 1.5m) IPX8 IPX4 (splash resistant) Stylus Support No No No (n/a) OS / Updates One UI 8 (Android 16) – 4+ years updates Stock Android (Pixel UI) – 5 years updates OxygenOS 13 (Android 13/14) – 3–4 years updates

(Specs for Pixel Fold refer to the first-gen 2023 model. Pixel 9 Pro Fold (2024) has similar dimensions with updated internals.)

From the above, you can see each has its pros. Samsung’s Fold 7 is the most high-end and feature-packed, but also the priciest. Google’s Pixel Fold offers a unique form factor (wider phone) and camera software edge at a slightly lower cost, but falls behind in raw specs and is bulkier. OnePlus Open undercuts both on price while delivering an excellent foldable experience with some class-leading aspects (like that hinge and multitasking UI), yet Samsung now beats it in thinness, and OnePlus lacks some extras (wireless charging, stronger water protection).

Early Verdict and Choosing the Right Upgrade

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has been widely praised in early hands-on reviews as “one of the best foldables of 2025” and the Fold that finally brings it all together. Samsung took a big step forward by listening to user feedback: they made it sleeker, more comfortable, and more powerful, and gave it a camera setup finally worthy of a ultra-premium device. In doing so, they’ve largely caught up to – or even pulled ahead of – challengers who were nipping at their heels with thinner, cheaper alternatives.

Of course, no phone is perfect. The price hike is a real sting: at $1,999, the Fold 7 is $100 more than last year in the U.S., continuing an upward trend. (Notably in some markets like the UK, Samsung held the price steady at about £1,799). That makes it an extremely expensive device – potentially costing double a traditional flagship like the Galaxy S25 or iPhone, which themselves are not cheap. You have to be sure that you want the foldable form factor and will use its unique features to justify this cost. Samsung is sweetening the deal with pre-order offers (e.g. free storage upgrades and hefty trade-in credits), so savvy buyers should take advantage of those.

The other drawbacks to weigh are the battery life – still just okay, not great – and the removal of S Pen support. If you’re a road warrior who needs maximum longevity or you love pen input for notes/drawing, the Fold 7 might disappoint in those areas. Meanwhile, if you primarily care about having the most advanced, capable device, the Fold 7 delivers on that promise.

For SAMRD Mobile users considering an upgrade:

• If you own a Fold 3 or Fold 4 (or older), the Fold 7 will feel like a huge upgrade across the board – you’ll get a bigger usable cover screen, far better cameras, massive performance jump, and a thinner lighter device. It’s absolutely a worthy upgrade if you’re committed to the foldable life.
• If you have a Fold 5, as this post’s title asks – “is this summer the time to upgrade?” – the answer leans yes, because the differences are substantial this time. The Fold 7 directly addresses the Fold 5’s weakest points (bulk and average camera). Only hang-up would be if you rely on the S Pen or if your Fold 5 is still running perfectly and you’d rather wait another cycle. But you’ll definitely feel the improvements with the Fold 7 in daily use – it “may pry the Fold 5 out of your hands”, as one reviewer quipped.
• If you have a Fold 6, you’re in a tougher spot. It’s only a year old, and the Fold 7 while better (camera, design) is the first in a while to drop a feature (pen). It might come down to finances and priorities: do you trade in and pay a bit to get the new goodies, or hold one more year? The Fold 6 is still very capable. But as a tech enthusiast, it’s hard not to be tempted by the Fold 7’s refinements which make the device more enjoyable (especially the wider cover display and lighter build).
• If you’re coming from a competitor foldable (Pixel/Open/etc.), the decision might hinge on what you value. The Fold 7 is the most well-rounded foldable in the global market right now – it has no glaring weaknesses aside from battery being merely average. Pixel might take better low-light pics or have a form factor you prefer; OnePlus might save you money and give faster charging. But Samsung offers the full package: great screens, very good cameras, water resistance, robust software features, and likely the best support network (service centers, updates). If you weren’t fully satisfied with your current foldable, the Fold 7 is a convincing alternative. Conversely, if you are happy with say your Pixel Fold’s camera or your Open’s battery life, think about whether the Fold 7’s advantages outweigh giving up what you like.

In conclusion, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 feels like the maturation of Samsung’s foldable vision. It’s professional and polished, ready to serve as both your phone and tablet in one. As our deep dive shows, Samsung has caught up to competitors and even surpassed them in many respects with the Fold 7 – all while continuing to push the envelope of what these devices can do. It truly embodies the slogan of being “bigger, thinner, and more powerful”. Yes, you’re paying a premium for cutting-edge tech, but if you’re an early adopter or productivity user who thrives on a multi-screen, do-everything device, the Z Fold 7 is arguably the best iteration yet to invest in.

Availability: The Galaxy Z Fold 7 was officially announced on July 9, 2025 at Samsung’s Unpacked event in NYC. Pre-orders began immediately, and the phone ships starting July 25, 2025 in markets like the US, UK, and Europe. Starting price is $1,999 / £1,799 / € around 1,899 for 12GB+256GB (with higher prices for the 512GB and 1TB models, as detailed earlier). Samsung’s pre-order deals include incentives like memory upgrades (256→512GB) and large trade-in credits – for example, up to $1000 off with an eligible trade-in in the US. Carriers are also offering promotions (often requiring a plan). If you’re in regions served by SAMRD Mobile, check our store/site for any exclusive bundles or financing options we might provide to make the upgrade easier on your wallet.

Early reviews have been very favorable, highlighting the Fold 7’s “super-thin design and wider cover screen” as game-changers, and noting that Samsung “finally nailed” the foldable formula this year. There are still a few nits – mainly the price and battery – but the consensus is that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the most polished and capable foldable Samsung has ever made. For SAMRD Mobile users on the fence, ask yourself: Do the improvements align with how you use your device? If you crave better one-handed use, a top-notch camera, or simply the novelty of owning the bleeding-edge of mobile tech, the Fold 7 won’t disappoint. It transforms between a phone and a tablet effortlessly, handles your workload and entertainment with ease, and does so in a style that finally doesn’t scream “first-gen gadget” but rather “refined productivity machine.”

In the evolving world of foldables – with more players like Google, OnePlus, and others – Samsung has raised the bar in 2025. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 stands tall (or rather, thin!) as a testament to how far the technology has come. It’s not just about having a folding screen anymore; it’s about the experience being seamless and uncompromised. And Samsung seems to understand that more clearly than ever with the Z Fold 7. If you’re ready to fold your phone into the next chapter, this device makes a compelling case to be your upgrade of choice.