Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 review
Design and handling
The overall design of the Galaxy Z Fold7 hasn't changed much. The device is very similar to its predecessors, but it's now significantly lighter and thinner. Samsung has put a lot of thought into the redesign to make it sleeker, more portable, yet tougher.
Starting with the hinge, the Z Fold7 boasts a new Armor FlexHinge that's more compact and durable by design. It features a water droplet design with a multi-rail structure, which allegedly disperses stress more evenly and protects the display's integrity. The new hinge also helps reduce the visible crease.
It's a bit hard to determine whether that last bit is true or not, but the panel does feel flatter when running fingers through the surface. Visually, though, it looks about the same as last year and speaking from experience, the crease gets bigger with time anyway. So it's maybe time to stop stressing about the crease.
We've also noticed that the new hinge is much tighter now, and we can even say that opening the device is a challenge.
Since the new design requires more aggressive bending of the display, at least by Samsung's words, the new display adopts a 50% thicker Ultra-thin Glass that's more durable. It's complemented by a grade 4 titanium lattice. Still, Samsung claims that the entire display package is now thinner.
The external materials also get an upgrade. The back panel is Gorilla Glass Victus2, the cover display is protected by Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 and the side frame is made of Advanced Armor Aluminum.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy Z Fold7
The result is 4.2mm thickness when unfolded (down from 5.6mm), 8.9mm thickness when folded (down from 12.1mm) and a 24-gram reduction in weight (now 215 grams). Those numbers are well within the range of a normal, non-bendable smartphone. Indeed, when holding the Galaxy Z Fold7 in hand, the device feels like a typical smartphone.
The more expansive cover display now has a more pleasant aspect ratio and further enhances the feel of using a standard smartphone when folded. We just wish the two pointy edges next to the hinge were smoother, but you can't have it all.
Notably, the Z Fold7 is now wider and taller to accommodate the extra screen real estate.
The SIM card slot is pretty standard and holds up to two physical SIM cards.
Galaxy Z Fold7
With the whole body being thinner, the camera bump is more noticeable now. It protrudes a lot, and when you place the phone on a flat surface, it wobbles. Pairing the handset with a case will probably reduce or eliminate the wobble.
Galaxy Z Fold7 colors
The foldable comes in three colors - Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow and Jet Black. There's also an online-exclusive color called Mint. Our review unit is the Blue Shadow variant.
All in all, we are giving Samsung an A+ for this year's Z Fold7 as it's a step in the right direction and can finally compete against rivals in terms of design.
