The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 arrives in 2025 as a watershed moment for foldable smartphones, representing the maturation of flip phone technology from experimental novelty to everyday essential. After seven generations of refinement, Samsung has finally delivered the flip phone that mainstream users have been waiting for – one that doesn't require compromises on the fundamentals.
What immediately strikes you about the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is how polished everything feels. The hinge mechanism operates with a satisfying precision that inspires confidence, while the expanded 4.1-inch cover display with ultra-thin bezels makes previous generations look positively antiquated. Samsung has clearly listened to years of feedback, addressing the most common complaints while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in this form factor.
The phone's new wider 21:9 aspect ratio on the main 6.9-inch display transforms the typing experience, providing that crucial extra thumb room that makes all the difference. It's a seemingly small change that has massive real-world impact – suddenly, pecking out messages feels natural rather than cramped.
Perhaps most importantly, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 makes a compelling argument for why flip phones represent the future of mobile devices. Consider this: you get the same massive 6.9-inch screen as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but in a package that's smaller, lighter, and more pocketable – plus you get a whole second screen to boot. At $1,099, it costs $200 less than Samsung's flagship slab phone while offering unique capabilities no traditional smartphone can match.
| Feature | Z Flip 7 | Z Flip 6 | Razr Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover Display | 4.1" | 3.6" | 4.0" |
| Main Display | 6.9" | 6.7" | 7.0" |
| Battery | 4,300mAh | 4,000mAh | 4,700mAh |
| Price | $1,099 | $1,099 | $1,299 |
| Android | 16 | 15 | 15 |
Stunning cover display with ultra-thin bezels
Premium materials, refined hinge mechanism
Meaningful improvements over previous gen
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 represents the moment flip phones crossed from "interesting experiment" to "genuinely compelling mainstream option." Samsung has addressed virtually every major complaint from previous generations while adding meaningful improvements that enhance daily usability. The expanded cover display, refined hinge, improved cameras, and Android 16 integration create a package that finally feels ready for mainstream adoption.
While challenges remain – notably battery life and the Exynos processor's thermal management – the Flip 7's unique advantages increasingly outweigh its compromises. For users seeking maximum screen real estate in minimal pocket space, plus the convenience of a second display, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 makes an increasingly compelling case for why flip phones might just be the future of smartphones.
Samsung has refined the Galaxy Z Flip 7's design with surgical precision, making subtle but impactful changes that transform usability. The phone measures 6.56 x 2.96 x 0.26 inches when open and 3.37 x 2.96 x 0.54 inches when closed, making it wider but thinner than its predecessor – a change that proves transformative for daily use.
The new Armor Aluminum frame feels substantially more robust than previous generations, while the strengthened hinge mechanism operates with a satisfying fluidity that inspires confidence. Samsung's engineers have clearly focused on durability, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protecting both the front and back panels, and an IP48 rating providing water resistance up to 5 feet for 30 minutes.
The cover display represents the design's crown jewel – a 4.1-inch Super AMOLED panel with incredibly narrow 0.05-inch bezels that Samsung claims are the thinnest ever on a Galaxy device. This edge-to-edge design makes the front of the phone look almost entirely like screen, creating a futuristic aesthetic that turns heads.
2.96" vs 2.83" width provides crucial thumb room for typing
0.26" vs 0.27" when open, 0.54" vs 0.59" when closed
0.05" bezels create edge-to-edge cover display
Power/fingerprint on right, volume toggle below
Samsung offers four color variants: Blue Shadow, Coral Red, Jetblack, and the exclusive Mint (Samsung.com only). While the color selection is more limited than the Flip 6's seven options, each finish feels premium and sophisticated. The Blue Shadow variant we tested has an appealing depth that catches light beautifully.
One design quirk worth noting: the power button is more recessed than typical Galaxy phones, making it harder to locate by feel in dark environments. The volume rocker is also shorter than ideal, occasionally leading to accidental volume adjustments when trying to increase sound.
Premium materials, excellent construction
Good protection, but dust remains a concern
Perfect pocket size, satisfying to use
Samsung has achieved a remarkable balance of premium materials, refined engineering, and practical improvements with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The wider form factor and ultra-thin bezels represent meaningful evolutionary steps that enhance daily usability. While durability concerns persist and some ergonomic details could be better, this feels like the most polished and premium flip phone Samsung has ever created.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7's dual-display setup represents Samsung's most ambitious screen implementation yet, with both panels receiving significant upgrades that transform the user experience. The 6.9-inch main display grows from 6.7 inches while the 4.1-inch cover display expands dramatically from 3.6 inches, creating a more balanced and usable dual-screen ecosystem.
Samsung's Dynamic AMOLED 2x technology on the main screen delivers exceptional visual quality with a resolution of 2,520 x 1,080 pixels. The adaptive refresh rate seamlessly scales from 1Hz to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and optimal battery efficiency. Most impressively, the panel reaches a blazing 2,600 nits peak brightness – bright enough to remain clearly visible even in direct sunlight.
The cover display steals the show with its edge-to-edge design and 4.1-inch Super AMOLED panel running at 1,048 x 948 pixels. The 60-120Hz variable refresh rate and matching 2,600 nits peak brightness ensure smooth performance and excellent outdoor visibility. Those ultra-thin 0.05-inch bezels create an almost magical edge-to-edge appearance that feels truly futuristic.
Color accuracy on both displays is exceptional, with vibrant yet natural tones that avoid oversaturation. The main display's 21:9 aspect ratio change from 22:9 might sound minor, but it provides crucial extra thumb room that transforms the typing experience from cramped to comfortable.
The inevitable crease along the fold line remains visible when the screen is off but virtually disappears during use. After extended testing, finger sensitivity across the crease area proved completely natural – you quickly forget it's there.
Outdoor visibility impresses on both screens, with the 2,600 nits peak brightness easily overcoming direct sunlight. The cover display's enhanced size and brightness make taking selfies and checking notifications outdoors dramatically more practical than previous generations.
Exceptional brightness, color, and usability
Revolutionary edge-to-edge design
Best-in-class dual display setup
Samsung has achieved display excellence with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, delivering two exceptional screens that work in perfect harmony. The expanded cover display with ultra-thin bezels represents a genuine breakthrough in flip phone design, while the main display's improved aspect ratio and incredible brightness create an outstanding viewing experience. This is the first flip phone where both displays feel truly premium and practical.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 makes a controversial choice by switching from Qualcomm's proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to Samsung's own Exynos 2500 processor. This 3nm chip represents Samsung's latest silicon efforts, but the decision raises questions about performance compromises in pursuit of cost savings or supply chain independence.
The Exynos 2500 features a primary core clocked at 3.2GHz paired with 12GB of DDR5 RAM, creating what Samsung calls its "most dense circuit board ever designed." While everyday performance feels adequate for typical tasks like browsing, email, and social media, the chip struggles under demanding workloads and generates concerning amounts of heat.
Most troubling is the thermal management. The Flip 7 gets noticeably warm during routine activities and becomes uncomfortably hot during gaming, video recording, or benchmark testing. Even basic location services caused sustained heating during normal daily use – a significant concern for a device meant to live in your pocket.
| Test | Z Flip 7 | Z Flip 6 | Razr Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (Single) | 2,267 | 2,133 | 2,913 |
| Geekbench 6 (Multi) | 7,594 | 6,134 | 8,727 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 15,187 | 17,847 | 18,200 |
| GFXBench Aztec | 57 fps | 42 fps | 80 fps |
Everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and messaging feel responsive enough, with no noticeable lag during typical smartphone usage. The 12GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking between apps, and Samsung's One UI 8 optimizations help maintain fluidity.
Gaming performance proves more concerning. While games like Asphalt Legends run acceptably, the phone becomes uncomfortably warm within minutes. More demanding titles struggle to maintain consistent frame rates, and the thermal throttling becomes apparent during extended gaming sessions.
Camera usage also taxes the processor significantly. Taking just a few photos causes noticeable warming, and video recording sessions quickly push the device to concerning temperatures. This thermal behavior suggests the Exynos 2500 may be pushed beyond its optimal power envelope in this form factor.
Samsung's decision to use the Exynos 2500 instead of the Snapdragon 8 Elite feels like a step backward. The Motorola Razr Ultra, powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite, consistently outperforms the Flip 7 in every benchmark while running cooler and delivering better battery life.
The power efficiency gap is particularly concerning. While the Razr Ultra with its Snapdragon chip delivers nearly 19 hours of battery life in testing, the Flip 7 manages just 12.5 hours – a massive difference that can't be explained by the slightly larger battery alone.
Samsung's justification that the Exynos 2500 enables DeX support feels weak, given that previous Galaxy devices with various processors have supported DeX. This decision appears driven more by cost considerations than performance optimization.
Adequate but falls behind competition
Concerning heat generation issues
Playable but limited by heat
The Galaxy Z Flip 7's performance story is one of missed opportunities. While the Exynos 2500 provides adequate power for basic smartphone tasks, it falls significantly behind competitor solutions in both raw performance and efficiency. The concerning heat generation during routine use and poor thermal management under load represent genuine usability issues that affect the daily experience.
Samsung's decision to abandon the proven Snapdragon platform feels like a cost-cutting measure that compromises user experience. For a flagship flip phone competing against devices with superior processors, this choice undermines what could have been an exceptional device.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7's camera system takes a conservative approach, carrying over the same 50MP main sensor and 12MP ultra-wide from the Flip 6 while introducing Samsung's latest ProVisual Engine for enhanced image processing. While hardware remains unchanged, software improvements and the unique flip form factor create compelling photographic capabilities.
The standout feature remains the ability to use the main camera for selfies with the cover display as viewfinder. This approach delivers dramatically better selfie quality than the internal 10MP front camera, while the 4.1-inch cover screen provides excellent framing and composition control.
Samsung's new ProVisual Engine works with the Exynos 2500 to analyze and optimize photos in real-time, offering features like always-on 10-bit HDR+ color. The processing feels more natural than previous generations, with Samsung moving away from overly saturated results toward more realistic color reproduction.
Main camera performance delivers sharp, well-exposed images with good color accuracy. The 50MP sensor captures impressive detail, though Samsung bins to 12.5MP by default for better low-light performance. Switching to full 50MP resolution reveals surprising detail levels with minimal noise.
Digital zoom works better than expected, with 2x and 4x producing usable results and even 10x maintaining decent sharpness. The lack of a dedicated telephoto lens is noticeable compared to flagship smartphones, but the digital processing compensates reasonably well.
The 12MP ultra-wide camera shows typical distortion in corners but delivers consistent color matching with the main sensor. While not as sharp as the primary camera, it provides useful perspective options for group shots and landscapes.
Selfie capabilities represent the system's highlight. Using the main camera with the cover display delivers dramatically better results than traditional front cameras, with excellent detail, natural skin tones, and effective portrait mode bokeh.
Video recording tops out at 4K60 with HDR10+ color, delivering excellent quality for social media and casual videography. The optical image stabilization helps steady handheld footage, though switching to OIS mode reduces resolution to quad HD.
Flex mode video creates interesting possibilities, allowing the phone to serve as its own tripod for stable shots. Voice commands and gesture controls work well for hands-free operation, making the Flip 7 surprisingly capable for content creation.
Unfortunately, extended video recording contributes to the device's heating issues, with longer 4K sessions causing noticeable temperature increases that may affect performance.
Solid performance, natural processing
Best-in-class with cover display
Good 4K with stabilization
While the Galaxy Z Flip 7's cameras are competent, they fall behind dedicated camera phones like the Pixel 9 Pro XL in computational photography and the iPhone 16 Pro in video capabilities. The lack of hardware upgrades means missing features like improved night mode, advanced zoom capabilities, and the latest sensor technology.
However, the unique form factor advantages – particularly cover display selfies and flex mode creativity – provide capabilities that traditional smartphones cannot match. For users prioritizing the flip form factor, the camera system offers sufficient quality for most photography needs.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7's camera system represents a missed opportunity for significant improvement. While the existing hardware remains capable and the new processing delivers more natural results, the lack of meaningful upgrades feels disappointing for a 2025 flagship. The unique selfie experience and form factor advantages partially compensate, but serious photographers will find better options elsewhere.
For social media enthusiasts and casual photographers who value the flip form factor, the camera system provides adequate quality with some unique advantages. However, those prioritizing camera excellence should look to traditional flagship smartphones or consider waiting for future generations with more substantial camera improvements.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 makes history as the first Samsung device to ship with Android 16, beating even Google's own Pixel phones to the latest Android version. Running Samsung's One UI 8, the software experience showcases both the company's ambitions and its ongoing struggles with complexity and user-friendliness.
Samsung promises seven years of OS and security updates, matching Google's commitment and ensuring long-term software support. The integration of Galaxy AI features and seamless Gemini Live access represents Samsung's push toward an AI-first smartphone experience, though execution remains inconsistent.
The most significant addition is Samsung DeX support – previously missing from flip phones – allowing the Flip 7 to transform into a desktop-like experience when connected to external displays. This makes the flip phone surprisingly capable for productivity tasks previously reserved for larger devices.
The cover display software represents both Samsung's greatest achievement and biggest frustration with the Flip 7. The 4.1-inch screen with ultra-thin bezels creates a stunning canvas, but Samsung's implementation feels unnecessarily complex and limited compared to competitors.
Widget support works well out of the box, providing quick access to weather, calendar, health data, and other essential information. However, running full apps requires navigating through Advanced Features > Labs – a confusing path that hides crucial functionality.
Even after enabling apps, the experience feels cobbled together. Unlike the Motorola Razr Ultra where apps seamlessly transition to the cover display when you close the phone, Samsung requires using the Multistar widget from the Galaxy Store to create a separate home screen for cover display apps.
Galaxy AI features work impressively well, particularly the photo editing tools. Object removal, background replacement, and portrait enhancements deliver professional-looking results with minimal effort. The AI can seamlessly fill in areas where objects were removed, maintaining natural lighting and perspective.
Gemini Live integration represents one of the Flip 7's standout features. Being able to interact with Google's AI assistant while the phone remains closed adds genuine utility. Voice conversations feel natural, and visual search capabilities work well with the cover display.
However, Samsung's own Now Brief feature disappoints significantly. Despite promises of personalized AI insights, it rarely provides more than basic weather and calendar information. Even after weeks of use across multiple Samsung devices, the AI failed to deliver meaningful personalization.
Samsung DeX support transforms the Flip 7 into a surprisingly capable productivity device. Connecting to an external monitor creates a desktop-like interface that's genuinely useful for work tasks. Having all your mobile accounts and apps available without re-logging provides seamless productivity switching.
The experience works particularly well for users who maintain work accounts on their phone. Email, Slack, Google Drive, and other productivity apps transition smoothly to the desktop interface, creating a functional work environment that travels in your pocket.
Excellent photo AI, good Gemini integration
Powerful but overly complex
Capable but unnecessarily complicated
Samsung's software approach contrasts sharply with Motorola's simplicity. The Razr Ultra's cover display "just works" – apps automatically appear when you close the phone. Samsung's approach offers more customization and features but requires significantly more setup and understanding.
The seven-year update promise puts Samsung ahead of most Android manufacturers, matching Google's commitment. This long-term support makes the Flip 7 a more future-proof investment compared to competitors with shorter support windows.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7's software represents Samsung at its most ambitious and most frustrating. The company has packed the device with powerful features, excellent AI capabilities, and industry-leading update commitments. However, the user experience suffers from unnecessary complexity and poor feature discoverability.
Power users who enjoy customization and don't mind navigating complex menus will appreciate the extensive feature set. Casual users seeking simplicity may find Samsung's approach overwhelming compared to more streamlined competitors. The AI features genuinely add value, but Samsung's own software philosophy often gets in the way of user enjoyment.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7's battery story is one of modest improvements overshadowed by efficiency concerns. Samsung increased the capacity from 4,000mAh to 4,300mAh – a welcome 7% boost – but the power-hungry Exynos 2500 processor undermines much of this progress, resulting in battery life that falls short of user expectations and competitor performance.
In real-world testing, the Flip 7 consistently lasted a full day with moderate usage but struggled during intensive tasks. The combination of dual displays, thermal issues, and inefficient processing creates a perfect storm for battery drain that no 300mAh increase can adequately address.
Charging capabilities remain conservative with 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging – specifications that feel dated in 2025 when competitors offer significantly faster charging solutions.
| Device | Battery | Test Time | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z Flip 7 | 4,300mAh | 17h 30m | Good |
| Z Flip 6 | 4,000mAh | 16h 20m | Fair |
| Razr Ultra | 4,700mAh | 22h 03m | Excellent |
| Razr Ultra (Lab) | 4,700mAh | 19h 00m | Excellent |
| Z Flip 7 (Lab) | 4,300mAh | 12h 30m | Poor |
Daily usage patterns reveal the Flip 7's battery limitations. With moderate use including social media, messaging, photos, and some gaming, the device consistently reached bedtime with 25-35% remaining. However, any intensive activities like extended camera sessions, video recording, or gaming quickly drained the battery.
Heavy usage days proved problematic, often requiring midday charging to ensure full-day reliability. Photography sessions were particularly draining, with the combination of camera processing and heat generation creating rapid battery depletion that wasn't seen on previous generations.
The cover display usage provides some battery savings compared to constantly opening the main screen, but the efficiency gains are modest. Location services and background processing continue to drain battery at concerning rates, especially given the thermal issues.
25W wired charging feels increasingly slow in 2025's competitive landscape. The Flip 7 takes nearly 2 hours to fully charge, compared to competitors offering 68W+ charging that can complete the same task in under 90 minutes. For a device with already questionable battery life, slow charging compounds the usability issues.
Wireless charging at 15W provides convenience but requires over 3 hours for a full charge. The reverse wireless charging feature works adequately for topping up earbuds or other small accessories, though the 5W output is quite conservative.
Compared to flagship smartphones like the OnePlus 13 with 80W SuperVOOC charging (30+ minutes full charge), the Flip 7's charging speeds feel antiquated and create practical limitations for users with demanding schedules.
The most damning comparison comes from the Motorola Razr Ultra, which achieves dramatically superior battery life despite having only 400mAh more capacity. In identical lab testing conditions, the Razr Ultra lasted 19 hours compared to the Flip 7's 12.5 hours – a massive 6.5-hour difference.
This efficiency gap strongly suggests the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Razr Ultra is significantly more power-efficient than Samsung's Exynos 2500. Both devices have similar display brightness and resolution, making the processor the most likely culprit for the dramatic battery life difference.
The irony is particularly sharp given that Samsung likely chose Exynos partly for cost reasons, yet the poor efficiency forces users to charge more frequently and may lead to faster battery degradation over time.
Adequate but falls short of expectations
Slow by 2025 standards
Poor due to Exynos processor
Light users who primarily use their phone for messaging, calls, and basic apps will find the battery adequate for full-day use. The cover display can help extend battery life by reducing main screen usage for quick tasks.
Heavy users should prepare for compromise. Photography enthusiasts, mobile gamers, and professionals who rely heavily on their devices will likely need midday charging or portable battery packs for reliable all-day use.
Travel considerations become important given the slow charging speeds. Unlike competitors that can quick-charge during short breaks, the Flip 7 requires longer charging sessions to meaningfully restore battery levels.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7's battery performance represents one of its most significant weaknesses. While the increased capacity provides modest improvements over the Flip 6, the power-hungry Exynos 2500 processor undermines efficiency gains and creates a device that struggles to meet modern smartphone battery expectations.
The combination of poor power efficiency, slow charging speeds, and thermal-related battery drain creates practical limitations that may be deal-breakers for power users. Light users can work within these constraints, but anyone considering the Flip 7 should honestly assess their usage patterns and charging habits.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 represents Samsung's most refined flip phone to date, finally delivering the mainstream-ready device this form factor has been waiting for. Despite meaningful compromises in performance and battery life, it makes the strongest case yet for why flip phones deserve serious consideration.
Perfect for selfies, content creation, and showing off unique form factor
Premium design meets productivity with Samsung DeX support
Those ready to embrace the future of smartphone design
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 isn't perfect – thermal issues and battery limitations prevent it from being an unqualified success. However, it's the first flip phone that feels genuinely ready for mainstream adoption, offering compelling advantages that traditional smartphones simply cannot match.
If you're curious about flip phones, this is your moment. The Flip 7 finally delivers on the form factor's promise while minimizing the usual compromises. It's not just a novelty anymore – it's a legitimate flagship smartphone that happens to fold in half.
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