Galaxy Z Fold7: Thinnest Foldable Yet & AI Powerhouse
By Gadget World • 
Introduction
Samsung's latest entry into the foldable market, the Galaxy Z Fold7, was officially unveiled on July 9, 2025, at the Galaxy Unpacked event. The new device marks a significant evolution, with Samsung emphasizing a shift towards "anticipatory smart companions." The Z Fold7 is engineered to be the company's thinnest and lightest Fold to date, while packing substantial upgrades in display technology, camera performance, and AI integration through the new One UI 8, built on Android 16.
A Thinner, Lighter, and More Durable Design
The most immediate impression of the Galaxy Z Fold7 is its dramatically refined physique. It measures just 8.9mm when folded and a mere 4.2mm when unfolded, making it significantly slimmer than its predecessor. Weighing in at 215g, it's also lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Samsung achieved this sleek profile without compromising on strength. The device features an Advanced Armor Aluminum frame and hinge housing, providing a 10% increase in strength. The cover and back are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2. The redesigned Armor FlexHinge is not only thinner and lighter but also reduces the visibility of the crease on the main display. Durability is further assured with an IP48 water and dust resistance rating.
Expanded and Brighter Displays
The Z Fold7 boasts larger screens for a more immersive experience.
Cover Display: The outer screen is a 6.5-inch AMOLED Full HD Plus display with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate, making it a highly capable standalone smartphone screen.
Main Display: Unfolding the device reveals a stunning 8-inch AMOLED main display with a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate. It features Vision Booster and an impressive peak brightness of 2,600 nits.
To enhance durability, the inner display incorporates a new Ultra Thin Glass sheet that is 50% thicker and is supported by a titanium backplate. However, some early reviews noted a noticeably thick bezel around the cover display.
Flagship Performance and Connectivity
Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, promising top-tier performance and power efficiency for multitasking. It comes with 12GB of RAM for the 256GB and 512GB storage models, while the 1TB variant is equipped with 16GB of RAM.
Connectivity gets a future-proof upgrade with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. The device is powered by a 4,400mAh battery, supporting 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and Wireless PowerShare.
A Major Leap in Camera Technology
The camera system on the Z Fold7 represents one of its biggest upgrades. The rear setup now features a triple-camera system headlined by a 200MP wide-angle main camera. This is complemented by a 12MP ultrawide camera and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. For selfies and video calls, there is a 10MP camera on the cover display and another 10MP camera for the main display.
Enhanced AI with One UI 8
Running on Android 16 with Samsung's One UI 8, the Z Fold7 deeply integrates Galaxy AI. New features aim to streamline content creation and communication:
Best Face: An AI tool for perfecting group shots.
Night Video with Audio Eraser: Improves low-light video and cleans up background noise.
Instant Audio Eraser: Removes unwanted sounds from recordings.
Side-by-side AI editing: Allows for more intuitive photo editing.
Additionally, Google's Gemini assistant can now be summoned in a more convenient pop-up window, enhancing productivity without dominating the screen.
Key Trade-Offs and Considerations
To achieve its incredibly thin design, Samsung made a significant compromise: the Galaxy Z Fold7 does not support the S Pen. The removal of a necessary display layer for the stylus means that long-time Fold fans who rely on the S Pen will lose a key feature.
Other considerations noted in early impressions include:
Battery Life: While the 4,400mAh battery is the same capacity as its predecessor, some reviewers felt it didn't "wow" them, especially with larger displays to power.
Design Quirks: The combination of the large camera bump and thin body creates a "serious wobble" when the device is placed on a flat surface.
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 starts at $1,999 for the 256GB model, a $100 increase over the previous generation. It is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage configurations.
Colors: Signature Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, and Jetblack, with an exclusive Mint color available on Samsung.com.
Availability: Pre-orders started on July 9, 2025, with the device becoming officially available on July 25, 2025.
Despite the loss of S Pen support, early expert response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it the "best foldable on the planet" due to its stunning design, powerful hardware, and refined software experience.