Good flip cellphone enjoyable, however with a catch

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a troublesome job forward of itself this yr. It faces one of the best compact folding telephones Motorola has made but, a vastly improved Galaxy Z Fold 7 for individuals who can abdomen its excessive value, and even the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE for anybody unwilling to pay over the percentages for a style of the folding life.

It has to impress if it’s going to beat all of those and turn out to be a really helpful buy, and may’t simply coast alongside on its beauty and ever-expanding cowl display screen to win us over. I’ve used it for the previous 10 days to search out out if it’s nonetheless the highest compact folding cellphone to purchase.

Specs, value, and availability

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 begins at $1,100 for the 256GB/12GB model, and will increase to $1,220 in order for you the highest 512GB model. There are three most important colours accessible — black, coral purple, and blue — plus a particular Mint shade accessible solely via Samsung’s on-line retailer. Buy via Samsung, and the cellphone might be unlocked. Moreover, the Z Flip 7 will even be accessible via most main carriers and lots of MVNOs. It’ll be launched on July 26.

All-new cowl display screen

It’s greater, however is it extra helpful?

There’s no query the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s 4.1-inch cowl display screen appears to be like very fashionable, particularly when positioned alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Flip 6’s 3.4-inch display screen, and the rise in decision to 1048 x 948 pixels is noticeable regardless of the small dimension. It’s the identical for the 120Hz refresh fee, and mixed it makes a closed Z Flip 7 extra pleasurable to take a look at and use. Nonetheless, the issue is precisely how usually you’ll discover a motive to make use of it.

The redesigned widget view, which shows a number of small playing cards on a single display screen able to be expanded, is good for at-a-glance info. Nonetheless, I discover the notification system much less helpful. Notifications are displayed as accessible with a single, tiny orange marker on the aspect of the display screen, and it stays invisible from a distance. To view them, you unlock the gadget and swipe proper. Though it doesn’t sound like a lot, it feels tedious, and it’s usually simply as quick (if not quicker) to open the display screen and swipe all the way down to see the notification middle.

You’ll be able to add a choice of apps to make use of on the quilt display screen utilizing the MultiStar app from the Galaxy Retailer, but it surely’s restricted to only a few. Nonetheless, the listing does embody Messages, WhatsApp, and Google Maps. Once more, apps like WhatsApp work, but it surely’s cramped to sort rapidly on the full-size keyboard with the cellphone closed, and in case you’re writing a protracted message, it’s higher to open the cellphone. Additionally, visiting a hyperlink in a supply SMS requires you to open the cellphone to view it.

The result’s that I discovered myself opening the cellphone within the first place and bypassing the quilt display screen completely. Recognizing the notification indicator is annoying, and the addition of Samsung’s Now Transient, the AI-powered every day planner, hasn’t inspired me to stay round on the quilt display screen both. Technically, the Z Flip 7’s cowl display screen is an unlimited enchancment over earlier fashions, and the upgrades are genuinely noticeable. Sadly, it hasn’t enormously improved its usefulness, and it stays a flowery lock display screen with just a few useful widgets.

Snappy design

Superbly made, however not delicate

Shut the Galaxy Z Flip 5, and it snaps shut with a loud clap, and except you actually make an effort to shut it quietly, it’ll occur each time with various levels of anger. There’s no easy, dampened movement right here, and little subtlety to the motion both. Whether or not the hinge calms down over time stays to be seen, however I’ve been utilizing the cellphone every day for greater than every week, and it’s as pressing because it was on day one.

Nonetheless, there’s no unsettling grinding or sound from the hinge, and a continuing degree of resistance is maintained after you begin to shut it, till it snaps shut. The flat sides supply little grip, although, and it’s essential to take a agency maintain to provoke the opening course of. I discovered it far too simple to juggle the cellphone at this stage. Not solely does it imply it’s possible you’ll drop it, but it surely additionally breaks any coolness spell it’s possible you’ll forged by nonchalantly opening your flashy folding cellphone.

The cellphone opens utterly flat and closes with no hole between the 2 sections. The hinge is protected on the corners by unobtrusive guard plates. The metallic feels costly and robust, and there’s an IP68 mud and water resistance ranking. All of it offers you confidence within the cellphone’s construct. The crease continues to be seen from sure angles, and you’ll really feel it below your finger, but it surely’s marginal and can solely trouble some individuals. I’ve already stopped noticing it.

Everyone seems to be speaking in regards to the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s thinness and relative lightness, however particular point out ought to go to the Z Flip 7 in these areas too. It’s solely 188 grams and 6.5mm thick unfolded, making it very lithe by fashionable cellphone requirements. Folded up, it is a compact sq. measuring 13.7mm thick. I’ve fortunately carried it round unnoticed in my pocket and bag, and it’s ultimate for individuals who don’t wish to be weighed down by a big cellphone on daily basis.

An honest digicam made for enjoyable

However this isn’t a cellphone for picture lovers

The Galaxy Z Flip 7’s digicam is made for enjoyable, and isn’t a “severe” digicam made to compete with the Galaxy S25 Extremely. An ideal instance is the Flex Cam mode, the place you may set the half-open cellphone on a desk so it acts like a tripod, then present the digicam viewfinder on the quilt display screen. It’s sensible for selfies, and Samsung’s palm gesture to activate a countdown timer is all the time correct.

If this appears like one thing you’d use, you’ll love the Z Flip 7’s digicam, because it makes use of the principle 50-megapixel digicam, not the lower-spec 10MP selfie digicam. The principle digicam additionally contains a 2x optical high quality zoom, which captures suitably sharp and detailed photographs, including a contact extra versatility. In the meantime, the 12MP wide-angle digicam represents a marked enchancment over the wide-angle digicam used on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, as I found in a current digicam take a look at.

Then there’s Samsung’s AI-powered photo-editing instruments. In Portrait Studio, you may generate an AI model of a pet or particular person, within the type of a 3D cartoon, an oil portray, a studio portrait, or via a fisheye lens. It’s as foolish because it sounds, but it surely’s undeniably well-made, and the consequences are eye-catching and surprisingly pure. As a result of the AI instruments are constructed into the enhancing suite and take simply seconds to generate, you’ll fortunately hold making an attempt them out.

Pictures taken with the Z Flip 7 are pure with lifelike colours, however often do lack among the vibrancy many will need earlier than sharing the picture on social media. Right here, you will discover Samsung’s enhancing suite, that includes a spread of filters that may be individually tuned and utilized to different photographs in your gallery, giving them a constant look prepared for sharing. It’s that form of digicam, with well-judged options and a mode that can enchantment to informal picture followers eager to share their pictures with pals.

The newest software program is a pleasure

However the AI stays a distinct segment profit

Android 16, the very newest software program from Google, comes put in on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, full with Samsung’s One UI 8 excessive, and it’s a match made in software program heaven. The pair is quick, easy, dependable, and feature-packed, with loads of customization accessible. Like all Samsung telephones, it requires cautious setup, from activating the always-on display screen to switching Samsung’s keyboard to Google’s Gboard. Nonetheless, when you’re completed, it’s remarkably simple to stay with.

For those who’ve used a Samsung cellphone with One UI 7, the brand new model received’t really feel or seem all that totally different. I did spot the up to date climate app, and actually just like the 90:10 app multitasking view the place you may faucet between two open apps, with one taking over the vast majority of the display screen and the opposite simply ready within the wings till it’s wanted. Samsung’s seven-year software program replace dedication exhibits it’ll stay contemporary and fashionable, and forking out on the Z Flip 7 might imply you received’t really feel the necessity to improve your cellphone for a superb few years.

Then there’s Samsung’s Galaxy AI, which I don’t assume I’ve discovered a motive to make use of as soon as. Google Gemini can also be in-built, and completely enough for voice search and fast instructions. Utilizing voice to find Settings speeds issues up too. Some options require you to make use of Samsung’s keyboard, such because the Writing Fashion and grammar checks. Nonetheless, not solely is Gboard the higher possibility, however options like Writing Fashion stay ridiculous.

The Now Transient hasn’t turn out to be extra clever or helpful, and except your life is chaotic, and also you battle to maintain up with appointments, it doesn’t do a lot outdoors of displaying the climate. The Galaxy AI suite is good to have, however most of its options are unlikely for use usually.

Efficiency and battery life

It’s not all excellent

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 has Samsung’s personal Exynos 2500 processor inside together with 12GB of RAM, and a 4,300mAh battery. It’s charged at 25W wired and 10W wi-fi speeds. Samsung’s resolution to make use of its personal chipset will be the Z Flip 7’s downfall, as regardless of a small improve in battery capability over the Z Flip 6, it’s not probably the most environment friendly or long-lasting mixture.

My regular use is comparatively low depth with minimal gaming, however I haven’t actually seen a lot past three hours of display screen time on a single cost, which may be very poor efficiency. Play Asphalt Legends Unite for half-hour, and you’ll count on 10% of the battery life to vanish. Though it by no means will get too scorching to carry, there’s extra warmth constructed up across the cowl display screen than I’d like, and also you discover it when enjoying video games.

For those who play extra graphically intensive video games, count on extra warmth to construct up and even worse battery life. Working the 3DMark benchmark take a look at noticed the quilt display screen space and chassis round it get very heat, and the 20-minute Photo voltaic Bay Stress Take a look at took 8% of the battery. I’ll notice that in common use and non-gaming apps, the cellphone is rarely gradual, and I’ve discovered it completely comfy to make use of. Moreover, I’ve been utilizing it linked to a Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, which can barely have an effect on battery life.

The charging speeds are gradual in comparison with telephones just like the OnePlus 13 and even the Galaxy A56 has quicker wired charging, plus you don’t get a charger within the field. A thirty-minute cost takes the battery to about 50%, which is a helpful quantity, however provided that the ensuing battery life is lengthy. A full cost takes as much as 90 minutes, relying on the charger used. Battery life and gaming efficiency usually are not the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s sturdy factors, and in case you’re a demanding cellphone consumer, it might be higher to look elsewhere.

Do you have to purchase the Galaxy Z Flip 7?

Hold your expectations in examine

I’ve actually loved the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The very motion of opening and shutting the cellphone is all the time a pleasure, regardless of the snappy motion, and the cellphone feels futuristic and weird. I like how handy it’s, the massive interior display screen is nice for video, and the multi-tasking options make it helpful. The digicam is enjoyable, particularly in case you take lots of selfies or group photographs, and the quilt display screen’s up to date tech makes it look glorious.

What the Galaxy Z Flip 7 isn’t is a hardcore gaming machine or a battery life monster. If these features are essential to you, this is not going to meet your cellular wants. Neither are particularly essential to me, and I’ve been in a position to benefit from the fantastic comfort of the folding design with few considerations, offered I bear in mind to cost it each evening. I’d contemplate an improve if I owned a Galaxy Z Flip 5, however not if I owned a Galaxy Z Flip 6.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a refined, well-made, high-quality, and downright enjoyable smartphone with character that’s lacking from many non-folding telephones. Nonetheless, the Motorola Razr 2025 prices much less and is much more trendy, plus it ought to return extra battery life and has quicker charging. The Razr Extremely is costlier, however the colours and finishes make it actually tempting. All three are nice buys, however Samsung hasn’t managed to make the Z Flip 7 extra tempting than both.