Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Overview: The North Star of Foldables

[ad_1] With the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung has as soon as once more demonstrated its skill to reinvent the foldable phase. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 was an ideal gadget, but it surely adopted a design language that did not really feel like an improve over its predecessor. Samsung, throughout closed-door briefings for the Fold 7, claimed that it virtually made the brand new foldable from the bottom up. And, the second you maintain the Fold 7 and 6 concurrently in your fingers, you possibly can see for your self the large distinction. Whereas in fact, the smooth profile is the largest spotlight of the Fold 7, the upgrades do not cease there.

Aside from being thinner and lighter than its predecessor, the Fold 7 encompasses a cowl display improve that permits you to use it like a daily bar cellphone, offering extra display actual property. Even the inside show receives a bump in measurement, matching that of a small-screen pill. In fact, the digicam will get a large improve over the Fold 6, which we are going to break down in our digicam part. Samsung hasn't simply stored the surprises restricted to {hardware}, but additionally on the software program aspect.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is amongst a handful of units that launch with One UI 8 based mostly on Android 16 out of the field. Sure, the brand new Pixel launch continues to be just a few days away on the time of penning this overview, however we will expertise the newest OS on a non-Pixel gadget. Nevertheless, one other bump Samsung has handed on the Fold 7 is in pricing, from the Galaxy Z Fold 6's launch value of Rs. 164,999 (for the 12GB + 256GB variant). You'll have to shell out Rs. 1,74,999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The highest-of-the-line variant, that includes 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, is priced at Rs. 2,16,999. Sure, the Fold 7 is presently the one smartphone in India that exceeds the Rs. 2 lakh threshold. A feat I wasn't able to see this 12 months!

Pricing apart, is the Galaxy Z Fold 7 the best and greatest foldable gadget Samsung has but produced? Let me reply that on this overview.

The Fold 7, very similar to different premium Samsung telephones, would not ship with a charger

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Design: Skinny is in Dimensions - 158.4x143.2x4.2mm Weight - 215 grams IP Ranking - IP48 Samsung has nailed the design this 12 months. The corporate has simply resolved the largest ache level, which was associated to the book-style foldables - thickness. At 4.2mm (unfolded), the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the slimmest foldable obtainable in India. At 215 grams, the Fold 7 is lighter than some non-folding units on sale in India. To place some context, the Fold 7 is lighter than the iPhone 16 Professional Max (227 grams) and even the Vivo X Fold 5 (217 grams), its closest rival. In truth, it's lighter than the Galaxy S25 Extremely (218 grams). Now you possibly can think about how extremely light-weight Fold 7 is.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 weighs 215 grams

Leaping to the hinge, which is the spine of a foldable gadget. This 12 months, Samsung has revamped the hinge and launched a brand new Armour FlexHinge, which the corporate claimed in its keynote presentation is compact and considerably extra sturdy than the one seen on the Fold 6. Due to the brand new hinge design, the crease is usually invisible throughout common use until you begin being nitpicky. With the brand new hinge design, the gadget does, in its preliminary days, really feel tighter and will get powerful to open typically - particularly when you've gotten sweaty fingers. One other factor that immediately caught my consideration was the sides of the cellphone. It tends to dig into your palms with common use, and a curved therapy would have been extra appropriate. A workaround for that is to make use of a case that resolves the problem.

Samsung says that the up to date Armour aluminium within the body and hinge housing will increase energy and hardness by 10%

For defense, Samsung has used Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the duvet show whereas the again panel will get Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The aluminium armour feels premium in hand, and, in fact, gives sufficient confidence whereas in every day use. In comparison with the Fold 6, the Fold 7 is now wider and taller in design - and belief me, each these parts influence on a regular basis utilization in a great way. Now you can use the duvet display of the Fold 7 as a daily cellphone. The ability button integrates a fingerprint scanner, making it handy to make use of and simply accessible whereas utilizing the Fold 7 with only one hand. The amount rocker buttons are additionally straightforward to succeed in when utilizing with only one hand and are additionally tactile sufficient. The Fold 7, nonetheless, is a really slippery gadget, and at instances, I needed to be additional cautious when taking it out of my pocket or selecting it up from the desk.

The quilt display on the Fold 7 (on the precise) visibly appears to be like larger than the one on the Fold 6 (on the left)

On the again, the Fold 7 takes inspiration from the Fold 6, however upon nearer inspection, you realise that the digicam housings at the moment are protruding greater than in its predecessor, to such an extent that the Fold 7 wobbles on a flat floor when positioned with the show going through upwards. For water ingress safety, Samsung has added an IP48 ranking. Sadly, the Fold 7 nonetheless would not get a mud safety ranking, which suggests you'll have to take extra care of this expensive gadget.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 8.9 mm in thickness when folded and 4.2 mm when unfolded

In India, the Fold 7 is on the market in Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, and Jet Black colors. I obtained the Blue Shadow for this overview, and it is likely one of the most placing colors. Total, the Fold 7 is an improve that feels leaps and bounds forward of the Fold 6 in additional methods than your eyes can see.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Show: Stable improve Show - Essential: 8-inch foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X with 1968x2184 pixels, 2600nits, 368PPI, 120Hz Cowl: 6.5-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X with 1080x2520 pixels, 422PPI Extra options - Titanium plate layer for show help The shows on the Fold 7 have obtained an improve, and that makes the foldable preferrred to be used as a bar cellphone. Beginning with the duvet show, the Fold 7 encompasses a 6.5-inch display, in comparison with the Fold 6's 6.3-inch display. The decision has additionally been upgraded, now providing 1080x2520 pixels and a 422 PPI pixel density. It options an LTPO AMOLED display and consists of all of the modern-day options, corresponding to a 120Hz refresh fee and HDR10+ help.

The cellphone gives 2600 nits of peak brightness

Leaping to the inside show, Samsung has massively bumped the display measurement from 7.6 inches to eight inches on the Fold 7. This implies you've gotten a show as giant as an 8-inch pill. It's a foldable LTPO OLED panel that includes a 120Hz refresh fee, HDR10+ help, 368 PPI, and a decision of 1968x2184 pixels. You additionally get HDR streaming on Netflix, YouTube and different OTT platforms. Samsung has as soon as once more dropped Dolby Imaginative and prescient help, but it surely's unlikely that you're going to discover the distinction in day-to-day utilization. It helps peak brightness of 2600nits.

The 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x inside show gives wealthy distinction, true blacks and vibrant particulars

Each shows are vibrant sufficient for use below direct daylight and provide crisp photos and sharp textual content. The Fold 7 is a enjoyable gadget for all media consumption, whether or not for gaming, binge-watching, or studying. With two shows, the consumer has the liberty to decide on the facet ratio and display measurement wherein they need to devour media on the Fold 7—a selection that your common gadget would not provide.

Total, the shows on the Fold 7 elevate the consumer expertise, providing a greater facet ratio and display measurement. The standard, no doubt, is among the many greatest I've seen on a foldable these days.

Each shows keep dazzlingly seen even in direct daylight

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Digicam: Impressed by one of the best 200-megapixel main sensor with f/1.7 aperture, PDAF, OIS 10-megapixel telephoto sensor with PDAF, f/2.4 and 3x optical zoom 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with f/2.2 and twin pixel PDAF Cowl selfie digicam - 10-megapixel sensor Essential - 10-megapixel sensor with f/2.2 aperture Video help - 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, 1080p at 120fps The digicam division on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will get the largest replace. First up, it will get the identical main sensor because the Galaxy S25 Extremely and S25 Edge - a 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP2 with PDAF, OIS, and f/1.7 aperture. The 12-megapixel Sony IMX564 ultrawide digicam is similar as final 12 months, however one essential addition is autofocus help, which was lacking on its predecessor. There's additionally a devoted 10-megapixel telephoto (3x) Samsung ISOCELL 3K1 sensor with PDAF and f/2.4 aperture. Each selfie cameras have additionally obtained a minor replace, now that includes a 10-megapixel Sony IMX374 sensor on the duvet and inside show. Samsung, nonetheless, selected to stay with mounted focus for some cause.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 options the primary 200-megapixel main digicam within the Galaxy Z sequence

Leaping straight to real-world efficiency, the first digicam is the Fold 7's largest energy. As I discussed within the efficiency part, the upgrades on the newest foldable make it a real flagship. The 200-megapixel sensor can take some beautiful daylight pictures with ample particulars and correct colors. The sharpness is on level, and the dynamic vary is superb. The pores and skin tones and textures additionally come out nicely on the first digicam. The 2x photographs from the first digicam are additionally respectable, and we do not see a lot element loss. Even the portrait photographs come out nicely with good topic isolation and an excellent quantity of blur—some samples under on your reference.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 daylight samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

Switching to the telephoto digicam (3x), the Fold 7 proves to be a succesful shooter, boasting a strong setup for zoom photographs. In daylight, the telephoto manages to seize loads of particulars.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 telephoto (3x) samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

The zoom efficiency of the Fold 7 can be respectable, though the digital zoom is primarily unusable, and you shouldn't exceed 10x. Like within the photos under, you possibly can see the zoom efficiency of the Fold 7

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 telephoto (3x) pattern (faucet to see bigger picture)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 10x pattern (faucet to see bigger picture)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 20x zoom pattern (faucet to see bigger picture)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 30x pattern (faucet to see bigger picture)

The ultrawide digicam with autofocus help has been an ideal addition to the Fold 7, one thing I missed on the Fold 6. The dynamic vary is nice, and particulars are respectable. The color accuracy and sharpness are additionally good, and you'll test some samples under. Nevertheless, the ultrawide sensor is not nearly as good as the first digicam, which should not come as a shock.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 ultrawide digicam samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

For selfies, the Fold 7 gives twin cameras - one on the duvet display and one other on the inside show. Each are succesful, and you'll not be dissatisfied. The pores and skin tones are captured nicely, and there are sufficient particulars. The daylight selfies are top-notch, whereas low-light selfies lose some particulars, and a few quantity of grain can be seen within the selfies.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 indoor digicam samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

Transferring on to the low-light efficiency of the Fold 7, I am not as impressed as I'm with the S25 Extremely, but it surely nonetheless excels within the foldable class. The main points drop a bit in pitch-dark situations, whereas color accuracy can be barely off. A number of the evening samples I clicked got here out as delicate and had loads of noise. Nevertheless, the digicam does justice when there is a mild supply round and it type of nails the body with correct colors, an excellent quantity of particulars, higher white stability, and managed noise. The telephoto and ultrawide samples in low mild are not so good as the first digicam, however are usable on your social media uploads.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 low-light digicam samples (faucet to see bigger picture)

This 12 months, Samsung has additionally upped the ante in terms of video high quality. It could actually report as much as 8K at 30 frames per second (fps) with the first digicam. It could actually additionally report slow-motion movies at 240fps in Full HD and 120fps in Full HD. For skilled customers, the corporate has added the Galaxy Log video function, which lets you obtain these movies to your system and carry out color grading. There's additionally an AI Audio Eraser function on the Fold 7 that may allow you to regulate volumes of various parts within the video. The video high quality is superb from the first digicam.

Total, the Galaxy Fold 7 is a big leap by way of cameras for the Samsung line-up and places it subsequent to one of the best - Galaxy S25 Extremely.

The cellphone sports activities a 10-megapixel 100-degree digicam on the primary show that expands the body

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Efficiency: Lastly, a foldable that looks like a flagship Processor - Snapdragon 8 Elite RAM and storage - 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1 TB OS - Android 16 based mostly One UI 8 The Galaxy Z Fold 7 options the top-tier processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, which has been seen in Samsung's Galaxy S25 Extremely this 12 months. On daily basis duties are dealt with easily, and there are not any points with multitasking. The app opens tremendous rapidly, and switching between apps is easy. Whereas Samsung is not pushing the Fold 7 as a gaming gadget, this foldable is a really succesful one.

The Galaxy Z Fold7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, which additionally powers the Galaxy S25 Extremely

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is on the market in three RAM and storage configurations: 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage, 12GB of RAM with 512GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM with 1TB of storage. Samsung ought to have provided a 16GB RAM possibility for all SKUs, contemplating the substantial price ticket. Samsung makes use of LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 on the Fold 7. To offer a greater perspective, I ran our suite of artificial benchmark apps, and the outcomes are under, in comparison with the Fold 6.

Benchmark Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (Cowl/ Essential) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Cowl/ Essential) Pixel 9 Professional Fold (Cowl/Essential) AnTuTu v10 1,820,509 / 1,845,876 1,642,118 / 1,695,896 11,15,037 / 10,65,151 PCMark Work 3.0 15,854 / 16,187 18,688 / 18,460 13,686 / 12,744 Geekbench 6 Single 1,784/ 1,923 2,216/ 2,197 1,872 / 1,651 Geekbench 6 Multi 8,239/ 8,798 6,725/ 6,689 3,734 / 3,971 GFXB T-rex (fps) 120 / 120 120 / 120 120 / 119 GFXB Manhattan 3.1 (fps) 120 / 120 120 / 120 119 / 86 GFXB Automobile Chase (fps) 119 / 119 119 / 119 78 / 49 3DM Slingshot Excessive OpenGL ES 3.1 Maxed Out / Maxed Out Maxed Out / Maxed Out Maxed Out / Maxed Out 3DM Slingshot Maxed Out / Maxed Out Maxed Out / Maxed Out Maxed Out / Maxed Out 3DM Wild Life 16,474 / 16,742 15,678 / 15,210 8,683 / Maxed Out 3DM Wild Life Stress Check 18,871 / 18,336 18,786 / 17,898 8,948 / 9,273 The foldable does get heat whereas gaming and when utilizing the cellphone for prolonged durations, corresponding to for navigation or when the digicam app is in use. However it by no means reaches some extent the place it turns into too heat to deal with.

The audio system on the Fold 7 aren't very loud, however are adequate to fill a medium-sized room, and the readability is there. Calls on the cellphone are respectable, with no name drops attributable to community points or the handset's incapability to latch on to networks. I examined the Fold 7 for 5G on Airtel and Jio networks, and it really works with no sweat. One of many strengths of the Fold 7 is its skill to latch onto a cell community in areas with restricted connectivity, corresponding to basements or inside elevators.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 runs One UI 8 on Android 16 out of the field

Due to the slim profile and an prolonged facet ratio, the Fold 7's cowl display can be utilized as a daily cellphone, and I had a good time typing lengthy emails, texts, and even doing a little mild photograph enhancing on apps like Canva. In the actual world, the Fold 7 is mild years forward of the Fold 6, which was powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Leaping to the software program aspect, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is amongst a handful of Samsung units launching earlier than the brand new Pixels with Android 16. That is one thing we do not usually see, however that is additionally Samsung for you. The One UI 8 relies on Android 16. Speaking in regards to the interface usually, the One UI 8 would not deliver ground-breaking adjustments, as One UI 7 final 12 months already launched large upgrades.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 customers shall be among the many first to get entry to expertise Android 16

Very like Android 16, which focuses on enhancing the under-the-hood features of the UI, One UI 8 additionally brings minor adjustments, together with an improved split-screen multitasking function (90:10 from the sooner 70:30 cut up). The Now Bar and Now Temporary are a part of One UI 8 and shall be rolled out to all appropriate units. The Now transient will present personalised briefings with prompt content material and actions that replace in real-time, relying on the time of day you test. It sits on the Residence display and is a pleasant contact. The Reminder app has additionally undergone an overhaul and can function a companion app for planning your subsequent household vacation. It could actually additionally take your to-do lists and drop you reminders on time. The Fast Share has additionally obtained some upgrades, making it straightforward to share recordsdata with only one faucet.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 brings AI options like Gemini Reside, Picture Help, Portrait Studio, Audio Eraser, and Circle to Search, amongst others

In fact, there's the same old AI suite of options, together with Name Help, Writing Help, Interpreter, Word Help, Transcript Help, Looking Help, Picture Help, Drawing Help, Audio Eraser, Picture Ambient Wallpaper, and Well being Help.

The digicam app additionally receives helpful additions that allow you to swipe up or down to modify between rear and entrance cameras. The default looking app has additionally obtained an replace that shows all choices for sharing and different options within the menu. Total, One UI 8 is a pleasant replace for Samsung customers, and it is useful on the Fold 7.

Samsung claims that the primary show has been redesigned to be thinner, lighter, but stronger

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Battery: Usual, standard Battery - 4400mAh unit Charging help - 25W wired and 15W wi-fi Charging pace - 50% in half-hour If there's one division that fully missed the improve cycle on the Fold 7, it needs to be the battery. The cellphone packs the identical 4,400mAh battery, which, on paper, seems to be on the decrease aspect when in comparison with new-age flagships launched this 12 months. The charging pace is once more an Achilles' heel for the Fold 7, capped at 25W.

There's Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the again of the Fold 7

In real-world utilization, the Fold 7 lasts a few day with a full cost and gives a screen-on time of over 5 hours. I most popular a barely higher battery backup. The great factor is that Samsung now gives a spread of granular controls for battery settings, permitting you to restrict charging to 80% or barely extra.

When folded, the Galaxy Fold 7 can be utilized with only one hand with ease

For charging, the Fold 7 takes roughly half-hour to cost to 50%, whereas a full cost (0-100%) takes round 80-90 minutes. That is on the decrease aspect, and I want Samsung may have acknowledged this challenge.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Verdict This 12 months, Samsung has made positive that its Fold 7 comes out as a strong package deal combining energy and panache. It gives top-tier specs in a fantastically crafted, smooth physique that may flip heads. It encompasses a top-tier processor that ensures uncompromising efficiency, after which there is a large digicam improve that brings one of the best from the Galaxy S25 Extremely. The One UI 8, based mostly on Android 16 with 7 years of software program help, is one of the best you will get on any Android gadget for the time being. The light-weight and smooth design is the USP of the gadget, fixing the foldable conundrum that has been there for years.

The Fold 7 begins at Rs. 174,999 and goes as much as Rs. 216,999

In fact, there are just a few ache factors, such because the charging pace now feeling dated, and I want Samsung had acknowledged it this 12 months. The battery efficiency is not one thing that units a benchmark, and with the lacking S Pen help, the Fold loses its allure as a real multitasking gadget. Not skipping the worth bump, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an costly gadget, very similar to its predecessor.

The upgraded Armour FlexHinge is thinner and lighter, due to a newly applied multi-rail construction that reduces seen creasing

For options, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is a strong contender for the Fold 7, if anybody desires a non-folding gadget. The Vivo X Fold 5 is the closest rival within the book-style folding phase. Within the coming days, we will count on the brand new Pixel Fold from Google to hitch the foldables league.