Galaxy Fold 7, while not the most slender foldable, boasts a superior design layout.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7: A Revolutionary Folding Smartphone
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has made a significant impact in the world of foldable smartphones, with its sleek design and impressive improvements over its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 boasts a thinner, lighter, and more ergonomic design. When folded, the device measures just 8.9 mm thick, a substantial reduction from the 12.1 mm thickness of the Fold 6. When unfolded, it's only 4.2 mm thick, making it thinner than many high-end flat smartphones. The weight drops from 239 g on the Fold 6 to a lightweight 215 g, making it the lightest book-style foldable on the market and comparable in weight to Samsung’s premium Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Design-wise, the Z Fold 7 features a new 21:9 aspect ratio cover screen, which makes the folded phone feel more like a regular smartphone in hand. The device also benefits from a cleaner hinge design, eliminating the gap between halves when folded, and uses enhanced materials such as an Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back, and a new Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 cover screen for improved durability and crack resistance.
The internal (main) display size increases from 7.6 inches on the Fold 6 to 8 inches on the Fold 7, providing about 5% more screen real estate for multitasking, gaming, and media consumption. Furthermore, the crease has been significantly improved, making it almost indiscernible when running a finger across it.
In terms of performance, the Z Fold 7 features a more advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) chipset and a 200MP main camera, offering improved speed, efficiency, and photo and video quality.
Compared to other folding phones like the Google Pixel Fold 2 and OnePlus Open 2, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 stands out for its remarkably slim profile, light weight, and premium build quality, setting a new ergonomic standard and closing the gap with non-folding flagships in terms of in-hand feel and daily usability.
In summary, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 delivers a thinner, lighter, more durable, and more comfortable foldable experience than its predecessor and remains a leading device in the foldable smartphone category for thickness, weight, and in-hand feel. The device's broad global availability means more people will experience it than other folding phones, potentially leading to its eventual success. After two weeks of use, the author finds the Galaxy Z Fold 7's design so good that they don't want to put it down, transcending the sum of its parts and offering an experience that is second to none.
| Feature | Galaxy Z Fold 7 | Galaxy Z Fold 6 | Other Folding Phones (e.g., Pixel Fold 2, OnePlus Open 2) | |----------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | Folded Thickness | 8.9 mm | 12.1 mm | Generally thicker than Fold 7 | | Unfolded Thickness | 4.2 mm | 5.6 mm | Typically thicker than Fold 7 | | Weight | 215 g | 239 g | Usually heavier or equal | | Cover Screen Aspect Ratio | New 21:9 (wider) | 22.1:9 (narrower) | Varies, Fold 7 is wider and feels more like a normal phone | | Main Display Size | 8.0 inches | 7.6 inches | Similar or smaller | | Materials & Durability | Armor Aluminum, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 | Armor Aluminum, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Often less refined materials or heavier frames | | Hinge Design | Gapless, sleeker | Slight gap | Some have gaps or bulkier hinges |
[1] TechRadar. (2023). Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review. [online] Available at: https://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7
[2] Wired. (2023). Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: A Slimmer, Lighter Foldable. [online] Available at: https://www.wired.com/review/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7/
[3] The Verge. (2023). Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: The best foldable yet. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/23323958/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-review
[4] CNET. (2023). Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: A foldable that's finally ready for the mainstream. [online] Available at: https://www.cnet.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7/
[5] Phone Arena. (2023). Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: A foldable masterpiece. [online] Available at: https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Fold-7_id13882
- The Galaxy Z Fold 7, even amidst various gadgets and smartphones, accurately demonstrates the advancements of technology with its thinner, lighter, and more ergonomic design.
- It's notable that the Galaxy Z Fold 7, with its new 21:9 cover screen, better internal display, and improved camera, stands out among contemporary technology when it comes to providing an extraordinary user experience through foldable technology.
