Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Review: The new king of flip foldables

Ever since the first Galaxy Z Flip launched, I’ve always wanted to use Samsung’s flip phones as my daily driver. Unfortunately, none of the previous efforts managed to check off all the boxes in what I’m looking for. Well, that’s until now.

Samsung gives the Galaxy Z Flip 7 much more attention than the last few models, and in doing so, it finally meets all of my criteria. As much as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has its perks, like its 200MP camera and insane thin design,I still think the Z Flip 7 has the better value and utility to make it the best foldable phone you can buy,

There’s a lot to unpack aside from the aesthetic changes, but I’ll explore all the new additions and Galaxy AI features in my Galaxy Z Flip 7 review. After using the latest Flip for a week, I’m convinced it’s what all other flip phones should strive to become.

Galaxy Z Flip 7 | My Favorite Camera Phone’s Must-Try Features - YouTube

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Cheat Sheet

Who is this for? Creators and enthusiasts who want the most camera utility in a phone, without spending a fortune. It’s also an excellent option to your standard flagship model.

What does it cost? It starts at $1,099 / £1,049 / AU$1,799, which is the same cost as last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 6.

What do I like? The larger Flex Window display lets me see more of the camera preview, multimodal AI experience with Gemini Live, and the addition of Samsung DeX.

What do I not like? I was hoping for better camera improvements, but there are only changes from the Galaxy Z Flip 6.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Specifications

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Price and release date

Given how last year’s model received a $100 price increase, I’m relieved that Samsung has kept the Galaxy Z Flip 7 at the same price of $1,099 / £1,049 / AU$1,799. This undercuts the more expensive Motorola Razr Ultra (2025), while delivering more utility.

The starting price comes with 256GB of storage, while the 512GB model will set you back $1,219 — with both versions of the Flip accompanied by 12GB of RAM. At the moment, you can choose from four colors: Blue shadow, Jet black, Coralred, and Mint. That’s fewer colors than Samsung offered with the Z Flip 6, but I hope that changes over time.

After its introduction at Galaxy Unpacked in July 9, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 went on sale globally starting on July 25th, 2025.

Free storage upgrade!

Galaxy Z Flip 7 preorder: up to $770 off w/ trade-in @ Samsung
Samsung is knocking up to $770 off Galaxy Z Flip 7 preorders when you trade-in an older phone. Additionally, you'll get a free storage upgrade with your preorder. The phone features a 6.9-inch AMOLED (2520 x 1080) inner display w/ 120Hz refresh, 4.1-inch AMOLED (948 x 1048) outer display w/ 120Hz refresh, Exynos 2500 CPU, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. You also get 50MP f/1.8 main and 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide rear cameras and a 10MP f2.2 selfie cam.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Design

From a cursory look, it doesn’t look like Samsung has done much to change the design of its flip phone with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. It still has flat edges that dig into my hand and it's really tough to open one-handed, but the changes that are there are certainly welcome.

For starters, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is actually thinner than the previous model at 0.26-inches when opened. And while it’s a smidge heavier at 6.63 ounces, that’s warranted given how the Z Flip 7 has a much larger main display now.

Foldable phones have a reputation for being fragile, but not the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Just holding it in my hand, it feels incredibly solid and it manages to retain the same IP48 rating as before with its new Armor Frame Aluminum design. Smudges don’t appear as bad because the Flip almost has a matte-like finish, but it’s not prone to the usual scratches.

That said, I already have a couple of superficial marks on the back from just putting it in and out of my pocket — so you’ll want to slap on a case. I’d suggest checking out one of the FlipSuit cases because of how some of them add a level of interaction you don’t typically get in an accessory.

Samsung also says the new Armor FlexHinge is smoother and more durable, but there’s still a crease on the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s main display. Luckily it’s not as noticeable when watching videos and stuff, but I do like how it isn’t as deep as the crease on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 from two years ago.

I wouldn’t say the design is as attractive as the Motorola Razr Ultra, but I’m most happy about the Flex Window display changes.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Displays

For years now, Motorola has beaten Samsung with its larger outer screens, making it even easier to run full apps and using the better rear cameras for selfies, but that changes with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. That’s because Samsung’s phone now packs a 4.1-inch Super AMOLED exterior display that goes edge-to-edge. Gone is the notch of last year’s outer screen and it’s a shocking example of how much the new design makes a big difference.

It’s honestly an impressive change when I look at how skinny the bezels are over the Z Flip 6 and Razr Ultra. Having more room makes everything better, like catching up on my emails, playing games, and especially recording video of myself. I only have two complaints: the Flex Window on the Z Flip 7 still doesn’t support full apps natively, and it doesn’t have an auto-rotate option.

I still need to go through the extra steps of installing the Good Lock app before I’m able to run full apps on the Z Flip 7’s outer screen. I recommend doing this because I find it extremely helpful — it makes using apps one-handed a lot easier. Even though the Galaxy Z Flip 7 Flex Window doesn’t auto-rotate, the Good Lock app offers options to shrink down apps so that they don’t interfere with the cameras.

Meanwhile, the inner display on the Galaxy Z Flip grows to 6.9-inches — up from the 6.7-inch size of the Z Flip 6.

The size increase is a welcome addition that makes running two apps simultaneously a slightly better experience. Just as before, this Dynamic AMOLED 2x display is sharp looking, produces rich colors, and maintains clarity at wide viewing angles.

In the Tom’s Guide display benchmarking test, the Z Flip 7 reaches a peak brightness of 1,989 nits — that’s up from the 1,942 nits recorded by the Z Flip 6. Yes it’s brighter on paper, but I hardly notice the difference watching videos on YouTube on bright sunny days. For a foldable phone, it’s an impressive score, given how few phones ever get close to topping 2,000 nits.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Cameras

Sadly, Samsung doesn’t give the Galaxy Z Flip 7 any big upgrades like what it does with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. I’m disappointed for sure because the Galaxy Z Flip 7 specs hint at the same exact cameras as before — a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP selfie. Even their apertures are identical to the Z Flip 6, which leads me to suspect that any improvements will be driven largely by the phone’s updated ProVisual Engine.

However, I will say that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the best camera phone for creators due in part to the utility of its flex modes. When you shoot photos and videos as much as I do professionally, you’ll appreciate how these modes make it much easier to get the shots you want. For example, the larger screen paired with the rear cameras allow me to better frame myself in a video — plus I love how I can have both the main and outer screens running at the same time.

Samsung offers the most robust camera software out there, and the Z Flip 7 has everything I want like manual video controls, portrait video mode, LOG recording, and much more. These are tools much like on my mirrorless camera, making the Z Flip 7 the most versatile camera phone around. In fact, I argue it’s even better than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 because of its flip-style design. But it also helps if the Flip can take excellent photos and videos.

Against the Razr Ultra (2025), it appears like an even matchup against the 50MP main camera of the Z Flip 7 with the photos of my backyard. There’s a lot of details captured of the tree and its branches, especially along the base, but I like how the Z Flip 7 casts a stronger contrast that makes it pop a bit more.

There’s less of a difference with the Z Flip 6, as the two capture many of the same details in the shot of the parking lot — like the license plates on the cars. The only difference I can see that benefits the Z Flip 7 is how it boosts the shadows of the tree in the background.

Moving to the shot of the water fountain in Bryant Park, the Razr Ultra’s ultrawide camera definitely captures the brighter picture that catches my attention. I’m not surprised here because its 50MP ultrawide has a wider f/2 aperture to capture better details in the shadow compared to the f/2.2 aperture of the Z Flip 7’s ultrawide.

In a strange twist, though, the Z Flip 7’s 10MP selfie camera proves that pixel-crunching numbers don’t always guarantee better results. Case in point: the selfies I took of myself with the phones’ front cameras in Bryant Park. Not only is the Z Flip 7 more accurately exposed to give me a natural skin tone, it also captures more detail.

Since the Galaxy Z Flip 7 lacks a dedicated telephoto camera, all zooming is supplied by the main sensor. At 2x zoom, I barely notice any difference against the Z Flip 6, but the small details get amplified at 10x zoom. I wouldn’t say it’s a huge difference, but nonetheless an improvement for the Z Flip 7. Not only are the words of the sign in the middle more defined, but the textures of the concrete lot and wooden pole in the background are slightly sharper.

Samsung’s ProVisual Engine shows its magic at 10x zoom against the Razr Ultra’s shot above, which makes the poster on the poll much more legible. Plus, there’s better definition amongst the leaves in the background.

Low light performance is always decisive in judging any year-to-year improvements. Switching over to night mode, I can clearly tell right away that the ProVisual Engine is doing its job to enhance the tree in my backyard. While the exposure looks about the same as the Z Flip 6, it’s in the details of the branches and bark that stand out for the Z Flip 7.

Overall, I really enjoy the Galaxy Z Flip 7's versatility because of how its foldable design and camera modes make it ideal for creators. I've also put it through testing against other best camera phone contenders, which you can check out below.

• Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs Galaxy Z Flip 6 photo shootout: I didn't expect a substantial boost knowing the hardware's essentially the same, but you'll see more of how the updated ProVisual Engine enhances the Z FLip 7's shots.
• Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs Razr Ultra (2025) photo shootout: Motorola put up a stronger fight than years past. However, there are clearly key areas where the Z Flip 7 distances itself with its camera performance.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Video

I also love how the Galaxy Z Flip 7 acts as a video camera phone, with the ability to shoot up to 4K 60 fps. In fact, I prefer how I shoot video on the Z Flip 7 over the Z Fold 7 — especially for vlogging because using the Flex Window display with the rear cameras is much easier.

Motorola Razr Ultra (2025): 4K, 30fps sample - YouTube

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Galaxy Z Flip 7: 4K, 30fps sample - YouTube

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I recorded the footage above at Bryant Park to show it off against the Razr Ultra. Even though it’s tough to tell from just watching them, I imported both clips into my video editing software on my laptop and cropped the footage to better uncover their details. From what I can see, the Z Flip 7’s footage has a little more definition. At the same time, its neutral white balance makes it more realistic than the overly warm tones of the Razr Ultra.

Galaxy Z Flip 7: LOG video sample - YouTube

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Switching over to Pro Video mode also unlocks another new feature, LOG recording, which makes its debut for the first time in the Flip series. Technically LOG recording was introduced with the Galaxy S25 Ultra earlier this year, but I’m glad Samsung decided to bring it to the Z Flip 7 because it gives me more control of adjusting the colors in post — or simply applying a LUT (look up table). Features such as this shows how versatile the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is as a video camera.

Other video camera features worth pointing out with the Z Flip 7 are its various slow motion modes, Pro Video controls, portrait video, and more. Few phones also let me use wireless microphones to better capture audio, especially when it’s a busy shot with a lot of noise, but the Z Flip 7 makes it possible.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Performance

If there’s one controversy surrounding the Galaxy Z Flip 7, it has to be Samsung’s decision to drop Qualcomm as a system-on-chip supplier in favor of its own in-house chipset. The Z Flip 7 is powered by a deca-core Exynos 2500 chipset, which is manufactured using a 3nm process.

I did had reservations about the Exynos 2500 affecting the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s performance. But using the Z Flip 7 daily during my testing has alleviated them.

Although the performance benchmark scores don’t beat phones running the Snapdragon 8 Elite, they’re not too far off. Take its single and muti-core GeekBench 6 scores. At 2,286 and 8,079, respectively, for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, they aren’t too far behind the Razr Ultra (2025). At the very least, the Z Flip 7 manages to beat out the Z Flip 6.

When it comes to graphics processing performance, there’s not as much of a boost when I look at the 114.64 fps average posted by the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for 3DMark’s Wild Life Original Unlimited test. Don’t get me wrong, that's still pretty smooth, but it’s nowhere close to the 145 fps rate that the Razr Ultra achieves.

I’m not one to lean on synthetic scores because I value a phone’s GPU performance based on my actual experience. After putting in some playing time with Age of Origins and Diablo Immortal on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, I barely notice any major differences compared to gameplay on the Razr Ultra. Spells that I cast in Diablo Immortal don’t drop the frame rate of the game, while larger battle sequences in Age of Origins don’t stutter, either.

However, the Exynos 2500 is laughably slow at rendering video with Adobe Premiere Rush. It takes more than a minute for it to render, whereas the same task for last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered Z Flip 6 took 43 seconds. That’s a big difference that’s tough to explain, but it could come down to how the Exynos 2400 is optimized, specifically for video rendering.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Battery life and charging

Due to its larger screen, the Z Flip 7 benefits from a larger 4,300 mAh — an upgrade from the Z Flip 6’s 4,000 mAh capacity. I would argue this is the main reason why the new phone is able to last longer in our battery drain test, where we have phones surf the web until they run out of power.

It reaches an average time of 12 hours and 24 minutes before tapping out, whereas the Z Flip 6 lasted 11 hours and 1 minute running the same test. That’s an improvement for sure, but it trails the even longer 15 hours and 42 minutes that the Razr Ultra (2025) achieves. Then again, Motorola’s phone is packing an even larger 4,700 mAh battery and benefits from better power optimization thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

I have no complaints with the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s battery performance based on my day-to-day experience so far, which gets me through my work day with no issues at all. At around bedtime, though, I’ve usually found it running into power savings mode — so nightly charging is necessary with this one.

While the battery life performance could’ve been better, I was hoping for Samsung to offset it by giving the Z Flip 7 faster charging speeds. That’s not the case here as the new phone is still sporting the same speeds as before. That’s 25W wired and 15W wireless. After 15 and 30 minutes of charging, the Galaxy Z Flip’s battery is able to get to 29% and 55%, respectively.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: AI

When I think about AI, I often remember Samantha — the AI assistant in the 2013 film “Her” voiced by Scarlett Johannson. That’s the epitome of how I could “carry: AI with me everywhere, and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the closest thing we have to that. This is because of the multimodal capabilities of Gemini Live, which lets Gemini tap into the camera to see the world around me.

What makes the Galaxy Z Flip 7 a better AI companion than say, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, is how its compact size lets me carry the phone in my shirt pocket. I’ve actually tried keeping the one half of the Z Flip 7 with the cover screen on the outside of my shirt pocket, mimicking how Joaquinn Phoenix’s character carried around Samantha on his adventures. Now that’s something you couldn’t do with larger phones.

Since Gemini Live is multimodal, I’m able to ask about everything I’m looking at. I used the assistant to check out the circuit breaker in my home to see if there’s anything wrong with it because the second inexplicably lost power. To my surprise, Gemini was able to determine that one of the breakers were tripped — which I couldn’t tell because it looked like it was in the on position — and it guided me on how to reset the breaker. That saved me from having to call an electrician to come out.

Beyond Gemini Live, there are a few more new additions courtesy of Galaxy AI. Borrowing from the Galaxy S25 series from earlier in the year, the Z Flip 7 offers the Now Brief and Now Bar. They’re useful additions, but I find the Now Bar much more helpful due to how it essentially has rich live notifications.

There’s also cross app actions, which leans on Gemini to perform complex actions all with voice commands. It works well across the native apps on the Flip to do things like researching the next time I have an appointment and reminding me, but I really want to see more support for third-party apps. Obviously, it’s a work in progress, but it’s still light years better than anything Apple Intelligence offers.

Galaxy Z Flip 7: Original audio - YouTube

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Galaxy Z Flip 7: Audio Eraser-enabled sample - YouTube

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Other new Galaxy AI features with the Z Flip 7 include a new Audio Eraser tool that also debuted with the Galaxy S25. For the average person, Audio Eraser lets them remove distracting or unwanted background noise from videos — but in my experience, it can sometimes cause my voice to sound a little too artificial when I get too generous with the noise cancellation. Check out the before and after clips above to hear the difference.

Beyond that, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 has all the other Galaxy AI features that have been released to date. They include photo editing stuff like Generative Edit and Sketch to Image, along with productivity-centric ones such as Writing Assist, Call Assist, Note Assist, and more. Even though there’s not as many new Galaxy AI tools introduced here, the latest Flip still has one of the richest packages around.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: One UI 8 and software

Usually it’s Google’s Pixel phones that are the first to debut the latest version of Android, but this time it’s Samsung with its One UI 8 software running on top of Android 16. Most of the changes come in the way of the new AI features I’ve already mentioned, like the Now Bar and multimodal Gemini Live.

Anyone familiar with One UI 7 won’t notice a whole lot of visual changes to the interface, including advanced features like the AI select tool that can quickly be accessed through the Edge Panel. Just like the S25 series, the Z Flip 7 is a multi-tasking powerhouse with split-screen mode that runs two apps on top of each other — while a third one can be overlaid using a pop-up view.

But the biggest addition to the software is the introduction of Samsung DeX, a feature I’ve been begging for. I never understood why DeX support was omitted from Samsung’s flip phones, but it’s yet another reason why I believe the Galaxy Z Flip 7 makes a strong case in being a best phone contender. Samsung DeX gives me that desktop PC-like experience when I connect it to a monitor, which I find super helpful. Even though I’ve explained that Samsung doesn’t make any changes to the experience here with the Z Flip 7, I’m just stoked it’s finally here.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Verdict

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the best foldable phone in my opinion. After using the Z Fold 6 for most of the last year, it’s refreshing to switch to a flip-style phone. I’m especially glad it’s a much lighter, more compact device for me to carry around.

Thanks to big upgrades like its larger Flex Window display, multimodal AI capabilities, and Samsung DeX, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 has all the ingredients in what I want in a phone — and it helps that it doesn’t cost a fortune either. Over on the creative side of things, no other phone matches the utility of the Flip for what I want in a camera phone. Although the camera performance is barely improved from the Z Flip 6, its rich camera app and handy Flex Window display make it more powerful to use.

Motorola has dominated the flip phone scene for the last couple of years now, and while the Razr Ultra (2025) is a super upgrade, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 convinces me that Samsung is back on top. In my Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs Z Flip 6 face-off, you'll see how the newer flip phone comes away the winner.

I would even recommend getting it over other $1,000 priced flagships, like the Pixel 9 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro. Those phones in no way can match the utility of the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

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