Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: A new perspective on foldables

Samsung has once again redefined the foldable phone category with the Galaxy Z Fold 7—its most refined and ambitious iteration yet. As competitors slowly catch up, Samsung pushes forward with innovations that enhance the foldable experience while addressing many past criticisms. But is the Z Fold 7 finally ready for the mainstream, or does it still remain a niche device for tech enthusiasts?
Design and Display: A Sleeker Fold
At first glance, the Z Fold 7 doesn’t drastically differ from its predecessor, but subtle refinements make a big difference. It’s thinner and lighter than the Z Fold 6, thanks to a redesigned hinge mechanism that also contributes to a more seamless fold. When closed, it feels more like a regular smartphone, making it more pocket-friendly.
The 6.4-inch outer AMOLED display now has a slightly wider aspect ratio, improving usability for one-handed tasks. Open it up, and you’re greeted with a gorgeous 7.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X inner display, offering a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and increased brightness for better visibility outdoors. Samsung’s crease is still visible, but less distracting than before.
Performance: Flagship Power Under the Hood
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset and coupled with up to 16GB of RAM, the Z Fold 7 handles multitasking, gaming, and productivity without a hiccup. Whether you’re running three apps side by side or playing Genshin Impact on the main screen, performance is fluid and reliable.
Samsung’s continued software optimizations for foldables shine here. One UI 7 brings advanced multitasking features like drag-and-drop between apps, taskbar improvements, and better app continuity when switching screens.
Camera: More Than Just Versatile
The Z Fold 7 features a triple-lens setup on the rear: a 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. While it doesn’t compete with the Galaxy S series in pure photography, image quality has improved, especially in low light. The under-display selfie camera remains a weak point, but the cover screen’s 12MP front camera works great for selfies and video calls.
Pro photographers may still prefer a dedicated camera phone, but for most users, the Z Fold 7 delivers versatile, above-average performance across various shooting conditions.
Battery Life and Charging
Samsung squeezed in a 4,600mAh battery, slightly larger than before, which lasts comfortably through a day of mixed use. Despite powering two displays, the phone’s improved power efficiency and intelligent adaptive refresh rate help conserve juice.
It supports 45W fast charging, 15W wireless, and reverse wireless charging. A full charge takes just under an hour, but, as expected, Samsung still doesn’t include a charger in the box.
Durability: Built for Real Life
Foldables have often felt fragile, but Samsung continues to improve durability. The Z Fold 7 is IPX8 water-resistant, features Gorilla Glass Victus 3 on the outer screen, and uses a stronger Armor Aluminum frame. The new hinge reportedly withstands over 300,000 folds, which equates to several years of daily use.
Still, foldables require care, especially with dust exposure, as Samsung has yet to crack the code on true dust resistance.
Is the Fold 7 Worth It?
With a starting price of ₹1,59,999 (or $1,799 globally), the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is undeniably a luxury device. But for power users, productivity enthusiasts, and early adopters, it offers a unique and fluid multitasking experience that traditional slab phones simply can’t match.
Samsung’s growing ecosystem—Dex support, S Pen compatibility (sold separately), and seamless integration with Galaxy tablets and wearables—also makes the Fold 7 a productivity powerhouse.
Verdict: The Best Foldable Yet? Absolutely. For Everyone? Not Quite.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a compelling evolution in Samsung’s foldable journey. It’s sleeker, faster, more durable, and finally feels polished enough for broader adoption. While its high price and niche appeal remain limiting factors, Samsung continues to lead the foldable revolution with finesse and vision.
If you’re ready to embrace the future of smartphones—and don’t mind the price tag—the Z Fold 7 might just be your next favorite device.