Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review : Style, portability, and a more polished foldable experience
Samsung introduced two new foldables last month, and Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a smartphone of two halves, both literally and figuratively. When you hold it, the polished design and expanded FlexWindow suggest a new era for foldable devices, but upon closer inspection, the phone reveals certain quirks in performance. We have taken our time to write this review to understand what’s beyond the form factor here.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is now available in the market, with a starting price that feels ambitious given some of its compromises. The base model is around ₹1,09,999, making it a premium purchase. It's available in two variants:
- 12GB RAM and 256GB storage: Rs 1,09,999
- 12GB RAM and 512GB storage: Rs 1,21,999
You can purchase it directly from Samsung's online and physical stores, as well as from major retail partners like Flipkart and Amazon.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is certainly a step forward, but it's not without its issues. The build quality feels solid, and the phone feels premium in hand. It boasts an IP48 rating, which is a welcome addition, though it still falls short of the higher IP68 standard found on many non-folding flagships. The outer display, now called the FlexWindow, has grown significantly to 4.1 inches. The phone is available in several stylish colors, including Blue Shadow, Jet Black, and Coral Red. We reviewed the Blue Shadow model, which has a deep, vibrant tone.
Display and Visual Experience
The main inner screen is a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a high 2,520 x 1,080 resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. On paper, these are impressive specs. However, the presence of a distinct crease in the center of the display is an unavoidable reality of the form factor. While it's easy to get used to, it's a constant reminder that you're using a folding phone, and the immersive experience is often hampered by the visible crease.
Folded vs. Unfolded Use Cases
The dichotomy between the folded and unfolded states is a core part of the Z Flip 7 experience. The foldable form factor does offer some unique use cases, such as Flex Mode, which allows you to prop the phone up for hands-free photography or video calls. The larger outer display also lets you handle quick tasks like joining a Google Meets call without unfolding the phone, but the limited functionality of the outer screen can be frustrating compared to a full-sized screen.
Operating System and Software
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 runs on Android 16 with Samsung's latest One UI 8. The software is well-optimized for the foldable design, with seamless transitions between displays. Samsung's promise of seven years of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates is a strong point for a device at this price. The deep integration of Google Gemini is a key feature, including native support for the Gemini app on the cover screen. Features like Circle to Search and on-device translation are useful, though some capabilities feel more like a proof of concept.
Performance Analysis
This is arguably the most disappointing area of the Galaxy Z Flip 7. In a surprising move for a flagship device, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is powered by Exynos 2500 SoC instead of the top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 'Elite' found in the Z Fold 7. This decision is quite surprising. While the Exynos 2500 performs well for most daily tasks and gaming, it falls short of the raw power and efficiency of its competitors. The dual stereo speakers, while a good addition, are also a step below the audio quality of some rivals.