Flip phones have a long history, and Samsung has been a dominant player in the market. The Galaxy Z Flip series has been leading the way, but in 2024, Motorola’s Razr 50 Ultra took the spotlight as Tech Advisor’s best flip phone. In response, Samsung has upgraded the cover screen on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, marking a significant improvement since its debut in 2020. The question remains: can Samsung reclaim its position as the top flip phone maker? After testing the Razr 60 Ultra earlier this year, I spent a week using the Galaxy Z Flip 7 to find out, and the results were surprising.
Design & Build
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 boasts a major design upgrade with a larger cover screen and internal display. The cover screen has been significantly improved, now extending almost to the edge of the device at 4.1 inches. The internal display has also been increased to 6.9 inches, providing a more modern look. The device folds completely flat and remains slim at 13.7mm, making it lightweight and compact. The robust aluminium hinge ensures durability, and the phone is IP48 water and dust resistant. The device is available in four colors: ‘Blue Shadow’, ‘Jetblack’, ‘Coralred’, and ‘Mint’.
Screen & Speakers
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 features a 4-inch, 120Hz AMOLED cover screen and a 6.9-inch, 120Hz AMOLED internal display. The cover screen has been vastly improved with increased resolution and peak brightness, providing vivid colors and deep blacks. The internal display offers excellent detail and visibility, with a high refresh rate and brightness. The stereo speakers deliver decent sound quality, though not exceptional.
Specs & Performance
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is powered by the Samsung Exynos 2500 chipset with 12GB of RAM. The device offers 256GB or 512GB of non-expandable storage. Despite not being as powerful as some competitor chipsets, the performance is smooth and reliable for daily use. Gaming may show some dropped frames, but overall, the device handles tasks well. The battery life has improved, but the 25W charging speeds can be slow.
Cameras
The Galaxy Z Flip 7’s camera setup includes a 50Mp main lens, a 12Mp ultrawide lens, and a 10Mp front-facing camera. The main lens captures excellent photos with vibrant colors and good detail. The ultrawide lens is versatile, but digital zoom capabilities are limited. The front-facing camera is decent, with video recording up to 4K at 30fps. The device excels at capturing portraits and group selfies.
Battery Life & Charging
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 houses a 4300mAh battery with 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging. The battery life has improved, offering decent performance for moderate use. However, the charging speeds can be slow, taking over 90 minutes to fully charge from empty.
Software & Apps
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 runs on One UI 8 over Android 16, offering a familiar Samsung experience with customization options and AI features. The software provides a range of AI tools for various tasks, including writing and translation. The device will receive seven years of OS and security updates, ensuring longevity.
Price & Availability
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is priced at £1,049/$1,099 for the 256GB model, with a 512GB option available for £1,149/$1,219. The device is available for purchase from various retailers and networks. Despite the premium price, the Z Flip 7 offers a sleek design, excellent displays, and top-tier software experience.
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7?
If you’re in the market for a flip phone and value premium design and features, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a top recommendation. Despite some drawbacks like battery life and charging speed, the device offers a great camera, displays, and software experience. The competitive pricing and long update support make it a compelling choice for those seeking a high-end flip phone.
Specs
- 4.1-inch, 120Hz AMOLED cover display
- 6.9-inch, 120Hz LTPO AMOLED main display
- Samsung Exynos 2500 chipset
- 12GB RAM
- 256/512GB storage
- 50Mp, f/1.8 main camera
- 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide camera
- 10Mp, f/2.2 selfie camera
- 4300mAh battery
- 25W wired charging
- 15W wireless charging
- 4.5W reverse wireless charging
- Stereo speakers
- IP48 water and dust resistance
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth 5.4
- 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5 mm (open), 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7 mm (closed)
- 188g
- One UI 8 over Android 16
