The Truth about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 - 1 Month Later

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is Samsung's most refined foldable yet, combining the portability of a smartphone with the immersive experience of a mini tablet. It features a slim, lightweight design, an improved hinge with a less visible crease, and a 200 MP main camera—the first on a Samsung foldable. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and layered with One UI 8, it excels in multitasking, gaming, and AI-driven features. Both screens offer vibrant AMOLED displays with 120 Hz refresh rates. With solid battery life, stereo speakers, and premium build quality, the Z Fold 7 delivers cutting-edge innovation, though it lacks S Pen support and full dust resistance.

Takeaways

• 📱 The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest foldable phone yet, measuring 8.9 mm folded and 4.2 mm unfolded, weighing 215 grams.
• 🎨 Premium design with frosted matte glass back, aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back, Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on cover screen, and IP48 water resistance.
• 🖥️ Display features a 6.5” cover screen and 8” inner foldable screen, both Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 2,600 nits.
• ⚡ Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite and Adreno 830 GPU, with options for 12GB or 16GB RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage.
• 🤖 AI features include Magic Eraser, Circle to Search, Audio Eraser, Instant Slow-mo, Notes Assist, and Gemini Live for enhanced multitasking and productivity.
• 📸 Camera system upgrades include a 200 MP wide-angle sensor, 12 MP ultra-wide, 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, dual 10 MP front cameras, and advanced video capabilities including 8K 30fps.
• 🔊 Audio is delivered via stereo speakers that are loud, clear, and balanced, providing immersive sound even when unfolded; no headphone jack included.
• 🔋 Battery capacity is 4,400 mAh, supporting 25W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging; lasts a full day under typical use.
• 💾 Software runs Android 16 with One UI 8, offering multitasking features like split-screen, taskbar-style dock, and up to 7 years of software updates.
• 💰 Pricing starts at $1,999 (≈2,750,000 NRA) and goes up to $2,149 for the 1TB/12GB model, reflecting its premium build, features, and innovation.
• ✏️ Trade-offs include the removal of S Pen support due to slim design and the need for careful handling to avoid damage; a case is optional but may hide its slim aesthetic.

Q & A

What makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 feel different compared to previous foldable phones?

The Z Fold 7 feels more like a regular phone due to its thinner and lighter design, improved hinge, less visible crease, and wider cover screen, making it more comfortable for one-handed use.

What are the dimensions and weight of the Z Fold 7?

The phone is 8.9 mm thin when folded, 4.2 mm when unfolded, and weighs 215 grams, making it lighter than most standard smartphones and previous fold models.

Does the Z Fold 7 support the S Pen?

No, the Z Fold 7 does not support the S Pen due to its slim design, unlike some previous models like the Fold 6.

What display features does the Z Fold 7 offer?

It has a 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen and an 8-inch foldable inner display, both with a 120 Hz refresh rate, up to 2600 nits peak brightness, and reduced crease visibility for smoother interaction.

Which processor and GPU are used in the Z Fold 7, and what performance benefits do they provide?

The Z Fold 7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and Adreno 830 GPU, providing smooth multitasking, heavy app usage, and advanced gaming performance with minimal lag.

What AI features does the Z Fold 7 include?

It includes real-time voice translation, photo editing, Circle to Search, Audio Eraser, Instant Slow-mo, Notes Assist, transcript assist, AI browsing assist, and Gemini Live integration.

What are the battery capacity and charging specifications of the Z Fold 7?

The device has a 4,400 mAh battery, 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing a full charge in about 1 hour and 25 minutes using a 96W charger.

What are the main camera specifications and capabilities?

The rear camera setup includes a 200 MP main sensor, 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and 10 MP 3x telephoto lens with OIS. It supports 8K video at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, HDR10+ video, advanced AI processing, night mode, and expert RAW manual controls.

How does the audio system perform on the Z Fold 7?

The phone has stereo speakers that are loud, crisp, and well-balanced, providing immersive sound for movies, gaming, and music. It does not have a headphone jack, so wireless audio is recommended.

What are the key trade-offs or limitations of the Z Fold 7?

The main trade-offs include no S Pen support, faster battery drain under heavy usage, lack of dustproofing, and a premium price starting at $1,999.

How durable is the Z Fold 7?

It uses ultra-thin glass for the foldable display, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the cover screen. The aluminum frame is strong and lightweight. The hinge has been reworked for durability and minimal dust entry, and it has IP48 water resistance.

What makes the Z Fold 7’s software experience unique?

It runs Android 16 with One UI 8, offering a taskbar-like dock for split-screen multitasking, drag-and-drop app functionality, up to 7 years of software updates, and AI-powered tools integrated directly into the system.