The Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 has officially arrived, and it’s not just another foldable – it’s the foldable Samsung fans have been eagerly waiting for! Thinner, lighter, and sleeker than ever before, the Galaxy Fold 7 finally closes the gap between Samsung and its ever-evolving competitors in China.
In my hands-on experience, this new foldable feels like a step in the right direction. Gone is the bulky, clunky design of previous models – the Galaxy Fold 7 is now more refined and practical.
Thinner, Lighter, and More Durable
One of the most striking improvements to the Fold 7 is its slimmed-down profile. With a thickness of just 8.9mm when closed, it’s right on par with other top foldables like the Oppo Find N5. And when unfolded, it’s a mere 4.2mm thick, making it one of the thinnest foldables on the market. But it’s not just about the size – the Fold 7 also sheds some weight, coming in at just 215 grams, a 10% drop from its predecessor.
Beyond its svelte design, Samsung has ensured the Fold 7 is also more durable. The new Armor FlexHinge with a multi-rail design improves strength and folding smoothness. The phone’s exterior is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front and a stronger Armor Aluminum frame. While it isn’t fully dust-resistant, these upgrades should make it much less prone to accidental damage.
Practical Cover Screen
Another area where the Fold 7 shines is its cover screen. No longer awkward or cramped, the new 6.5-inch outer display features a more practical 21:9 aspect ratio. It now feels much more like a regular smartphone, making day-to-day tasks like typing and navigation a breeze. This new form factor makes the Fold 7 a much more practical choice for foldable fans.
A Bigger, Stronger Main Display
Unfold the Fold 7, and you’re greeted with a large, 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. Samsung has also added a new grade 4 titanium lattice beneath the screen, which, while still mysterious, promises added strength. The ultra-thin glass has also been made 50% thicker, reducing the visible crease and improving durability. In my early hands-on session, I noticed a noticeable reduction in the crease compared to previous models.
Camera Upgrades
Samsung has stepped up its camera game with the Galaxy Fold 7. It now features the flagship 200MP main sensor from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, offering 2X lossless crop zoom. This is a huge leap forward from the previous Fold models and should result in sharper and more detailed images across a range of lighting conditions. The Fold 7 also boasts a 10MP 3x telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide, and dual 10MP selfie cameras, including one on the cover screen and one under the main display. The under-display camera now offers a wider field of view, making group shots even better.
AI Features Galore
Samsung has integrated AI across the Fold 7’s features, bringing new capabilities like the ProVisual Engine, which reduces noise and motion blur in photos of moving subjects. Generative Edit now includes Erase Suggestions, which automatically identifies and suggests distractions to remove from your photos with a single tap. There’s also Audio Eraser, which can remove background noise from video recordings, voice memos, and even call transcripts. And yes, Gemini Live is still here, providing an intuitive, multi-modal experience that allows users to interact with the phone in creative ways.
Battery and Pricing
While the Fold 7 impresses in many ways, its battery is still a bit of a concern. With the same 4,400mAh cell as the previous model, heavy users may find themselves wishing for more power. The new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy could impact power consumption, but it’s too early to tell. We’ll need to test it thoroughly in our upcoming PhoneArena Battery Test.
As for pricing, the Galaxy Fold 7 starts at $2,000 for the 256GB version, with the 512GB model priced at $2120 and the 1TB version jumping to $2420. Pre-orders are now open, and units will start shipping on July 25. Samsung often offers great pre-order deals, so keep an eye out for those before making a purchase.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy Fold 7 is a major step forward in the foldable space, with a thinner, lighter design, a more practical cover screen, and a massive camera upgrade. While the battery could be better, Samsung has delivered a foldable that competes head-to-head with its rivals from China. I’m excited to see how it performs in day-to-day use, and I look forward to sharing my full review soon.