Samsung has made a last-minute design pivot with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, proving it’s finally taking user feedback seriously-especially when that feedback is loud and relentless. Originally, the Fold 7 was set to feature the same unpopular thick camera rings that sparked backlash on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
But after early leaks and user complaints branding the design as ‘cheap’ and ‘ugly,’ Samsung hit the brakes.
According to a trusted Samsung insider, the design team “urgently” reverted to a cleaner, more refined camera layout-closer to what we saw on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Recent renders confirm this change: no more raised rings, just a sleek rear camera setup that looks a lot more premium.
But that’s not the only upgrade. The Fold 7 is also jumping from a 50 MP main camera to a whopping 200 MP sensor, giving photography enthusiasts a serious reason to get excited. It’s a double win for fans who wanted both a design fix and improved imaging capabilities.
This backlash-driven redesign is already influencing Samsung’s broader strategy. The upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge is also ditching the decorative rings, and early reports suggest the S26 series will follow suit in 2026.
While the design tweaks and camera bump are welcome, Samsung still hasn’t addressed one major gripe: the battery. The Fold 7 is expected to ship with a 4,400 mAh battery and 25W wired charging-hardly groundbreaking for a premium phone pushing the $2,000 mark.
If that’s a deal-breaker, there are solid alternatives. The Oppo Find N5 and Honor Magic V5 offer thinner designs and competitive specs, with the Magic V5 now holding the title of the world’s slimmest foldable. And yes, Honor now matches Samsung’s industry-leading seven years of software support.
Still married to One UI? Then Fold 7 remains the default pick in the foldable world-unless, of course, Apple finally drops its long-rumored foldable iPhone next year. Until then, Samsung’s latest pivot shows that user pressure, when loud enough, really can force even tech giants to listen.
1 comment