Galaxy Z Fold 7 Drops Under-Display Camera in Favor of Quality Upgrade

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is ditching the under-display camera (UDC) – a surprising move for a flagship foldable.

Instead, the phone will feature a traditional punch hole camera on the main inner screen, mirroring the design of the limited-edition Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE.

This change reportedly stems from Samsung’s dissatisfaction with the image quality offered by the under-display tech in the Z Fold 6. While some appreciated the clean, uninterrupted screen, many users criticized the camera’s performance – especially during video calls or selfies in unfolded mode. With the Fold 7, Samsung is clearly opting for function over futuristic flair.

The punch hole may add another visual distraction alongside the fold crease, but users will benefit from a noticeably improved camera experience. Plus, the Fold 7 boasts a larger display than its predecessor, so the slight intrusion of the punch hole doesn’t dramatically cut into usable screen space.

Powering the Z Fold 7 is the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, also featured in the Galaxy S25 lineup. This makes the device a powerful contender against other premium foldables like the Oppo Find N5 and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Meanwhile, Samsung’s flip-style sibling, the Galaxy Z Flip 7, may use the Exynos 2500 in select regions.

Samsung is also rumored to launch a more affordable foldable – the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE – finally bringing foldable tech to a broader audience. While it’s interesting to see Samsung pulling away from UDC tech, Apple is rumored to move in the opposite direction. The iPhone 18 is expected to feature a punch hole, with full under-display Face ID in the pipeline for the iPhone 20.

It’s likely that Samsung will revisit under-display cameras once the tech matures. But for now, if you’re dreaming of a flawless all-screen foldable experience, the Z Fold 7 might leave you slightly disappointed – albeit with better selfies.