Samsung might be overestimating the power of its name with the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7. As the launch date nears on July 9, we’re getting more leaks about Samsung’s new foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. And as usual, the leaks are showing a possible price hike this year. Following last year’s price increase for both the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, it seems like the trend is here to stay.
What caught my attention, though, is the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
This foldable clamshell is facing stiff competition this year, and if the rumors hold true, Samsung might have priced itself out of the clear winner category.
Wasn’t Exynos supposed to keep costs down? Just yesterday, Samsung unveiled its new Exynos 2500 chip. It’s designed to rival the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which will power the Fold 7. The Exynos 2500, meanwhile, is expected to debut in the Z Flip 7.
Many assumed the price of the Flip would stay level because Samsung was moving to its own chip, expecting savings on Qualcomm licensing fees. But that might not be the case. Building chips in-house doesn’t necessarily guarantee cheaper prices. Yields (the number of functional chips per batch) are crucial, and Samsung has faced challenges with its 3nm process, meaning the cost per chip could be higher if yields are low.
Initially, the Exynos 2500 was meant for the Galaxy S25, but delays in chip production forced Samsung to stick with Snapdragon for the S series. Now, the Exynos 2500 will debut in the Z Flip 7, adding extra costs. And let’s not forget the other factors, like production volumes, R&D expenses, and tariffs, all of which push the price higher.
Can the Flip 7 still compete at this price? The rumored price for the Z Flip 7 is €1,425 for the 512GB model, a €100 jump from last year’s model, which was priced at €1,319 for the same storage. While the US price is still uncertain, it could translate to around $1,319 for the 512GB model. If the price increase is true, but the upgrades are minimal, the Flip 7 might lose its edge to the competition, notably the Motorola Razr Ultra (2025).
Motorola’s Razr Ultra (2025) is priced at $1,299 for the 512GB version, offering a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 4,700mAh battery. It also supports 68W fast charging, which fills up the battery in 40 minutes. The Z Flip 7, in comparison, is rumored to retain a 4,000mAh battery and slower charging speeds, at around 90 minutes.
The Razr also boasts a more refined design, better cover screen functionality, and a more premium feel, which might make it more attractive to potential buyers. Meanwhile, the Flip 7 is expected to see only minimal changes in terms of design and camera improvements.
However, Samsung has the advantage in software support, with promises of seven years of OS updates, an area where Motorola still lags behind. When you’re spending over $1,300, long-term software updates could be a deciding factor.
The competition heats up Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s Mix Flip 2 could steal the spotlight. At a similar price point, the Mix Flip 2, which features the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a 5,100mAh battery, and 67W wired charging, might offer better specs than the Flip 7. However, it won’t be available in the US, which could limit its appeal.
At the end of the day, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 could struggle to stand out if the leaks are accurate. Its price might be too high for the limited upgrades on offer. Samsung’s software support and marketing might still keep it in the race, but the company will need to deliver more substantial improvements to justify the price hike.