The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is best the place it issues most

At its Galaxy Unpacked occasion in New York Metropolis, Samsung revealed a variety of latest gadgets, together with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. I had the prospect to check out each the Fold 7 and Flip 7 in New York, and thus far, I’ve been impressed by Samsung’s refreshed foldables. This story will focus primarily on the Flip 7, however if you happen to’re within the Fold 7, I’ve additionally written a hands-on impressions article about that system.

I’ve all the time been serious about Samsung’s Z Flip foldable phones, primarily due to my nostalgia for the Game Boy Advance SP’s clam-shell design. Samsung launched its first Galaxy Z Flip in 2020, and over the previous 5 years, it has been refining and enhancing the system annually, with the Z Flip 7 being no exception. Notably, it incorporates a bigger show, a much bigger battery, and a thinner design.

At Galaxy Unpacked, I had the chance to go hands-on with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and discover the system in individual. Although my time with it was restricted, I did get a really feel for Samsung’s new clam-shell foldable this yr, and an thought of how the expertise will likely be when it launches July 25. Here’s what you should know in regards to the Flip 7, and my preliminary impressions of the system.

Associated

How we test and review products at Pocket-lint

We do not do arm-chair analysis. We purchase and take a look at our personal merchandise, and we solely publish purchaser’s guides with merchandise we have really reviewed.

Samsung nailed the Flip 7’s cowl display

It is bigger and wraps across the rear cameras

The very first thing I instantly seen in regards to the Flip 7 once I picked it up for the primary time was its new and improved cowl display, which Samsung refers to as its “Flex Window.” My largest disappointment with the Flip 6 final yr was that the quilt show did not wrap across the telephone’s rear cameras, just like the Motorola Razr. The oddly formed design of the quilt display on previous Z Flip telephones has all the time thrown me off, and this yr, Samsung has lastly fastened that concern.

The Flip 7’s cowl display now wraps round its two rear cameras, and through my hands-on expertise with the telephone, I used to be captivated by this function. The show appears gorgeous, and it feels far more pure. It incorporates a bigger 4.1-inch cowl display with a 948 x 1048 pixel decision — an improve from the Flip 6’s 3.4-inch cover display — making it a lot simpler to make use of and work together with options just like the selfie digital camera and widgets on it. What I additionally beloved in regards to the Flip 7’s cowl display is its ultra-thin bezels, which measure simply 1.25mm. You may even use Gemini Stay on it, which is helpful if you wish to discover out one thing rapidly.

Wanting on the Flip 7’s unfolded predominant show, it’s a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X show with a 2520 x 1080 pixel decision and an adaptive refresh fee of 1-120Hz. Whereas I used to be taking part in round with it, it jogged my memory plenty of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which additionally has a 6.9-inch show. The crease line can also be a lot much less seen than final yr, which helps promote the phantasm that you just’re not utilizing a foldable telephone although you’re.

One other new design function of this yr’s Flip 7 is its slim profile. Just like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Flip 7 has seen a noticeable discount in thickness this yr. The Flip 7 measures 13.7mm in thickness when unfolded and 6.5mm when folded, weighing 188 grams. That is a noticeable enchancment over the Flip 6, which measures 14.9mm thick when folded and 6.9mm thick when unfolded, and weighs 187 grams. Whereas the Flip 7 is 1 gram heavier than the Flip 6, its slim profile makes it extra comfy to carry, and at occasions, it did not even really feel like I used to be holding a Flip telephone.

Associated

How I turned my Android phone into a mini Wii

With a little bit assist from the Revo Launcher app, my Android house display resembles the enduring Nintendo Wii Menu from 2006.

The Flip 7 has the biggest battery in a Samsung Flip but

The cameras are the identical as final yr

What additionally impressed me in regards to the Flip 7 is what Samsung has executed with the battery. Though it’s slimmer than the Flip 6, Samsung has managed to suit a bigger 4,300mAh battery, the most important in its Flip lineup but. Samsung claims the Flip 7 can last as long as 31 hours of video playback on a single cost. For comparability, the Flip 6 incorporates a 4,000mAh battery, so the Flip 7 is a notable improve.

In contrast to the Fold 7, which options Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the Flip 7 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chipset with 12GB of RAM. The Flip 7 is obtainable in two storage choices: 256GB and 512GB. It is available in three colours: blue shadow, jet black, and coral pink. Samsung can also be providing a fourth unique shade, referred to as mint, on its web site. You may try the complete specs for the Flip 7 under.

I solely had a short likelihood to check out a number of apps on the Flip 7, however the expertise felt easy, and One UI 8 appears gorgeous. The telephone will launch with Samsung’s Android 16-based One UI 8 replace proper out of the field. Because of the restricted time I had with the system, I am unable to touch upon how effectively the Exynos 2500 performs in multitasking and gaming. Will probably be fascinating to see the way it compares to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, with preliminary leaks suggesting it won’t be far behind in efficiency.

Concerning the cameras on the Flip 7, it options two rear shooters on the quilt display: a 50-megapixel f/1.8 ultra-wide lens and a 12-megapixel f/2.2 huge lens. Its entrance digital camera is a 10-megapixel lens. The cameras stay unchanged from these on the Fold 6.

Associated

This high-tech wallet is never leaving my pocket

This pocketable leather-based accent packs extra than simply beauty – this is why I now take into account it to be an indispensable every day carry.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a stable improve

In contrast to the Fold 7, its value has not gone up

General, I used to be impressed with what Samsung has achieved with the Flip 7 this yr, and I haven’t got something unfavourable to say about it but. Its new cowl display design actually stands out and appears significantly better than the Flip 6’s. Samsung even managed to deal with my issues about battery life with the thinner chassis by becoming a 4,300mAh battery into it.

Nevertheless, like all new tech, it finally comes right down to worth. The Flip 7 begins at $1,100 for the 256GB mannequin, the identical value because the Fold 6 final yr. In contrast to with the Fold 7, Samsung didn’t improve the value of the Flip 7 this yr, which is a optimistic transfer and would possibly encourage extra individuals to attempt it out as their first foldable.

Whereas the Flip 7 is a stable improve from the Flip 6, I do not assume it is as vital because the bounce from the Fold 6 to the Fold 7. If you happen to personal a Flip 6, there’s no compelling motive to improve until you are excited in regards to the new cowl display design. When you have a Flip 4 or a Flip 5, switching to the Flip 7 is certainly value it for the additional display house and the lighter, slimmer construct.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is now obtainable for pre-order on Samsung’s web site, with the telephone transport July 25. If you would like extra protection from Samsung’s latest Unpacked occasion in New York Metropolis, try my story on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE.

Associated

This power bank juiced up my MacBook, Switch 2, and iPhone 16 – all on one charge

This energy financial institution is nice for distant staff and players on the go.