The foldable smartphone landscape has evolved rapidly, and Samsung remains the frontrunner, continuing to push boundaries with each new iteration of its Galaxy Z Fold series. With the Galaxy Z Fold 7 set to launch in mid-2025, leaks have begun to surface, revealing key upgrades that could redefine the foldable category—or leave us asking for more.
Let’s break down the potential of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, highlighting what makes it exciting, what might hold it back, and whether this could be the device that finally establishes foldables as the norm.
1. Design: Slimmer, Lighter, and More Durable
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is expected to undergo a major design overhaul, with a focus on portability and durability.
- Thickness: When unfolded, the device is rumored to be just 4.5mm thick, a significant reduction from its predecessors. To put this into perspective, the Fold 6 measures 5.6mm, so this thinner profile should make it more comfortable to use while maintaining a larger 8.2-inch inner display. Samsung seems to be taking the challenge of slimmer foldable designs seriously, staying competitive with the OPPO Find N5, which holds the current record for the thinnest foldable at 4.2mm.
- Hinge Improvements: The hinge, a critical element in foldable devices, is rumored to get a major upgrade. Leaks suggest that it will be smoother, with better dust resistance and less visible crease. This could finally address some of the more glaring weaknesses seen in previous models, improving both the aesthetics and durability of the device.
- Outer Display: The outer screen is also expected to be wider, which will make it easier to use the device while folded. This should cater to users who want to perform quick tasks or have one-handed operation, making it more practical for day-to-day use.
2. Display: Bigger, Brighter, and Better
One of the standout features of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is its improved display technology:
- Inner Display: The 8.2-inch OLED screen is a noticeable jump from the previous 7.6-inch display. This gives users more screen real estate, making it perfect for multitasking, gaming, and immersive media consumption.
- Anti-Reflective Coating: To tackle outdoor visibility issues, Samsung is rumored to be adding a coating to reduce glare, which will make it more practical for use in bright environments.
- Outer Display: The device is expected to also get a wider 6.5-inch outer display, making it more functional and easier to interact with when folded, offering a better user experience for casual interactions.
The combination of a larger and brighter screen with anti-reflective coating could make the Z Fold 7 a leader in foldable display technology.
3. Camera: Professional-Level Photography
The camera is one area where Samsung aims to push the envelope with the Z Fold 7:
- 200MP Primary Sensor: The device is expected to pack a 200MP primary sensor, which would be a massive upgrade from the 50MP camera seen in previous models. This promises to bring flagship-level camera performance to a foldable device, providing sharper details and more accurate color reproduction.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite and 12GB of RAM: The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB of RAM are likely to make the Galaxy Z Fold 7 incredibly fast, ensuring smooth performance whether you’re capturing high-res photos, recording 8K videos, or simply multitasking with heavy apps.
For content creators, photographers, and tech enthusiasts, this could be the foldable device to rival dedicated cameras.
4. Performance: Speed and Optimization
The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor at the heart of the Z Fold 7, paired with 12GB of RAM, will make this device a multitasking powerhouse:
- App Continuity: Expect improvements in app continuity, which is essential for foldable devices that need to transition seamlessly between different screen sizes and orientations. This could make the Z Fold 7 an even better option for productivity and entertainment on the go.
- Performance Boost: With this level of processing power, heavy tasks like gaming and video editing could run effortlessly on the device, positioning the Fold 7 as an ideal choice for power users.
5. Audio and Battery: A Mixed Bag
While there are many exciting upgrades, the battery life is where Samsung may fall short:
- Battery: Leaks suggest the Z Fold 7 will retain the 4,400mAh battery from the Fold 6. While this has been adequate in the past, it could struggle with the demands of a larger 8.2-inch display and a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. In a world where other foldables, like the HONOR Magic V3, boast a 5,150mAh battery, Samsung could face criticism for not improving battery capacity.
- Charging: There are also no significant rumors of faster charging speeds. With competitors pushing the boundaries of fast charging (the OPPO Find N5 has 80W wired charging), Samsung’s 25W wired charging could be a potential drawback.
- Audio: The audio quality is expected to see a notable improvement with enhanced speakers, which should elevate the multimedia experience. This could make the Z Fold 7 a go-to device for watching videos and listening to music, thanks to richer, more immersive sound.
6. S Pen: A Potential Sacrifice
The S Pen has been a defining feature of many Samsung devices, but the Z Fold 7 may not support it:
- No S Pen: Due to the thinner design, S Pen functionality may be omitted, leaving users who rely on the stylus for productivity or creative tasks disappointed. The absence of the S Pen could hurt the device’s appeal, especially among professionals and artists who have become accustomed to its convenience on foldable devices like the Z Fold 6.
This could be a major missed opportunity for Samsung, as it may alienate a key portion of its audience.
7. Competition and the Future of Foldables
While the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is undoubtedly an impressive device, it faces fierce competition in the foldable space:
- OPPO Find N5: The Find N5 is thinner and offers better battery life and faster charging speeds, positioning it as a serious contender.
- Google: The Pixel Fold and other potential competitors could catch up quickly, especially if they offer innovations like Google’s foldable-optimized software.
- Future of Tri-Fold Devices: Samsung is reportedly exploring tri-fold devices for the future. If true, this would be the next frontier in foldable innovation, offering even more versatility and screen space. But for now, the Z Fold 7 remains at the forefront of the foldable race.
8. Verdict: A Solid Upgrade—But Not a Game-Changer
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 looks set to push foldable smartphones further with a larger, thinner display, improved performance, and flagship-level camera capabilities. However, battery life and the lack of S Pen support could leave many users feeling conflicted. Samsung’s Fold 7 is a step forward, but it’s not quite the game-changer we might have hoped for.
For now, it’s an exciting but incremental evolution in the foldable space. Samsung’s ability to innovate beyond the Z Fold 7—especially when it comes to battery life and stylus support—will likely determine whether they stay ahead of the competition in the foldable race.
