Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Review: Sleeker, Smarter, But Not a Game-Changer

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 continues the brand’s commitment to foldable phones, offering a stylish, pocketable device that folds a large display into a compact form. While the Flip 7 brings meaningful upgrades—like a larger 4.1-inch cover screen and slimmer profile—it largely plays it safe compared to the more dramatic overhaul of the Z Fold 7.

Let’s unpack how this seventh-gen Flip holds up in everyday use, from its upgraded hardware to software refinements in One UI 8 (Android 16).

Design & Display: Bigger Cover, Slimmer Fold

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 doesn’t drastically deviate from its predecessor, but subtle changes make it more refined. It’s now slightly taller and wider to fit a 6.9-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, while the folded thickness is trimmed down by 1.2mm—not drastic, but noticeable in hand.

What truly stands out is the new 4.1-inch AMOLED cover screen. Spanning the top half of the phone and surrounding the rear cameras, this display is more useful and visually stunning than ever—especially when paired with a dark wallpaper and the new metallic blue finish.

Despite the upgrades, the inner screen still uses a softer, foldable layer, which means fingerprints, glare, and durability concerns remain. It’s IP48 water-resistant, but not dustproof—be cautious around sand or fine debris.

Key Specs

Performance & Battery: Snappy but Short-Lived

Powered by the Samsung Exynos 2500, the Flip 7 delivers flagship-level performance on par with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. Apps launch quickly, multitasking feels seamless, and gaming is fluid—though extended sessions do warm up the device.

Battery life, however, is still a weak point. Expect around 36 hours between charges with typical mixed use. You’ll get about six hours of screen time, which matches the Galaxy S25 but lags behind Qualcomm-powered models, particularly during 5G use.

Software: One UI 8 + AI Power

Out of the box, the Flip 7 runs One UI 8 based on Android 16, offering an experience that’s clean, customizable, and packed with AI-driven tools like:

• Google Gemini and Circle to Search

• AI image editing and writing assistance

• Live transcription and translation

• The new Now Bar, showing active tasks like timers, scores, and music playback

Flex Mode and the outer display are better than ever. Fold the device into an L-shape to view content on top and controls below. Use the cover screen to reply to texts, control media, run widgets, and even launch apps like YouTube, Maps, WhatsApp, and Netflix.

To enable all apps on the cover display, you’ll need to install Samsung’s MultiStar plugin from the Galaxy Store—a quick and simple step, but one that should be native.

Samsung promises Android and security updates until July 31, 2032, making this a long-term investment.

Camera: Fun and Functional, But Not Flagship-Level

Photography isn’t the Flip 7’s strongest suit. It sports:

• 50MP main + 12MP ultra-wide on the rear

• 10MP front-facing camera on the inside

Selfies are better when taken with the main cameras using the cover screen as a viewfinder. The ultra-wide lens is fine for daylight shots but struggles in low light. Overall, the image quality is solid for casual use but doesn’t match traditional flagship standards, especially with no telephoto zoom.

Fun features include hands-free selfies, FlexCam mode, and camcorder-style recording when partially folded.

Sustainability & Repairability

Samsung continues to push sustainability:

• Battery retains 80% health after 2,000 full charge cycles

• Made from 18.2% recycled materials: aluminium, cobalt, plastic, rare earths, and more

• Supports self-repair and Care+ coverage, reducing screen repair costs from £294 to £119

• Full environmental impact report available

Price & Value

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at £1,049 (€1,199 / $1,099 / A$1,799).

Alternatives:

• Galaxy Z Fold 7 – £1,799

• Galaxy S25+ – £999

• Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE – £849

• Motorola Razr 60 Ultra – £1,099

• Xiaomi Mix Flip – £640

Verdict: Refined, But Not Revolutionary

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the most polished Flip yet—with a larger outer display, refined design, and the best software experience of any foldable. Yet, the upgrades feel incremental. The camera is decent but underwhelming, the battery life is average, and foldable durability remains a concern.

Still, it’s the best clamshell foldable for most users, especially if you value style, pocketability, and a premium UI with long-term support. But if you’re hoping for a revolution, you might want to wait for the Flip 8.

Pros:

• Larger, more functional outer display

• Slimmer and lighter foldable design

• Great One UI 8 experience + 7 years of updates

• Strong AI integration and unique Flex Mode

• Stylish, compact, and fun to use

Cons:

• Expensive for what’s essentially an incremental update

• No dust resistance

• Cameras lag behind non-folding flagships

• Battery life could be better

• Limited app support out of the box for the cover screen

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