Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Review: A Nostalgic Yet Modern Smartphone Experience
While many tech enthusiasts hold a soft spot for the original flip-phone era, some of us were simply too young to experience it firsthand. However, even without the benefit of rose-tinted nostalgia, Samsung's latest offering has completely won me over. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 represents Samsung's newest iteration in the Z Flip series, standing alongside the book-like Galaxy Fold 7 as one of the company's two flagship foldable devices. Notably, an Olympic Edition was recently distributed to nearly 4,000 athletes, highlighting its premium status.
Design and Display: Compact and Charming
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is available in three striking colours: Blue Shadow, Jetblack, and Coralred, with pricing starting at £1,049 for the 256GB model and rising to £1,149 for 512GB of storage. Its primary selling point is the clamshell folding design, allowing users to snap the handset closed into a pocket-sized package. When unfolded, the device measures 6.56 inches tall by 2.96 inches wide, with a slim profile of just 6.5mm thick. In its folded state, it transforms into a compact block measuring 3.36 inches by 2.96 inches, though it becomes chunkier at 13.7mm thick and weighs 188 grams.
Despite the added heft, the phone feels reassuringly solid and stable, whether held in the palm or placed on a table. The design is so compact that it often goes unnoticed in a pocket. Compared to the sea of identical metal and glass slabs on the market, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 stands out as undeniably cute and refreshing.
The display technology sees significant improvements over its predecessor. The outer screen has grown from 3.6 inches to 4.1 inches, featuring a Super AMOLED panel with a variable refresh rate of 60-120Hz and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. Inside, the main display expands to 6.9 inches from 6.7 inches, matching the screen size of the iPhone 16 Pro Max and surpassing the Google Pixel 9 XL. This inner screen also boasts a Super AMOLED display with a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate and the same impressive brightness. While the crease is visible when the screen is off, it practically disappears during use, and reflections can be an issue outdoors, though the high brightness generally compensates.
Performance and Battery: Powerful but with Compromises
Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is powered by Samsung's own Exynos 2500 processor, paired with 12GB of RAM. This chipset delivers robust performance, enabling smooth multitasking with up to two apps running simultaneously and a third as an overlay. However, the phone can become quite warm during extended high-intensity use.
Battery capacity has increased from 4,000mAh in the Z Flip 6 to 4,300mAh, slightly shy of the 4,400mAh battery in the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Samsung claims this supports up to 31 hours of video playback at 720p for locally stored content. In real-world testing, the phone easily lasts a full day with regular use but may dip worryingly low during heavy streaming or when using the mobile hotspot feature. While not a deal-breaker for most, those seeking exceptional battery life might find it lacking for the price.
Camera and Software: Functional but Unspectacular
The camera system is one of the device's weaker points, retaining the 50-megapixel main camera and 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens from the Z Flip 6, along with a 10-megapixel inner selfie camera. The key upgrade is the inclusion of Samsung's latest ProVisualEngine, which digitally enhances photos. Generally, images capture good detail and look surprisingly sharp for the specs, though they lack the excitement of higher-end rivals.
A standout feature is the ability to use the main camera while the phone is folded, utilising the outer display as a preview screen. This not only serves as a neat party trick but also produces crisp shots without needing the selfie camera. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 ships with Android 16 and Samsung's One UI 8, offering features like the Now bar for updates on sports scores, music playback, and timers.
Samsung's AI tools are a highlight, providing writing, image editing, transcription, and translation services. The sketch-to-image function, for example, can turn crude doodles into photorealistic edits. Google's AI services, including the Gemini chatbot and Circle to Search, are also integrated, though Gemini occasionally struggled with accurate identification during testing.
Verdict and Comparisons
Starting at £1,049, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 sits between the Galaxy S25+ (£999) and the iPhone 16 Pro Max (£1,199) in price. Among foldables, it is moderately priced compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (£1,799) and the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra (£1,099). While it isn't perfect—with middling battery life and cameras that feel underwhelming for the cost—Samsung has succeeded in creating a flip-phone that is genuinely fun to use. The blend of nostalgic design and modern functionality makes it a compelling choice for those seeking something different from the standard smartphone slab.
In summary, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers a refreshing take on the flip-phone, combining compact form with cutting-edge features. It may not be the right phone for everyone, but for those who appreciate its unique charm and practicality, it represents a worthwhile investment in the evolving world of foldable technology.
