I knew we were in good shape with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 when Samsung mentioned that it understood customers wanted meaningful progress in devices year-over-year.

Making a phone a potentially attractive upgrade from three generations ago wasn’t going to cut it, especially when you’re asking people to part with $2,000.

I’ve spent 48 hours with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and overall, I’m impressed. Samsung addressed many complaints from previous generations, and the Z Fold 7 is easily the best foldable the company has produced.

However, it’s not for everyone, and if you’re considering taking the plunge, there are a few things you need to know.

Samsung finally reads the room

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is thin and light

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 does feel much better in the hand, thanks to its lighter and thinner design.

I’m not going to give Samsung a gold star for making a thin, book-style foldable — we’ve seen several remarkable devices from overseas, like the Honor Magic V5.

However, Samsung does get credit for breaking out of its carrier upgrade cycle mindset, even if it’s just for this one phone.

Like the old NBC commercial goes, “If you haven’t seen it, it’s new to you.” So, for most people in the US who are buying foldables, with their experience limited to older Z Fold devices or the Google Pixel Fold lineup, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be a significant advancement.

It’s much easier to use one-handed while unfolded. You need a larger hand to palm the device, but it’s well-balanced, so even if you can’t wrap your fingers around it entirely, you can still hold it with confidence.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is slightly wider than its predecessor when unfolded. You’ll still get letterboxing when watching videos in landscape orientation, but the viewing space is a touch larger.

I prefer watching videos in portrait, as my content can fill the top half of the display while I add another app underneath for multitasking.

It’s not only the larger and wider external display that makes the phone better than its predecessors. The thin design makes it a joy to use, and I could easily spend an entire day just using the cover screen without feeling shorted.

All told, Samsung did precisely what it needed to do to make the Galaxy Z Fold 7 a viable contender this year, and that’s going to be good enough for many.

One UI 8 brings the start of something new

Android 16 runs well on the Galaxy Z Fold 7

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 hardware is definitely up to the task. Aside from the improved design, it’s powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite (for Galaxy) and 12GB of RAM — plenty of power for anything you can throw at it.

And while I appreciate that Samsung enhanced the Galaxy Z Fold 7 both inside and outside, it doesn’t solve a major hurdle I face when recommending a $2,000 phone: software.

Without software designed to maximize the expansive internal display, there’s not enough value for most people. Why spend $800 more on a Galaxy Z Fold 7 over a device like the Galaxy S25 Ultra?

We’re not all the way home yet, but Samsung is starting to address these concerns with One UI 8 on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

The company’s improved multitasking is smoother and easier to use on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. I can quickly pull up different app pairs and create new ones within seconds.

However, it’s not just multitasking that Samsung has improved to make better use of the 8-inch internal display.

When editing photos, you can now see a side-by-side view of before and after, an advantage only available on a large-screen device.

And that’s the point. If you want me to spend a significant premium over traditional slab smartphones, I need to see features and enhancements I can only get by spending more.

Now Brief is also showing signs of life — something I’m particularly interested in. I’ve been frustrated by the feature since its launch on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, as I’ve waited for it to do anything that felt proactive and generative.

I haven’t had the chance to experience much of it yet, but I’m encouraged by the brief testing I’ve done. I turned on the parking spot reminders and also the traffic updates to be included in Now Brief.

If Samsung keeps adding capabilities and Now Brief starts to add to my day instead of distracting from it, I’ll be a convert.

Samsung made some confusing decisions on the Galaxy Z Fold 7

A big camera upgrade, but the same battery

Unfortunately, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn’t a clean sweep, and there are areas of the device that should give you pause.

Samsung commented that it listened to customers to decide which upgrades it added to the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 received a notable camera upgrade, with its 200MP primary sensor. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 scored a bigger 4,300mAh battery.

Undoubtedly, people complained about the camera system on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. However, if I could only choose one upgrade, it would’ve been the battery.

Casual users are far more likely to pick up a Galaxy Z Flip 7 than a Fold 7, and their primary concern is going to be picture quality.

When I think of the typical Z Fold 7 user, I picture an enthusiast who wants to use the phone throughout the day with a mix of gaming and more intensive apps.

It’s still early, and the battery does need time to settle in, but hardcore users will struggle to make it to the end of the day on a single charge, especially if they use the internal display heavily.

I’m hoping for a reversal, but my mixed use has left me with about 30% by day’s end, and that’s without really firing up Genshin Impact or any other AAA mobile titles.

Samsung did one other thing that puzzled me, especially since people spending $2,000 on a smartphone are going to be passionate customers.

I know the company claims that the digitizing layer for the S pen would result in a thicker device, but I’ve had more than a few people come up to me in disbelief, because they used the feature.

It’s an 8-inch display when unfolded, ideal for drawing and navigation with an S pen, leaving me with more questions than answers.

More hits than misses this year

Overall, Samsung won more than it lost with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. No device is perfect, and I have my gripes. However, I’m an enthusiast who does this for a living, so any new and innovative phone is going to excite me.

If you’re coming from an older Galaxy Z Fold, have at it — you’re going to love what Samsung has done. For everyone else, think long and hard about how you want to use your smartphone before plunking down $2,000.

Samsung did a better job this year, but that doesn’t mean the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is for everyone.

RAM

12GB

Storage

256GB

Battery

4,400mAh

Operating System

One UI 8

Weight

215g

IP Rating

IP48

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest and lightest in the series to date, integrating a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor for enhanced AI capabilities and a 200MP pro-grade camera. Built for enhanced durability with an Armor FlexHinge and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, the device features a wider 6.5-inch cover screen and unfolds into an expansive 8.0-inch main display for immersive viewing and productivity.