Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 – Best foldable in the market right now?
I’ve spent a lot of time with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and it’s easily the most refined foldable I’ve tested to date. It fixes the pain points I had with the Magic V3 and outclasses last year’s Fold 6 in all the right places. Clearly, Samsung’s newest Fold already sets a new benchmark.
In this review, I’ll break down the standout upgrades that make the Fold7 feel next‑gen, and the compromises you should know about before buying.
Build and Design
Samsung worked hard on the Fold 7’s build. It feels sturdy and premium, even though it’s now the thinnest foldable phone I’ve tested. At just 4.2mm when open (and 8.9mm when closed), it’s super sleek. This makes it really easy to slip into pretty much any pocket or bag. The device is also lightweight at 215g, which is impressive given its size.
The hinge is much thinner than before. Samsung changed its design to make the crease less visible, and you can really feel the difference when using it. The Fold 7 uses Gorilla Glass Victus Ceramic 2 for the front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, plus an advanced aluminum frame. It’s IP48 dust and water resistant, which is good for daily use.
I picked the Blue Shadow color for mine. It’s a nice change from the usual black devices I’ve used before, and it looks great.
My main concern is repairability. Foldables are hard to fix, and the Fold 7 is no exception. The default 1-year warranty helps, but I suggest getting Samsung Care+ for better coverage. If something goes wrong, having extended warranty can save you a headache.
Display
The Fold 7 sports an 8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X main screen, with a punchy 1968 x 2184 resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This means you get crisp visuals whether you’re watching videos or gaming. Peak brightness is listed at 2,600 nits, so it’s readable even outdoors.
The cover display is 6.5 inches, also AMOLED 2X and 120Hz, with 1080 x 2520 resolution. Samsung widened the cover display this year, which makes typing and navigation easier when the phone is folded. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 and supports HDR10+.
Using the unfolded display is awesome for reading, multitasking, or sketching. Foldables have always been about bigger screens, and the Z Fold 7 nails that experience. It’s perfect if you want more real estate for productivity.
Hardware
Under the hood, the Z Fold 7 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, built on the 3nm node. It’s packed with either 12GB or 16GB RAM, so multitasking is no problem at all. It’s just a bummer that the 16GB RAM variant is locked on the 1TB storage variant. Storage options range from 256GB, 512GB, and, as aforementioned, 1TB. There’s no microSD slot, so choose your storage wisely.
You also get all major connectivity options: Wi-Fi 7, dual nano SIM plus eSIM support, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, UWB, and the usual USB Type-C port. The fingerprint scanner is on the side, which is convenient.
Benchmark
Performance is where the Z Fold 7 stands out. Benchmarks show it’s at par with top flagships like the HONOR Magic7 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Here’s a quick rundown on some of my own results:
- AnTuTu: 1,887,368
- GeekBench 6 Single Core: 2,429
- GeekBench 6 Multi Core: 6,244
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 4,548
- PCMark 3.0: 16,394
Sure, it doesn’t beat devices like the ROG Phone 9 Pro and Galaxy S25 Ultra, but for a foldable device this thin, these scores are impressive. Gaming is smooth—even with triple-A mobile titles or PC emulation. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 keeps up with demanding games and multitasking, thanks in part to its high refresh rate screen and powerful hardware. Using a Gamesir G8+ controller, games felt more immersive, especially now that Android games like Diablo Immortal and Genshin Impact offer native controller support.
Software and Features
The Fold 7 launches with Android 16 and the new One UI 8, offering up to seven major upgrades. Samsung has baked in advanced AI features, tailored for foldables. You can multitask with drag-and-drop, floating windows, or use productivity apps on the big screen.
Samsung DeX is supported, letting you turn your phone into a desktop experience. Circle to Search is handy, especially on a device designed for productivity. There’s stylus support as well, so if you like handwriting or drawing, it’s a plus.
Accessibility is considered too: screen magnification, Braille device support, word prediction, voice assistant—plenty of features if you need them.
Camera
Now for the camera. The Fold 7 boasts a 200MP main shooter: that’s the biggest sensor on any foldable. There’s also a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. For selfies, you get two 10MP cameras—one under the display, one on the cover.
That said, it doesn’t always reach expectations. In good light, pictures are detailed and vibrant. But in low light, photos often lose sharpness and definition. The OPPO Find N5 (even if older) and Magic V3 consistently delivered better night shots in my tests. The Fold 7’s high-res camera is great for certain tasks, but if you’re picky about photo quality, especially in darker environments, you’ll notice the difference.
Video tops out at 8K, with support for EIS+OIS stabilization and HDR10+, so clips look stable and clear. But photography could’ve been even better—the hardware is there, but sometimes software processing doesn’t do it justice.
Audio
The Z Fold 7 comes with stereo speakers tuned by AKG. Sound is loud and clear. You can watch a movie or play games without reaching for headphones. There’s good definition, with a solid bass response and crisp highs. Dialogue is easy to understand, and music sounds rich.
There’s no headphone jack, which is standard now for Samsung, but you have Type-C audio and Bluetooth for wireless listening. If you use Bluetooth headphones, aptX HD support is appreciated.
Battery
The 4,400mAh battery is decent for a foldable, but it’s not huge. In my tests, I usually got a full day of use, though heavy gaming or lots of screen time can drain it faster. The device supports 25W wired charging (charges 50% in about 30 minutes), 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
Samsung optimized power consumption with the new chip and their mDNIe display engine, so battery drain isn’t bad. That said, if you push the device hard, expect to recharge before the day’s over.
Verdict
At PhP112,990 for the 12GB/256GB model, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is expensive. But for those who need a foldable or want the biggest screen possible on a phone, it’s not much more than other high-end flagships. This kind of device isn’t for everyone, but it does appeal if you want more space for work, play, or just want something different.
The Z Fold 7 is Samsung’s most polished foldable yet. It’s thin, light, fast, and has a big screen. And while the camera is not perfect, most people will be happy with it. Repairability is a concern—so definitely get Samsung Care+. The price is high, but if you want a foldable, it’s simply the best option right now.
Foldables used to feel like a niche, but more people are buying them. If you need more screen space for productivity, or just want the coolest phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 makes a strong case.
Hardware Specs:
Source: Gadget Pilipinas
0 Comments