Samsung Expands Foldable Horizon with Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Flip7, and the Accessible Z Flip7 FE

Samsung has long been at the forefront of the foldable smartphone revolution, consistently pushing the boundaries of mobile form factors. For several years, the company's Unpacked events have served as the launchpad for its latest foldable flagships, typically introducing a new generation of the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip. This year's event continued that tradition, but with a significant addition: a more budget-friendly model, the Z Flip7 FE, joining the ranks alongside the new Z Fold7 and Z Flip7. This strategic move signals Samsung's intent to broaden the appeal and accessibility of its innovative foldable technology, aiming to capture a wider segment of the smartphone market.

The overarching theme for this generation appears to be refinement and accessibility. Samsung has focused on making its premium foldable devices even more streamlined, with both the Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 boasting thinner profiles compared to their predecessors. While iterative improvements are expected in flagship lines, the introduction of the Fan Edition (FE) model for the Flip series represents a notable shift in Samsung's foldable strategy, bringing the unique clamshell design to a lower price tier.

The Galaxy Z Fold7: A Thinner, Lighter Powerhouse

The Galaxy Z Fold line has always represented the pinnacle of Samsung's foldable engineering, offering a tablet-sized display that folds down into a conventional smartphone form factor. The new Galaxy Z Fold7 builds upon this foundation with key enhancements aimed at improving portability and performance.

One of the most immediate improvements is the reduction in weight and thickness. The Z Fold7 tips the scales at 218 grams, a noticeable decrease from the Fold6's 239 grams. When folded, the device measures a svelte 8.9 mm, significantly thinner than the 12.1 mm girth of the previous model. These changes contribute to a more comfortable and pocketable device, addressing common feedback regarding the bulk of earlier Fold generations.

Display technology remains a core strength, and the Z Fold7 features an enlarged cover screen, now a 6.5-inch dynamic AMOLED 2x display. This larger external display enhances usability when the phone is folded, making it more practical for quick tasks without needing to unfold the device. The main internal screen measures a spacious 8 inches when unfolded, providing an expansive canvas for multitasking, media consumption, and productivity.

Under the hood, the Z Fold7 is powered by Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. This cutting-edge 3nm chip promises significant performance gains, ensuring smooth operation, efficient multitasking, and enhanced gaming capabilities, essential for a device designed for power users.

Durability, a key concern for early foldable adopters, continues to be a focus. Samsung states that the Z Fold7 is more durable thanks to a restructured hinge and hinge housing. The cover display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance.

Photography receives a significant upgrade on the Z Fold7. The main camera now features a high-resolution 200-megapixel sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, a substantial leap from the 50-megapixel camera on the previous model. This promises much-improved detail and low-light performance. While details on the full camera array (ultrawide, telephoto) were not explicitly detailed in the source, the focus on a high-resolution main sensor aligns with current smartphone camera trends.

AI plays a growing role in the mobile experience, and Samsung has integrated new AI features into its photo editing software. The Z Fold7 includes a Photo Assist function that leverages generative AI to perform tasks like moving, erasing, or enlarging objects, automatically adjusting angles, and filling in empty spaces in images. The editing suite also facilitates side-by-side comparison of edited and original photos on the large unfolded screen, a practical application of the foldable form factor for creative workflows.

The premium nature of the Z Fold7 is reflected in its pricing. The starting price for the new model is $1,999, a $100 increase compared to the Z Fold6. This positions it firmly at the high end of the smartphone market, targeting users who prioritize cutting-edge technology and the unique productivity benefits of a large, foldable display.

Z Fold7 Specifications Overview:

• Weight: 218 grams
• Folded Thickness: 8.9 mm
• Cover Screen: 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x
• Main Screen: 8-inch (unfolded)
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
• Main Camera: 200-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture
• Durability: Restructured hinge and housing, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 (cover display)
• AI Features: Photo Assist (object manipulation, generative fill, auto-angle adjustment)
• Starting Price: $1,999
• Storage/RAM Options: 256GB/512GB (12GB RAM), 1TB (16GB RAM)
• Colors: Jetblack, Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow

The Galaxy Z Flip7 and Z Flip7 FE: Clamshell Foldables for Every Pocket

The Galaxy Z Flip series has popularized the clamshell foldable design, offering a compact form factor that unfolds into a full-sized smartphone. This year, Samsung not only updated the flagship Z Flip7 but also introduced a more accessible Fan Edition, the Z Flip7 FE, significantly expanding the reach of this design.

Galaxy Z Flip7: Refined and Powerful

Like its larger sibling, the Z Flip7 is thinner than its predecessor, enhancing its portability and feel in the hand. It also features a larger cover screen, a 4.1-inch Super AMOLED display, providing more space for widgets, notifications, and quick interactions without unfolding the phone. The main internal display is also enlarged, measuring 6.9 inches when unfolded, offering a more immersive viewing experience.

Durability is addressed with the use of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for both the cover and the back of the device, providing robust protection against scratches and drops.

A notable upgrade for the Z Flip7 is the battery capacity. Samsung has packed a 4,300 mAh battery into the device, the largest ever in the Flip series. This aims to address battery life concerns often associated with compact flagships and foldable phones. In terms of processing power, the Z Flip7 utilizes Samsung's own 3nm Exynos 2500 chip, a departure from the Qualcomm chip found in the Fold7. This strategic choice likely reflects manufacturing capabilities and regional market considerations.

Despite the enhancements, Samsung has maintained the starting price of the Z Flip7 at $1,100, keeping it competitive within the premium smartphone segment and consistent with the pricing of the previous generation.

Galaxy Z Flip7 FE: Making Foldables More Accessible

The introduction of the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is perhaps the most significant development in Samsung's foldable lineup this year. Positioned at a more accessible price point of $899, the FE model is designed to attract consumers who are curious about the foldable form factor but are hesitant to invest in a premium flagship device.

At first glance, the Z Flip7 FE shares many characteristics with the previous generation's flagship, the Z Flip6. It features a 4,000 mAh battery, a 3.4-inch cover screen, and a 6.7-inch main screen. Powering the device is the Exynos 2400 processor. While these specifications are slightly scaled back compared to the Z Flip7, they still represent a capable smartphone experience within the foldable design.

The Z Flip7 FE's specifications, particularly the screen sizes and processor, closely mirror those of the Z Flip6, suggesting that Samsung is leveraging mature technology to offer a compelling foldable experience at a lower cost. This strategy is reminiscent of Samsung's successful Fan Edition models in its traditional S series, which bring flagship-like features to a wider audience by using slightly older components or making minor compromises.

Z Flip7 and Z Flip7 FE Specifications Overview:

• Z Flip7:
  • Thickness: Thinner than Z Flip6
  • Cover Screen: 4.1-inch Super AMOLED
  • Main Screen: 6.9-inch (unfolded)
  • Battery: 4,300 mAh
  • Processor: Exynos 2500 (3nm)
  • Durability: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (cover and back)
  • Starting Price: $1,100
  • Storage/RAM Options: 256GB/512GB (12GB RAM)
  • Colors: Jetblack, Blue Shadow, Coralred
• Z Flip7 FE:
  • Battery: 4,000 mAh
  • Cover Screen: 3.4-inch
  • Main Screen: 6.7-inch (unfolded)
  • Processor: Exynos 2400
  • Starting Price: $899
  • Storage/RAM Options: 128GB/256GB (8GB RAM)
  • Colors: White, Black

Enhanced Software and Google AI Integration

Beyond the hardware, Samsung is introducing several software enhancements across the new foldable lineup, focusing on improving usability and integrating advanced AI capabilities.

A significant addition is the introduction of DeX support to the Z Flip series for the first time. Samsung DeX allows users to connect their phone to an external monitor and use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to create a desktop-like computing environment. Bringing this functionality to the Z Flip means users can now leverage the compact clamshell device as a portable workstation, expanding its utility beyond a typical smartphone.

The cover screen experience is also getting smarter with new features like the 'Now Bar'. This feature functions similarly to iOS' Live Activities, displaying real-time information and ongoing tasks directly on the cover screen. Examples include tracking the progress of a podcast or monitoring the status of a delivery, allowing users to stay updated without needing to unfold their phone.

Complementing the Now Bar is 'Now Brief', which provides a summary of relevant information such as traffic updates, reminders, upcoming events, and fitness insights. This feature aims to offer users a quick, glanceable overview of their day and personalized recommendations, including music and video suggestions based on their existing subscriptions.

Samsung's partnership with Google is evident in the deep integration of Google's AI features across the new Z Fold and Z Flip models. Gemini Live, Google's conversational AI assistant, is now accessible directly from the cover screen of the Z Flip7, allowing users to interact with the AI without unfolding the device. Gemini Live also integrates with Samsung Notes, enabling more intelligent note-taking and organization.

Furthermore, all new Z Flip and Z Fold phones will support Gemini Live's camera and video AI features. This allows users to take pictures or videos and then ask the AI bot questions about the content, opening up new possibilities for information retrieval and interaction with the visual world. The devices also come with an upgraded version of Google's Assistant, featuring a dedicated AI mode for more natural, Q&A-style conversations.

These software and AI advancements highlight Samsung's commitment to enhancing the user experience on its foldable devices, making them not just flexible hardware but also intelligent and versatile computing platforms.

Pricing and Availability: Reaching a Broader Market

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 and Galaxy Z Fold7 are available for pre-order starting today and will see general availability on July 25. The pricing structure reflects their positioning in the market.

The Galaxy Z Fold7 starts at $1,999, a premium price point consistent with its status as a flagship foldable device. It is available in multiple storage configurations: 256GB and 512GB models come with 12GB of RAM, while a top-tier 1TB option boasts 16GB of RAM. Color options include Jetblack, Blue Shadow, and Silver Shadow.

The Galaxy Z Flip7 maintains its starting price at $1,100, offering a premium clamshell foldable experience. It is available in 256GB and 512GB storage variants, both paired with 12GB of RAM. Color choices for the Flip7 include Jetblack, Blue Shadow, and Coralred.

The most significant pricing news is the introduction of the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE at $899. This sub-$1,000 price point is crucial for making foldable technology more accessible to a wider consumer base. The Z Flip7 FE comes in 128GB and 256GB storage options, both with 8GB of RAM, and is available in two classic colors: white and black.

By offering a range of models at different price points, from the ultra-premium Z Fold7 to the more attainable Z Flip7 FE, Samsung is clearly executing a strategy to expand the foldable market. The FE model, in particular, serves as an entry point, allowing more users to experience the unique form factor and features of a foldable phone without the significant investment previously required. This tiered approach, combined with hardware refinements and enhanced AI capabilities, positions Samsung to further solidify its leadership in the growing foldable smartphone segment.

The availability across different storage tiers and color options provides consumers with choices tailored to their needs and preferences, ensuring that there is a model within the new lineup to suit various users looking to embrace the future of mobile technology.