Samsung's Big Move: Galaxy Z Fold7 Challenges Ultra-Premium Phones with 215g Lightweight Design
On July 9, 2025, Samsung held its bi-annual "Galaxy Unpacked" event, unveiling new Galaxy devices. This event highlighted foldable phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7, and Galaxy Z Flip7 FE. Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic, and a new color for the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025).
Let's start with the Galaxy Z Fold7. According to Samsung, the Galaxy Z Fold7 targets users of traditional ultra-premium phones. Its design aligns with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Galaxy Z Fold7: Ultra-Level Thinness and Performance
The Galaxy Z Fold7 achieves a lightweight and thin design thanks to a new hinge structure. It measures only 4.2mm when unfolded and 8.9mm when folded, weighing just 215g, lighter than some non-foldable ultra-premium phones.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 comes in four colors: Shadow Blue, Starry Silver, Phantom Black, and a Samsung online store exclusive, Frost Green. All colors share the same hardware design, ensuring a consistent experience.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 features an 8-inch second-generation Dynamic AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2184×1968 (368ppi) and a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The external screen is a 6.5-inch FHD+ second-generation Dynamic AMOLED display with a resolution of 2520×1080 (422ppi), a 21:9 aspect ratio, and a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
To achieve its 4.2mm thickness, Samsung redesigned the hinge, separating the screen support components. This design allows for a larger folding radius without compromising screen support.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 has an IP48 rating for protection and uses Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the outer screen and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the inner screen. The camera setup includes a 200MP OIS wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 10MP OIS 3x optical zoom telephoto camera.
It is powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, with a 4400mAh dual battery, supporting 25W wired charging, Qi 2.0 wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. It comes in 12GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB, and 16GB+1TB configurations.
Galaxy Z Flip7: Pushing Screen-to-Body Ratio to the Edge
The Galaxy Z Flip7 features a 4.1-inch 120Hz SuperAMOLED external screen with a resolution of 948×1048. The 1.5mm bezels create a full-screen look. The inner screen is a 6.9-inch second-generation Dynamic AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio.
The camera setup includes a 50MP OIS wide-angle camera and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera.
The Galaxy Z Flip7 weighs 188g and is 6.5mm thick when unfolded. It has a 4300mAh dual battery, IP48 rating, 25W wired charging, Qi 2.0 wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. It uses a Samsung Exynos 2500 processor and comes in Shadow Blue, Phantom Black, Coral Red, and a Mint Green Samsung online store exclusive.
Besides the Z Flip7, Samsung also launched the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, similar in design to the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Galaxy Watch8: A Unique Smartwatch
Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic, along with a new color for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025.
The Galaxy Watch8 comes in 44mm and 40mm sizes, in Moon Rock Gray and Starlight Silver. The Galaxy Watch8 Classic incorporates traditional watch design elements and is available in Moonless Black and Galactic White, in a 46mm size.
Both watches use Samsung's new Exynos W1000 3nm processor and feature the Samsung BioActive sensor.
A notable feature of the Galaxy Watch8 is its antioxidant capacity test, which assesses skin antioxidant levels and provides health advice.
Samsung: A Catalyst for Mainstream Foldable Phones
The Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 represent a shift from technical demonstrations to products with clear goals: to create phones that resemble and surpass ultra-premium devices. The 215g weight of the Z Fold7 addresses weight concerns associated with foldable phones. Samsung's hinge design allows for smooth and practical usage modes.
While compromises exist, such as battery capacity, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 demonstrate impressive performance and could lead the foldable category to broader adoption.
Samsung's latest foldable phones, with their focus on lightweight design and enhanced features, are poised to make foldable technology more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
