The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has officially arrived, and Samsung has delivered something remarkable – their thinnest foldable phone yet at just 8.9mm when closed. Remember when the original Galaxy Fold felt like carrying a small book in your pocket? Those days are officially over.
The Thickness Revolution That Changes Everything
Let’s put this 8.9mm measurement into perspective. Samsung’s journey with foldable phones has come a long way since 2019, when the original Galaxy Fold measured 17.1mm thick. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents a stunning 48% reduction in thickness compared to that first model. Even more impressive, it’s 26% thinner than last year’s Z Fold 6, representing the biggest generation-over-generation decrease for the entire Z Fold line.
What does this mean for you? The device feels closer to a bar-type smartphone in hand and is thinner than the average passport or card wallet, making it exceptionally comfortable to carry. You’ll finally stop getting those curious stares when you pull your phone out of your pocket, and more importantly, your pocket won’t feel like it’s harboring a small tablet.
Beyond Thin: The Complete Package
The engineering achievement goes beyond just making things slimmer. At 215 grams, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is Samsung’s lightest foldable yet and actually lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Think about that for a moment – a phone that unfolds into an 8-inch display weighs less than Samsung’s regular flagship smartphone.
The newly applied Armor FlexHinge is thinner while maintaining durability and the upgraded structure significantly reduces the visibility of the crease along the foldable display. Samsung has tackled one of the most persistent complaints about foldable phones: that annoying crease that reminded you constantly that this wasn’t a “normal” phone.
Display Improvements That Actually Matter
The screens have gotten some serious upgrades too. The main display now measures 8 inches (up from 7.6 inches on the Z Fold 6), while the cover screen is 6.5 inches. The cover display’s wider aspect ratio means you can comfortably handle most tasks without even unfolding the device – something earlier Z Fold models struggled with due to their narrow, cramped external screens.
While the Z Fold 7’s interior camera is no longer under the display, Samsung has switched to a more traditional hole-punch camera with a higher-res 10-megapixel sensor that delivers significantly better image quality. Sometimes going backwards is actually moving forward.
Camera Capabilities That Impress
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the camera upgrades. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 features the series’ first 200-megapixel camera, capturing 4x more detail and producing images that are 44% brighter. This isn’t just about bigger numbers – it’s about finally having a foldable phone that doesn’t compromise on photo quality.
The camera system includes a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, a 12MP ultrawide, and that improved 10MP front-facing camera on the main display with a 100-degree field of view. Samsung’s next-generation ProVisual Engine processes images faster, enabling every photo and video to be more crisp, vibrant and full of detail.
AI Integration That Makes Sense
The software experience has evolved significantly with One UI 8. Thanks to Google’s Gemini Live, users can share their screen in real time while speaking with the AI assistant — enabling contextual requests based on what’s visible. Imagine pointing your camera at a restaurant menu in a foreign language and having Gemini not only translate it but also make recommendations based on your dietary preferences.
The AI features extend beyond just novelty. The Now Brief personal assistant offers personalized updates throughout the day, and the system intelligently aligns with your daily routine. It’s AI that actually feels useful rather than gimmicky.
Durability Meets Innovation
Samsung hasn’t sacrificed durability for thinness. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is wrapped in an advanced Armor Aluminum frame and comes with IP48 water and dust resistance. The new Armor FlexHinge uses a multi-rail structure that not only reduces creasing but actually strengthens the overall durability by evenly dispersing stress.
For the first time on Galaxy foldables, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Ceramic 2 provides more resilience together with Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2. This isn’t just marketing speak – these materials represent genuine improvements in protecting your investment.
Performance and Battery Life
Internally, the phone features Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and a 4,400mAh battery. While the battery capacity remains the same as the Z Fold 6, improved power efficiency from the processor delivers between 45 minutes and an hour longer battery life depending on which display you’re using.
The charging speeds remain unchanged at 25W wired and 15W wireless, which feels conservative for a $2,000 device in 2025. This is one area where Samsung could have been more aggressive with improvements.
The Reality Check
Let’s address the obvious concern: the price. Pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 start today, with general availability to follow on July 25, with pricing starting at $2,000. This isn’t an impulse purchase, and Samsung knows it. However, for users who’ve been waiting for a foldable that truly feels refined rather than experimental, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents that turning point.
The device comes in Blue Shadow, Jet Black, and Silver Shadow, with Samsung offering an exclusive Mint color through their website. The Z Fold 7 will ship with Android 16 out of the box.
Who Should Consider This Phone
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 finally answers the question many have been asking: “When will foldable phones be ready for mainstream adoption?” If you’re someone who values screen real estate for productivity, enjoys having a tablet experience in your pocket, and wants cutting-edge technology, this device delivers on all fronts.
The 8.9mm thickness isn’t just a number – it represents a fundamental shift in how foldable phones feel and function in daily use. Samsung has created something that no longer feels like a compromise between portability and functionality.