The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the latest book-style foldable flagship from Samsung, launched in mid-2025. It brings together top-tier hardware, a refined foldable design, enhanced durability, and advanced AI-powered features. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, step-by-step: from build and specs, to software and features, how to set it up and use it, plus pros and cons.
Key Specifications & Design Highlights
Let’s begin with the hardware and design details to understand what makes this model tick.
Display & Form-Factor
- Inside, there’s an 8.0-inch (approximately) Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex main display, with a resolution of 1,968 × 2,184 (QXGA+) and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate.
- On the outside (folded state), you get a 6.5-inch Full HD+ (1,080×2,520) 21:9 cover display, also 120Hz.
- Brightness peaks up to ~2,600 nits on the main display.
- Thickness & weight: folded thickness ~ 8.9 mm, unfolded ~ 4.2 mm, weight ~ 215 g. This makes it one of the slimmest & lightest in its category.
- The build is upgraded: “Armor FlexHinge” hinge system, Advanced Armor Aluminium frame, cover display glass is Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, rear back panel Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- It carries an IP48 water/dust resistance rating (same as last generation), which is a nice plus for a foldable.
Performance & Hardware
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy — custom for Samsung’s foldables. Performance claims: ~38% faster CPU, ~26% faster GPU, ~41% faster NPU vs previous model.
- RAM and Storage: Up to 16 GB RAM, storage options 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB.
- Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Camera System
- Rear triple-camera: 200 MP primary sensor (wide, with OIS), 12 MP ultra-wide, 10 MP telephoto with 3× optical zoom.
- Front/inner: 10 MP selfie camera on cover display, 10 MP under-display camera on main screen.
- Imaging engine: Samsung’s ProVisual Engine with enhancements such as improved low-light performance, 10-bit HDR video, and smarter AI processing.
Battery & Charging
- Battery: 4,400 mAh.
- Charging: Wired charging up to 25W (Samsung states 50% in 30 mins with 25W adapter). Wireless charging and reverse wireless (PowerShare) are supported.
Software & AI Features
- Ships with Android 16 and Samsung’s One UI 8.
- Fold-optimized AI features: includes “Gemini Live”, “Circle to Search”, “Writing Assist”, “Drawing Assist”, “AI Results View”. These leverage the larger inner display for productivity.
Pricing & Availability (India)
- In India, starting price: Rs 1,74,999 (12GB/256GB). 12GB/512GB Rs1,86,999, 16GB/1TB ~ Rs 2,10,999.
- Colours: Blue Shadow, Jet Black, Silver Shadow, Mint (online exclusive), among others.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S26 Launch: Price and full Specs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Full Specifications
Step-by-Step: Setting It Up & Using It
In this section, I’ll take you through a practical how-to on getting started with the device and making full use of its features.
Unboxing & Initial Setup
- Remove from box, inspect packaging: Samsung often includes a USB-C cable (sometimes no dedicated charger in some markets).
- Power on the device. Follow on-screen setup: choose language, WiFi network, sign in to Google/Samsung account, accept terms.
- If transitioning from your old phone, use Samsung Smart Switch (or equivalent) to move contacts, apps, and photos.
- Choose display settings: you’ll be asked whether to set up your outer (cover) display preference, or go straight to the inner screen.
Dual Display
- Cover display (folded state): Use like a normal smartphone — launch apps, messages, calls, etc. The 6.5-inch screen is sufficient for everyday use.
- Unfold the main display: Open the hinge, and the 8-inch screen becomes available. This is the “tablet-like” mode.
- Try this: open an app on the cover display, then when you open the device, you’ll find the same app transitioning to the larger screen (in supported apps).
- Tip: Drag from cover to main display: e.g., view a notification on the cover, then pull it into the large display for full view.
Multitasking & Productivity
- On the large display, you can run dual apps side-by-side, or even three apps (multi-window).
- Use Edge Panel or the multitask menu to drag apps into split-view or pop-up view.
- Use the AI features:
- Writing Assist: e.g., when taking notes or composing an email, the system can suggest phrases, correct grammar.
- Drawing Assist: If you use a stylus (if compatible) or finger, you can create doodles or annotations, then convert them.
- Circle to Search: Long-press or use camera snapshot to circle an object/text and get search results.
- The larger screen and high-performance NPU enhance these.
Camera Usage
- Use the main 200 MP sensor for high-resolution shots. You can crop later and still maintain clarity.
- Switch between ultra-wide and telephoto (3× optical) depending on the scene.
- In the unfolded mode, you can open a gallery on one side and edit or compare on the other side of the split screen — e.g., view the original versus the edited version side by side. (Feature: Show Original)
- For selfies: use either the cover screen camera or the under-display inner camera, depending on mode.
- Use AI-assisted tools: object removal, night video noise reduction, and 10-bit HDR capture.
Charging & Battery Management
- Plug in USB-C charger (25W). Note: the wired charging is not extremely fast compared to some rivals. > From forum: “The Galaxy Z Fold 7 … will offer 25W wired charging … means even the mid-range Galaxy A56 5G has faster charging speeds.”
- Enable wireless charging or use Wireless PowerShare to charge earbuds/watch from the phone.
- Tips for battery longevity:
- Use adaptive 120Hz only when needed (some apps/gaming) else set to 60Hz or auto.
- Lower screen brightness when outdoors.
- Close unused apps running in the background.
- Activate battery saver mode if you’ll be away from a charger.
Maintenance & Durability Considerations
- The hinge mechanism is more refined (Armor FlexHinge) and designed for repeated folds. Still, treat with care: avoid debris in hinge gap, don’t strongly flex when the screen is open.
- Use a good case designed for foldable phones (preferably one provided or recommended by Samsung) to protect outer surfaces and hinge.
- Avoid exposing the screen to sharp objects or heavy pressure when folded/unfolded.
- While water/dust resistance is IP48, it’s not invulnerable — don’t submerge.
- Clean hinge area gently with a soft cloth; avoid inserting objects.
What’s New / Why It Matters
Here’s why the Galaxy Z Fold 7 stands out, and for whom it’s a compelling choice.
- Design & portability improvements: With a folded thickness of ~8.9mm and a weight of ~215g, it is significantly slimmer and lighter than many previous foldables. This improves pocketability and practicality.
- Large high-quality displays: The 8-inch internal screen with high brightness (up to 2600 nits) is excellent for content consumption, multitasking, and productivity.
- Performance uplift: The new custom SnapDragon 8 Elite and generous RAM/storage ensure the foldable format doesn’t compromise speed or responsiveness.
- Camera flagship level: The 200 MP main sensor and enhanced imaging engine make it one of the best foldables for photography and video.
- AI integration: With One UI 8 and Android 16, Samsung is making the large screen more useful — not just bigger, but smarter (multimodal AI features).
- Durability improvements: Better hinge, tougher glass, stronger frame. These help address one of the foldables’ historical weak spots.
If you are someone who uses a smartphone extensively for multitasking, editing, productivity (reading, documents, split-screen), or you just want a premium device that doubles as a phone + mini tablet, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a very strong option.
Potential Drawbacks / Things to Consider
No device is perfect—here are some caveats to weigh.
- Charging speed: While 25W wired is acceptable, many flagship phones now offer 45W, 65W or even 120W+ charging. Some users feel this is a missed opportunity.
- Battery capacity: At 4,400 mAh, because you may use the large 8-inch screen heavily, battery life may be less than slab phones with bigger batteries. Some reviews point to this.
- Price: It’s a premium device with a premium price. The cost will be significantly higher than many non-fold flagship phones.
- Durability/repair cost: Foldables still are more complex to repair than standard phones, and hinge or fold-screen issues may cost more.
- S Pen support: Some previous models supported S Pen; if you heavily rely on stylus input, check compatibility. (Note: I didn’t see S Pen mentioned explicitly in marketing for Fold 7).
- Thickness when folded: While improved, it’s still thicker than a non-fold phone when folded (~8.9mm) and may feel a little bulky in certain pockets or use cases.
Is It Worth Buying?
In short: Yes — if the features align with your usage.
- If you want the best foldable experience in 2025: large inner screen, premium specs, good cameras, etc, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is among the top contenders.
- If you use multitasking, editing documents, streaming, playing games on a big screen, or you simply like a phone that opens up into something more, this device delivers.
- On the other hand, if you primarily use your phone for standard tasks (calls, social media, photos) and are price-sensitive, you might get nearly as good a performance from non-fold flagship phones at a lower cost.
For many users upgrading from older foldables or standard phones, this model may hit a sweet spot of “foldable maturity” – thinner design, improved durability, refined software – rather than early-generation compromises.
Final Thoughts
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a polished, high-end foldable that addresses many of the traditional concerns around foldables: bulk, hinge durability, and screen size compromises. With top-tier camera hardware, flagship-level performance, and a refined design, it shows how far the foldable category has come.
If you are ready to invest in that premium foldable experience — and can accommodate the price and maintenance considerations — this device stands out as one of the most compelling choices in its class.