Samsung's latest clamshell foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip7, arrives as the slimmest Galaxy Z Flip yet, immediately making an impression with its refined design. This device promises a blend of cutting-edge technology and unparalleled portability, aiming to redefine convenience in the smartphone market.
We’ve spent some time with the Flip7, putting its sleek form factor, innovative features, and performance to the test to see if it truly delivers on its promise of a compact and powerful everyday companion.
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Table of Contents
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Specifications
- Display (Main): 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2520 x 1080px (21:9), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- Display (Cover): 4.1-inch Super AMOLED 2X Display, 1048 x 948px, 60/120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 2500 (3nm)
- Operating System: One UI 8 based on Android 16
- Rear Camera (Dual): 50MP wide dual pixel AF (OIS, f/1.8), FOV: 85˚+ 12MP ultra-wide, (f/2.2) FOV: 123˚
- Front Camera: 10MP (f/2.2) FOV: 85˚
- Memory: 12GB RAM with 256GB or 512GB ROM
- Battery: 4,300mAh, 25W wired, up to 50% charge in 30mins, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare
- Dimensions: 75.2 x 85.5 x 13.7mm (folded), 75.2 x 166.7 x 6.5mm (unfolded)
- Weight: 188g
- Built: IP48, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 (glass), Armor Aluminum (metal)
Design & Build
Samsung's latest clamshell foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip7, arrives as the slimmest Galaxy Z Flip yet. Measuring a mere 188g and just 6.5mm thick when unfolded, it feels really light and easy to hold in my gremlin hands. Folded up, it collapses into a compact square, only 13.7mm thick, which makes it slip into your pocket and bags.
The build quality of the Z Flip7 feels improved, with the hinge notably stronger and sturdier. This generation features the new Armor FlexHinge, contributing to its thinner profile compared to its predecessor. Closing the Galaxy Z Flip7 results in a very satisfying, albeit loud, snap. This definitive "clap" happens every time, unless there is a deliberate effort to close it quietly.
The phone boasts a stunning 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display when unfolded, so the phone shows up very vividly. However, the highlight is the new 4.1-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow, which is the largest ever on a Galaxy Z Flip. With barely noticeable 1.25mm bezels, this expanded cover screen lets you see more on the cover screen. If you want to reply a quick message or set up a calendar event, it can be done easily without feeling like you're straining your thumbs to type.
From the FlexWindow, you can also resize certain apps to fit the display. For example, you can play games directly on the cover screen without having some buttons obscured by the camera lens. Similarly, you can view and sort through your photo gallery on the cover screen with ease. You do not have to flip open the phone to delete your unwanted photos. This optimisation isn't automatic, which is a slight downer.
Camera
The Galaxy Z Flip7 features a dual rear camera system on the cover screen, comprising a 50MP Wide-angle lens and a 12MP Ultra-Wide lens.
The main camera also features a 2x optical quality zoom, which captures clear and sharp images, provided there is good and sufficient lighting. The details are capturing accurately with good colour reproduction.
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However, this is not a camera designed for demanding low-light or concert-like photography. Night-time captures are often hampered by a slow shutter speed, which can lead to blurry results or missed moments. We did observe a strange "separation" around the subject that made it appear as though they were fading away.
In another instance, initial images may appear decent when shooting from a distance, but graininess becomes apparent as you zoom in. During the denoise process, the subjects have a sort of "oil-painting effect".
Despite some image quality quirks, the camera remains very easy to use for selfies. A perfect example is the Flex Cam mode, where you can set the half-open Flip7 on a surface so it acts like a tripod, then show the camera viewfinder on the cover screen.
Performance & Battery
The Z Flip7 is powered by Exynos 2500 processor, along with 12GB of RAM and a 4,300mAh battery.
Playing games on the Flip7 felt very smooth with barely any lags. Although it never gets too hot to hold, I did notice some heat build up around the cover screen.
A round of Call of Duty Mobile for about 15 minutes and you can expect 15% of the battery life to disappear. Though if you play more graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact, expect the phone to drain quicker and heat up more. The charging speed is quite slow, it took approximately two hours to reach 88%, however it depends on the charger used.
I’ll note that during regular use and non-gaming apps, the phone is never slow, and I’ve found it perfectly comfortable to use.
The Z Flip7 can also work as a mini office setup with the Samsung DeX app. Once you plug into to any larger screen, you can multitask.
Gemini Live on the FlexWindow
A major highlight for the Z Flip7 is the pocket-sized Gemini Live integrated directly on the FlexWindow.
By simply activating the camera button within Gemini on the FlexWindow, you can start conversing with the AI without ever needing to open the phone. Though personally I won't have much use for this, but it's certainly a convenient feature for on-the-spot questions.
For instance, you could simply point the phone (camera side) at an interesting plant and ask, "What kind of plant is this?" or even ask Gemini on tips to improve your appearance.
What We Liked & Disliked
I love how lightweight and compact it is, the build and hinge doesn't feel flimsy. The large inner screen is great for viewing and gaming, and the multi-tasking features make it useful.
The customisation options for apps on the FlexWindow, allowing them to resize to fit the display, are a neat touch. It's basically like a mini version of the whole foldable but on a screen that doesn't feel crammed. However, while the FlexWindow's app optimisation is good, it requires some manual adjustment, which is a minor inconvenience.
The Z Flip7 is great for daytime photography, but the camera system, while convenient for quick shots with its dual rear setup, isn't without its caveats. It's not ideal low-light gig shows or concerts with strobbing lights. Night-time captures are often hindered by a slow shutter speed, risking blurry results.
Who Is This For?
What the Galaxy Z Flip 7 isn’t is a hardcore gaming machine or a reliable low-light photographer. If those aspects don't matter to you, I think this phone is worth your consideration.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7, which costs between RM4,999 and RM5,599, is ideal for those prefer not to be weighed down by a large phone every day. If you're someone who values a phone that can slip into any pocket or mini-bag, appreciates a vibrant foldable display and a highly functional cover screen for quick interactions, and wants a device that stands out from the crowd, the Z Flip7 is a good choice.
If there was a favourite colour variant for the Z Flip7, I'd go with striking Coral Red.
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