[비즈한국] "The first foldable phone that truly makes me want to buy it." Samsung Electronics005930 unveiled its new foldable smartphone, the 'Galaxy Z Fold 7,' in New York on the 9th (local time). By reducing its thickness by 26% compared to its predecessor, the device has bid farewell to the "bulky body" that was often cited as a weakness. Compared to the inaugural model (the 2019 Galaxy Fold), it is now half (48%) as thick. Global IT media outlets have offered favorable reviews regarding its design, durability, and differentiation from previous models.
However, as the level of refinement has increased, so has the price. The Fold 7 is being released at a price approximately 150,000 won higher than its predecessor. In the U.S., a $100 price hike pushes the retail price close to $2,000, leading to somewhat cautious reactions regarding the cost burden.
Samsung Electronics hosted its new product launch event, 'Galaxy Unpacked 2025,' at the Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, New York, to introduce the Fold 7, the thinnest and lightest large-screen foldable phone to date. Roh Tae-moon, Head of Samsung Electronics' Device Experience (DX) Division (President), stated, "The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 represent the pinnacle of innovation achieved by Samsung. These products set a new standard and elevate the bar-type smartphone experience to an entirely new level."
Amidst fiercer-than-ever competition in the foldable phone market, Samsung has responded with the Fold 7, which features Galaxy AI, a 200-megapixel camera, and an 11% larger display, while reducing its weight by 24g. The Flip 7 is also being lauded for successfully embodying the characteristics of a small, user-friendly foldable phone. Can these new releases not only meet replacement demand from existing users but also attract those who have yet to experience a foldable phone? We have examined three reasons to choose the Galaxy Z 7 series, along with two factors that might still give potential buyers pause.
‘So You Can Forget About Wrist Pain’: Thinner, Lighter, and Wider
The horizontally folding Fold 7 measures 8.9mm in thickness when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded, a significant reduction from its predecessor. It is 3.2mm and 1.4mm thinner than the Fold 6, respectively. At 215g, its weight has also decreased by 24g, making it the lightest and thinnest in the Z Fold series to date. While Honor's 'Magic V5,' announced last week, boasts an even thinner profile at 8.8mm folded and 4.1mm unfolded, it has only been released in the Chinese market and differs in terms of specifications. Its weight is also lighter than that of a standard smartphone, the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Furthermore, the screen has become larger. The external display has widened to a 21:9 aspect ratio, providing a 6.5-inch screen similar to standard smartphones. Unfolding the device reveals an 8-inch screen, similar to the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, an increase from the 7.6-inch screen of the previous model. Weight and thickness are major barriers to entry for foldable phones. Slimming down and reducing weight are core elements for improving foldable usability, and all eyes are on whether this product can significantly narrow the gap and drive mass adoption.
The Flip 7 features relatively less change. It is designed with a thickness of 13.7mm when folded and 6.5mm when unfolded. The folded thickness is 1.2mm thinner than its predecessor (14.9mm). Its weight is 188g, similar to the Flip 6 (187g). Samsung Electronics stated that the Flip 7 achieves both the largest cover screen and the thinnest design in the series' history. The 4.1-inch Flex Window features a 1.25mm ultra-slim bezel, allowing the screen to cover the entire front except for the camera lenses. According to the company, users can perform basic tasks such as checking schedules or replying to messages, as well as executing various AI functions, without unfolding the device.
The Android-specialized media outlet Android Authority assessed it by saying, "The existing Z Flip lineup felt like it was struggling to capture the essence of a modern foldable, relying too much on nostalgia, but the Flip 7 is the first in the series to properly implement the concept of a small, convenient foldable phone."
The Homework and Evolution of Folding Screens
Foldable phones come with inherent limitations due to the structure of their folding displays and hinges. Concerns persist that the folding screen can easily get scratched or wrinkled, and that dust or debris can easily enter the hinge. Compared to standard smartphones, they face limitations in water and dust resistance, and the burden of repair costs also acts as a barrier for new users.
Samsung emphasized that despite the device's lighter weight, durability has been further enhanced. The Fold 7 features an 'Armor Flex Hinge' that uniformly disperses external impact. The frame protecting the hinge incorporates reinforced Armor Aluminum. The introduction of a titanium frame and ultra-thin glass that is 50% thicker also stands out as a durability improvement.
The Flip 7 introduced the 'Armor Flex Hinge' and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 reinforces the glass by embedding ceramic crystals, similar to the 'Ceramic Shield' applied to Apple's iPhone series.
While the IP48 dust and water resistance rating remains the same as before, Samsung claims that it has improved the internal design to provide stronger protection against liquids.
Strengthened Real-Time AI Features, ‘Ultra-Class’ Camera for Fold 7
President Roh Tae-moon explained, "These two products are equipped with the most powerful hardware to lead change, AI that translates the world into 'actions,' and cameras that understand and react to the user."
The Z7 series is the first to be equipped with the official version of One UI 8, which has enhanced AI security, and it incorporates both Samsung's 'Galaxy AI' and Google's generative AI model, Gemini. The 'Live Screen Sharing' feature allows users to share the screen they are viewing in real-time, engage in voice conversations with Gemini, and request various tasks based on the situation.
In the case of the Flip 7, users can talk to a chatbot on the cover screen and check the results on the screen without opening the phone. Google's Live and Video features can be activated; for instance, users can turn on the Gemini Live camera and have a conversation about what the camera is viewing.
The camera performance of the Fold 7 has been noticeably improved. It is equipped with a 200-megapixel wide-angle camera similar to those found on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Edge. Based on the high-resolution sensor, it provides not only detailed expression but also clear images, with AI automatically adjusting brightness even in low-light environments. Video editing capabilities have also been enhanced. The 'Audio Eraser' feature, which reduces background noise after recording, and the 'AI Eraser' feature, which removes unnecessary people, are included by default.
A $100 Increase in One Year
The drawback is the price. Based on 12GB of memory, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 costs 1,485,000 won for the 256GB model and 1,643,400 won for the 512GB model. The Galaxy Z Fold 7, also based on 12GB of memory, is priced at 2,379,300 won for 256GB, 2,537,700 won for 512GB, and 2,933,700 won for the 1TB model with 16GB of memory.
While the price of the Flip 7 remained frozen, the Fold 7 increased by approximately $100, or about 150,000 won, compared to its predecessor. It is expected to be priced around $1,899–$2,199 in the U.S. market and around 2,000 euros in Europe. While functionality and design have improved, a price hike of over 100,000 won at once could act as a burden to consumers. The IT specialty media outlet Engadget noted, "The starting price of $2,000 for the Fold 7 is still very expensive."
There is also interest in the performance of the Flip 7 regarding its use of Samsung's Exynos 2500. Exynos chipsets have been perceived as slightly inferior in terms of performance, heat generation, and power efficiency compared to Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets of the same generation. Immediately after the Unpacked event, President Roh stated in a local press conference, "The Exynos was adopted because it was judged to have the most suitable performance and quality for the product's characteristics," adding, "We will continue to review competitive combinations by maintaining a multi-source strategy for both AP and memory."
The Regrettable ‘Gap’ of the S Pen
There is also significant disappointment regarding the vanished 'S Pen.' One of the most notable changes in the Fold 7 is the removal of S Pen support. Citing internal data showing low S Pen usage, Samsung Electronics removed the dedicated digitizer layer in this new product. This appears to be a design adjustment aimed at reducing device thickness and increasing portability.
Some long-term users are voicing their disappointment. S Pen-related features have stagnated without any clear progress, and even the Galaxy S Ultra series saw its dedicated S Pen storage slot removed. For long-time Fold series users, the loss of S Pen support may be the most tangible "downgrade" factor.
The new products will be released sequentially worldwide starting on the 25th of this month. Domestic pre-orders in Korea will run from the 15th to the 21st. Additionally, the company also introduced the 'Z Flip 7 FE (Fan Edition),' an entry-level product with lowered specifications for the first time in the foldable phone series. The product, which resembles the Flip 6, will be sold through online channels for 1,199,000 won.