Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 & Z Flip 7 Review: Thinner, Smarter, but No S Pen

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 & Z Flip 7 launched with thinner designs, Snapdragon 8 Elite AI, and bigger screens—but no S Pen. Full specs, price, review
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7

Samsung has once again pushed the boundaries of foldable smartphones with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked 2025. These devices bring thinner designs, advanced AI features, and upgraded hardware, but with one major omission—S Pen support on the Z Fold 7.

In this in-depth review, we'll break down:

  • Key upgrades in design, display, and performance
  • New AI features powered by Google Gemini and Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Why Samsung removed the S Pen—and whether it was the right move
  • Pricing, availability, and alternatives (including the budget Z Flip 7 FE)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Thinnest Foldable Yet, But at What Cost?

1. Design & Build: Slimmer Than Ever

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is now Samsung's thinnest and lightest foldable, measuring:

  • 8.9mm thick when folded (vs. 10.2mm on Z Fold 6)
  • Just 4.2mm when unfolded (thinner than a pencil!)
  • Weight: 215g (down from 239g)

Key Improvements:

  • New Armor FlexHinge – Reduces creasing, improves durability
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 – More scratch-resistant
  • Titanium plate layer – Stronger yet lighter than aluminum

Trade-Off:

  • No S Pen Support – Samsung removed the digitizer layer to achieve this slim profile.

2. Display: Bigger Screens, Better Multitasking

  • Main Screen: 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (11% larger than Z Fold 6)
  • Cover Screen: 6.5-inch 21:9 aspect ratio (easier one-handed use)
  • 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (smoother scrolling)
  • 2,600 nits peak brightness (best-in-class visibility)

3. Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite & AI Boost

  • Processor: Custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
    • 41% faster NPU (for on-device AI tasks)
    • 38% CPU & 26% GPU boost (vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3)
  • RAM & Storage: Up to 16GB RAM + 1TB storage

AI Features:

  • Gemini Live – Real-time voice commands (e.g., "Find flights to Tokyo")
  • Photo Assist – AI-powered photo editing (remove objects, adjust angles)
  • Audio Eraser – Remove background noise from videos

4. Cameras: 200MP Sensor & Pro-Grade Upgrades

  • 200MP Wide-Angle Lens (4x more detail than Z Fold 6's 50MP)
  • 12MP Ultra-Wide & 10MP Telephoto (3X Zoom)
  • Night Video Mode – Better low-light recording

Verdict: The Z Fold 7 is a powerhouse for productivity and creativity, but power users will miss the S Pen.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Bigger Cover Screen, Better AI

1. Design: Slimmer & More Durable

  • 13.7mm thick when folded (vs. 14.2mm on Z Flip 6)
  • 4,300mAh battery (+300mAh vs. Z Flip 6)
  • 4.1-inch FlexWindow (edge-to-edge, up from 3.4")

2. AI & Software: Gemini Live on Cover Screen

  • Type messages, check weather, control music without unfolding
  • Camera Sharing on Gemini Live – Show AI what you see for instant help

3. Performance & Pricing

  • Snapdragon 8 Elite (same as Z Fold 7)
  • Starts at ₹1,09,999 (India)

Who's It For?
Great for social media lovers who want a compact, stylish foldable with AI smarts.

Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Budget Foldable at ₹89,999

  • 6.7-inch main display, 50MP FlexCam
  • 4,000mAh battery, 128GB/256GB storage
  • No Snapdragon 8 Elite (likely Exynos chip)

Best For: First-time foldable buyers who want Samsung quality at a lower price.

Why Did Samsung Remove the S Pen?

  • Thinner hinge design couldn't fit the digitizer.
  • Focus on AI (Gemini Live, Photo Assist) over stylus input.
  • Market demand – Only 10% of Fold users actively used the S Pen (per Samsung).

Should You Care?

  • Yes if you sketch/take notes.
  • No if you mainly browse, watch videos, and use AI tools.

Pricing & Availability

Model Price (India) Availability
Z Flip 7 FE ₹89,999 July 25
Z Flip 7 ₹1,09,999 July 25
Z Fold 7 ₹1,74,999 July 25

Pre-order Bonuses:

  • Free Galaxy Watch 8 (early buyers)
  • 6 months of Google AI Pro

Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade?

  • Upgrade if: You want the thinnest foldable, best AI features, and bigger screens.
  • Skip if: You need the S Pen or own a Z Fold 6/Z Flip 6 (incremental upgrades).

Alternatives:

  • Motorola Razr (2025) – Better cover screen UI
  • Honor Magic V3 – Thinner than Z Fold 7, with stylus support

FAQ

Does the Galaxy Z Fold 7 support the S Pen?

No, Samsung removed S Pen support to make the Z Fold 7 its thinnest foldable yet.

What is the price of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in India?

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at ₹1,09,999 in India.

Final Thoughts

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are Samsung's most refined foldables yet, with thinner builds, smarter AI, and better displays. However, the lack of S Pen support may disappoint professionals.

Will you upgrade? Let us know in the comments!

🔗 Share this review: #GalaxyZFold7 #ZFlip7 #FoldablePhones

Gnaneshwar Gaddam is a tech enthusiast and product management professional who is passionate about gadgets. He’s dedicated to helping users navigate the latest technology with clear guides and truste…

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