Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 first impressions: Refinement, with real purpose
Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold7, which has gone through several reformations this time, the Galaxy Z Flip7 doesn’t look radically different, but it feels like a big leap, not because of a single spec bump, but because of how the pieces come together. I’ve spent some time flipping it open, working off the cover display, and digging into the new AI tools and here are my initial thoughts.
FlexWindow is now bigger and more usable It’s not just a bigger screen — it’s a bigger canvas. The 4.1-inch FlexWindow now stretches edge to edge and finally feels functional in daily use. I could check schedules, reply to messages, and even control music or glance at podcast progress without opening the phone. With 2,600 nits peak brightness and 120Hz refresh rate, the FlexWindow no longer feels like a gimmick — it’s a proper second screen, and the outdoor visibility is usable now.
2/7
AI where it matters Samsung’s AI push is visible here, but not in a forced way. The integration with Gemini Live works surprisingly well. I could pull up flight details, ask for dinner suggestions, and even use voice to create reminders—all from the cover screen. The experience is contextual, multimodal, and hands-free when needed. It’s this kind of subtle but powerful AI that makes the Flip7 feel more capable than its size would suggest.
3/7
Bigger battery, finally The 4,300mAh battery is the biggest on any Flip yet, and it shows. Samsung claims 31 hours of video playback — I’ll test that later — but even in early use, the gains are clear. Paired with a 3nm processor (Exynos 2500 in my unit), the battery efficiency feels better, and heat management is noticeably improved. DeX support is here as well, turning the Flip7 into a lightweight work setup when you need it.
4/7
Camera improvements are there, too Selfies on the cover screen are now more than a party trick. The 50MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide sensors are better tuned and optimised. However, I will have to use it longer to give a final verdict on the phone’s camera capabilities. However, all the features like 8K video recording, portrait mode are there. And the cover display is now more functional with the camera, and users have the option to add real-time filters, Dual Preview, and the new Zoom Slider make the FlexCam feel more polished.
One UI 8 gets foldables The software now plays better with the form factor. One UI 8, based on Android 16, feels more aware of how people use a flip phone. Whether it’s the tighter integration of widgets on the FlexWindow or smoother continuity when jumping between cover and main displays, transitions are snappier and more predictable. And Samsung’s Now Brief and Now Bar widgets help deliver meaningful glanceable info without needing to unlock or dive deep.
6/7
It’s thinner, lighter, stronger At 13.7mm folded and 188g, the Z Flip7 is Samsung’s slimmest flip yet, and the redesign doesn’t come at the cost of durability. The hinge is tighter, the Armor Aluminium frame feels solid, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 does its job. There's an IP48 rating too. It still folds like a book, but now it feels more like a refined object than a fragile experiment.
7/7
Initial thoughts The Galaxy Z Flip7 feels smarter and more usable, not just because of the upgrades, but because of how cohesive it all feels now. I will test the phone thoroughly in my full review. Stay tuned for that.
