Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 review: Refines the clamshell segment

Rating: 8.5/10
Seven generations in, Samsung’s clamshell foldable has reached a stage where it’s not just competing with rivals — it’s shaping what the category means. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 doesn’t throw out the familiar formula. Instead, it cares more about targeted improvements that refine the experience for users while setting up a clear path for other foldables.

Galaxy ZFlip7

That said, Samsung has made enough changes and improvements to this phone in order to make it better – terms of look and feel as well as practical aspects.I have been using the Galaxy Z Fold7 for weeks now, and here’s what I think about the phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Design and build
At first glance, the Flip 7 looks like a natural continuation of the series. The difference comes in the details: folded dimensions are down to 85.5 × 75.2 × 13.7mm, unfolded it measures 166.7 × 75.2 × 6.5mm, and the weight holds at a manageable 188g.

Galaxy ZFlip7

The 1.2mm reduction in folded thickness isn’t headline-worthy in isolation, but in daily handling, it’s noticeable — sliding more easily into pockets and resting more comfortably in the palm.

The 6.9-inch FHD+ AMOLED Infinity Flex main display offers 120Hz refresh and 397ppi density, retaining the tall aspect ratio that favours vertical scrolling and multitasking. The crease is almost gone this time, and that’s a big deal.

However, the biggest change has to be the cover display, the 4.1-inch 120Hz AMOLED cover display is the visual centrepiece of this generation. Surrounding the rear cameras and LED flash, it transforms the top half of the folded phone into a functional hub. Widgets, media controls, navigation, and quick replies all feel less cramped, and you can handle more without opening the device. The hinge remains firm, supporting stable Flex mode use.

Hardened glass on the outer shell offers some reassurance, and the IP48 water resistance covers submersion up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Hardware and performance

Powering the Flip 7 is Samsung’s Exynos 2500, paired with 12GB RAM and either 256GB or 512GB storage. In day-to-day use — messaging, media streaming, web browsing — it’s fluid and consistent. The high refresh rate on both displays enhances perceived responsiveness, and multitasking feels natural.

Galaxy ZFlip7

Gaming is comfortable in shorter bursts, but extended play brings warmth, especially around the hinge area. It doesn’t cause performance dips in most cases, but it is worth noting for those who game heavily. Speaking of gaming and overall performance in detail, you won’t notice any lag or stutter while working with multiple apps and even games at the same time. Moreover, the triple-A titles deliver good frame rates and even though the temperature rises a bit during the extended gaming sessions, the frame drop isn’t much and the temperature isn’t that uncomfortable here.

Connectivity keeps pace with current standards: 5G via nano SIM or eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and GNSS.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Battery and charging

Battery life is roughly about 5 hours of screen on time, and while it is not groundbreaking – it isn’t bad either. For most people, that means a comfortable full day and part of the next before charging. Prolonged 5G or high-brightness use brings that down, but light-to-moderate days are manageable.

Galaxy ZFlip7

Charging speeds remain steady rather than aggressive. It’s fine for topping up during a break, but not a sub-hour full charge. Wireless charging is supported, adding flexibility in how you keep it powered.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Software and AI

One UI 8, layered over Android 16, brings tighter AI integration into everyday use. Samsung’s tools cover writing assistance, image generation and editing, transcription, and translation, while Google’s Gemini and Circle to Search add further utility. These features don’t feel like add-ons — they slot naturally into workflows, whether it’s rephrasing a message or quickly identifying something onscreen.

The Now bar is a small but effective upgrade, surfacing ongoing activities like music, timers, or sports scores without app-switching. Flex mode adapts apps for the L-shaped fold, splitting content and controls for video calls, media playback, and certain camera functions.

Galaxy ZFlip7

The cover display runs key apps — Google Maps, Messages, WhatsApp, Netflix, YouTube — natively, and the MultiStar plugin from the Galaxy Store unlocks more options. Some apps still feel awkward in the smaller vertical space, but for quick interactions, the outer screen now does more of the work.

Software support is among the best in Android, with updates guaranteed until 31 July 2032, making the Flip 7 feel like a safer investment than many competitors.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Cameras

The camera system sticks with a 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP internal selfie camera. In daylight, the main sensor produces sharp, well-balanced images with natural colours. Indoors or in low light, detail retention drops, and noise becomes more noticeable.

Galaxy ZFlip7

The ultra-wide excels in bright conditions for landscapes and group shots, but struggles with low-light sharpness and colour accuracy. The internal selfie camera is fine for calls or casual shots, but the real advantage is using the main camera for selfies via the cover display. This delivers more detail, better dynamic range, and a generally higher-quality shot.

The folding design adds shooting versatility — hands-free selfies with the phone propped up, camcorder-style video with the hinge partially folded — features that might not be used daily but add creative flexibility when needed.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 camera samples

Galaxy ZFlip7 camera sample

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review: Verdict

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 represents a turning point in the clamshell category — not by introducing something wildly new, but by smoothing over more of the rough edges that early foldables had. The bigger, better-integrated cover screen changes how you use the phone day-to-day, the slimmer folded profile makes it easier to live with, and the long-term software promise adds value beyond the launch cycle.

For anyone curious about the clamshell format, the Flip 7 isn’t just the safe choice. It refines what works, smooths over more of the pain points, and in doing so, defines the shape and expectation of a modern clamshell foldable