Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Review: An improvement from Flip6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7, launched in July 2025, is a bold step in the evolution of flip phones, combining a sleek design, upgraded displays, and enhanced AI capabilities.
This clamshell foldable addresses key pain points from its predecessor, the Z Flip6, while introducing meaningful upgrades like a larger Flex Window and Samsung DeX support. Competing with the likes of the Motorola Razr Ultra in the flip phone world, the Z Flip7 aims to dominate the flip phone market with its compact form factor and premium features.
In this detailed review, we explore its display, build, camera, battery, performance, pricing, and unique features, highlighting improvements over the Z Flip6 and why it’s a top contender in 2025.
For those interested in other Samsung flagships, check out our reviews of the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Galaxy Watch 8.
Display: Bigger, Brighter, and More Versatile
The Galaxy Z Flip7 boasts significant display upgrades, making it more usable and visually stunning.
The 4.1-inch Flex Window (cover display) now spans edge-to-edge, wrapping around the dual camera setup, a major leap from the Z Flip6’s 3.4-inch cover screen.
With a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,600 nits peak brightness, it matches the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display quality, ensuring vibrant visuals even in sunlight.
The 6.9-inch main Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, up from 6.7 inches on the Z Flip6, offers a 21:9 aspect ratio and 397ppi for crisp visuals.
These upgrades make multitasking and media consumption more immersive, though the cover screen still lacks full app support without workarounds like Good Lock.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Main Display | 6.9-inch Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak), 1080x2520px, 21:9 aspect ratio, 397ppi |
| Cover Display (Flex Window) | 4.1-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 2600 nits (peak), 948x1048px |
| Improvements from Z Flip6 | Main: 6.7″ to 6.9″, Cover: 3.4″ (60Hz) to 4.1″ (120Hz), thinner 1.25mm bezels, Vision Booster tech |
Key Upgrades:
- Larger, edge-to-edge Flex Window with 120Hz refresh rate.
- Brighter displays matching S25 Ultra’s 2,600 nits.
- Enhanced personalization with Now Bar, Now Brief widgets, and AI-generated wallpapers.
Dimensions and Build Material: Slimmer and Sturdier
Samsung has refined the Z Flip7’s design, making it the thinnest and lightest Flip yet at 188g and 6.5mm unfolded (13.7mm folded), compared to the Z Flip6’s 6.9mm unfolded.
Crafted from Armor Aluminum with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, it feels premium and durable, with an IP48 rating for water resistance (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes) but limited dust protection.
The slimmer Armor Flex hinge, 30% thinner than the Z Flip6’s, enhances portability, rivaling the slim profile of the Galaxy S25 Edge. Available in Blue Shadow, Jet Black, Coral Red, and Mint, the Blue Shadow variant stands out for its metallic sheen.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.5mm (unfolded), 85.1 x 71.9 x 13.7mm (folded) |
| Weight | 188g |
| Materials | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (back), Armor Aluminum frame, plastic front (unfolded) |
| Build | IP48 dust/water resistant, 30% thinner Armor Flex hinge |
| Improvements from Z Flip6 | Thinner: 6.9mm to 6.5mm (unfolded), lighter: 187g to 188g, improved hinge durability |
Key Upgrades:
- Slimmer and lighter than Z Flip6, comparable to non-foldable flagships.
- Enhanced hinge durability for long-term reliability.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Release Date
The Galaxy Z Flip7 was announced on July 9, 2025, at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in New York City, with pre-orders starting the same day. General sales began on July 25, 2025, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Watch 8, making it widely available through Samsung’s website, carriers, and major retailers.
Camera Setup: Familiar Hardware, Enhanced Software
The Z Flip7 retains the Z Flip6’s camera hardware: a 50MP main sensor (f/1.8, OIS), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 123° FoV), and 10MP selfie camera (f/2.2).
However, Samsung’s ProVisual Engine enhances image processing, improving low-light performance and color accuracy. The Flex Window now supports real-time filter previews and a zoom slider, making selfies and vlogging more intuitive.
Flex Mode, allowing the phone to act as a tripod, remains a highlight for creators, though the lack of a telephoto lens (unlike the Galaxy S25 Ultra) limits zoom capabilities.
Compared to the Z Flip6, software tweaks like Enhanced Nightography and 10-bit HDR video add marginal improvements.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 85° FoV, dual-pixel PDAF, OIS, 12.5MP/50MP modes |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 123° FoV, 1.12µm |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 23mm, 85° FoV |
| Improvements from Z Flip6 | ProVisual Engine, Enhanced Nightography, real-time filter previews, zoom slider on Flex Window |
Key Upgrades:
- Improved low-light photography and color reproduction.
- Flex Window camera effects (e.g., light rings) and Auto Zoom for smarter framing.
Video Shooting Modes: Creator-Friendly Features
The Z Flip7 excels as a “pocket-sized selfie studio,” supporting 4K@60fps video on rear and front cameras, with 8K@30fps available for the main camera.
It introduces 10-bit HDR video recording (up from 8-bit on the Z Flip6) for richer colors and detail. Flex Mode enables hands-free recording, ideal for vlogging or time-lapses, while the Flex Window doubles as a viewfinder for rear-camera selfies.
Galaxy AI-powered editing tools, like Object Eraser, enhance post-production. However, it lags behind the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7’s 200MP sensor for advanced video capabilities.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Rear Camera Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+ |
| Front Camera Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Improvements from Z Flip6 | 10-bit HDR video, enhanced AI editing tools (Object Eraser, Portrait Studio) |
Key Upgrades:
- 10-bit HDR for improved video quality.
- Flex Window enhancements for vlogging and selfies.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Battery: Bigger Capacity
The Z Flip7 features a 4,300mAh battery, an 8% increase from the Z Flip6’s 4,000mAh, delivering up to 31 hours of video playback or 17.5 hours of Wi-Fi streaming.
In mixed use, it lasts about 7 hours of screen time, a slight improvement over the Z Flip6’s 6.75 hours. However, charging speeds remain unchanged at 25W wired (50% in 30 minutes), 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless, lagging behind the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 45W wired charging and competitors like the Motorola Razr Ultra (68W).
Heavy tasks like gaming or camera use can drain the battery faster, and thermal issues persist.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 4,300mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired (QC2.0, 50% in 30 min), 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Battery Life | ~31 hours video playback (720p local), ~17.5 hours streaming (1080p Wi-Fi), ~7 hours mixed use |
| Improvements from Z Flip6 | 4,000mAh to 4,300mAh, ~90 minutes more runtime in tests |
Key Upgrades:
- Larger battery for improved longevity.
- Maintains slim design despite capacity increase.
Processor and Software: Exynos 2500 and Android 16
The Z Flip7 is powered by the Exynos 2500 (3nm), a 10-core chipset with a Cortex-X5 core at 3.3GHz, delivering solid performance for gaming and AI tasks.
However, it lags behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy S25 Ultra in benchmarks (e.g., Geekbench 6: 2,267 single-core vs. Z Fold7’s 3,024).
Running Android 16 with One UI 8, it’s among the first devices to launch with this OS, offering seven years of updates.
Galaxy AI features like Gemini Live on the Flex Window and real-time translation enhance productivity, though thermal issues during intensive tasks like gaming persist.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2500 (3nm), 10-core (1×3.3GHz Cortex-X5, 2×2.74GHz Cortex-A725, 5×2.36GHz Cortex-A725, 2×1.8GHz Cortex-A520) |
| GPU | Xclipse 950 |
| OS | Android 16, One UI 8, 7 years of OS/security updates |
| Improvements from Z Flip6 | Exynos 2500 vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Android 16 vs. Android 14, DeX support added |
Key Upgrades:
- First Flip with Samsung DeX support.
- Android 16 and One UI 8 out of the box.
Storage Options and Price: Premium but Competitive
The Z Flip7 starts at $1,099 for 256GB (12GB RAM), with a 512GB option at $1,219, matching the Z Flip6’s pricing despite upgrades.
Compared to the Motorola Razr Ultra ($1,300), it’s a better value, though it lacks a 1TB option available on the Galaxy Z Fold7. Pre-order deals offer up to $1,000 trade-in value, making it more accessible. Available colors include Blue Shadow, Jet Black, Coral Red, and Mint (online-exclusive).
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Storage Options | 256GB (12GB RAM), 512GB (12GB RAM), UFS 4.0 |
| Price | $1,099 (256GB), $1,219 (512GB) |
| Deals | Up to $1,000 trade-in value (pre-order) |
| Improvements from Z Flip6 | Same pricing, added DeX and larger displays |
Other Features: DeX, Galaxy AI, and More
The Z Flip7 introduces several standout features:
- Samsung DeX: Now available on the Flip series (absent on Z Flip6), offering wired and wireless desktop modes for productivity, enhanced by Good Lock’s MultiStar module for high-resolution external displays.
- Galaxy AI: Features like Gemini Live on the Flex Window, real-time translation, and Photo Assist (e.g., Object Eraser) make it a creator’s delight.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted, fast, and reliable, consistent with the Z Flip6.
- Other: Supports 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and Circle to Search. The IP48 rating ensures water resistance, but dust protection remains limited.
Key Upgrades from Z Flip6:
- Addition of Samsung DeX for desktop-like functionality.
- Enhanced Galaxy AI with cover screen integration.
- 120Hz Flex Window and improved hinge durability.
Comparison with Z Fold7and S25 Ultra
The Galaxy Z Fold7 offers a larger 8-inch main display and 200MP camera, ideal for productivity enthusiasts, but its $1,999 price dwarfs the Z Flip7’s $1,099.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra, with its 5,000mAh battery and 5x telephoto lens, is better for photography and battery life at $1,299. The Galaxy Watch 8 complements the Z Flip7 with advanced health tracking, perfect for a connected ecosystem.
The Z Flip7 shines for its compact, stylish design and selfie-focused features, making it a unique choice.
Verdict: A Flip Phone Worth Flipping For?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is a refined flip phone that builds on the Z Flip6 with a larger 4.1-inch Flex Window, 6.9-inch main display, 4,300mAh battery, and DeX support.
While the Exynos 2500 chipset and 25W charging lag behind competitors like the Motorola Razr Ultra, its $1,099 price, vibrant displays, and AI-driven features make it a compelling choice for foldable fans.
The lack of a telephoto lens and modest battery life improvements may disappoint some, but its sleek design and creator-friendly camera modes make it a standout.
If you’re upgrading from a Z Flip5, the Z Flip7 is a worthy leap; Z Flip6 owners may find the upgrades incremental.
