Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 First Impressions: Slimmer, Smarter, Better

Samsung’s 2025 foldables are finally here, and the big takeaway from my first interaction with the new Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 is this: Samsung has finally fixed the form factor problem. Both phones are slimmer, lighter, and more polished. One UI 8 feels like Samsung’s cleanest and most capable take yet, and Galaxy AI is no longer just a buzzword — it’s becoming genuinely useful.

But when it comes to significant upgrades, only one of them really pushes the needle.

Galaxy Z Fold7: Finally Feels Like It’s Meant for the Masses

The Fold7 is the first time the Fold line doesn’t feel like a generational upgrade. It’s no longer trying to prove the concept — it’s just a much better smartphone. It’s lighter at even more than the S25 Ultra, thinner than any Fold before, and doesn’t feel like a brick in your pocket anymore. This is the kind of change that should’ve happened two generations ago, but credit where due — Samsung finally made it happen.

The cover screen is wider (finally), making it usable as a phone without awkward stretching or cramped typing. The inside display is huge 8 inches now, and while the crease still exists, it’s far less in-your-face. Hinge feels tighter, the folding action is smoother, and the build is reassuring. Yes, it’s still a bit boxy, but it's no longer bulky for the sake of tech novelty.

Performance, on paper, is flagship-class, as expected. Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy handles everything with headroom to spare, and now that on-device AI features like Generative Edit, Photo Assist, and Gemini Live are baked into the OS, they actually enhance the Fold experience rather than just being demo bait.

The big highlight though is the camera — 200MP on a Fold is a statement, and it performs like one. This is no longer the foldable that compromises on imaging. Low-light shots, zoom, and even video with AI enhancements — it holds its own against Samsung’s Ultra line. Finally.

Overall, the Fold7 is what the Fold5 should have been, and if you’ve been holding out on a book-style foldable, this is the one worth considering.

Galaxy Z Flip7: Good Update, But the Hype Stops There

The Flip7? It’s a nice update. Just not a big one. It’s thinner, yes, but slightly. The cover screen is bigger, yes — now stretches edge to edge and supports more functionality. But that’s about it. The battery is larger, performance is up to par, and One UI 8 gives it some AI tricks on the FlexWindow. But fundamentally, this is still the Flip6 with polish.

Don’t get me wrong, the Flip7 is more usable day-to-day. That larger outer display lets you type quick replies, run more apps, and actually get things done without opening the phone. But the novelty wears off once you realise the inside story hasn’t changed much — same main display, same dual cameras, and a design that’s… fine. Still boxy, still stubby, still unmistakably a Flip.

The hinge is a bit cleaner, the AI features are helpful, and DeX support is a neat surprise, but none of it screams "big leap." And that’s the Flip’s problem this year — it’s been overshadowed by the Fold. If you’re coming from Flip5, this doesn’t feel like a meaningful jump.

One UI 8 and AI: The Real Deal

Both phones run One UI 8 on Android 16, and this time it feels more refined than ever. There’s a sense of cohesion in the design, animations are slicker, and Galaxy AI doesn’t feel as half-baked anymore. Features like Gemini Live, Circle to Search, and AI-powered photo editing are actually intuitive — not buried in settings or stuck in beta mode.

Samsung’s approach to multimodal AI using voice, camera, and context together is arguably the most integrated across Android brands right now. But it still has a way to go before it becomes essential.

Early Verdict

The Fold7 is the real flagship this year. It’s not just slimmer — it’s smarter, more usable, and no longer a compromise device. If Samsung had launched this a year earlier, the Fold wouldn’t just be respected — it would be mainstream. With the Fold7, it finally feels like it deserves to be.

The Flip7, meanwhile, is playing it safe. It’s better than before, yes — but only marginally. For a phone that’s meant to be fun and fresh, it feels a bit stuck in its comfort zone.

Samsung’s foldables in 2025 show maturity. The hardware is ready. The software is finally catching up. But only one of these devices is pushing forward. The other is just following the path.