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Samsung is at it again with foldable phones. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are reportedly launching later this year, featuring incremental improvements that’ll likely come at a premium price. Early leaks suggest these might actually work properly this time, but that’s what people said about the last three generations too.
Foldable phones remain a solution in search of a problem. Sure, tech reviewers get excited about bendy screens, but regular people just want phones that don’t break when dropped. Samsung continues to push these initiatives, likely because they’ve invested too much money to quit now.
Design & Build of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
The Z Fold 7 apparently gets a redesigned hinge that’s thinner than before. Great news for anyone tired of carrying what feels like a small brick in their pocket. Bezels are shrinking too, which might make the unfolded experience less like holding a tablet wrapped in excessive plastic.
Samsung’s supposedly making the Z Flip 7 outer display bigger – jumping from 3.4 inches to nearly 4 inches. Sounds tiny, but anyone who’s tried using these flip phones knows how frustrating it is when the cover screen can’t display a full text message. Revolutionary innovation right there.
The build quality remains questionable compared to regular smartphones. More moving parts mean more things that can break. Physics doesn’t care about marketing promises.
Screen improvements focus on fixing existing problems rather than adding groundbreaking features. The Z Fold 7 keeps its 7.6-inch inner display and 6.2-inch outer screen but supposedly gets brighter and more color-accurate. Refresh rates might hit 144Hz, though battery life will tank accordingly.
That annoying crease down the middle might become less visible. Samsung’s been promising crease improvements since the original Fold launched. Results have been mixed at best. The fold line bothers everyone initially, and most people just learn to ignore it.
The Z Flip 7 outer display expansion makes more practical sense. Current cover screens handle notifications fine, but actually using apps requires opening the phone constantly. A bigger outer screen enables proper functionality without the flip-open dance.
Camera Systems
The Z Fold 7 might finally get camera hardware matching Samsung’s regular S-series phones. A 200MP main sensor would close the gap with traditional flagships, assuming foldable form factors allow proper camera placement and heat dissipation.
The Z Flip 7 dual-lens setup will probably see sensor upgrades rather than additional lenses. Internal space restrictions prevent camera ambitions beyond basic functionality. Software improvements carry more weight than hardware changes here.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery improvements depend on processor efficiency rather than capacity increases. The Z Fold 7’s rumored 4,600mAh battery sounds adequate on paper, while the Z Flip 7’s 3,700mAh cell will struggle with power-hungry dual displays.
Charging speed increases to 45W wired and 25W wireless would help daily usability. Current charging times feel slow compared to other premium Android phones, creating battery anxiety throughout the day.
Heat generation during charging affects both battery longevity and user comfort. Foldables generate more heat than traditional phones due to complex internals. Thermal improvements could prove more valuable than faster charging speeds.
Bottom Line: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
The Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 will probably represent Samsung’s best foldable efforts yet. That’s not particularly impressive considering previous generations’ significant limitations and user complaints.
Rating: 3.4/5
These devices serve narrow niches – productivity enthusiasts who need multiple screens, tech early adopters who want attention-grabbing gadgets, and people with money to burn on impractical phones. Regular users should stick with traditional smartphones until foldables solve fundamental issues.
Samsung deserves some credit for persistent innovation in challenging form factors. Whether consumers actually want foldable phones remains more important than whether Samsung can build marginally better ones each year.
The foldable category feels like Samsung’s personal obsession rather than responding to genuine consumer demand. Maybe the seventh generation will finally prove otherwise, but betting on it seems unwise.