The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7, launched last July, marks an impressive addition to Samsung’s flagship foldable series. Showcasing its innovative design and multimodal AI capabilities, this smartphone combines functionality with style, making it a standout option for tech enthusiasts and casual users alike.
Design and Display
The device boasts a large 6.9-inch flexible Dynamic Amoled display and a 4.1-inch Super Amoled Flex window — the largest screens in the Galaxy Z Flip lineup. At just 6.5mm thin when unfolded, it is also the thinnest phone in the series.
Both displays feature a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, making outdoor visibility a breeze. The sturdy aluminum frame, combined with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on the Flex Window and an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance, ensures it can withstand various environments.
Addressing the common concern about hinges in foldable phones, Samsung used its proprietary Armor FlexHinge technology that could withstand over 500,000 folding cycles.
The inner screen is capable of folding without gaps, but opens up with minimal indentation, and no image distortion. However, Samsung warns that the inner screen is not dust proof, and is quite susceptible to scratches.
Performance
Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip7 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2500 Deca-Core CPU, supported by an Xclipse 950 GPU.
With a robust 12GB of RAM (expandable to 24GB) and storage options of 256GB or 512GB, the Z Flip7 can handle multitasking and demanding applications with ease. However, points must be taken for the lack of MicroSD storage options.
Benchmarking tests reveal a single-core score of 1,241 and a multi-core score of 6,773 on Geekbench, indicating strong performance in both everyday tasks and intensive processing needs.
Using the benchmarking app Geekbench, the Exynos 2500 scored a mid-range 1,241 for the single-core test. However, the 6,773 multi-core score means it could handle heavier processing, as most apps developed lately require multi-core usage.
With a 18,053 GPU score, gaming on the Z Flip7 is a delight. Demanding titles like CarX Street and Black Desert Mobile run smoothly, even at maxed-out graphics settings.
However, users should be aware of potential heat buildup behind the Flex Window, which suggests room for improvement in heat dissipation.
Battery Life and AI Capabilities
Equipped with a 4,300mAh battery, users can enjoy up to 31 hours of video playback. However, the battery life may become limiting during extensive gaming sessions or intensive AI processing tasks.
The device’s AI capabilities are impressive, with the Exynos 2500 achieving a quantized score of 3,401 on Geekbench AI, essential for handling Google Gemini and Galaxy AI tools integrated into the One UI 8 operating system.
The AI tool suite is versatile, offering features like the “Now Brief,” which provides personalized updates on weather and schedules, and the “Now Bar,” an intuitive notification system.
The Google Gemini accessibility via the Flex Window allows for seamless multitasking, through intuitive conversational AI and Gemini Live, enhancing the user experience on-the-go.
Camera Performance
In terms of photography, the Galaxy Z Flip7 does not disappoint. It features a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP main screen camera.
The camera’s HDR capabilities yield stunning photos with true-to-life color saturation, while optical image stabilization (OIS) ensures clear shots and smooth 4K video recording at 60FPS.
The lack of a telephoto lens is a downside, limiting zoom capabilities to 2x optical and 10x digital zoom, but the AI Zoom function polishes the images greatly.
Quick Specs
- Processor: Exynos 2500
- Dimensions: 75.2mm x 85.5mm x 13.7mm (folded), 75.2mm x 166.7mm x 6.5mm (unfolded)
- Weight: 188g
- Display: 6.9″ Foldable Dynamic Amoled 2X display, 4.1″ Super Amoled display
- Resolution: 2520 x 1080 foldable screen, 1048 x 948 front screen
- Camera: 50MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera
- Selfie Camera: 10MP front camera
- Battery: 4,300mAh
- Operating System: One UI 8 (Android 16)
- IP Rating: IP48 dust and water resistance
- Colors: Blue Shadow, Jetblack, Coralred, Mint (Online Exclusive)
Verdict
With a starting price of P65,990 for the 256GB variant and P70,990 for the 512GB, the Galaxy Z Flip7 isn’t exactly a budget device. However, the investment is justified considering its powerful features and capabilities.
The combination of premium design, advanced AI integration, and robust security features, including Knox Security, two years of Samsung Care+ protection, and guaranteed seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, makes the Z Flip7 feel more like a reliable digital companion than a mere luxury item.
Pros
- Powerful processor suitable for gaming
- Compact and storable design
- Sturdy aluminum frame despite its thinness
- Excellent camera performance
- Handy AI tools for multitasking
- Strong security features with local data storage
Cons
- Heating issues during extensive use
- Smooth edges may make the device harder to grip
- Absence of a telephoto lens
- Redundant 10MP front camera, as using the main camera for selfies is easier
- Relatively limited battery capacity
- Price should have included a Samsung charger
