Samsung’s seventh-generation Galaxy Z Flip 7 introduces a more streamlined design, featuring a larger external cover screen and an expanded internal folding display, but it remains an evolutionary step rather than a revolutionary one.
Launching alongside the book-style Z Fold 7, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is one of Samsung’s two flagship foldable phones for 2025. Its core appeal remains unchanged: it packs one of Samsung’s largest smartphone screens into a compact, pocket-friendly form factor by folding in half.
With a starting price of £1,049 (€1,199/$1,099/A$1,799), the Flip 7 is positioned similarly to the conventional S25+ and the ultra-thin S25 Edge, while offering a slightly larger display. The new model is marginally taller and wider than its predecessor to accommodate its new 6.9-inch inner screen. It is also 1.2mm thinner when folded, a subtle refinement that is less noticeable than the transformational redesign of this year’s Z Fold 7.
The most significant visual and functional upgrade is the new, larger cover display, which now fills the top half of the phone’s exterior, elegantly encircling the cameras and flash. This allows for more text from notifications and widgets to be displayed, and combined with a striking wallpaper, it creates a stunning aesthetic, particularly on the dark metallic blue model. While the exterior uses hardened glass, the flexible internal screen remains covered by a softer layer prone to fingerprints, glare, and potential damage, requiring more care than a standard phone. The device is water-resistant but not dust-resistant, so its hinge must be protected from fine particles.
Specifications
- Main Screen: 6.9in FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED Infinity Flex Display (397ppi)
- Cover Screen: 4.1in AMOLED 120Hz (345ppi)
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 2500
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256 or 512GB
- Operating System: One UI 8 based on Android 16
- Camera: 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide rear, 10MP front-facing
- Connectivity: 5G, nano-SIM + eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, GNSS
- Water Resistance: IP48 (up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes)
- Folded Dimensions: 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7mm
- Unfolded Dimensions: 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5mm
- Weight: 188g
Performance and Battery
The Flip 7 is powered by Samsung’s high-end Exynos 2500 chip, which provides a fast and responsive user experience in daily tasks and solid gaming performance, though the device can become warm during extended sessions.
Battery life is a slight drawback, lasting approximately 36 hours between charges with about six hours of active screen use—on par with the smallest Galaxy S25 model. Most users will need to charge the phone nightly, especially since prolonged 5G use drains the battery more quickly than on Qualcomm-equipped models. A full charge takes about 90 minutes with a 25W adapter (not included), and the phone also supports 15W wireless charging.
Software
Running One UI 8 (based on Android 16) out of the box, the Flip 7 offers a highly customisable and polished software experience. It includes a suite of AI tools for writing, image editing, transcription, and translation, alongside Google’s AI services like Gemini and Circle to Search.
The software is optimized for the folding design. “Flex Mode” intelligently splits the screen when the phone is partially folded, placing content on the top half and controls on the bottom. The cover screen is also more useful, allowing users to view notifications, control media, access widgets, and even run a handful of apps like Google Maps and WhatsApp without opening the phone. Samsung promises Android and security updates until July 2032.
Camera
The camera system is one of the Flip 7’s weaker points. It features a 50MP main and 12MP ultrawide camera on the exterior and a 10MP selfie camera inside. The internal selfie camera is adequate for video calls but struggles in low light; for higher-quality selfies, using the main camera with the cover screen as a viewfinder is recommended.
The main camera captures detailed and colourful photos in good lighting but can produce dark and grainy images indoors or in challenging conditions. The ultrawide camera is decent for landscapes but also falters in lower light. While the camera system is not on par with traditional flagship phones and lacks a telephoto lens, its folding design enables creative shooting possibilities, such as propping the phone up for hands-free shots.
Sustainability
Samsung has incorporated recycled aluminium, cobalt, copper, and other materials, which account for 18.2% of the device’s weight. The battery is rated for at least 2,000 charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity. The phone is generally repairable, with screen replacements costing around £294, though this can be reduced to £119 with Samsung’s Care+ insurance. The company also offers self-repair, trade-in, and recycling programs.
Verdict
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is Samsung’s most attractive and functional flip phone to date, thanks primarily to its larger and more useful cover screen. The internal display is excellent, the software is feature-rich and supported for seven years, and the design is undeniably stylish.
However, the improvements feel iterative. The battery life is merely adequate, and the camera system cannot compete with similarly priced conventional flagships. The inner screen’s fragility and the lack of dust resistance remain concerns. While the Flip 7 is still the best option for those who want a large screen in a small pocket, it feels like it’s awaiting the kind of transformative redesign that its larger sibling, the Z Fold 7, received this year.
Pros: Larger and more functional cover screen, great folding display, IP48 water resistance, excellent software with seven years of updates, useful AI features, attractive and unique design.
Cons: Expensive, less durable than a conventional phone, costly repairs, no dust resistance, camera lacks a telephoto lens and underperforms compared to other flagships, not a major update over its predecessor.
