The Pros and Cons of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G
In 2025, Samsung once again proved its strong position in the foldable phone market by launching the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G. This new version comes with several big improvements, especially when compared to earlier models.
One of the biggest highlights is the body design. The Galaxy Z Fold7 5G is now one of the thinnest foldable phones in the world. The difference is easy to notice when compared to the Galaxy Z Fold6 5G. Besides that, there are other interesting updates and a few things you should consider before buying. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons below.
Pros of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G
Samsung usually sets a higher price for each new generation. The Galaxy Z Fold7 5G starts at around $2.119. So, what makes it more expensive? Here are some of the key upgrades.
1. Thinner and Lighter Design but Still Strong
The overall look of the Galaxy Z Fold7 5G is quite similar to the previous model. It still has sharp edges like the Galaxy Z Fold6 5G. However, the main difference is in the thickness.
When unfolded, the phone is only 4.2 mm thick. When folded, it becomes 8.9 mm, which is about the same as the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Holding it feels similar to using a normal phone. The weight is also lighter, at 215 grams.
Even though the body is thinner, the camera module looks a bit thicker. Using a case can help protect the camera from scratches or bumps on hard surfaces.
Samsung now uses the new Armour FlexHinge, which is smaller but stronger. The crease on the screen is also less visible. The frame uses Armor Aluminium Advanced material, so even with a thin body, this phone is built to last.
For protection against water and dust, it has an IP48 rating. This means it can survive in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. So, it should be fine if you get caught in the rain or spill some water on it.
2. Bigger and More Comfortable Screen with New Aspect Ratio
In previous versions, many users said the cover screen felt too narrow and tall, which made it less comfortable to use some apps. Samsung has fixed that in this model.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 5G now has a new aspect ratio of 21:9, instead of 22.1:9. The cover screen is also larger, going from 6.3 inches to 6.5 inches. It uses a 2x Dynamic LTPO AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels to make it look very sharp and clear.
The main screen is also bigger, from 7.6 inches to 8 inches, with a resolution of 1968 x 2184 pixels. The corners are sharp, and the details look very clear. It still uses the Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2x panel, with HDR support that gives a nice display.
Both screens can reach a peak brightness of up to 2600 nits, so you can see them clearly even under strong sunlight. The cover screen is protected with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, and the main screen has Mohs level 1 protection.
Using the phone feels smooth because both screens support a 120 Hz refresh rate. You can enjoy using it as a regular phone when folded, and as a tablet when opened.
3. Runs Android 16 and OneUI 8, with 7 Years of Updates
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G is one of the first phones to launch with Android 16. It is also the first Samsung phone that uses the OneUI 8 interface. This is a big step forward, especially since the Galaxy Z Fold6 5G only came with Android 14 and OneUI 6.1.1 when it was released. It did not get Android 15 or OneUI 7 at launch.
Samsung also promises a long software support. The phone will get up to 7 major Android updates. So, if Google keeps releasing one version per year, this phone could receive Android 23 by the year 2032.
In addition, you will also get security updates for 7 years. With this kind of support, the Galaxy Z Fold7 5G is clearly a good choice for long-term use. It helps justify the high price.
4. Equipped with Galaxy AI, Samsung DeX, and UWB Sensor
This phone includes several special features from Samsung. You get Galaxy AI, Samsung DeX, and a UWB (Ultra Wideband) sensor. The new OneUI 8 software also helps Galaxy AI work more smoothly and adds more useful functions.
Some Galaxy AI features were already available on earlier models. But this time, the larger screen on the Z Fold7 makes them work even better. For example, the Multimodal AI can now split the screen when using Gemini Live. This gives a more flexible experience based on your needs.
You can also enjoy smarter multitasking with floating windows and split-screen mode. AI-generated images can be moved easily using drag and drop, for example into Samsung Notes or other apps. The Circle to Search feature can also work inside games, so you don't have to exit the game to search for information.
Samsung DeX is another helpful feature. It gives you a PC-like display when you connect your phone to a monitor. You can do this with a USB cable, as the USB Type-C 3.2 port supports video output.
Last but not least, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G is one of the few foldable phones that has a UWB sensor. When used together with Galaxy Tag+ accessories, this sensor helps you find lost items more easily and accurately. It can show the exact location of the item, so you won’t waste time looking for things you’ve misplaced.
5. Powerful Performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite and Large Memory
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is still the strongest chipset available in 2025. You can also find it in other top Samsung phones like the Galaxy S25 Series. Other flagship brands also use this chipset, including the Xiaomi 15 Pro, iQOO 13, ASUS ROG Phone 9 Series, realme GT 7 Pro, and Red Magic 10 Pro Series.
What makes the Galaxy Z Fold7 5G special is that it uses a custom version of the chipset called Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. This version has two main CPU cores that are overclocked for better performance. Samsung says that this version brings a 45% increase in CPU speed, 48% for the GPU, and 68% for the NPU.
Looking more closely, the chipset has eight CPU cores in total. It includes two high-performance Oryon V2 Phoenix L cores that run at 4.47 GHz (the regular version runs at 4.32 GHz), and six Oryon V2 Phoenix M cores that run at 3.53 GHz for better power efficiency. It also comes with the Adreno 830 GPU, which has a higher clock speed than usual.
This powerful chipset is paired with large memory options. The Galaxy Z Fold7 5G comes in three variants, 12 GB RAM with 256 GB storage, 12 GB RAM with 512 GB storage, and the highest option with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage. This combination makes the phone fast and smooth in daily use.
According to GSMArena’s test, the Galaxy Z Fold7 5G with Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy scored up to 1.9 million points on AnTuTu v10. That’s a high score, showing the phone can handle heavy tasks and games with high graphics very well.
6. Uses the Same Reliable 200 MP Camera as the Galaxy S25 Ultra
The camera is one of the biggest upgrades in this phone. This is great news because, for about three generations, Samsung’s foldable phones used the same camera setup without major changes.
Now, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G features a 200 MP main camera with an f/1.7 aperture. This is the same camera found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, that is the ISOCELL HP2 sensor. It supports multi-directional PDAF for fast focus and has OIS to keep your photos and videos stable.
The front camera on the main screen also gets an upgrade. Instead of a normal wide-angle lens, the Galaxy Z Fold7 5G now has a 10 MP ultrawide camera. This lets you fit more into the frame when taking selfies. However, the camera is no longer hidden under the screen, so you can see it clearly.
Other cameras stay the same as before. There is a 10 MP telephoto camera with an f/2.4 aperture, PDAF, and OIS. It can zoom in up to 3 times using optical zoom. There is also a 12 MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture and PDAF, which also works well for taking macro shots.
For video, the rear camera can record in 8K at 30 frames per second. It also supports stable 4K recording. The front camera can record videos in up to 4K at 60 frames per second, and it also includes stabilisation to reduce shaking.
7. Same 4400 mAh Battery, Still Good for Daily Use
Even though the Galaxy Z Fold7 5G has a thinner body than the previous model, the battery size stays the same at 4400 mAh. This is quite impressive, since it means the battery life should still be similar to before.
In fact, the battery performance is considered good. In a video by Ho Young Won, he used the phone for a full day. Even with many activities like using the camera and GPS, the screen-on time reached about 6 hours.
GSMArena also tested the phone and gave it an active use score of 11 hours and 44 minutes. This is a bit better than the Galaxy Z Fold6 5G, which got 11 hours and 31 minutes.
The charging speed is also the same as before. The phone supports 25W fast charging, and according to Samsung, it can reach 50 percent in just 30 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging for powering other devices.
8. Stereo Speakers, Useful Sensors, and Full Connectivity
Another good feature of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G is its stereo speaker system. The speakers are tuned by AKG and can produce surround sound effects. This makes watching videos or playing games feel more enjoyable and immersive.
The phone also comes with a full set of sensors and modern connectivity. It has a responsive hardware gyroscope, a barometer, and a fingerprint sensor located on the side of the phone. For wireless features, it supports WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC (Near Field Communication).
Cons of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G
Even with many improvements, there are still a few things to consider. These are mostly related to the thinner body design. Below are some of the things you might want to know.
1. No More Support for the S Pen Stylus
One noticeable change in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G is that it no longer supports the S Pen stylus. This is surprising because the S Pen was one of the main features that made the Galaxy Z Fold series special. For some users, this could be an important reason to reconsider buying the phone.
Samsung likely removed this feature to make the phone thinner. Because of that, you need to choose between having a slim foldable phone or keeping stylus support.
The phone can still work with other types of styluses, but it no longer supports Samsung’s official S Pen that was available on older models.
2. Telephoto and Selfie Cameras Could Be Better
The Galaxy Z Fold7 5G comes with the same main camera as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the ultrawide camera also performs well. However, the telephoto and selfie cameras are not as strong.
These two cameras are just average. While they still work fine, they feel a bit underwhelming for a phone that costs around US$2000.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G is a foldable phone with a very thin body. It measures only 4.2 mm when open and 8.9 mm when folded. The new screen ratio also makes it more comfortable to use, almost like a regular phone.
On the back, there is a fairly thick camera module. This is because the main camera has a 200 MP resolution, the same one used in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This is one of the biggest improvements on the Galaxy Z Fold7 5G.
For performance, the phone uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It works together with large memory options and a spacious screen to give a smooth and enjoyable experience. The battery is still 4400 mAh, even though the body is thinner than before.
One thing to keep in mind is that the phone no longer supports the S Pen stylus. This might be disappointing for users who like to write or draw on their foldable phone.