Galaxy S25 Edge<\/a> as that\u2019s also suitably slimline, but either way, Samsung promises a 44% uptick in brightness and a 4x boost to overall detail.\u00a0<\/p>\nWhile it\u2019s hard to quantify those exact claims, I have been pleasantly surprised by the experience on offer. The camera consistently captures sharp, in-focus shots, with punchy \u2013 some might say too vibrant \u2013 colours and plenty of detail. That strong performance continues even as light levels drop, delivering ample brightness and fairly accurate colour reproduction.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly, it\u2019s very much in line with the S25 Ultra in most scenarios, which is an impressive upgrade and puts the Fold 7 near the top of the foldable pack in that regard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s paired with a 10MP 3x telephoto lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The spec is identical, but Samsung claims these are new lenses, with the ultrawide now offering macro photo capabilities, while its larger pixel size allows for a 56% boost to overall brightness. Considering the Z Fold 6\u2019s ultrawide was the weakest of the trio in low-light settings, this is a much-needed upgrade.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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To be fair, I have noticed an uptick in performance from the ultrawide lens \u2013 even if it\u2019s not as dramatic as the main sensor. It\u2019s certainly not going to deliver fantastic results in true low-light conditions, but it makes it more usable in dimmer conditions, such as dusk, without looking over-processed. The macro capabilities are also pretty solid, allowing me to get a more detailed close-up shot of flowers than the main or telephoto lenses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaking of, the 3x telephoto lens is merely an average zoom lens. It\u2019s consistently sharp at the native 3x mark and provides a fairly consistent experience in terms of colour science, but push it into digital zoom territory and things can fall apart pretty quickly \u2013 especially past the 10x mark.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It does offer up to 30x, but the artefacting is blatantly visible at this level. I can\u2019t help but wonder how much that would have improved if Samsung had followed in Honor\u2019s footsteps with a higher-resolution periscope lens.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As with the auxiliary lenses, the 10MP cover and internal selfie cameras have also had a refresh despite the identical resolution, with a wider 100-degree FOV making it a better option for group selfies and video calls, particularly if you\u2019re doing any kind of presentation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Fold-7-21-1-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n
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The bigger change for most, I suspect, will be Samsung finally ditching the under-screen camera tech on the inner foldable screen, reverting instead to a regular cutout. Samsung\u2019s UDC was never that great \u2013 it was both clearly visible and had hugely damaging effects on the camera quality \u2013 so it\u2019s a change I welcome with open arms. As a result, it\u2019s much better for video calls.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Performance<\/p>\n
Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy<\/p>\n
Up to 1TB and 16GB of RAM<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly rapid everyday performance<\/p>\n
Samsung went left-field with the new Z Flip 7 by offering its own Exynos 2500 chipset rather than the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy found in the S25 collection \u2013 but don\u2019t worry, the Z Fold 7 does feature the top-end Qualcomm chipset. It makes sense, given its focus on performance and productivity.<\/p>\n
Either way, that\u2019s paired with either 12GB of RAM if you go for the 256- or 512GB variants, or a whopping 16GB of RAM if you go for the top-end 1TB model \u2013 and with a spec like that, it\u2019s unsurprisingly rapid in everyday use.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve yet to experience a single stutter or any kind of lag when using the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and I\u2019ve really been pushing it to its limits over the past week. That includes high-end gaming on the large internal screen, with titles like Crashlands 2 running at maximum quality, along with running three apps on the internal panel simultaneously.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The surplus of RAM also means that on-device AI tasks \u2013 like Samsung\u2019s translation tech \u2013 feel fast and responsive. It\u2019s a phone that just keeps on going, barely breaking a sweat.<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Fold-7-2-1-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n
Even when gaming, the phone gets warm but not distressingly hot \u2013 though it will throttle performance if it does get too toasty internally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Benchmarks largely support this, providing a snapshot of a phone that\u2019s at the top of its game, whether that\u2019s CPU- or GPU-related tasks. It\u2019s not quite up to the same levels as the likes of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but that\u2019s likely down to the much thinner chassis on offer here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Software and AI<\/p>\n
One UI 8 based on Android 16<\/p>\n
Focused more on AI updates than visual upgrades<\/p>\n
Seven years of OS upgrades<\/p>\n
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The top-end Snapdragon chipset powers the phone\u2019s Galaxy AI smarts, some of which have been upgraded as part of the new One UI 8 experience. Yep, we\u2019re skipping One UI 7 and headed straight to 8, based on the new Android 16. Samsung certainly doesn\u2019t want a repeat of last year\u2019s delayed OS upgrade debacle, it seems\u2026\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Admittedly, the differences between One UI 7 and 8 are quite hard to spot. While the jump from One UI 6 to 7 included various redesigned elements and a general facelift, One UI 8 is largely the same, visually, at least.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instead, the core focus seems to be on improving the AI experience on offer \u2013 because it\u2019s 2025 and that\u2019s just what manufacturers do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Fold-7-4-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n
Improvements include boosted Circle to Search smarts that can now help you get gameplay tips without actually leaving the game you\u2019re playing, as well as a foldable-optimised layout for Gemini that appears in a smaller window on the larger internal screen \u2013 though as these are Google-powered features, I expect they will also come to other phones in the near future.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There have also been tweaks to the Galaxy AI photo editing experience, where editing a photo on the internal screen will now provide a new side-by-side preview to see exactly what has been changed. There are also improvements to elements like audio eraser technology, which now allows for its use in recordings and call transcripts, as well as videos.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n
None of these are exactly revolutionary features and don\u2019t really represent a specific reason to choose the Z Fold 7 over any other foldable, but they all add to the already solid Galaxy AI featureset available. That includes features introduced after the launch of last year\u2019s Z Fold 6, such as Now Brief and Now Bar, which debuted on the Galaxy S25 series earlier this year.<\/p>\n
And, as always, Samsung has committed to a market-leading seven years of OS upgrades for the Z Fold 7, so it should continue to improve with age like a fine wine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Battery Life<\/p>\n
Same 4400mAh battery as Z Fold 6<\/p>\n
All-day battery life \u2013 just about<\/p>\n
Slow 25W wired charging<\/p>\n
If the Z Fold 7 falls behind the foldable competition in one key area, it\u2019d have to be battery life.<\/p>\n
With the same 4400mAh cell, bigger screens and a beefier chipset than last year\u2019s Galaxy Z Fold 6, it doesn\u2019t look great on paper \u2013 especially when you consider the much smaller Z Flip 7 has a 4300mAh battery and the similarly-sized Find N5 has a 5600mAh cell. You need more than an additional 100mAh to power those larger screens\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s once again down to Samsung\u2019s reluctance to adopt silicon carbon battery technology \u2013 an issue that also presented itself with the Galaxy S25 Edge earlier this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Fold-7-12-1-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n
That said, I\u2019ve still managed to get through the day across much of my testing. There have been a few instances of particularly screen-heavy days where it hit the 10% mark in the late evening and required a little top-up, but with more regular use, I\u2019d get to bed with around 30-40% remaining.<\/p>\n
However, I did notice quite significant power drain when streaming video on the bigger internal panel, whether that\u2019s on TikTok or Netflix, with the latter draining an above-average 8% over an hour. It\u2019s a similar story with gaming, with the phone draining 7% in just 30 minutes, suggesting that true power users might be better off elsewhere.<\/p>\n
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Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n
Samsung could have mitigated this issue by offering faster charge speeds for quick and convenient mid-day top-ups, but the charging speed remains at 25W wired and 15W wireless. Considering the Find N5 offers 80W and the upcoming Magic V5 boasts 66W, it\u2019s one of the few elements of the Z Fold 7 experience that still feels dated.<\/p>\n
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That translates to a 24% charge in 15 minutes, 49% in 30 minutes, and a full charge in just under an hour and a half. It\u2019s not that egregious for most people\u2019s needs, but the phone did drop down to around 5W when passing the 80% mark in testing. That\u2019s painfully slow for a 2025 flagship \u2013 foldable or not.\u00a0<\/p>\n
SQUIRREL_PLAYLIST_10207783<\/p>\n
Squirrel Widget<\/p>\n
Should you buy it?<\/p>\n
\n You want a great all-round foldable experience\n <\/p>\n
With an ultra-thin, lightweight build, great screens, impressive camera capabilities and strong performance, the Z Fold 7 ticks most boxes for what a book-style foldable should offer.<\/p>\n
\n You want the best battery life and fastest charging\n <\/p>\n
If the Fold 7 has a weakness, it has to be battery life and charge speeds. At 4400mAh and 25W, it\u2019s among the smallest and slowest on a foldable.<\/p>\n
Final Thoughts<\/p>\n
Samsung has finally delivered the ultra-slim, lightweight foldable so many have been waiting for, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a genuine leap forward for the series.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The design is not just thinner and lighter than ever, it\u2019s now right up there with the slimmest foldables around, and it feels fantastic in the hand as a result. It\u2019s not perfect \u2013 the camera bump wobble is annoying, and it doesn\u2019t have the very best IP rating for a foldable \u2013 but for the first time, the Fold doesn\u2019t feel like a compromise in your pocket.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The screens are a highlight, with a much more usable cover screen and a larger, more solid-feeling internal panel that\u2019s a joy for everything from gaming to multitasking. Samsung\u2019s camera upgrades, especially the new 200MP main sensor, finally put the Fold 7 in the same league as its candybar siblings, and the performance is as rapid as you\u2019d expect from a Snapdragon 8 Elite-equipped flagship.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Throw in a refined software experience with seven years of updates and a growing list of AI features, and you\u2019ve got a foldable that feels as future-proof as any other book-style on the market.\u00a0
Battery life and charging speeds are the only real letdowns, with the same 4400mAh cell and sluggish 25W charging that feel a bit behind the times \u2013 especially for power users.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But, for most, the Z Fold 7 will comfortably last a day, and the rest of the package is so tempting that it\u2019s easy to forgive a few shortcomings. If you\u2019ve been biding your time on investing in a foldable, now might finally be the time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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How We Test<\/p>\n
We test every mobile phone we review thoroughly. We use industry-standard tests to accurately compare features, and we use the phone as our primary device throughout the review period. We\u2019ll always tell you what we find, and we never, ever, accept money to review a product.<\/p>\n
Used as a main phone for over a week Thorough camera testing in a variety of conditions Tested and benchmarked using respected industry tests and real-world data<\/p>\n
FAQs<\/p>\n
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 water-resistant? <\/p>\n
Yes, it has an IP48 dust and water resistance rating.<\/p>\n
How many OS upgrades will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 get? <\/p>\n
Samsung has committed to seven years of OS upgrades and security patches for the Fold 7.<\/p>\n
How fast does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 charge? <\/p>\n
It offers 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, but you won\u2019t find a charger in the box.<\/p>\n
Test Data<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\n Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7<\/p>\n
Geekbench 6 single core
\n 2318 <\/p>\n
Geekbench 6 multi core
\n 8828 <\/p>\n
1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR)
\n 8 %<\/p>\n
30 minute gaming (light)
\n 7 %<\/p>\n
Time from 0-100% charge
\n 87 min<\/p>\n
Time from 0-50% charge
\n 31 Min<\/p>\n
30-min recharge (no charger included)
\n 49 %<\/p>\n
15-min recharge (no charger included)
\n 24 %<\/p>\n
3D Mark \u2013 Wild Life
\n 5574 <\/p>\n
GFXBench \u2013 Aztec Ruins
\n 70 fps<\/p>\n
GFXBench \u2013 Car Chase
\n 71 fps<\/p>\n
Full Specs<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\n Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review<\/p>\n
UK RRP
\n \u00a31799 <\/p>\n
USA RRP
\n $1999 <\/p>\n
Manufacturer
\n Samsung <\/p>\n
Screen Size
\n 8 inches <\/p>\n
Storage Capacity
\n 256GB, 512GB, 1TB <\/p>\n
Rear Camera
\n 200MP + 12MP + 10MP <\/p>\n
Front Camera
\n 10MP + 10MP <\/p>\n
Video Recording
\n Yes <\/p>\n
IP rating
\n Not Disclosed <\/p>\n
Battery
\n 4400 mAh <\/p>\n
Wireless charging
\n Yes <\/p>\n
Fast Charging
\n Yes <\/p>\n
Size (Dimensions)
\n 143.2 x 4.2 x 158.4 MM <\/p>\n
Weight
\n 215 G <\/p>\n
Operating System
\n OneUI 8 (Android 16) <\/p>\n
Release Date
\n 2025 <\/p>\n
First Reviewed Date
\n 17\/07\/2025 <\/p>\n
Resolution
\n 2184 x 1968 <\/p>\n
HDR
\n Yes <\/p>\n
Refresh Rate
\n 120 Hz <\/p>\n
Ports
\n USB-C <\/p>\n
Chipset
\n Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy <\/p>\n
RAM
\n 12GB, 16GB <\/p>\n
Colours
\n Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Jet-black, Mint <\/p>\n
Stated Power
\n 25 W<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Verdict The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 finally delivers the ultra-slim, lightweight foldable we’ve been waiting for, boasting…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9992,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[2306,86,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-9991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mobile","tag-mobile","tag-technology","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9991"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9991\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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