Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Complete Review Flip Phone Wonder Refined
Samsung's latest pocket edition wonder now comes with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, filled with refinements and some controversial changes. Is it the last word in compact flippers, or does it make sacrifices that are hard to ignore. After spending massive time with the device, here is a deep dive into what makes the Z Flip 7 tick.
Design and Build Intelligent, Sleek, and Slim
This is the first point where you get caught Samsung's smart and slender design. It is happily slim when opened and perfectly compact when closed, bearing the now expected zero-gap hinge. Colors like the sultry "Blue Shadow" or the standout "Coral Red" finish off the premium eye-catching look. The phone fits into a pocket at a pinch and is reassuringly solid in the Armor Aluminum frame and both front and back glass are made from the latest Gorilla Victus 2. Daily use drags minor scratches and dings away.
The matte rear surface is reasonably good at warding off fingerprints, but the cover screen and main display are finger-licking smudges. One very minor quibble concerns the edge-mounted fingerprint sensor it's incredibly dinky and just does not work at all the moment your fingers are ever-so-slightly damp. Fortunately, face unlock is a far more reliable, if sometimes slower, alternative.
The Cover Screen Bigger and Better
The new 4.1-inch, 120Hz cover screen really is a huge improvement and one of the reasons that the Flip 7 should be the one to have. It's bright, silky smooth, and unbelievably useful. Notifications and media controls are right there with a quick flick, and you can run almost any app on it with a little preparation.
Thereby installing Samsung's Good Lock and Multistar (a process Samsung now thankfully guides you towards), you unlock its full potential. Once this is done, a helpful icon appears below the camera flash to switch between a full screen and a slightly easier landscape view, useful since sometimes camera bumps block in-screen elements. Although typing makes long messages better on the main display, the bigger view on the cover screen makes quick replies surprisingly manageable.
Main Display Almost Creaseless Experience
When a larger canvas is necessary, the internal 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is ultra crisp, very poppy, and practically crease-free. If you're searching for it, you can feel a tiny ridge, but it's a non-issue in normal usage. It is excellent for watching movies or multitasking with split-screen apps. The only downside is the highly reflective surface that makes viewing impossible when the sun shines bright.
Performance The Exynos Elephant in the Room
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the first smartphone to feature Samsung's hot 3nm Exynos 2500 chipset, with 12GB of RAM. For day-to-day operations, performance is fluid, though One UI occasionally hiccups when going about the menus. Unfortunately, high-end gaming isn't something that the Exynos 2500 can competently claim, unlike the more premium chips in Motorola's Razr 60 Ultra or even the Z Fold 7.
In graphically intense titles like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves, this smartphone is unable to hold a 60 FPS at max settings, dropping into the 40s or lower during intense combat situations. Plus, the device warms up quite a lot around the edges during long gaming sessions. It is still playable, but the visual settings would likely need to be lowered for a consistently smooth experience. It is quite clear that the design of this phone does not favor hardcore gamers, but for casual play and everyday applications, it's all capable.
Cameras Goodman, but Not an Upgrade
Camera on the Z Flip 7 is the same hardware as in the Galaxy Z Flip 6 50MP and a 12MP ultra-wide. None of the hardware upgrades is disappointing, but there are also little improvements in photography as a result of the processing that comes with using Exynos, giving mellow more humanized colors and improvement in highlight handling.
This is where the Flip's camera comes alive using a cover screen as a viewfinder for taking serious selfies with the main cameras is a game-changer. Flex mode allows the phone to act as its tripod, which is ideal for group shots or just vlogging. It can shoot video up to 4K at 60fps; stabilization is excellent. It lacks a telephoto lens, but it is more than OK for everyday snaps and social media.
Battery and Charge
The Flip 7 enjoys an expected increase in battery capacity to 4,300mAh. For most moderate users, this would translate into one day of comfortable usage. With 5-6 hours screen-on time through messaging, also with some browsing and a bit of camera use, it usually ends the day in battery saver mode with around 10% remaining. It's really a noticeable improvement over past generations.
Unfortunately, this is also the weak point of charging technology. 25W wired is slow by today's standards; a full charge takes well over an hour. Even slower is 15W wireless. Samsung really needs to catch up in this one area.
Pros
- Amazing, compact, and durable design.
- Large and well-lit 120Hz cover display, very functional, highly praised.
- Vibrant internal display with a crease that is hardly there.
- Battery life improved-all day.
- Camera versatility is possible due to the flip form factor.
- Guaranteed 7 years of software updates.
Cons
- Underperforms in high-end gaming against competitors on the Exynos 2500.
- Gets quite warm when under sustained load.
- Agonizingly slow-charging speed of 25W.
- No upgrades in camera hardware from the last generation.
- Inaccurate side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Our All Rating
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Design and Build | |
| Displays Internal & Cover | |
| Performance | |
| Cameras | |
| Gaming | |
| Battery & Charging | |
| Over All Score |
Final Verdict and Rating
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a brilliant refinement of the flip phone story. It is much more a stylish and practical daily driver than one more niche gadget. The larger cover screen is a game-changer, battery life is finally rock-solid, and the design is top-notch. Then again, for dedicated power users and gamers, the decision to go with the Exynos chip would be somewhat of a downer, and the sluggish charging does make it hard to forgive in 2025.
If the flip form factor speaks to you, and you'd appreciate the most polished and versatile experience, the Z Flip 7 is a great choice and a worthy upgrade from the Flip 5 or older. If all you need is gaming at its top level and fast charging, you may want to look elsewhere.
