Leaked hands-on preview says Galaxy Z Flip 7 finally eliminates the display crease
Samsung will unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 on Wednesday, but we think we already know everything about the two upcoming foldable phones. The Fold 7 and Flip 7 have shown up in plenty of leaks over the past few months, including a few exciting last-minute ones.
We know both handsets will be thinner than all their predecessors, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 slimming down to an 8.9 mm profile. We already saw real-life photos of a Fold 7 unit a few days ago, and they seem to confirm those dimension-related claims.
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Even more interesting is a hands-on video showing a Galaxy Z Flip 7 unit that highlights two exciting features coming to Samsung's next-gen clamshell phone.
First, the cover display extends from corner to corner and edge to edge, incorporating the two-lens camera. Second, the hands-on video suggests Samsung may have finally fixed the one design issue we've had with all its foldables since the original Fold. There's no crease on the Flip 7 unit you're about to see.
That's good news for the Fold 7, and even more so for the foldable iPhone Apple plans to release next year.
The Fold 6 and Flip 6 came with visible creases
The first thing I did during my Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 hands-on experience last year was check whether Samsung had managed to eliminate the crease that appears in the middle of the screen, right over the hinge mechanism.
Unfortunately, both the Fold 6 and Flip 6 had visible creases. You could see the crease whether the screen was on or off.
You could also feel the crease while using the handset, a problem that affects the Flip more than the Fold. That's because the Flip's crease is horizontal, while the Fold's is vertical. You'll feel it when scrolling on the Flip, but not as much on the Fold.
Still, the crease has been an annoying visual compromise we've had to accept with foldable phones for years.
Late last year, Samsung released the Galaxy Z Fold SE in Korea and China. The upcoming Fold 7 is largely based on that model, and the Fold SE nearly eliminated the crease. I speculated at the time that the Fold 7 would do the same, but the hands-on leak we got last week didn't confirm it.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on video
Romanian site Mobilissimo.ro got its hands on what appears to be a commercial version of the Galaxy Z Flip 7, retail box included.
They posted a video on social media that quickly made the rounds. The hands-on clip gives us a short demo of the thinner Flip 7. We get to see every design detail, from the larger cover screen to the crease-less display. I had to rewind and rewatch the video a few times looking for the crease, and it just isn't there.
I said in my review last year that the Flip 6 felt like a real flagship. After years of compromises, Samsung finally gave fans a high-end Flip experience. But the crease was still there. Even if you get used to it, you can't ignore it.
The early Flip 7 hands-on experience in the clip above tells me the Flip 7 should feel even more like a premium phone than its predecessor.
Why is this important for the foldable iPhone?
Apple is reportedly releasing a foldable iPhone next year. The crease has been a major concern for Apple. Several reports have said the company spared no expense in developing a hinge mechanism and a foldable iPhone display that prevents a visible crease from forming in the middle.
If Samsung reaches that milestone a year before Apple, it gives the Korean company bragging rights. It can mass-produce crease-free foldable displays for commercial products at least a year ahead of Apple.
Even more importantly, Samsung can supply foldable displays to Apple that meet its design standards. Reports covering Apple's plans also said the foldable iPhone will drive growth for Samsung Display, the Samsung subsidiary that produces the high-end foldable OLED panels used in phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7.
Samsung Display is also one of the main suppliers of screens for non-foldable iPhones. It's been making OLED screens for Apple since the iPhone X introduced Apple's first all-screen design.
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Digital Trends
32 minutes ago
- Digital Trends
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is excellent with two key flaws
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic MSRP $499.99 Score Details 'The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic features a new design that seamlessly blends the Classic design language with the Ultra form factor, introduces new health monitoring features, and features three hardware buttons. It has two key flaws, but is otherwise, an excellent smartwatch.' Pros The rotating bezel is easy to use Health features like vascular load New Antioxidant level check New BioActive sensor 1st watch to measure ectopic beats Action Button can be customized Great range of complications Cons New dynamic lug system is extremely awkward to use Smaller display than Watch 6 Classic Squared-circle design is polarizing Expensive Slow charging Instant Insight Samsung's biannual updates to the Classic lineup are usually among my favorites, thanks to the rotating bezel, which is also present this year and remains my preferred method of controlling a smartwatch. The display is vibrant, the watch is thinner than before, and the battery lasts for two days on a single charge. Recommended Videos The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a sizeable upgrade, but while many are positive, some of these changes aren't. There's a new design that's inspired by the Galaxy Watch Ultra, featuring a square body with a circular display, but this has already proven polarizing in online discussions. Personally, it's not my favorite design, but it's not a dealbreaker either. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic also introduces an entirely new dynamic lug system that makes it challenging to change bands, far more so than the best smartwatches. The lug system also isn't compatible with previous watch straps, meaning you'll need to start your strap collection from scratch. Look past these changes, which may not be a deal-breaker, and you'll get a polished smartwatch experience that is among the best smartwatches you can buy. It's not as clear-cut as previous Classic versions, but the battery life is solid (if not spectacular), the performance is great, and the health features are second-to-none. Samsung Health deserves special mention as it's one of the most polished health suites available on a wearable device today. The new features include an antioxidant index for testing the oxidant level of your skin, new tailored bedtime suggestions, and the ability to track the stress and pressure on your vascular system while you're asleep. It's also the first smartwatch to identify ectopic beats, a feature that will be life-saving for some users. An optimized software experience is also key to the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. It's the first smartwatch preloaded with Google Gemini — although it's also available for download for the Pixel Watch 3 lineup, which brings the ability to create multi-step routines, such as starting a run and a playlist simultaneously. Overall, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a smartphone that is enjoyable to use. There are some negatives — albeit some of these are very subjective — but this is a smartwatch that offers a lot of bang for your buck. It's pricier than the competition, but there's no smartwatch like the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, meaning this premium could be worth it. Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Specs Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Display 1.34-inch Super AMOLED 438 x 438 pixels, 327 ppi density Sapphire crystal protection Design Features Size: 47mm Dynamic Lug System Rotating Bezel MIL-STD-810HIP68 (up to 50m/5ATM) Health features FDA-Certified ECG Blood pressure monitor Antioxidant level check BioActive Health Sensor Advanced Glycation End-products (AGE) Processor Exynos W1000 Penta-core Memory 2GB RAM / 64GB ROM Battery 445 mAh Li-Ion 10W wireless charging Colors Black, White Price $499.99 (Bluetooth), $549.99 (LTE) Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Design & display divides opinion Quick take: A familiar yet divisive design and lug system change The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is instantly familiar if you used last year's Galaxy Watch or the previous Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. It features the same iconic rotating bezel that makes it easy to navigate menus on the smartwatch, and it still utilizes a circular display, although this is now set within a square-shaped watch. This brings us to the first major change: instead of the circular design used before, the Galaxy Watch 8 series now matches the Galaxy Watch Ultra — and the Apple Watch Ultra — with a cushion design, otherwise known as a round display on a square body. It's reminiscent of the icon shape commonly found on the best smartphones, especially with certain themes. The design is a little odd at first, but quickly becomes second nature and something you easily ignore. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic continues Samsung's recent trend of making things thinner. A re-engineered design allowed Samsung to make the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic 0.3mm thinner than the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, but it is between four and ten grams heavier. It's also worth noting that it's still considerably thicker than the Apple Watch Series 10. I don't mind the cushion design, but the new dynamic lug system is extremely hard to use. I've tried many different lug systems — both proprietary and standard designs — and Samsung's new lug system is the hardest I've had to use. It's incredibly awkward to line up the lug properly with the casing, and even when you think you have, they don't connect. It took me over five minutes to attach one side of my band, which is a major issue that Samsung needs to resolve. I don't mind a new lug system, but I imagine that most average users will struggle with the current implementation. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic display has also changed. As part of the new design, the size has decreased from 1.5 inches to 1.34 inches, and the density has decreased from 453 pixels per inch to 327 ppi. However, the peak brightness under direct sunlight has increased by 50% to 3,000 nits, making it significantly more suitable for outdoor use. This smaller display is somewhat of a disappointment, as the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is only available in the 47mm size, while the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic features a larger 1.5-inch display in the same size watch. There's no smaller size for the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, but the 1.34-inch display is quite similar in size to the 1.3-inch display on the 43mm Watch 6 Classic, although that display is considerably more dense. Overall, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic design mostly hits its mark, but falls short in introducing a new dynamic lug system that won't appeal to most customers. The display is smaller, and the device is slightly thinner, but unless the cushion design and custom action button are a must-have for you, the health features will likely appeal the most. Score: 8/10 The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic's health features lead the way Quick take: Continuing to build from an excellent base When it comes to measuring your health, Samsung Health has a considerably larger suite of available features compared to Google Fit and Apple Health. Yes, the latter does have a wider range of third parties it can sync data with, and integration with your medical records provider, but Samsung Health is the most feature-rich. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic introduces the same featureset as the Galaxy Watch 7 and adds a few new features that will presumably be incorporated into future Samsung wearables as well. The existing features include the Advanced Glycation End-products (AGE) index, which is a precursor to more accurate glucose measurement, and Sleep Apnea detection. These features are paired with three key new ones. First, there's new tracking of your heart's stress while asleep, something that's particularly important to me, given that my heart attack happened while I was asleep. The new Vascular Load while Sleeping feature will track your vascular system's performance and provide you with an indicator of performance each morning. Then there's the new Antioxidant level check. Remove the watch, turn it over, and place your thumb on the LEDs on the back. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic will then use the yellow, blue, violet, and IER LEDs to detect the carotenoids in your skin and provide recommendations on how to improve this. Data is not updated in real-time, as it can take considerable time for your skin to report changes in antioxidant levels. However, it's a useful feature that works fairly well, even if measuring from your thumb makes it less user-friendly. The last new health feature was announced in a small panel: the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is the first smartwatch to measure ectopic beats. These are small, irregular heartbeats that are mostly harmless but can pose a problem if left undiagnosed and untreated for an extended period. Many smartwatches can display this as part of a regular ECG, but the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is the first to identify it within the ECG results. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic introduces a range of new features to the Samsung Health ecosystem, while also offering the familiar features that previous Samsung users will be accustomed to. It does more than any other smartwatch, but certain features, such as recording ECGs and detecting Sleep Apnea, require the use of the Samsung Health Monitor app, which is only available in the Galaxy App Store on Samsung phones. Score: 9/10 The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is great for tracking sleep and energy Quick take: It's the most expansive sleep report you can find, at least among the major smartwatch makers, and covers a host of metrics you didn't even think to track. I've been on a mission to hack my sleep for years, and the sleep report provided by the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic goes a long way to providing the data necessary to do so. Like Apple Health — but unlike Google — these sleep reports are provided in full detail for free, and Samsung has confirmed that there are no plans to put these behind a paywall in the future. Sleep tracking on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is fairly accurate, and the resulting Energy Score matches the way you feel most of the time. Markers such as skin temperature while asleep have helped me identify when I'm feeling under the weather, while the tailored bedtime recommendations are prompting me to sleep much earlier, even though I haven't listened yet. While asleep, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic captures more data than any other wearable from a major phone maker. It is second only to dedicated trackers like the Whoop band or Oura Ring. Additional sleep data, such as heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep apnea, all help to ensure you have a detailed picture of your sleep. In the morning, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic provides an Energy Score designed to quantify your current state and offer helpful tips on whether to engage in strenuous activities or rest and recover. I've used this on previous Galaxy smartwatches, and I've found it's possible to improve my overall energy and mood by attempting to increase this Energy Score each day. That's entirely possible as there's a host of helpful explainers and tips to improve throughout the Samsung Health app. Score: 10/10 The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is built for fitness tracking Quick take: This is built for tracking activities and is ideal for runners. Naturally, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic also features a host of dedicated tracking capabilities that allow for a wider range of activities to be monitored with greater depth and accuracy. It mostly delivers here, although I've found that the heart rate monitor can sometimes report double the heart rate for a single reading erroneously. This is a problem that has existed in previous Samsung wearables, so it's fairly easy to dismiss, but it's still worth knowing, as it will skew some averages. Like the Sleep report, the features preloaded with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic are entirely free, and this includes Samsung's new AI-powered Running Coach. To start, you complete a 12-minute running analysis, and then Samsung Health assigns you a running level (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is equivalent to a marathon runner). From here, there are over 160 training programs, ranging from four to six weeks, featuring custom routes, AI-powered route recommendations, and multi-step routines with Gemini, which allows you to start a new activity and your favorite podcast simultaneously. It's a comprehensive suite of fitness tracking features, designed for all activities. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic proves to be accurate in automatically starting workouts, as well as allowing you to assign a specific new workout to the action button. Score: 9/10 Galaxy Watch 8 Classic software is top-notch Quick take: One UI Watch 8 on top of Wear OS 6 is slick, refined, and flawless The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic runs OneUI Watch 8 on top of Wear OS 6, and is one of the most optimized experiences you'll find on a Wear OS smartwatch. This is unsurprising, as Samsung worked closely with Google on building Wear OS, and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic demonstrates that Samsung knows how to integrate its elements with the core platform. Like every Wear OS smartwatch, you can swipe down from the home screen to access quick settings and swipe up to access your app menu. To the right, you'll find a range of different tiles — essentially, watch-sized widgets that contain pertinent information — that you can edit and add to. To the left of the home screen is a single hub for all your notifications. It's an instantly familiar layout that's easy to use, although I do find the available quick settings quite limiting on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is only compatible with Android phones — there's still no iPhone support — and requires several apps to run (some of which are preloaded on Samsung phones): Galaxy Wearable, Samsung Health, and Samsung Health Monitor (SHM). The first two are available on all Android phones, while the latter is only available for Samsung phones, but is only required for the most advanced health features. I've been testing the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic with the new Galaxy Z Fold 7. Still, I've previously found that, aside from SHM-exclusive features, the experience and performance are mostly the same whether you're using a Galaxy Watch with a Samsung phone or another Android phone. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic will receive four years of software and security updates, meaning it'll be supported until Wear OS 10 is released in 2029. Score: 10/10 Galaxy Watch 8 Classic battery and performance Quick take: Two-day battery life and slow charging aren't terrible, but are far from the best, while performance is excellent. If there's one area I could immediately improve about the Galaxy Watch 8, it would be the battery and charging. Neither is particularly bad, but the competition has already proven it's possible to offer much faster charging and longer battery life. Granted, many of these aren't as feature-rich, but this is still an area that Samsung can improve. The battery consistently lasts close to two days on a single charge with AOD turned on, automatic workout tracking, and no notifications. This is more than acceptable, but the Pixel Watch 3 lasts almost an additional day, while the OnePlus Watch 3 lasts for several days longer thanks to its dual architecture. The charging speeds are a key area for Samsung to improve, as the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic takes over an hour and a half to fully charge. This is almost double the charging speed of the OnePlus Watch 2 and slower than the Apple Watch Series 10 and Pixel Watch 3, which take around an hour. These speeds are achieved with battery charging optimization disabled, as well. Disabling this feature will further slow your charging and prevent the battery from charging above 90% to increase its longevity. Overall, the battery life is sufficient for most people, but the charging speeds are slower than expected, and Samsung needs to improve this aspect. The competition charges much faster and offers better battery life, which are two key areas in which the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic still falls short. Score: 7/10 Galaxy Watch 8 Classic price, deals, and availability Quick take: Fairly pricy, and more costly than the previous generation. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic starts at $499.99 for the Bluetooth version, while the LTE-enabled version costs $ 549.99. It's available in Black or White colors only, with Samsung forgoing the vibrant neon orange brand from the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Unlike the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, there's only one watch size to choose from. Like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 that it launched alongside, there are several Galaxy Watch 8 Classic deals worth considering. Samsung is offering up to $250 via trade-in, plus an additional $50 instant credit when you pre-order. Amazon is offering a $100 gift card with no further requirements. Then there are the carriers. AT&T is offering $100 off the wearable, but if you pre-order the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Galaxy Z Flip 7 — with savings of up to $1,100 with trade-in — you'll also save a total of $370 on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. Verizon has a similar deal, while T-Mobile is offering $400 off the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic when you add a new line to the Galaxy Watch. This makes it just $150, which is an excellent price, although it requires a watch line with T-Mobile to qualify. Should you buy the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic? The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a fantastic watch, whether you're a first-time Samsung smartwatch user or seeking the ideal companion for your new Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Galaxy Z Flip 7 folding phone. The new design won't be for everyone, but it is stylish, and the single size means it's only suitable for larger wrists. The new health features ensure the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic remains one of the best smartwatches, but this comes at a cost. The battery life and charging are average compared to the competition, the new lug system makes changing bands considerably more tedious than it should be, and some advanced features require a Samsung phone, not just an Android phone. If these negatives don't deter you, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is probably the best smartwatch for most Android users. It's a fantastic wearable device and one that I'm going to keep on my wrist for the detailed sleep and health reports. Why not try…? If the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic doesn't appeal to you, then you should consider the Pixel Watch 3. Google is expected to launch a new Pixel Watch 4 in the coming weeks. Still, the Pixel Watch 3 is a fantastic wearable device with unique health features, such as measuring your cardio load and integrating with your Peloton bike. It's also available for $100 less than the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, as it starts at $349 for the Wi-Fi model of the smaller version. Then there's the OnePlus Watch 3, and if you're looking for a wearable that prioritizes longevity over detailed health features, this is the one for you. A dual architecture featuring Wear OS and the simpler RTOS system for low-power tasks ensures that the battery can last for five days in full smartwatch mode, and up to 16 days in power-saving mode. It offers the best balance of battery and features of any smartwatch readily available in the US. Unlike phones, there are far more wearables available from global phone makers, and one of my favorites is the Huawei Watch 5. It runs the HarmonyOS platform — so there's no Play Store and limited third-party app support — but it has a fantastic design, a range of health features available with a single tap, and a comprehensive fitness tracking suite. The innovative X-TAP feature can also be used to capture a 60-second health check that's detailed, informative, and genuinely helpful. The Huawei Watch 5 is more expensive than the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic at $559, but it's a worthy alternative that's compatible with both iOS and Android. How we tested Samsung provided this Galaxy Watch 8 Classic unit for review purposes, but had no input into this review. I've worn the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic for seven nights over the past nine days since its launch in New York City. This has involved several full charges, a few automatically tracked workouts, and keeping the Always-on-Display enabled. The homescreen also always had four auto-updating complications, and the display brightness was set to roughly half. I paired the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, although no notifications from the phone were passed through to the smartwatch. There was some light GPS use during workouts, but otherwise, this device was mostly used connected to Wi-Fi and within Bluetooth range of my phone.
Digital Trends
6 hours ago
- Digital Trends
We showed 30 people the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Their reactions were telling
Two of the past three phones I've reviewed have shared something special: they've both been ultra-thin. The Galaxy S25 Edge kicked off the ultra-thin smartphone era — ahead of the rumored iPhone 17 Air in September — and it's quickly been followed by Samsung's ultra-thin folding phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Talking with Blake Geiser, Samsung's SVP of Product Development in North America, I learnt that many people who experience the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for the first time don't realize it folds at first. This was before I held it, and as soon as I did, I realized exactly what Samsung meant: this phone feels virtually identical to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and could easily pass for a regular smartphone in the hand. Recommended Videos I've just published our Galaxy Z Fold 7 review, and I'm absolutely in love with the design, but is the incredible design and wonderful in-hand feel enough to persuade non-folding phone users to make the switch? To find out, I showed the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to over 30 average people — from shopkeepers and taxi drivers to family members and friends who aren't interested in technology — and recorded their thoughts. Their responses proved that Samsung was right… and also suggest that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be the long-awaited iPhone moment for the still-nascent folding phone industry. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 in a nutshell It's telling that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the first folding phone to have this effect on customers; actually, that's not technically true — the Oppo Find N5 and Magic V5 are equally impressive — but the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the first ultra-thin folding phone that most people will experience. That's key: Samsung's primary goal was to make a phone that resembles a mix between the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra, but with a secondary folding screen. The redesign achieves this goal, at least in my opinion, and as I covered, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 camera is also very similar to Samsung's camera powerhouse. At 4.2mm thick when unfolded, the Fold 7 is among the thinnest folding phones currently available: it's 0.01mm thinner than the Oppo Find N5m and 0.1mm thicker than the Honor Magic V5. This allows it to measure just 8.9mm thick when folded, and even though it's 0.7mm thick when folded, it feels just as sleek as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This was the primary goal, but what do average people think? The initial reaction to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 Studying people's reactions to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 was a tale of two distinctly different ones. First, there's the initial feel of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which focuses on the feeling in the hand, as well as the overall design. To gauge reactions, we asked users to close their eyes and focus solely on the in-hand feel. It's telling that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 doesn't reveal its magic, at least until you fold it. That said, most users commented on the build quality and glass finish, with many commenting that it made the phone feel lighter than their existing phone. This led to some wonder when they learned that it also had a 200MP main camera and a host of other features, not least the 8-inch main display, which is the ultimate party trick. The results from this initial reaction confirm that Samsung was correct in focusing on this design strategy. Then they unfolded the Galaxy Z Fold 7 Curiously, most people don't immediately think it's a folding phone. The design of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is so unique that users were taken aback by the fact that it was also a folding phone. With each person, I used the same phrase — 'now unfold it' — and it drew the same reaction. Thirty percent of users immediately noticed how thin the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is, which is especially apparent when it's unfolded. 20% commented solely on its design, drawing sentiments like 'it's stunning or beautiful', while a further 13% were shocked that it unfolded, which is somewhat lower than I had expected. Of course, some people are brand-loyal, and more than one person was positive while also referencing that Apple does not make it. This type of brand loyalty is to be expected, although the results were more favorable towards a folding phone than I expected: 50% of surveyed Apple users were positive about the Galaxy Z Fold 7. A crease, or lack thereof Seven percent of people immediately noticed the crease, which is no surprise given the divot-style crease that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and older models feature. However, would the large crease improvements over previous years result in a more favorable opinion? The answer is an unequivocal yes. When I've previously shown average users any of the best folding phones, almost all have immediately commented on the crease, especially if it's one of the models sold in the US. After showing people the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it turns out the crease could finally be a problem of the past. 77% of people — or 23 out of 30 — reported not being able to feel the crease when I asked them to close their eyes and run their finger over the screen. Only one person, or just three percent, reported still having concerns about the crease, which represents a major improvement over my previous anecdotal experiences. The phone that prompts you to make the switch? When I first held the Galaxy Z Fold 7, my immediate reaction was that this is the phone that could persuade people to switch to a folding phone. After recording these initial reactions, little has changed in my mind, but does this only appeal to Samsung or Android users? The answer is a mixed bag. Our test included existing users of several different phone brands, with Apple and Samsung users making up over two-thirds of the sample size. Of these two brands, the results couldn't be more stark: 85% of Samsung users expressed interest in purchasing the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (even when aware of its price), while only 29% of Apple users did. Yet, this is telling in itself: it is likely the first Samsung phone in years that could persuade users to switch, unless those users ultimately decide to wait for the rumored iPhone Fold launch next year. Among other phone makers, some users reported interest in purchasing the Galaxy Z Fold 7, while an equal number expressed no commitment to doing so. The numbers involved are less than a third of the sample size, so there's some degree of error involved; however, Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and OnePlus Open users both expressed interest in upgrading to the Fold 7. My mother's reaction says it all Overall, there was a considerably more positive sentiment toward the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at the end than at the beginning: 80% of all users had a more favorable opinion of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 after seeing the large display and learning all about it, compared with just 40% when they first held it. It's unclear how this has improved year on year, but I often judge phones by showing new hardware or features to my immediate family. They all use Samsung phones, but none use a folding phone. My sister is a great test case. She's currently using the Razr Ultra 2025 after avoiding all folding phones until now, and previously called the Galaxy Z Fold 6 quite big and bulky (albeit after seeing my Oppo Find N5). She was incredibly impressed by the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and is now considering making the switch. The most surprising reaction has been from my mother. She has used the Galaxy S22 Plus since its launch, won't switch to an iPhone, and finds most technology too heavy, given her age and medical conditions. Somewhat inexplicably, she is enamored with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and it is likely to be her next phone. For her, it allows her to carry her phone and iPad mini on the go in one easily pocketable device. Folding phones are about to have their iPhone moment, as Samsung has finally figured out how to make them feel indistinguishable from a regular smartphone. Coupled with a better-than-expected Galaxy Z Fold 7 camera, this is the best folding phone for most people.
Tom's Guide
15 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
iPhone 17 Air battery leak looks like worst case scenario
Samsung made a splash with the Galaxy S25 Edge earlier this year, but Apple's rumored to challenge it for the ultra-thin phone throne in fall with its iPhone 17 Air. Too bad it looks like the iPhone maker is skimping on battery capacity to achieve that sleeker profile. That's according to well-known tipster Instant Digital, who posted this week on Weibo that the iPhone 17 Air battery "does not exceed 3,000mAh," as first spotted by 9to5Mac. That's slightly larger than the 2800mAh battery estimate we heard from another leaker back in May, but it still spells bad news for Apple. For starters, it would be a serious downgrade compared to the iPhone 16's 3,651mAh battery, which lasted up to 22 hours on a single charge in our battery tests. For reference, Samsung managed to fit a 3,900mAh battery cell into the S25 Edge, just a smidge smaller than the 4,000mAh battery in the regular Galaxy S25. That being said, raw specs only tell part of the story. Apple designs its iOS updates with optimization in mind, often managing to wring more battery life than the best Android phones with bigger batteries. Look no further than the iPhone 16 lineup. Two of which — premium iPhone 16 Pro Max and larger iPhone 16 Plus — made our best phone battery life ranking for their surprisingly long charge and considerable boost over their predecessors. Instant Digital added that the iPhone's lower power mode could eke out a bit more battery life, so you might be able to get a full day's worth of moderate use out of the iPhone 17 Air. Notably, Apple's also improving its iPhones' power-saving capabilities with a new adaptive power mode introduced in iOS 26. When the setting's enabled, your phone will use Apple Intelligence to automatically trim its energy use to keep it going longer between charges. So that could make the iPhone 17 Air last even longer. Samsung made quite the impression with the Galaxy S25 Edge earlier this year, which packs all the same Galaxy AI features you'd expect from the phone maker's premium headsets into a ridiculously thin footprint. One of its biggest compromises is its slightly smaller battery than the rest of the Galaxy S25 line, but even at 3,900mAh, that still blows the iPhone 17 Air's rumored sub-3,000mAh capacity out of the water. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. In our Galaxy S25 Edge battery tests, Samsung's super-thin phone lasted 12 hours and 28 minutes on a single charge. That's far below the average of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which goes the distance with 17 hours and 14 minutes running the same tests. Even the standard Galaxy S25 managed to outlast the Edge by almost 3 hours. Whether the thin profile is worth the tradeoff in battery will be a matter of preference for most buyers. Me? I'd rather have a longer-lasting phone than even the thinnest one I can't use without lugging around one of the best portable battery banks as a backup. That could make the iPhone 17 Air a tough sell unless Apple can demonstrate how users can wring a full day's worth of usage out of their iPhone.
