Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 First Look: Thinner And Lighter But Better Value?
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 features a metal design and a new engineered hinge to give more durability and number of fold cycles.
3/9
The Z Fold 7 weighs 215 grams which is significantly trimmed down from the 239 grams on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 model.
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India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Best premium flagship phones in July 2025: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Vivo X Fold 5 and more
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the slimmest Fold yet — just 4.2mm when unfolded The Vivo X Fold 5 gets a 6,000mAh battery with 80W fast wired charging and 40W wireless support Powered by the A18 Pro chip, the iPhone 16 Pro supports AAA gaming titles If you're looking to buy a high-end smartphone this month, there's no shortage of top-tier contenders. Whether you're someone who wants the absolute best performance, top-quality cameras, or sleek designs, the current premium flagships deliver on all fronts. Many of these devices go beyond the basics â€' offering features like gorgeous displays, long-term software support, advanced cooling systems and industry-leading water and dust resistance. Of course, these phones don't come cheap, but for those who want a complete package with no compromises, the price may well be worth it. Here are the best flagship phones you can buy in India this July. The list includes the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and four more devices. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Samsung's latest foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, brings several notable upgrades over last year's Fold 6. It's the slimmest and lightest Fold yet â€' just 4.2mm when unfolded and weighing 215 grams, making it more comfortable to carry and use. The outer display uses Gorilla Glass Armor for better protection, while the inner 8-inch AMOLED screen offers a crisp and bright viewing experience with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, it promises fast performance and gets the same 200-megapixel primary camera as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. You also get up to 1TB storage, dual selfie cameras, and an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance. It runs OneUI 8 on top of Android 16 and comes with a promise of 7 years of software updates. Sure, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn't cheap, starting at Rs 1,74,999, but it's still the most complete foldable phone on the market today. Vivo X Fold 5 Vivo's new X Fold 5 goes head-to-head with Samsung's latest, offering similar style and substance. It's almost as slim and light, with a sleek build that's easy to handle. There's only one version to choose from â€' 16GB RAM with 512GB storage â€' priced at Rs 1,49,999, which simplifies things for buyers. The foldable screen stretches to 8.03 inches and gets very bright at 4,500 nits, while the outer display is equally sharp. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, paired with Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15. Vivo is also offering solid camera hardware, with a trio of 50-megapixel lenses on the back, and 20-megapixel selfie cameras on both screens. You get a 6,000mAh battery with 80W fast wired charging and 40W wireless support. IP59 protection and second-gen Armor Glass add to its durability, making it a premium foldable with superb all-around features. OnePlus 13 The OnePlus 13 builds on the strong foundation of the OnePlus 12 but takes things a step further. It comes with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and offers configurations with up to 24GB of RAM, making it one of the most powerful Android phones you can buy right now. The 6.8-inch AMOLED screen is quad-curved and displays crisp visuals in QHD+ resolution. It packs a large 6,000mAh battery for long-lasting use and includes handy extras like Aqua Touch, Glove Mode, a USB 3.2 port, and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. There's also an IP69 rating for added peace of mind. Starting at Rs 69,999, the OnePlus 13 delivers flagship specs at a more accessible price. iPhone 16 Pro Apple's iPhone 16 Pro is another solid choice for premium phone buyers. Powered by the A18 Pro chip, it offers fast, efficient performance for everything from games to photo editing. It handles heavy apps with ease and supports console-quality titles, thanks to Apple's push into AAA gaming. The 48-megapixel primary rear camera takes detailed, colour-accurate shots, and the flat AMOLED display offers excellent clarity and colour. With iOS 18 onboard (iOS 26, if you wish to try the beta software), users get regular software updates and long-term support. If you prefer a bigger screen and more battery, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is worth considering â€' but for most, the Pro strikes the right balance. Samsung Galaxy S25 Finally, if you're after a more compact flagship, the Galaxy S25 is a great pick. It has a 6.2-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. It's faster and more efficient than the Galaxy S24, which used Samsung's own Exynos chip in India. The 4,000mAh battery might sound small, but it easily lasts a full day thanks to smart power management. The primary 50-megapixel camera handles low light and bright scenes equally well. With IP68 dust and water resistance and features like an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, it offers a reliable and well-rounded experience in a pocket-friendly size. If you're looking to buy a high-end smartphone this month, there's no shortage of top-tier contenders. Whether you're someone who wants the absolute best performance, top-quality cameras, or sleek designs, the current premium flagships deliver on all fronts. Many of these devices go beyond the basics â€' offering features like gorgeous displays, long-term software support, advanced cooling systems and industry-leading water and dust resistance. Of course, these phones don't come cheap, but for those who want a complete package with no compromises, the price may well be worth it. Here are the best flagship phones you can buy in India this July. The list includes the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and four more devices. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Samsung's latest foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, brings several notable upgrades over last year's Fold 6. It's the slimmest and lightest Fold yet â€' just 4.2mm when unfolded and weighing 215 grams, making it more comfortable to carry and use. The outer display uses Gorilla Glass Armor for better protection, while the inner 8-inch AMOLED screen offers a crisp and bright viewing experience with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, it promises fast performance and gets the same 200-megapixel primary camera as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. You also get up to 1TB storage, dual selfie cameras, and an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance. It runs OneUI 8 on top of Android 16 and comes with a promise of 7 years of software updates. Sure, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn't cheap, starting at Rs 1,74,999, but it's still the most complete foldable phone on the market today. Vivo X Fold 5 Vivo's new X Fold 5 goes head-to-head with Samsung's latest, offering similar style and substance. It's almost as slim and light, with a sleek build that's easy to handle. There's only one version to choose from â€' 16GB RAM with 512GB storage â€' priced at Rs 1,49,999, which simplifies things for buyers. The foldable screen stretches to 8.03 inches and gets very bright at 4,500 nits, while the outer display is equally sharp. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, paired with Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15. Vivo is also offering solid camera hardware, with a trio of 50-megapixel lenses on the back, and 20-megapixel selfie cameras on both screens. You get a 6,000mAh battery with 80W fast wired charging and 40W wireless support. IP59 protection and second-gen Armor Glass add to its durability, making it a premium foldable with superb all-around features. OnePlus 13 The OnePlus 13 builds on the strong foundation of the OnePlus 12 but takes things a step further. It comes with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and offers configurations with up to 24GB of RAM, making it one of the most powerful Android phones you can buy right now. The 6.8-inch AMOLED screen is quad-curved and displays crisp visuals in QHD+ resolution. It packs a large 6,000mAh battery for long-lasting use and includes handy extras like Aqua Touch, Glove Mode, a USB 3.2 port, and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. There's also an IP69 rating for added peace of mind. Starting at Rs 69,999, the OnePlus 13 delivers flagship specs at a more accessible price. iPhone 16 Pro Apple's iPhone 16 Pro is another solid choice for premium phone buyers. Powered by the A18 Pro chip, it offers fast, efficient performance for everything from games to photo editing. It handles heavy apps with ease and supports console-quality titles, thanks to Apple's push into AAA gaming. The 48-megapixel primary rear camera takes detailed, colour-accurate shots, and the flat AMOLED display offers excellent clarity and colour. With iOS 18 onboard (iOS 26, if you wish to try the beta software), users get regular software updates and long-term support. If you prefer a bigger screen and more battery, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is worth considering â€' but for most, the Pro strikes the right balance. Samsung Galaxy S25 Finally, if you're after a more compact flagship, the Galaxy S25 is a great pick. It has a 6.2-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. It's faster and more efficient than the Galaxy S24, which used Samsung's own Exynos chip in India. The 4,000mAh battery might sound small, but it easily lasts a full day thanks to smart power management. The primary 50-megapixel camera handles low light and bright scenes equally well. With IP68 dust and water resistance and features like an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, it offers a reliable and well-rounded experience in a pocket-friendly size. Join our WhatsApp Channel
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Big displays, compact body, smarter UI
Samsung has made considerable progress in refining its book-style foldable smartphone since the category's debut in 2019. The seventh-generation model, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, is a significant departure from the original. It introduces comprehensive upgrades over its predecessor, making it more of an evolution than the incremental updates seen in earlier models. Key enhancements include larger cover and foldable displays, improved durability, a thinner and lighter form factor, foldable-specific software experiences, and an enhanced camera system. But do these changes collectively offer a more refined foldable experience? Let us find out: Design The bulky form factor once synonymous with foldable smartphones becomes a thing of the past with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The device measures 8.9mm at its thinnest point when folded and an impressive 4.2mm when unfolded. These figures may seem abstract in isolation but contribute to a seamless transition from traditional bar-shaped smartphones. It is worth noting that these measurements exclude the protruding rear camera bump, a vertically aligned unit placed in the top-left corner. This results in a noticeable wobble when the device is laid flat on surfaces such as tabletops. However, at 215g, the Z Fold 7 is lighter than many premium bar-style smartphones, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. The device features an aluminium frame, Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the rear, and a thicker ultra-thin glass layer on the foldable screen. It is rated IP48 for dust and water resistance. Although the durability appears comparable to bar-type smartphones, users are advised to handle the device with care, as neither accidental damage nor dust and water ingress are covered under the standard warranty. As with its predecessor, the Z Fold 7 folds completely flat, eliminating the visible gap along the hinge. Despite protective elements in place, dust does manage to find its way in, as observed during usage. Displays The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is thinner, lighter, and marginally wider than its predecessor. This broader design accommodates a 6.5-inch cover display and an 8-inch foldable inner screen. Samsung stated that the broader design enables a 21:9 aspect ratio for the cover display, offering an experience akin to that of a bar-shaped smartphone when folded, and it largely succeeds in doing so. Although most bar-style smartphones have long since moved away from the 16:9 aspect ratio, only a few adopt 21:9. Despite this, 21:9 is considered the second-best aspect ratio, with 16:9 still dominating content formats such as movies and TV shows. The 21:9 display provides an enhanced experience for supported video content and offers more information per scroll for vertical-feed apps like Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. The same holds true for gaming, where select titles benefit from a wider field of view. However, the tall aspect ratio makes single-handed use impractical. To address this, Samsung has optimised One UI 8: the universal app menu search is now bottom-aligned, the quick settings menu is better laid out, and select Google apps like Chrome support relocating the address bar to the bottom. Even so, many commonly used third-party apps still necessitate two-handed use. The inner foldable display has an aspect ratio approaching square. This makes it suitable for productivity tasks rather than video consumption or gaming. With a default taskbar and multi-view interface, it delivers a tablet-like experience. While multitasking remains a strength, competing devices such as the OnePlus Open offer more advanced multitasking capabilities. Samsung could have further refined the foldable display's software functionality. Interestingly, the S Pen, a defining feature of the Fold series, has been omitted in favour of a thinner and lighter build. Cameras Samsung claims to deliver an 'Ultra' camera experience on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 by equipping it with the same primary sensor as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This sensor is also found in the Galaxy S25 Edge (review). Additionally, the camera on the main display now uses a punch-hole cutout instead of an under-display configuration for improved clarity. Other camera modules remain unchanged from the previous generation. While these upgrades may appear incremental on paper, they translate to noticeable improvements in use. The primary sensor captures high-quality images with strong detail, contrast, and a wide dynamic range. It consistently performs well across conditions, though it occasionally struggles with neon lighting in artificial environments. The large sensor offers enhanced depth-of-field, emulating portrait effects even for non-human subjects. With a resolution of 200MP, the sensor enables default 2x and 3x zoom shots, despite the presence of a dedicated telephoto lens. The telephoto sensor performs well but lacks the uniform colour science of the main sensor, leading to visible discrepancies. Although the impact on photography is minimal, this inconsistency is noticeable in video footage. The telephoto lens excels in well-lit conditions but falters in low light, often softening details to reduce noise. The ultra-wide sensor delivers good performance but introduces softens on the edges as it irons out distortion, resulting in some detail loss. It also shows colour inconsistency compared to the main sensor. Autofocus support in the ultra-wide module enables the 'Samsung Focus Enhancer' mode, facilitating macro-style captures – a practical if not standout addition. Regarding front cameras, the unit on the cover display is centre-aligned and doubles as a biometric sensor. Visual cues like a moving white ring improve the facial recognition process, although the unlocking speed is modest. Face unlock is also available on the inner display, and interestingly, enrolment through one camera enables it on both displays. The inner display camera unit is placed at an odd spot though, adding to distractions. Video capabilities match those of the Galaxy S25 series. Features include 10-bit HDR video for enhanced contrast and colour, log format for improved post-processing flexibility, UHD 4K recording at 60 fps across all sensors, and seamless switching between front and rear cameras during recording. The device also supports 8K video capture at 30 fps. Software and AI The Galaxy Z Fold 7 debuts with Samsung's One UI 8, based on Android 16. The software is optimised to fully leverage the foldable form factor, particularly the main inner display. As mentioned earlier, the user interface has been adjusted for improved one-handed usability on the cover screen. On the foldable display, tablet-style features enhance productivity and multitasking. These include a taskbar for quick app access, multi-view functionality for split-screen use in supported apps (e.g., WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Outlook), and the ability to maintain distinct layouts for the cover and main displays. Artificial Intelligence remains central to Samsung's ecosystem. While the Galaxy Z Fold 7 introduces few new AI features, enhancements to existing ones place it ahead of most rivals. New AI-powered features include: Side-by-side comparison of original and edited images in generative editing mode Suggested erasures for one-tap removal of image distractions An 'audio eraser' toggle now available within the main video interface In collaboration with Google, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 introduces an improved 'Circle to Search' feature, which now includes in-game support. Users can access gameplay tips in a floating window, though the implementation is still rudimentary. A similar feature is under trial by Microsoft in Xbox via Copilot, which may have served as inspiration. Performance and battery Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the Z Fold 7 offers flagship-level performance. However, it heats up significantly under sustained workloads such as 4K video recording at 60 fps, graphically demanding gaming, multimedia editing, and GPS navigation. This thermal issue adversely affects battery life, which remains modest even under normal usage conditions. The device supports 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. Both are relatively slow by current standards, with the device taking over an hour to fully charge via the fastest available method. Verdict The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 advances the foldable smartphone category with meaningful upgrades that go beyond superficial refinements. With a starting price of Rs 174,999, it remains a premium offering, but its combination of a thin-and-lightweight design, enhanced camera system, foldable-optimised software experience, and industry-leading AI capabilities justify the investment for users seeking both innovation and utility. The device excels in key areas: its broader cover display brings usability closer to conventional smartphones, the inner foldable screen offers a tablet-like experience tailored for productivity, and the refined One UI 8, based on Android 16, supports enhanced multitasking and one-handed operation. Imaging performance, particularly through the main camera, is reliable and consistent, with support for high-quality video capture across all sensors. On the flip side, some limitations persist: app optimisation for the tall 21:9 cover screen remains a work in progress, thermal management under intensive workloads needs improvement, and the battery performance is modest at best. Additionally, the absence of S Pen support, once a key differentiator, may disappoint long-time Fold users. Nonetheless, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents a significant step forward in making foldable smartphones more practical for everyday use. It sets a new benchmark in design, functionality, and software synergy, positioning itself as a genuinely viable flagship device that could turn foldables mainstream. 12GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs 174,999 12GB RAM + 512GB storage: Rs 186,999 16GB RAM + 1TB storage: Rs 210,999
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 First Look: Thinner And Lighter But Better Value?
1/9 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 features a metal design and a new engineered hinge to give more durability and number of fold cycles. 3/9 The Z Fold 7 weighs 215 grams which is significantly trimmed down from the 239 grams on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 model.
