Engadget Podcast: Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 are a huge leap for foldables
Samsung has finally debuted its latest foldables (after plenty of leaks), and boy they sure look thin. This week, Engadget's Sam Rutherford joins us to chat about the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, as well as other highlights from its Galaxy Unpacked event. Also, we dive into a few of the best deals from Amazon Prime Day. You won't believe how cheap huge TVs have gotten. Topics Breaking down the Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 and everything else from Unpacked 2025 – 1:58
Galaxy Z Flip 7: bigger screens, bigger battery – 16:06
Galaxy Watch 8: now with an antioxidant sensor? – 20:59
Great deals still available as Amazon Prime Day 2025 comes to a close – 30:38
Linda Yaccarino leaves X, xAI's Grok goes on an antisemitic tirade – 39:03
Cloudflare could make AI web crawlers pay a toll – 41:28
Jack Dorsey unveils Bitchat, a 'secure' Bluetooth mesh messaging app – 43:40
Marco Rubio AI imposter attempts to gain access to government information – 46:33
A U.S. version of TikTok is currently in development – 49:43
Anthropic wins significant Fair Use copyright case – 52:38
Working on – 1:00:53
Pop culture picks – 1:02:25 iTunes
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Host: Devindra Hardawar and Sam Rutherford
Producer: Ben Ellman
Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
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Android Authority
26 minutes ago
- Android Authority
I loved the Galaxy Z Flip 7's new cover screen until the software ruined it
I love flip phone foldables. More specifically, I love flip phones with big cover screens. Being able to comfortably reply to texts, check notifications, and use apps on a large, high-quality cover screen is one of my favorite things about the flip phone form factor — and it's why I was so excited to get my hands on the Galaxy Z Flip 7. For the last couple of years, Samsung's cover screen tech has paled in comparison to its competitors, namely Motorola in the US. For all Samsung has gotten right with the Z Flip series, its small, low-resolution, and low-refresh-rate cover displays have always lagged behind the competition. But not so this year. I've had the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for just about a day, and I've spent most of my time playing with the new cover screen. It's a massive improvement over Samsung's previous attempts and by far the best we've seen on a Z Flip yet. But as much as I love the hardware, Samsung's software greatly holds everything back. Do you think the Galaxy Z Flip 7's cover screen was worth the wait? 0 votes Yes, it's exactly what I've been waiting for. NaN % I love the hardware, but the software is disappointing. NaN % No, I'm not impressed by it at all. NaN % Other (let us know in the comments). NaN % The Galaxy Z Flip 7's cover screen hardware is exceptional Joe Maring / Android Authority I want to start by talking about what Samsung got right, which, admittedly, is a lot. The most obvious upgrade over the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is the display size, which has increased from 3.4 inches to 4.1 inches. That new full-screen design, combined with impressively thin bezels, is a truly impressive sight to behold. Apps, like Telegram and Slack, are easy to navigate and don't feel cramped in the slightest. I can see a long list of notifications without scrolling, and typing on the cover screen's keyboard is far more comfortable than it was on the Flip 6. An extra 0.7 inches may not sound like much, but in practice, it's a night-and-day difference. And as much as I've enjoyed the cover screen's extra real estate, that's not the only hardware upgrade I've been thrilled with. The resolution jump from 720 x 748 to 948 x 1048 is immediately noticeable. Where the Flip 6's cover screen looked grainy and fuzzy to my eyes, the Flip 7's is as sharp as a tack. Joe Maring / Android Authority The upgrade from a 60Hz refresh rate to 120Hz is even more apparent, making the cover screen feel fluid and responsive in a way no Z Flip cover screen has felt previously. Additionally, the brightness increase (from 1600 nits up to a staggering 2600 nits) has been immensely helpful when using the Flip 7 in direct sunlight. I've been waiting for the day that Samsung finally released a Z Flip with a cover screen that didn't feel stuck in the past. Having now used the Z Flip 7, I can confidently say that day has finally come. At least, it has from a hardware perspective. But the software is another story Joe Maring / Android Authority Unfortunately, it's a different conversation we need to have about the cover screen software. In Samsung's efforts to springboard the Flip 7's cover screen hardware into the modern era, the software was largely left behind. Samsung created a big, bright, and sharp display I want to interact with, but numerous roadblocks create a lot of unnecessary friction. The most obvious complaint is that of using apps on the cover screen. Samsung still requires you to jump through extra hoops and use Good Lock if you want to use anything other than Google Maps, Messages, Netflix, or YouTube. It is annoying, though Samsung has slightly simplified the process this year, and it's only something you have to do once. However, this perfectly highlights a far bigger issue. Why create such a high-quality and capable cover screen yet withhold such basic functionality from it? Once the Good Lock widget is on your cover screen, you see all of the apps you've chosen, along with a + icon to add more. Presumably, tapping that icon would allow you to add more apps directly from the cover screen. But no. Instead, it displays an 'Open phone to continue' pop-up, forcing you to open the Flip 7 to proceed. Unfortunately, this is something you see a lot of. Want to customize your current clock face? You need to open the Flip 7. Want to add a new clock design? Open the Flip 7. Want to edit widgets on one of your home screens? Time to open the Flip 7! Even some app notifications refuse to display the notification content on the cover screen, instead telling you to 'Open the phone and check the notification panel for details.' There are other issues, too. You can't customize the quick settings panel on the cover screen, and the toggles that are present are extremely limited compared to the main display (such as only being able to toggle Wi-Fi on/off and not being able to select a specific Wi-Fi network). Also, while you can reply to texts and emails, you have to use the terrible, horrible Samsung Keyboard even if you've set something like Gboard as your default keyboard. I just have one question for Samsung: Why? Why create such a high-quality and capable cover screen yet withhold such basic functionality from it? These are limitations carried over from previous Z Flips, and it feels lazy on Samsung's part not to fix them for the Flip 7's upgraded cover screen. What could have been Joe Maring / Android Authority Sometimes while using the Galaxy Z Flip 7, I'm thrilled with the phone's cover screen. The bigger size is terrific, the resolution and refresh rate upgrades are fantastic, and every interaction is better than one on the Z Flip 6's cover screen. But when I see that 'Open phone to continue' pop-up or am forced to type a typo-ridden message with Samsung Keyboard, the magic fizzles. Samsung finally has a cover screen that's just as good as the competition, and it's a damn shame it's still held back by frustrating software like this. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 easily has the best cover screen of any Z Flip to date, and I wish I could thoroughly love it. But considering how much more it could have been, I'm left feeling a bit disappointed. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Largest ever Flex Window • 6.9-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X folding screen • 7 years of updates MSRP: $1,099.00 Melds Galaxy AI with the new edge-to-edge FlexWindow With a 6.9-inch main display and a 4.1-inch FlexWindow outer display, the Samsung Galaxy Flip 7 focuses on putting AI smarts in your pocket. Measuring just 13.74mm thick when folded, it's the slimmest Z Flip phone yet. Packed with a 50MP camera and a suite of AI tools, Samsung calls the Z Flip 7 a "pocket-sized selfie studio." See price at Amazon See price at Samsung See price at Amazon Save $200.00 Limited Time Deal! Follow


Bloomberg
27 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
A Tesla Chip Deal Gives Samsung a Much Needed Boost
Here's an Elon Musk association that's seen as a good thing. Tesla may be in a sales slump, but its multiyear chip deal with Samsung Electronics is giving the South Korean company a boost. Samsung will produce artificial intelligence semiconductors for Tesla in a new $16.5 billion pact. The agreement will run through the end of 2033, giving Samsung a much needed win after having steadily lost ground to leading chipmaker TSMC. The plan is for an upcoming plant in Taylor, Texas, to produce Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip, Musk said on X, confirming a Bloomberg News report. Samsung's Seoul-traded shares rose 6.8% to their highest since September, while its suppliers like Soulbrain jumped as much as 16%. Musk, 54, will walk the production line himself and has been authorized by Samsung to assist in optimizing production, he said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Samsung shares jump on news of $16.5 bln Tesla chips deal
STORY: Samsung Electronics shares jumped Monday (July 28) on news of a big deal to make chips for Tesla. Elon Musk says his EV firm has signed a $16.5 billion contract for the supply of semiconductors. That should be a big boost for Samsung's loss-making contract chip-making business. Shares in the firm were up around 6% by early afternoon following the news. Musk said a new Samsung facility in the U.S. would be dedicated to production of the chips. That could refer to a planned plant in Taylor, Texas, which has faced delays amid the South Korean firm's struggles to win and retain big customers. Musk said the plant was conveniently located near his house, and he would personally inspect it to help accelerate progress. It's all very timely for Samsung, which has dropped behind competitors in the race to supply AI chips. Local rival SK Hynix and Taiwan giant TSMC are both seen to have streaked ahead. That has weighed heavily on Samsung's profits and share price. Related Videos Tesla Robotaxi to Launch in San Francisco: Reports How the Trump–Musk relationship complicates Tesla's future Tesla slumps, American Eagle Outfitters soars, UNH & DOJ probe Alphabet beat, Tesla's 'rough' patch, Trump tariffs: 3 things Analysts say the deal could also be helpful for South Korea, as it battles to clinch a trade deal with the U.S. The country is seeking partnerships on chips and shipbuilding as part of talks to avert a potential 25% tariff. Sign in to access your portfolio