Latest news with #ZFold
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Android Authority
Latest Fold 7 S Pen rumors add a confusing new twist to Samsung's stylus solution
TL;DR Samsung's been rumored to be moving to a new technology for S Pen stylus input, starting with the Fold 7. While it earlier sounded like we might get a stylus with a built-in battery, the latest rumor suggests that won't happen. The Fold 7 could even be compatible with old S Pens, but experiencing different input latency. What the heck is Samsung up to with the technology powering its S Pen stylus? A while back, we heard rumors that the Galaxy phone manufacturer was considering a new tracking system for the S Pen in its upcoming Z Fold 7. That's been fresh on our minds this week, following a report claiming that this same tech could pop up again with the Galaxy S26 Ultra (check out our video coverage above, starting at the 30-second mark). And just when it felt like we were maybe starting to see what Samsung could be up to with this new S Pen approach, a new rumor has us back to scratching our heads. Let's back up for a quick refresher: Samsung's approach to stylus tracking with the S Pen has historically involved the use of a digitizer panel embedded in the phone's screen that tracks a lightweight, unpowered stylus. And while this has the advantage of giving us a stylus that's small enough to store within the phone itself (most of the time, anyway), the presence of that digitizer also contributes to overall phone thickness. For the Fold 7, we first heard that the phone might flip the script on that solution, removing the digitizer to slim the phone down and instead putting more electronics in the stylus itself. While that sounded like it meant a thicker S Pen, with the Fold 7 we weren't worried about carrying it internally in the first place. C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Earlier this week, leaker PandaFlash raised the idea that the S26 could similarly adopt this new tracking system for its S Pen, and by abandoning its digitizer panel, Samsung might finally be able to give us a phone with the built-in magnets for Qi2 wireless charging without requiring an extra case. But at the time it sounded like this would mean a larger pen, and also giving up the internal storage slot. Today we're back in Fold 7 territory, and PandaFlash is back on X, talking about S Pen support. But the new details they offer now leave us with more questions than answers. For one, while we were earlier talking about the possibility of Samsung moving to a battery-powered stylus using a tracking system like Apply employs for its Pencil, we're now told Samsung's solution is 'totally different' and will continue to not require a battery in the stylus. Reserve the next Galaxy for $50 Samsung Credit and a chance to win $5,000! Reserve the next Galaxy for $50 Samsung Credit and a chance to win $5,000! Unpacked is coming. The next generation of Galaxy is coming! Reserve your new Galaxy device today ahead of the July 9 launch and receive $50 Samsung Credit when you preorder and purchase the reserved device. Samsung is also offering 3x Samsung reward points in your pre-order purchase and a sweepstakes entry for a prize of $5,000 for one lucky winner! Sign up to save According to the leaker, the Fold 7 will support the Fold 6's S Pen, although you could expect to notice some degree of difference when it comes to input latency. That's a very, very interesting detail, and puts us back to guessing as to the actual tracking tech Samsung could be working with here. This also throws our expectations for the S26 Ultra for a loop, and if the S Pen really isn't getting any bigger, is there a possibility we could get a phone with both a stylus slot and Qi2 magnetic support? Honestly, at this point we're beginning to question just how reliable this leaker's sources may be (especially having taken a quick look back on past leak performance), but the good news is that we should start getting some actual answers very soon, with the Fold 7 set to debut at Unpacked on July 9. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Tom's Guide
20-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Galaxy Z Fold 7 renders leak — and it looks like Samsung's fixed two big problems
Our best look yet at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has just been provided by Android Headlines and OnLeaks, who have published allegedly official renders of Samsung's next big foldable phone. One of the most interesting changes visible in these renders is a punch-hole camera on the inner display. The last time Samsung had one of these on a Z Fold's main screen was the Galaxy Z Fold 2, with every subsequent Z Fold, including the current Galaxy Z Fold 6 using an under-display camera. Having a hidden camera in the display is quite the technological feat. But it usually means a drop in image quality from that camera having to shoot through layers of the display. With Samsung using only a tiny 4MP sensor, this problem was made even worse. A move back to a punch-hole in the main display should not impact its usability, but will hopefully make the camera more useful for selfies or video calls again. The renders also seem to demonstrate the changes Samsung is tipped to be making to the Galaxy Z Fold 7's body. The new foldable is said to be slimmer and lighter but also wider than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, giving the phone more screen space while also making it easier to handle. As a result, the outer display is apparently going to be 6.5 inches in size, compared to the 6.3-inch one on the Z Fold 6. The Z Fold 7's inner display meanwhile is thought to be 8.2 inches, another increase in size from the Z Fold 6's 7.6-inch panel. The two colors we see in these renders are apparently called Blue Shadow and Jet Black. Other colors will be available according to AH, although it doesn't provide any further information. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Samsung's been unusually open about its plans for the Galaxy Z Fold 7. While it hasn't identified the device by name, it has published a number of teasers hinting at an Ultra-grade experience for its next foldable. Samsung hasn't given us a launch date yet, but it looks like the Z Fold 7, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Galaxy Watch 8 could arrive on July 9 at a new Galaxy Unpacked showcase. If the upgrades seemingly on show in these renders are indeed made to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it could be enough to put Samsung back on top of our best foldable phones guide after years of stagnation. But we'll save our proper impressions for when the facts are confirmed, and after we've had hands-on time with the new foldable.
Tom's Guide
12-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 teaser suggests a big AI camera upgrade is on the way
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's cameras are at the center of a third in a series of teasers from Samsung leading up to the expected launch of the new foldable in a few weeks' time. We don't get any details on specs, but we can still pick up what Samsung's putting down regarding how it goes over the importance of all elements of a phone's camera system. The teaser includes a video that seems to represent all the pixels that go into just a single camera of the three normally found on the back of Samsung flagship phones. Samsung then goes into how the camera of a smartphone is important for more than just photography, and can drive AI features to help a user understand the world around them. The post also highlights the importance of privacy, and how a foldable phone makes the camera experience even better. Samsung wraps up by asking users to "Stay tuned. The camera will only get smarter — helping users capture life's moments more vividly and make everyday experiences more seamless, personal and impactful." The post is then signed off with the apparent tagline for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 — "The Ultra experience is ready to unfold." Samsung knows how to make a good smartphone camera experience. After all, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the number one phone on our best camera phones guide. But this post is hinting at something more than just the promise of sharper, better looking photos that every new generation of smartphone carries. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. To me, it feels like Samsung could be hinting at the Galaxy Z Fold 7 adopting something like the iPhone 16 series' Visual Intelligence system, which allows users to explore the world through their camera lens via AI chatbot responses and image analyses. There's no equivalent feature on current Galaxy flagship phones right now, so it would make sense for Samsung to try its own hand at this kind of feature. Whether we get an ultra-grade or an actual Ultra-branded Z Fold (depending on how you interpret Samsung's previous teasers), it looks as if the new Samsung foldable will have a significantly slimmer and lighter design. Whether it's good enough to beat the best foldable phones is another matter, but hopefully we'll find out soon. Samsung normally reveals its new foldables in summer each year, and a July 10 launch date has been tipped for both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Tom's Guide
10-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Samsung teases Galaxy Z Fold 7 again — promises 'thinnest, lightest and most advanced foldable yet'
Samsung's talking up the Galaxy Z Fold 7's apparently groundbreaking design in a new teaser, making some pretty big claims about its new foldable in the process. Per the post written on Samsung's news site: "The newest Galaxy Z series is the thinnest, lightest and most advanced foldable yet – meticulously crafted and built to last." The post ends with a repeat of the last teaser's closing line: "The Ultra experience is ready to unfold." There's disagreement about what exactly Samsung's hinting at with this phrase. We may be about to see a new Galaxy Z Fold 7 UItra model, a new name for an otherwise familiar foldable, or some other plan by Samsung to emphasize the power of its new Z Fold at the launch event. These evocative words are accompanied by a graphic of what we assume is the Galaxy Z Fold 7. There's minimal detail, but it backs up the thin and light promise made by the text. There's no sign of rear cameras in this GIF though, which we're assuming is because of artistic license rather than Samsung going against the leaked renders and cutting the camera bumps off of its new foldable. Earlier in the post, Samsung talks about the point of the Galaxy Z Fold being a device that "blends versatility with portability," and how "Samsung engineers and designers are refining each generation of the Galaxy Z series to be thinner, lighter and more durable than the last." Samsung also makes reference to 2019's Galaxy Fold, and what a cutting-edge device it was. That we won't dispute, although we have to point out how troubled that particular phone's launch was, with the Galaxy Z Fold 2 being Samsung's first proper attempt at a foldable phone for normal buyers. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. We're a long way from the days of the first foldable phones though, and Samsung's models through to the current Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 have been consistently good. However, they have fallen behind the thinner and more innovative competition from brands like OnePlus and Oppo, Honor and Xiaomi, and even Google to an extent with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Change is needed, and the two teasers we've had so far suggests Samsung knows it's got something worth shouting about this year. Leaked specs suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be considerably larger and lighter than the previous model, with an internal specs bump to keep up with the best Android phones already launched this year. With the next Galaxy Unpacked event coming in July, potentially a month or less away from now, it hopefully won't be long until we understand exactly what Samsung was driving at with these teasers, and if it'll be enough to put Samsung back at the top of our best foldable phones guide.
Tom's Guide
09-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
We don't need a Samsung Ultra foldable — we need a cheaper one
Samsung has officially started the countdown to the Galaxy Z Fold 7's reveal, albeit without actually naming the phone. What it did tell us was to get ready for an Ultra experience, which is something I find to be more of a threat than an invitation to get excited. An Ultra model, or perhaps a relabelling of the Fold 7 to emphasize its premium status, would be interesting, I'll admit. It signals that change is coming, perhaps more than we've seen between previous generations of Z Fold. Given Samsung's lost the top spot among the best foldable phones in recent years, it could be considered a much-needed move. Plus, Samsung says in its teaser that its users are asking for bigger screens and more cameras, and AI features. Therefore ultra-ifying the Z Fold makes perfect sense. But this still feels like Samsung's moving the foldable genre of phone in the wrong direction — continuing to focus on high-end foldables instead of trying to make them more affordable. Rumors of a Galaxy Z Fold FE have been circulating for years at this point, and I still believe this is the smarter way to go with foldables. I don't think foldables need to remain a premium phone type. While they'll perhaps always be a niche product, they can cost less, like we've seen with the $500 Nubia Flip 5G, now that the flexible display tech that underpins them has matured. Samsung is one of the best-equipped phone manufacturers in the world, and the longest-standing maker of foldables. This makes it the best placed out of anyone to pioneer the cheap foldable phone. Even getting a book-style foldable priced around the $1k mark - the price of a typical flagship phone - would be enough of a difference from the $1,600+ pricing of current foldable phones to make an FE-badged foldable stand out. This is a bigger issue than just the cost too. The smartphone market is huge, but more homogenous than it's ever been, especially in terms of handset size. And if companies remain reluctant to make more small phones, then the next best thing would be to make more large phones that fold up small. A Galaxy Z Flip FE has been rumored alongside the Z Fold FE, and if it's real, I'm looking forward to seeing it. It'll have the same kind of impact that I hope the Z Fold FE will have, but perhaps a smaller one, given flip foldables are priced like more typical phones already. I'll wrap things up here by acknowledging that as one of the biggest tech companies in the world, Samsung may know that its internal goals or customer desires don't currently point to developing a cheap foldable as worthwhile. But I'm not bothered about what is best for business, I'm advocating for users to have the widest possible choice of products to pick the effectively mandatory computing device for themselves from. And while it may not be Samsung who finally gives the people (or at least me) the cheap foldable phone, I hope one company or another accepts the challenge. Chances are we're going to see Samsung's next foldables next month, so here goes out my very late plea to Samsung — make an expensive foldable more affordable before making it "ultra." And revamp DeX mode while you're at it too.
