Latest news with #GalaxyZFlip
Android Authority
a day ago
- Android Authority
Samsung plans to make Now Bar more useful by nearly doubling app support
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung's Now Bar, a lock screen carousel of glanceable app cards, is expanding its app support and is now available on the Galaxy Z Flip's cover screen. Samsung plans to increase the number of apps and services that support the Now Bar from around 20 to up to 35 by the end of 2025. This expansion will be available on devices with One UI 8, which is based on Android 16 and adds a new API that allows any app to create 'Live Notifications.' One of the biggest new features that Samsung added to One UI this year is Now Bar, a swipeable carousel of cards you can access from the bottom of the lock screen without unlocking your device. These cards contain key information and controls from various apps and services, including Samsung Clock, Google Maps, and Uber. As of last month, the Now Bar supported just 20 apps, but we've learned that Samsung may nearly double that number by the end of the year. Samsung launched the Now Bar with its Galaxy S25 series earlier this year before bringing the feature to other devices in the One UI 7 update. While the Now Bar wasn't available on the cover screen of the Galaxy Z Flip in One UI 7, Samsung has addressed this with the new One UI 8 software release. Joe Maring / Android Authority Now Bar in One UI 7. In the 'Device Experience Guide' for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which ships with One UI 8, Samsung highlights that the Now Bar can now display real-time app alerts right on the cover screen. The document also reveals that app support for the Now Bar is set to expand from 20 services in One UI 7 (as of June 2025) to up to 35 in One UI 8 by the end of 2025. Here is the list of apps and services that support the Now Bar in One UI 7 as of June 2025. Notably, while Samsung stated there are 20 supported apps, its official list only contains 19 items, and it's unclear which one is missing. List of apps that support Samsung Now Bar in One UI 7 (as of June 2025) Samsung apps Now Brief Media Player Timer Stop watch Interpreter Voice Recorder Notes During exercise Current Mode Emergency Sharing SmartThings TV remote control Call Do Not Disturb Wallet (tickets) Google apps Google Sports Google Maps Third-party apps Uber Uber Eats Waymo While Samsung's document didn't reveal which specific apps will gain support, the company's One UI 8 release opens the floodgates to greatly expanded support. One UI 8 is based on Android 16, which introduces a standardized API allowing any app to create 'Live Notifications.' Although One UI 8 currently doesn't show Live Notifications from most third-party apps right now, if Samsung enables this in the future, the number of compatible apps could expand significantly as more developers adopt the new Android 16 API. 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.
Geeky Gadgets
3 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Worth It?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 continues to refine the foldable smartphone experience, blending style, durability, and functionality into a compact package. With its innovative design and practical features, it caters to users seeking a unique device that stands out in a crowded market. However, it does come with trade-offs, particularly in performance, battery life, and camera advancements. Below is an in-depth analysis of the device from Tech Spurt after one week of use, highlighting its key strengths and areas for improvement. Watch this video on YouTube. Design and Build: Compact Elegance with Robust Durability The Galaxy Z Flip 7's design is a testament to Samsung's commitment to innovation. Its slim, foldable form factor is not only visually appealing but also highly practical, fitting comfortably in pockets and small bags. The zero-gap hinge mechanism ensures a seamless folding experience while reducing dust accumulation, which enhances the device's longevity. Constructed with an armor aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the phone feels solid and premium in hand, offering a reassuring sense of durability. Samsung has also prioritized aesthetics, offering vibrant color options like sultry blue shadow and coral red, which appeal to users who value personalization. The combination of style and durability makes the Galaxy Z Flip 7 a standout choice for those seeking a balance between form and function. Display: Immersive Visuals with Enhanced Multitasking The Galaxy Z Flip 7 features a 4.1-inch cover screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth navigation and excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. This external display supports app usage, allowing users to perform quick tasks without unfolding the device. However, its sensitivity can occasionally lead to unintended inputs, which may require some adjustment. When unfolded, the 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display offers an immersive viewing experience with vivid colors, sharp contrast, and minimal crease visibility. Whether streaming videos, browsing the web, or multitasking, the internal display excels in delivering a high-quality visual experience. The foldable design also enhances productivity, allowing split-screen functionality that is particularly useful for multitasking enthusiasts. Performance: Efficient for Everyday Use but Limited for Gamers Equipped with Samsung's 3nm Exynos 2500 chipset and 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 handles everyday tasks with ease. Apps launch quickly, and multitasking is generally smooth, making it a reliable choice for regular use. However, occasional UI lag can disrupt the experience, particularly when switching between resource-intensive applications. While the device performs adequately for casual gaming, it struggles with high-performance games, exhibiting frame rate drops and noticeable heating during extended sessions. This makes it less suitable for users who prioritize gaming or require top-tier performance for demanding tasks. For most users, however, the performance is sufficient for daily activities like browsing, streaming, and social media. Battery and Charging: Adequate but Falls Short of Expectations The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is powered by a 4,300mAh battery, which provides around 5-6 hours of mixed usage. While this is sufficient for moderate users, heavy users may find themselves reaching for the charger before the day ends. Charging speeds are capped at 25W for wired charging and 15W for wireless charging, which lags behind competitors offering faster options. This could be a drawback for users who prioritize quick charging and extended battery life. For those who use their devices primarily for light tasks, the battery life may suffice. However, power users or individuals frequently on the go may need to carry a portable charger to ensure uninterrupted usage. Camera: Reliable but Lacking Innovation The dual rear cameras on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 consist of a 50MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, both of which remain unchanged from its predecessor. While the camera system delivers reliable photo and video quality, it lacks significant upgrades that could set it apart from previous models. Video recording at 4K 60fps is smooth, with effective stabilization, making it suitable for capturing high-quality content. The 10MP selfie camera performs well in well-lit conditions but struggles in low-light environments, limiting its versatility. While the camera setup is adequate for casual photography, users seeking innovative camera technology may find it underwhelming. Audio: Clear and Immersive Sound The stereo speakers on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 deliver clear and loud audio, even in noisy environments. Whether listening to music, watching videos, or taking hands-free calls, the audio quality is consistent and satisfying. This makes the device a reliable choice for media consumption and communication, enhancing the overall user experience. Usability Features: Practical and User-Friendly The Galaxy Z Flip 7 excels in usability, offering features tailored to its foldable design. Tent mode is particularly useful for hands-free video calls or media playback, while Samsung's smart UI design enhances multitasking with split-screen functionality. These features make the device highly practical for everyday use. Face unlock is quick and reliable, providing a convenient way to access the device. However, the side-mounted fingerprint sensor can be less responsive when fingers are damp, which may cause occasional inconvenience. Despite this minor drawback, the overall usability of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is well-optimized for a seamless user experience. Key Advantages and Drawbacks Advantages: Compact and stylish foldable design that stands out. Durable construction with premium materials for longevity. Immersive internal display with minimal crease visibility. Enhanced multitasking features tailored to the foldable form factor. Drawbacks: Performance limitations for gaming and resource-intensive tasks. Battery life and charging speeds that fall short of competitors. Camera system lacks significant upgrades from previous models. Final Thoughts: Balancing Style and Functionality The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers a compelling blend of style, durability, and practicality, making it an attractive option for users who value portability and aesthetics. Its foldable design and usability features enhance everyday convenience, while the vibrant display and reliable performance cater to most daily needs. However, its limitations in gaming performance, battery life, and camera innovation may deter users seeking innovative technology or extended usage capabilities. For those prioritizing a unique and stylish device, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 strikes a balance between form and function, delivering a well-rounded experience. Uncover more insights about Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 in previous articles we have written. Source & Image Credit: Tech Spurt Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Mint
17-07-2025
- Mint
Samsung's first Tri-Fold phone may launch this October under Galaxy Z branding, suggests report
Samsung's long-anticipated tri-fold smartphone is now expected to make its global debut by the end of 2025, with fresh reports suggesting it may carry the name Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, marking its entry under the existing Galaxy Z series rather than launching a new lineup altogether. According to renowned journalist Max Jambor (@MaxJmb), the triple-screen foldable is likely to adopt the Galaxy Z TriFold branding. This aligns the device with Samsung's established foldable range, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip models, and indicates the company's intent to consolidate its multi-form factor devices under a single umbrella. Meanwhile, tipster Ice Universe, writing on Chinese social media platform Weibo, claimed that Samsung's tri-fold phone is scheduled for an October 2025 launch. This timeline would put it in direct competition with Huawei, whose Mate XT Ultimate Design successor is expected to be unveiled a month earlier, in September. The upcoming device, codenamed Q7M, is reportedly advancing towards mass production and could be unveiled as a limited release, according to sources familiar with the matter. It is said to carry the model number SM-F968. One of the key highlights of the tri-fold handset is its 9.96-inch display when fully unfolded, offering a near-tablet experience. In its folded form, the device is expected to present a 6.54-inch screen, making it usable as a conventional smartphone. Internally, the device may be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and is tipped to include a silicon-carbon battery, a newer technology that potentially offers faster charging and longer life compared to traditional lithium-ion cells. On the imaging front, the Galaxy Z TriFold could sport a triple rear camera setup and is expected to support 8K video recording at 30fps. The design is rumoured to feature inward-folding hinges, following a G-style folding mechanism similar to the recently showcased Tecno Phantom Ultimate G Fold Concept.
Tom's Guide
16-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: 5 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)
After Motorola released a trio of foldable flip phones earlier this year, Samsung is firing back with two new models of its own, highlighted by the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The latest version of Samsung's modernized take on the flip phones of a generation ago introduces a number of changes from previous models, as Samsung looks to re-establish itself as the device maker to turn to for the best foldable phones. And the new flip phone makes a pretty compelling case if our Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on is anything to go by. Along with some design changes that particularly boost the displays on the new model, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 sees software changes that deliver a more useful flip phone overall. Still, whether you've got an earlier version of the Galaxy Z Flip or are just trying to decide if you should finally give foldable phones to try, we've spotted some very good reasons in our initial testing to give the Galaxy Z Flip 7 a miss. With Galaxy Z Flip 7 preorders underway in advance of the phone's July 25 release, here are the reasons you may wind up buying the Galaxy Z Flip 7 along with reasons to pass up the chance to get this particular phone. The last version of Samsung's flip phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 6, made no changes to either of its displays, delivering a 6.7-inch main panel augmented by a 3.4-inch screen on the outside of the phone. That's a stark contrast to Motorola models like the Razr Plus and the Motorola Razr Ultra, both of which have 4-inch cover displays. The interior screens are larger, too, at 6.9 inches and 7 inches, respectively. It's safe to say that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 attempts to catch up with the latest Razrs when it comes to display size. The interior panel on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 now reaches 6.9 inches while the outer Flex Window stretches to 4.1 inches. It's not just size that makes the Z Flip 7 more usable than its predecessors. Samsung extends that Flex Window all the way to the edge of the phone, even wrapping it around the outer cameras to free up more space for you. And that interior screen delivers some nice viewing angles with vivid colors. Samsung's foldables have struggled to last a long time on a charge. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 endured for a bit more than 11 hours on our battery test, which is only a little bit ahead of the average time posted by smartphones. Can the Galaxy Z Flip 7 improve on that performance? We won't know until we finish testing the new phone. But Samsung has at least set itself up for success for increasing the size of the battery in the new model. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers a 4,300 mAh power pack, a modest increase from the 4,000 mAh battery that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 used. It may not be a big gain, but every little improvement helps when it comes to eking out more time between charges. Samsung isn't slowly down its Galaxy AI push, and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is one of the big beneficiaries. Features like the Now Brief and Now Bar added with the Galaxy S25 release earlier this year are included with Samsung's latest foldable phones — with Now Bar updates even appear on the Z Flip 7's outer screen. The real boost comes from support for multimodal AI, where the Gemini assistant on board the Galaxy Z Flip 7 can use the phone's cameras to see what you're seeing — and then provide information about what it observes. My colleague John Velasco has only had a little hands-on time to test this particular feature so far, but the way he describes it certainly feels like the future. Samsung DeX is a hidden weapon on many of the best Samsung phones where you can plug your phone into a display and use it as a makeshift desktop computer. But it's also a feature that hasn't been available to Galaxy Z Flip owners — until the arrival of the Z Flip 7. DeX support has been one of the most requested features by many of my Tom's Guide colleagues, especially John Velasco. He's had a chance to try out DeX on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and while it's not without its issues — DeX hasn't been refined for the Flip — the arrival of a long-missing feature should be celebrated. We live in a world where a Galaxy Z Fold 7 now costs $1,999 — a $100 price hike from the previous model. So any time Samsung holds the line on pricing, we're going to breathe a sigh of relief. And that's the case with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which starts at the same $1,099 price as the Galaxy Z Flip 6 before it. Would we have preferred to see a price cut back down to the $999 cost of the Galaxy Z Flip 5? Sure, but you could argue that's the point of the $899 Galaxy Z Flip FE 7, which scales back on some of the Z Flip 7's features to offer that lower price. The point is that prices may be on the rise everywhere, but at least that doesn't apply to Samsung's new flip phones. Galaxy Z Flip 7 preorder: up to $770 off w/ trade-in @ SamsungSamsung is knocking up to $770 off Galaxy Z Flip 7 preorders when you trade-in an older phone. Additionally, you'll get a free storage upgrade with your preorder. The phone features a 6.9-inch AMOLED (2520 x 1080) inner display w/ 120Hz refresh, 4.1-inch AMOLED (948 x 1048) outer display w/ 120Hz refresh, Exynos 2500 CPU, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. You also get 50MP f/1.8 main and 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide rear cameras and a 10MP f2.2 selfie cam. If you own a recent Galaxy Z Flip model, you probably can get by without an upgrade to the latest version unless the allure of larger screens proves too great to ignore. In other areas, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 shares a lot in common with its predecessors. Take the camera hardware, which is unchanged from the 50MP main shooter and 12MP ultrawide lens on the Galaxy Z Flip 6. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the Z Flip 6 has been the best camera phone among foldables, but Samsung is clearly relying on its ProVisual Engine photo-processing to boost camera performance with the Z Flip 7. Likewise, Samsung hasn't changed charging speeds for the Galaxy Z Flip 7. You'll still get the 25W wired charging Samsung has offered since the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which will benefit from the processing power of Qualcomm's impressive Snapdragon 8 Elite system-on-chip, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is turning to Samsung's own Exynos 2500 silicon. And while we'll need to run benchmark tests on the flip phone to see what that means for performance, it's safe to assume that the Exynos 2500 isn't going to be able to keep pace. Samsung's Exynos chips tend not to match the CPU and GPU performance numbers that top-of-the-line Snapdragon silicon posts in benchmarking. You can argue that may not matter in terms of real-world performance, but it's still a compromise you'd be making with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. And it's a particularly notable compromise since past Flip models have used Snapdragon chips. One of our favorite things about Motorola's Razr lineup is the ability to run apps on the cover displays of those phones. That's not something you can necessarily do on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, not even with the larger 4.1-inch panel on the phone's exterior. While some apps have been optimized for the Galaxy Z Flip 7's Flex Window, if you want to run apps natively, you'll need to download the Good Lock app. While that's a proven workaround, it feels like an unnecessary inconvenience, especially when a Z Flip rival shows just how easily native app support can be implemented. We'll have our full review of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 out soon, along with our definitive buying advice for the latest foldable flip phone from Samsung. But from what we've seen so far from this phone, its biggest strengths are the larger displays and new features, particularly when it comes to AI. The biggest reason to pass up the new phone boils down to how much it really improves upon older models — and from a camera and performance standpoint, the gains could be minimal.
The Independent
15-07-2025
- The Independent
The best Samsung phones in 2025, tried and tested
Finding the best Samsung smartphone for you depends on your budget and your needs. Thankfully, the world's leading Android phone maker gives you more than enough options to choose from, with devices to cater to every kind of user. For most, the Galaxy S25 series is the first port of call. Samsung's class-leading flagships are among the most popular Android phones in the world, cramming in fast processors, plenty of RAM, great cameras and sharp, bright displays. There's also the budget-friendly A-series, which strips away many of the more expensive features of the flagship phones to keep costs down, while retaining Samsung's slick software, top-end security, attractive design and premium build quality. Meanwhile, folding phones offer a change from the usual boring glass slabs. Samsung popularised the folding phone as we know it and, over the past six years, it's gradually refined and improved the design of its Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip phones. No longer a funky novelty, these mobiles are easy to recommend to anyone looking for a versatile phone. However, if you aren't techy, that can be a lot to hold in mind. As a tech expert, I've been covering the best phones for years. If you're in the market for a new Samsung smartphone, keep scrolling for my tried-and-tested reviews of top-rated models. How we tested Our team of IndyBest tech experts have been testing Samsung phones for years. To get a sense of how they perform, I test phones by using them as I would my regular mobile, over a one-month period. I assess what features are useful to the average person and look for any issues or quirks that only crop up outside of a straightforward testing scenario. I examined these phones by several key metrics: Performance: I looked at storage and RAM to see how each phone can cope with heavy-duty processing when watching videos or gaming. I look out for stuttering, buffering, and assess how many photos a phone can hold. Battery life: During the month of testing, I measured battery life across each day. I timed how many hours' use I got from a single charge, and how it varied from light browsing to streaming video on a commute. Camera: Camera testing is done in daylight and nighttime conditions. I took dozens of pictures of pets, landmarks, family and friends to check each image's resolution and clarity. AI: A relatively new criterion, most Samsung phones now come with AI features. I assessed these new features, such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra's new AI-powered editing tools. Portability: I also check how pocketable each phone is, and if it's comfortable to hold as you scroll. Many of Samsung's phones are foldable, so I check to see if this is a genuinely useful feature or a gimmick. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Steve Hogarty is a tech journalist with more than a decade of experience reporting on and reviewing smartphones. He's tested hundreds of phones for IndyBest, and his reviews consider everything from performance and design to each phone's display, durability, camera quality and value for money, so you can be sure the results of this roundup are honest and unbiased. The best Samsung phones for 2025 are:
