Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Slimmer, Wider, But at What Cost?
Samsung’s latest foldable flagship, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, arrives with a sleeker and lighter design, but not without some major trade-offs that are raising eyebrows among long-time fans of the series.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Made Some Major Steps Forward
One of the most noticeable changes is the device’s significantly slimmer profile, now measuring just 8.9mm thick when folded, down from the Fold6’s 12.1mm. The weight has also been trimmed by 24 grams, bringing it to a more manageable 215g. These changes make the Fold7 feel more like a traditional smartphone in hand, a major improvement in portability for a device known for its bulk.
In addition to the slimmer form, the cover display now spans 6.5 inches, offering a noticeably wider and taller view compared to previous generations. This addresses one of the most common user complaints; the narrow, cramped feel of the outer screen. The internal display has also been slightly expanded to 8 inches, creating an even more immersive canvas for multitasking and media consumption.
And More Steps Backwards
However, in the process of refining the hardware, Samsung has also stripped away several key features that once made the Fold line stand out. Most notably, the Galaxy Z Fold7 no longer supports the S Pen, a decision that marks a significant departure from previous models. The stylus was already limited in functionality due to the lack of support on the cover display and no Bluetooth integration unless users opted for the separate S Pen Pro. Now, the Fold7 lacks the necessary digitizer altogether, effectively ending S Pen compatibility in the name of thinness.
Camera hardware remains another weak spot. The Fold7 still lags behind Samsung’s own Galaxy S25 Ultra in imaging capability. It lacks laser autofocus and uses smaller sensors (particularly the telephoto and ultrawide cameras), limiting its potential despite its premium status. Perhaps this was done to not make the cameras protrude too much but as it is, the pronounced camera bump exacerbates this, making the device unstable on flat surfaces, unless used with a case, which somewhat defeats the purpose of slimming the device in the first place.
The under-display camera (UDC) on the inner screen has also been removed. While its image quality was never exceptional, it served its purpose for video calls without intruding on the display with a hole-punch cutout. Its removal feels unnecessary given the Fold’s flexibility, which already allows users to take high-quality selfies using the rear cameras with the cover screen acting as a viewfinder.
Despite its slim form, the Galaxy Z Fold7 retains the same 4,400mAh battery capacity as its predecessor, a figure that continues to fall short when you look at its competition. You don’t even have to look at this year’s competition even as last year’s HONOR Magic V3 had a 5,150mAh battery, vivo X Fold3 Pro had a 5,700mAh battery and even the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold had a 4,650mAh battery. With more room potentially freed up by internal redesigns, this feels like a missed opportunity for improved battery life, likely being done in the pursuit of an ultra-slim profile.
Adding to the list of missing features is the continued absence of Samsung DeX support on the inner display. While niche, DeX would be a logical fit for a device like the Fold7 with its large, tablet-like screen. It has been one of the most requested features by the community for years, with the relevant post on Samsung Members being the most liked on the platform.
Yet despite this overwhelming demand, Samsung has still not implemented it, and at this point, it seems unlikely to ever arrive. The omission limits the Fold’s potential as a true productivity device, especially when the hardware is clearly capable of supporting a PC-like interface natively.
Ultimately, the Galaxy Z Fold7 shows Samsung’s commitment to refining foldable hardware, offering a thinner, lighter, and more usable front display. It’s still a good foldable smartphone, but in chasing minimalism, the device loses several features that defined its identity, raising questions about whether the pursuit of slimness is worth sacrificing long-requested and practical functionality.
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