Samsung Electronics has launched two types of 7th generation foldable smartphones. Both feature a slim and lightweight design and artificial intelligence (AI) functions optimized for the foldable user environment.
On Sept. 9 (local time), Samsung Electronics held the 'Galaxy Unpacked 2025' event at the Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, New York, unveiling the 'Galaxy Z Fold 7' and 'Galaxy Z Flip 7.' Both products will be released sequentially worldwide starting on the 25th. Pre-sales in Korea will be conducted for a period of 7 days from the 15th to the 21st. However, the 1 terabyte (TB) model of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the 512 gigabyte (GB) model of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will not be available for pre-order.
Before the unveiling of the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip 7, there was heightened interest in Samsung Electronics' pricing in the market. This is largely due to the 25% tariff imposed on smartphones by the Donald Trump administration, which heightened business uncertainty. Nevertheless, Samsung Electronics took a 'bold move' by freezing the price of the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The model with 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage is priced at 1,485,000 won, while the 512GB model is at 1,643,400 won, maintaining the same prices as the previous generation. This has led industry experts to evaluate that Samsung Electronics is signaling its commitment to the 'popularization of foldable phones.'
However, the price of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has increased compared to its predecessor. The model with 256GB of storage based on 12GB of memory is priced at 2,379,300 won, and the 512GB model is priced at 2,537,700 won, which is an increase of 149,600 won compared to the previous generation. The 1TB model with 16GB of memory has increased by 228,800 won from the previous model to 2,933,700 won.
Roh Tae-Moon, acting head of Samsung Electronics' Device eXperience (DX) division, introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 7, stating that it is "a product that offers the most advanced smartphone experience introduced by Samsung Electronics by combining hardware and AI," adding that "the design and engineering harmonize, allowing for an intuitive ultra experience that can fit in one hand with a powerful sense of immersion."
Regarding the Galaxy Z Flip 7, he confidently stated that it "combines a compact design with powerful mobile AI features," asserting that "innovative interactions centered around the cover screen will make users' lives smarter."
◇The thinnest and lightest yet… "Providing a true multimodal AI experience"
Samsung Electronics has dubbed the 'Galaxy Z Fold 7' as an ultra-slim large-screen foldable phone. This is due to the 'thinnest and lightest' design applied in the history of the Galaxy Z Fold series. It boasts a thickness of 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when opened. The weight has also been reduced to 215g, which is 24g lighter compared to its predecessor (239g).
The cover display features a 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a width of approximately 64.9mm. The aspect ratio is 21:9, providing a smartphone experience similar to that of a bar-type phone even when folded. The 8.0-inch main display, visible when opened, is 11% wider than its predecessor, making it the largest among Galaxy smartphones.
Despite its thin and lightweight design, durability has been enhanced. A new 'Armor Flex hinge' has been applied, which uniformly disperses external shocks. It explains that the 'hinge,' which folds like a hinge, is protected by a frame made of 'Armor Aluminum,' significantly strengthening its durability. The main display features titanium material, and the thickness of the ultra-thin strengthened glass (UTG) has increased by 50% compared to its predecessor.
The Fold 7 is also equipped with ▲200 million pixels camera ▲large display ▲high-performance chipset. A new operating system (OS) titled 'One UI 8,' developed in collaboration with Google, has also been applied. Through this, 'Galaxy AI' and Google 'Gemini' work together to provide AI features in a form suitable for the Fold 7.
Samsung Electronics asserted that the Fold 7 provides a 'true multimodal AI experience.' Multimodal AI refers to the technology that simultaneously understands and processes various types of information, including text, images, voice, and video. 'Gemini Live,' integrated into the Fold 7, allows for immediate voice responses outside of traditional text-based search methods through screen and camera sharing features. The 'AI result view' displays AI-generated results in a partitioning format according to the user's selection at desired locations, such as the bottom, middle, or side, enabling multitasking without obscuring the original content.
The application processor (AP), known as the brain of the smartphone, is equipped with Qualcomm's 'Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy.' Compared to its predecessor, the performance of the neural processing unit (NPU) has improved by 41%. Central processing unit (CPU) functionality has improved by 38%, and the graphics processing unit (GPU) has improved by 26%. Samsung Electronics noted that "real-time language translation, generative image editing, and personalized recommendations can be processed faster and more reliably with AI-based features."
Camera capabilities have also evolved. Samsung Electronics emphasized that it is "a product that captures the camera experience of the Galaxy Ultra in a foldable form factor," claiming it offers a professional-grade camera experience with a 200-million-pixel wide-angle camera and AI-based pro visual engine. This enables clear and vibrant photos and videos to be taken even in low-light environments such as dark parks or late-night cafes.
The Fold 7 will be released in three colors: blue shadow, silver shadow, and jet black. The mint color will only be available for purchase on Samsung.com and at Samsung Gangnam.
◇Galaxy Z Flip 7 addresses 'battery weakness'… "A compact AI smartphone"
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 has improved upon the short usage time, which has been considered a weakness in the Flip product line. According to Samsung Electronics, the combination of a 4,300mAh battery and the latest 3-nanometer (nm) processor has significantly enhanced usability.
When folded, it has a thickness of 13.7mm and weighs 188g. It has become 1.2mm thinner compared to its predecessor, but the weight has only increased by 1g. The company describes this product as "a compact AI smartphone optimized for the multimodal era."
The Flip 7 is the first in the series to feature a 4.1-inch flex window. The bezel has been reduced to 1.25mm, and the maximum brightness reaches 2,600 nits. It supports a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and features a 'vision booster' that automatically adjusts the brightness based on the surrounding environment.
The main display, visible when opened, features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X. The cover and back are equipped with 'Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.' The frame uses 'Armor Aluminum,' and 'Armor Flex hinge' is applied to the hinge, allowing stable opening and closing without deformation even after long-term use.
The Flip 7 supports 'Samsung DeX' for the first time in the series. It can connect to external displays, mice, and keyboards. The Now Bar allows users to check real-time information of apps on the cover screen, control videos and music, and view real-time game results all at a glance. The Now Brief provides automatically recommended personalized information based on location, time, and usage patterns. Galaxy AI, based on One UI 8, is also optimized for the Flip user experience (UX), with 'Gemini Live' provided just like in the Fold 7.
The Flip 7 is equipped with a 50-million-pixel wide-angle camera and a 12-million-pixel ultra-wide dual camera. The FlexCam applies real-time filters even when closed. The zoom slider feature allows for simple actions (swiping) for zooming in and out.
The Flip 7 will be released in three colors: blue shadow, coral red, and jet black. The mint color will only be available for purchase on Samsung.com and at Samsung Gangnam.