After years of incremental upgrades, Samsung is preparing what looks like a genuine revolution in foldables. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 promises a dramatically thinner design, a 200MP camera, and larger displays — but the battery has remained the same for 4 years. Let's take a detailed look.
📐 Design: Finally Thin
This is the biggest change. According to CAD renders published by @OnLeaks via Android Headlines (February 2025), the Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures just 9.5mm when closed (including the camera bump). For comparison, the Fold 6 was 12.1mm — that's a reduction of over 20%.
When unfolded, the dimensions come in at 158.4 x 143.1 x 4.5mm. It's still slightly thicker than Chinese competitors — the Oppo Find N5 goes down to 4.21mm unfolded, the Honor Magic V3 to 4.35mm — but the improvement over its predecessor is massive.
The design resembles a wider version of the Fold 6 — same camera bump, same squared-off corners. Samsung isn't taking design risks, but the thinner build alone dramatically changes the user experience.
📱 Displays: Bigger Everywhere
Along with the thinner design, Samsung is also increasing the display sizes. The inner display goes up to 8.2 inches (from 7.6″ on the Fold 6), while the cover screen reaches 6.5 inches (from 6.3″). Both are larger than the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
The larger inner display means more comfortable multitasking — split screen with two apps, better productivity, and a more enjoyable Netflix and reading experience. The larger cover screen solves a long-standing problem: you can now use the phone while closed without feeling like you're holding a TV remote.
According to sources, the crease on the inner display has also been significantly improved — one of the most common complaints among foldable users. The improved hinge should make the fold smoother and less visible.
📊 Fold 7 vs Fold 6: Key Specs
📷 Camera: 200MP — Finally Flagship Level
Perhaps the most welcome change: according to reports from @OnLeaks and Setsuna Digital on Weibo, the main camera is being upgraded to 200MP — quadruple the resolution compared to the Fold 6's 50MP. This aligns the Fold 7 with true flagships (Galaxy S25 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Ultra) instead of lagging behind in photography.
The under-display camera is also being improved — the one hidden beneath the inner display for selfies and video calls. This technology has always been the weak link in the Fold lineup, with low resolution and blurry photos. Samsung promises a significant upgrade.
This change is no accident. Foldables sell primarily to power users who want everything in one device — and the camera was always the reason some preferred a Galaxy S Ultra over a Fold.
✏️ S Pen: The Big Change
According to a report by ETNews (February 2025), Samsung plans to remove the digitizer from the inner display. This means the classic S Pen will no longer work the way we've known it.
Instead, Samsung is moving to AES (Active Electrostatic Solution) technology — Apple Pencil-style. The new S Pen will send signals via an electric field, without needing the dedicated sensor beneath the display. This change saves approximately 0.6mm between the two halves — critical for the thinner design.
There is a trade-off, of course: AES technology may not offer exactly the same pressure accuracy and latency as the classic digitizer. For professional sketching or note-taking, this is a question mark. For most users, the change won't be noticeable.
🔋 Battery: The Disappointment
And here lies the big disappointment. According to a leak by Setsuna Digital on Weibo (February 2025), the battery remains at 4,400mAh — the exact same capacity Samsung has been using since the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in 2021. Four years, same battery.
This is particularly concerning given that the displays are getting bigger (8.2″ inner). Bigger display = higher power consumption. The hope is that the new processor (likely Snapdragon 8 Elite) will compensate with better energy efficiency. But it's not ideal.
Charging speeds may also remain unchanged — which means the same 25W wired. When the competition offers 67W, 80W, and even 100W, this looks ancient.
🆚 The Competition Is Closing In
Samsung is no longer alone in the foldables space. In recent years, Chinese manufacturers have surpassed Samsung in many areas:
- Oppo Find N5: 4.21mm unfolded — literally thinner than many regular phones
- Honor Magic V3: 4.35mm unfolded, 226g, excellent 5,150mAh battery
- OnePlus Open: Excellent aspect ratio, large display, competitive price
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Top-tier software, clean Android, but thicker
The Fold 6's failure to meet sales targets forced Samsung to react. According to reports (December 2024), the company reduced its foldable production plans for 2025. Rather than giving up, however, Samsung is going all-in — four new foldables are being planned, including a tri-fold for the first time.
💰 Price & Availability
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is expected to launch in July 2025 at a Galaxy Unpacked event. The Fold 6 was priced at $1,899 / ~€1,999 in Europe.
With the upgrade to a 200MP camera, new S Pen technology (AES), thinner design, and larger displays, Samsung may raise the price. Some reports suggest a possible price bump due to the cost of the new AES technology for the S Pen.
If that holds true, we're looking at a device over €2,000 — making it premium even among flagships. Samsung knows it can't drop prices without losing perceived value, but at some point consumers will stop paying.
🤔 Is the Upgrade Worth It?
If you own a Fold 5 or 6: The upgrade becomes more tempting thanks to the thinner design and 200MP camera. If thickness was your main complaint, the Fold 7 solves it. But the same battery means the same (or worse) battery life.
If you're considering your first foldable: This might be the best time. The technology has matured enough — the crease has been reduced, durability has improved, displays have grown, and the camera no longer lags behind. You just need to stomach the price.
Alternatively: Wait to see what Google does with the Pixel Fold 2, what Xiaomi brings with the MIX Fold 5, and whether Samsung actually releases a more affordable Fold.
🔮 A Tri-Fold Is Also in the Works
According to reports by 9to5Google (January 2025), Samsung plans to release four foldables in 2025: Flip 7, Flip FE, Fold 7, and a tri-fold device. If this materializes, it will be Samsung's answer to the Huawei Mate XT — the first tri-fold ever released.
"After last year, Samsung is finally preparing major changes to the Z Fold — thinner design, larger display, S Pen technology shift, and improved crease. The question is whether it's enough."
