Samsung Launches Sleeker Foldable Smartphones: A New Era for the Galaxy Z Series

Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, along with the budget-friendly Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, at the Galaxy Unpacked event held in Brooklyn, New York, on July 9, 2025. These devices mark a significant step forward in Samsung’s foldable lineup, boasting slimmer designs, lighter builds, and advanced AI features. The company also confirmed its ambitious plans to launch its first tri-fold smartphone by the end of 2025, signaling a bold move to maintain its leadership in the foldable market amidst growing competition from Chinese rivals like Huawei and Honor. This article delves into the details of the new Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE, explores the technological advancements, and discusses Samsung’s future plans for its tri-fold device.

Galaxy Z Fold 7: A Refined Book-Style Foldable

The Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung’s flagship book-style foldable, has been re-engineered to address long-standing criticisms about the bulkiness of its predecessors. At just 8.9mm thick when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded, it is 26% thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Weighing only 215g, it is also 24g lighter than its predecessor and lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, making it the lightest foldable smartphone of 2025, surpassing competitors like the Honor Magic V5. This sleek design is a breakthrough, aligning the Z Fold 7’s thickness with non-foldable flagships like the Oppo Find N5.

The Z Fold 7 features an 8-inch inner display, a significant upgrade from previous models, offering a larger canvas for multitasking and immersive experiences. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, which delivers top-tier performance for demanding applications and gaming. Samsung has also improved hinge durability, addressing one of the critical pain points of foldable devices. The main rear camera now boasts a higher resolution, and the battery capacity has been increased to support the larger display and enhanced AI capabilities.

However, one notable change is the removal of S Pen support, a decision made to achieve the slimmer profile. While this may disappoint some productivity-focused users, Samsung emphasized that the Z Fold 7 prioritizes portability and usability. Priced between Rs 1.75 lakh and Rs 2.11 lakh in India (approximately $2,000–$2,500 USD), the Z Fold 7 remains a premium offering targeted at early adopters and tech enthusiasts. Pre-orders began on July 9, 2025, with the device set to hit shelves on July 25, 2025.

Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE: Redefining Clamshell Foldables

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 and its more affordable counterpart, the Z Flip 7 FE, cater to users seeking compact, stylish foldables. The Z Flip 7 features a 4.1-inch cover screen, one of the largest in the clamshell category, making it more functional for quick tasks without unfolding the device. Powered by the Exynos 2500 SoC globally, the Z Flip 7 offers improved performance, brighter displays, and enhanced AI capabilities, including Samsung’s AI photo editing assistant and a running coach feature. The device also includes a 50MP main camera, a significant upgrade from its predecessor, ensuring Academic research and real-world testing suggest that the Z Flip 7’s battery life has improved, offering nearly a full day of usage.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, a first for the Flip series, brings foldable technology to a broader audience at a lower price point. While it shares many features with the Z Flip 7, such as the Exynos 2500 chipset and AI enhancements, it makes some compromises to achieve affordability. Specific details about these compromises were not fully disclosed, but the Z Flip 7 FE is positioned as an entry-level foldable, making the form factor more accessible. Both devices are slimmer and lighter than their predecessors, with the Z Flip 7 maintaining Samsung’s signature design language while introducing subtle refinements.

The Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE were also unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event, with pre-orders starting on July 9 and availability from July 25, 2025. These devices are designed to compete with Motorola’s Razr Ultra, which has gained traction with its 4-inch cover screen and strong battery life. Samsung’s focus on larger cover screens and AI-driven features positions the Z Flip 7 as a strong contender in the clamshell foldable market.

Samsung’s Tri-Fold Ambition: A Game-Changer by End of 2025

One of the most exciting revelations from the Galaxy Unpacked event came from Samsung executives TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile, and Minseok Kang, Vice President of Product Planning. They confirmed that Samsung is actively developing a tri-fold smartphone, with a target launch by the end of 2025. Unlike Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate Edition, which features outward-folding hinges, Samsung’s tri-fold, potentially named the Galaxy G Fold, is rumored to have inward-folding hinges. This design choice could enhance durability by protecting the flexible display when folded.

The tri-fold smartphone is expected to feature a 9.96-inch display when fully unfolded, transforming from a standard smartphone size (6.54 inches when folded) into a tablet-like form factor. It will likely incorporate a silicon-carbon battery for improved efficiency and longevity, paired with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. Samsung has not finalized the device’s name, with rumors suggesting names like “Galaxy G Fold” or “Galaxy Z Fold Tab.” The company teased a tri-fold concept at its January 2025 Unpacked event, fueling speculation, but chose to keep the focus on the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 during the July event.

Samsung plans a limited initial release of the tri-fold in South Korea and China, with a global rollout expected in 2026 alongside a second-generation model. The tri-fold is anticipated to be priced around $3,000, positioning it as a premium device for productivity-focused users and early adopters. Samsung’s executives emphasized their commitment to perfecting the device’s usability and durability, addressing challenges like hinge reliability and software optimization that have historically plagued foldables.

Competitive Landscape and Market Challenges

Samsung’s foldable lineup faces stiff competition from Chinese manufacturers like Huawei, which launched the world’s first tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT Ultimate Edition, in 2024. Other rivals, such as Honor and Oppo, have also introduced slimmer, lighter foldables, challenging Samsung’s dominance. According to IDC, foldable phones account for just 1.5% of the global smartphone market, with high prices and limited use cases keeping them a niche segment. Research firm Canalys predicts that Samsung’s foldable shipments may remain flat or slightly decline in 2025, in line with the broader smartphone market’s stagnation.

Despite these challenges, Samsung’s technological edge in foldable OLED displays, honed since the original Galaxy Fold in 2019, positions it favorably. The company is also preparing for Apple’s rumored entry into the foldable market in 2026, with Samsung Display reportedly setting up a dedicated production line for Apple’s foldable iPhone screens. This partnership underscores Samsung’s manufacturing prowess, even as it competes in the consumer market.

AI and Ecosystem Enhancements

Samsung’s 2025 foldables integrate advanced AI features, building on the company’s Galaxy AI platform. The Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 include tools like an AI photo editing assistant and a personalized running coach, enhancing user experience. The Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic, also unveiled at the event, feature AI-powered health tools and improved battery life, complementing the foldable ecosystem. These integrations reflect Samsung’s strategy to differentiate its devices through software optimization and seamless connectivity across its product lineup.

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Last Updated on Saturday, July 12, 2025 2:39 pm by Mahitha Ventrapati

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