Samsung announced the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Galaxy Unpacked in Brooklyn on July 9, 2025, and the phone reached stores on July 25, 2025. The starting price in the United States is $1,999.99 for the 256GB model, which is $100 more than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 cost at launch. The new phone is thinner, lighter and wider than the model it replaces, and it carries the first 200 megapixel camera in a Galaxy Z Fold. It also ships with Android 16 and One UI 8, and Samsung promises seven years of operating system and security updates. This guide explains what changed, what stayed the same, and what to check before you buy.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 at a glance: what changed
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 went on sale July 25, 2025, after its July 9, 2025 announcement at Galaxy Unpacked. It brings a thinner and lighter body, wider cover and displays, a 200 megapixel main camera, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, and One UI 8 based on Android 16. The starting price is $1,999.99 in the United States.
Samsung showed the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Galaxy Unpacked 2025 in Brooklyn on July 9, and the phone went on general sale on July 25, 2025, according to Samsung Newsroom (Samsung Global Newsroom) (Samsung US Newsroom). The base model costs $1,999.99 in the United States with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and Samsung also sells 512GB and 1TB versions, with 16GB of RAM in the 1TB model, according to 9to5Google (9to5Google). The $1,999.99 starting price is $100 more than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, according to TechCrunch (TechCrunch).
The colors are Jetblack, Blue Shadow and Silver Shadow, with Mint sold only through Samsung.com, according to 9to5Google (9to5Google). Prices and offers change by country and by retailer, so check the current Samsung store price before you buy.
A thinner and lighter foldable
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is 4.2 mm thick when open and 8.9 mm thick when folded, and it weighs 215 grams, according to Samsung Newsroom. That is down from 12.1 mm folded and 239 grams on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The new hinge is thinner, and the crease is less visible.
Samsung lists the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 4.2 mm unfolded, 8.9 mm folded and 215 grams, and adds that weight may vary by country or region (Samsung Newsroom UK). The Galaxy Z Fold 6 measured 12.1 mm when folded and weighed 239 grams, according to 9to5Google (9to5Google).
The hinge is part of the change. Samsung calls it the Armor FlexHinge, and says it is thinner than the hinge in earlier Galaxy Z Fold models while keeping its strength, and that the new internal hinge structure reduces how visible the crease is along the foldable display (Samsung Newsroom UK). The crease is still visible at some angles, so look at the open screen in a store before deciding. The frame uses Advanced Armor Aluminum, the cover glass is Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, and the back is Gorilla Glass Victus 2, according to Samsung (Samsung UK). The phone is rated IP48, which covers water and dust larger than 1 mm, so it is not fully sealed against fine dust.
Bigger displays that work like a normal phone
The cover display is now 6.5 inches with a 21:9 aspect ratio, and the main display is 8 inches when open. Both are Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with a 1 to 120 Hz refresh rate and up to 2,600 nits of peak brightness. The wider cover screen makes the closed phone feel like a regular phone.
The cover display is the change most owners will notice first. It is a 6.5 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 2520 by 1080 resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio, so the closed phone feels closer to a regular phone than on earlier Fold models (Samsung UK) (Samsung Newsroom UK). The Galaxy Z Fold 6 cover display was the same 6.5 inch size but narrower, with a 2376 by 968 resolution. The main display is now 8 inches, up from 7.6 inches, with a 2184 by 1968 resolution, and Samsung says it has 11 percent more screen area than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Samsung UK).
Both screens use an adaptive refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz and reach up to 2,600 nits of peak brightness, according to Samsung (Samsung UK). High brightness helps outdoors, and the low refresh rate saves power on still content. One change is a loss. Samsung removed S Pen support from the inner display to make the phone thinner and to improve display strength, according to 9to5Google (9to5Google). Buyers who used a stylus on a Fold should know there is no pen input on this model.
The 200 megapixel camera
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 200 megapixel main camera, the first in the Galaxy Z Fold line, with a 12 megapixel ultra wide camera and a 10 megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Both front cameras are now 10 megapixels, and the main screen front camera has a 100 degree field of view.
Samsung says the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the first in the Galaxy Z Fold series with a 200 megapixel camera, and that it captures four times the detail of the 50 megapixel camera in the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Samsung Newsroom UK). The rear system is a 200 megapixel wide camera with optical image stabilization and an f/1.7 aperture, a 12 megapixel ultra wide camera at f/2.2, and a 10 megapixel telephoto camera at f/2.4 with 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom, according to Samsung (Samsung UK).
The front cameras also changed. Samsung dropped the 4 megapixel under display camera from the main screen and now uses a 10 megapixel camera on both the main screen and the cover screen, according to 9to5Google (9to5Google). The front camera on the main screen has a 100 degree field of view, according to Samsung Newsroom (Samsung Newsroom UK). Samsung pairs the hardware with its ProVisual Engine, and Nightography for low light shots. The telephoto camera stays at 3x optical zoom, so check sample photos at 3x and at 10x before you buy if zoom matters to you.
Performance and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a 3 nm chip from Qualcomm. It has 12GB of RAM with 256GB or 512GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM with 1TB of storage. The chip also powers the phone’s AI features and graphics.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is a 3 nm chip, a step up from the 4 nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy in the Galaxy Z Fold 6, according to Samsung (Samsung UK). At Unpacked, Samsung pointed to Vulkan optimizations that improve graphics and responsiveness in games (Samsung Global Newsroom).
Memory and storage follow the price. The 256GB and 512GB models have 12GB of RAM, and the 1TB model has 16GB of RAM, according to Samsung (Samsung UK) and TechCrunch (TechCrunch). Buyers who shoot a lot of 200 megapixel photos should pick the 512GB model at least, since full resolution photos take far more space than standard shots. The chip also handles the on device AI work in One UI 8, which is covered below.
One UI 8 and Android 16
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 ships with Android 16 and One UI 8, Samsung’s interface built for foldables. Samsung promises seven years of operating system and security updates. One UI 8 adds Now Bar and Now Brief, and it is built around Galaxy AI.
Android 16 is available on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at launch, through close work between Samsung and Google, according to Samsung Newsroom (Samsung Global Newsroom). One UI 8 is Samsung’s interface on top of Android 16, designed for foldables with a focus on AI and personalization, according to Samsung Newsroom. The large screen supports Multi-Window, so two apps can sit side by side, and Samsung says this pairs well with the AI assistant, which can read what is on both sides of the screen (Samsung Newsroom UK). For more, see our guides to One UI 8 and Android 16.
Samsung promises seven years of major Android operating system and security updates for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, according to 9to5Google (9to5Google). One UI 8 also adds Now Bar, which shows live activity such as a podcast or a delivery on the cover screen, and Now Brief, which gives a summary of traffic, reminders, events and fitness notes, according to TechCrunch (TechCrunch). Samsung says the on device Personal Data Engine learns from user choices, and Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection keeps that information inside the app where it is used (Samsung Global Newsroom).
Galaxy AI, Gemini Live and photo editing
Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 centers on Google Gemini Live, which can see the screen or the camera view and answer questions about it. Circle to Search, Generative Edit and Audio Eraser are also built in, and the large screen gives these tools more room to work.
Gemini Live is the main AI feature on the phone. Samsung says users can share their screen in real time while talking with the assistant, and Gemini can then answer based on what is visible, for example by naming a dish in a photo and finding nearby places that serve it (Samsung Newsroom UK). Some Gemini features need a Google account login and a network connection, and Samsung account login is needed for some AI features, according to Samsung Newsroom (Samsung Newsroom UK).
Circle to Search has been updated to recognize items inside games and give help without leaving the game, according to Samsung Newsroom (Samsung Global Newsroom). Writing Assist and Drawing Assist turn rough text into clean prose and rough ideas into images, according to Samsung Newsroom. For photos, Generative Edit now has a Suggest Erases feature that finds passersby in the background and suggests removing them, and Audio Eraser can adjust up to four sound types at once in a video, according to Samsung Newsroom (Samsung Global Newsroom). Photo Assist can move, erase or enlarge objects in a photo and fill in empty space with generated content, according to TechCrunch (TechCrunch).
Battery life and charging
The battery is 4,400 mAh, the same capacity as the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Wired charging is 25W, wireless charging is 15W, and the phone also supports Wireless PowerShare. The larger screens and faster chip mean battery life depends on how the phone is used.
Battery capacity did not change. Samsung lists a 4,400 mAh battery for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and the same 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare (Samsung UK). The phone is thinner and lighter with bigger screens, so Samsung kept the battery size flat.
Charging speed is also unchanged, and it is modest for a phone at this price. At 25W wired, charging is slow, and buyers who charge in short bursts should plan around that. Wireless charging at 15W is slower still, and Wireless PowerShare can charge earbuds or a watch from the back of the phone at a slow rate. A buyer needs a 25W USB-C charger or a compatible wireless charger to get the fastest speeds. Battery life will vary with main display use, brightness and 5G, so test the phone in your own routine during the return window.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 compared with Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is thinner, lighter and wider than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, with a much better main camera and a faster chip. The battery, charging speed and water resistance rating are the same. The price is $100 higher, and S Pen support is gone.
The figures below come from Samsung’s comparison page (Samsung UK).
Thickness folded: Fold 7 is 8.9 mm. Fold 6 is 12.1 mm.
Weight: Fold 7 is 215 grams, with Samsung noting weight may vary by region. Fold 6 is 239 grams.
Main display: Fold 7 is 8 inches, 2184 by 1968, with 11 percent more screen area than Fold 6. Fold 6 is 7.6 inches, 2160 by 1856.
Cover display: Fold 7 is 6.5 inches, 2520 by 1080, 21:9. Fold 6 is 6.5 inches, 2376 by 968, narrower.
Main camera: Fold 7 is 200 megapixels, f/1.7. Fold 6 is 50 megapixels, f/1.8.
Front camera on main screen: Fold 7 is 10 megapixels. Fold 6 is 4 megapixels under display.
Chip: Fold 7 is Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, 3 nm. Fold 6 is Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, 4 nm.
Battery and charging: Both are 4,400 mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless, with Wireless PowerShare.
Water and dust: Both are rated IP48.
Software at launch: Fold 7 is Android 16 with One UI 8. Fold 6 is Android 14 with One UI 6.
Price in the United States: Fold 7 starts at $1,999.99, which is $100 more than the Fold 6, according to TechCrunch (TechCrunch).
Who should buy, and who should wait
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 suits buyers who want a foldable that feels like a normal phone when closed and a small tablet when open, and who will use the large screen and the 200 megapixel camera. Buyers who need a stylus, longer zoom or faster charging should check first or wait.
The phone suits people who read, watch video, work in two apps at once, or take photos they plan to crop. The wider cover screen fixes the cramped feel of earlier Fold models when closed, and the 8 inch main screen can replace a small tablet for many tasks. The 200 megapixel camera is a step up from the Fold 6, and seven years of updates mean the phone will stay current for a long time. The $1,999.99 starting price is high, and the phone is aimed at buyers who will use the folding screen every day.
Buyers who should wait include people who used the S Pen on an earlier Fold, since this model has no pen support at all. People who need long zoom should also look elsewhere, since the telephoto camera stays at 3x optical zoom. People who charge in short bursts may find 25W wired charging slow for the price. Before you buy, check the current price, hold the phone folded and open in a store, test the crease in bright light, and confirm the return policy. If those checks pass, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the first Fold that feels like a normal phone in the hand.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 released?
Samsung announced the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on July 9, 2025, at Galaxy Unpacked in Brooklyn, and general availability began on July 25, 2025, according to Samsung Newsroom.
How much does the Galaxy Z Fold 7 cost?
The starting price in the United States is $1,999.99 for the 256GB model with 12GB of RAM. Samsung also sells 512GB and 1TB versions, with 16GB of RAM in the 1TB model. Prices vary by country and retailer.
How thin and light is the Galaxy Z Fold 7?
It is 4.2 mm thick when unfolded and 8.9 mm thick when folded, and it weighs 215 grams, according to Samsung Newsroom. Samsung notes that weight may vary by country or region. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 was 12.1 mm thick when folded and weighed 239 grams.
Does the Galaxy Z Fold 7 support the S Pen?
No. Samsung removed S Pen support from the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to make the phone thinner and to improve display strength. There is no pen input on the inner display.
What cameras does the Galaxy Z Fold 7 have?
The rear cameras are a 200 megapixel wide camera, a 12 megapixel ultra wide camera and a 10 megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Both front cameras are 10 megapixels, and the main screen front camera has a 100 degree field of view.
How long will the Galaxy Z Fold 7 get updates?
Samsung promises seven years of major Android operating system and security updates, according to 9to5Google. The phone ships with Android 16 and One UI 8.
Is the Galaxy Z Fold 7 water resistant?
It is rated IP48, which covers water and dust larger than 1 mm. It is not fully sealed against fine dust, so keep it away from sand and dusty places where you can.
Sources
- Samsung Global Newsroom, [Galaxy Unpacked 2025] The Next Chapter in Personalized, Multimodal Galaxy Innovation: https://news.samsung.com/global/galaxy-unpacked-2025-the-next-chapter-in-personalized-multimodal-galaxy-innovation
- Samsung US Newsroom, Samsung Elevates the Foldable Era and Everyday Well-being with Global Launch of Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7 and Galaxy Watch8 Series: https://news.samsung.com/us/samsung-elevates-foldable-era-everyday-well-being-global-launch-galaxy-z-fold7-galaxy-z-flip7-galaxy-watch8-series/
- Samsung Newsroom UK, [Galaxy Unpacked 2025] A First Look at the Galaxy Z Fold7: Unfolding a New Standard in Foldable Design: https://news.samsung.com/uk/galaxy-unpacked-2025-a-first-look-at-the-galaxy-z-fold7-unfolding-a-new-standard-in-foldable-design
- Samsung UK, Galaxy Z Fold7 vs Galaxy Z Fold6 comparison: https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/galaxy-z-fold7-vs-galaxy-z-fold6-comparison/
- 9to5Google, Galaxy Z Fold 7 goes official with thin design, $2,000 price: https://9to5google.com/2025/07/09/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-official-price-specs/
- TechCrunch, Samsung launches Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, adds a cheaper Z Flip7 FE to its foldable lineup: https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/09/samsung-launches-z-fold7-and-z-flip7-adds-a-cheaper-z-flip7-fe-to-its-foldable-lineup/
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