Samsung has unveiled its latest foldable smartphones – the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 – which have taken a huge leap forward in terms of design, features and performance.
The new flagship devices were launched at the Galaxy Unpacked event in Brooklyn along with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series.
Pre-orders begin today will all new products going on sale on August 1.
Until now, foldable smartphones have been niche products enjoyed by high end users and fans of the form factor.
But Samsung’s seventh generation of foldables, especially the Galaxy Z Fold7, are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with a mobile device.
They are no longer bulky devices that were a burden to carry around and will be more attractive to regular smartphone customers.
In fact, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm when folded is not much thicker than the Galaxy S25 Ultra at 8.2mm.
The new Samsung foldables are also running the new One UI8 operating system with multi-model AI capabilities between Galaxy AI and Gemini which queries that can work across multiple apps.
SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD7
Just a year ago the Galaxy Z Fold 6 was 12.1mm when folded but 12 months later the device has shed some serious size and weight.
Today the Galaxy Fold7 is just 8.9mm when folded – that’s not much thicker than a regular smartphone.
Unfolded it is a svelte 4.2mm thick – that’s barely enough thickness to place the USB-C charging port.
“The Galaxy Z Fold7 combines Galaxy AI with powerful hardware to deliver our most advanced smartphone experience yet,” said TM Roh, President and Acting Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics.
“This next chapter of foldables brings together design and engineering, with AI built specifically for the foldable form.
“It gives people the ultra experience they want— powerful, immersive, intelligent, and portable all in one.”
And, despite its smaller and lighter dimensions compared to the Z Fold6, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is even more robust.
It is also sporting new Armor Flex Hinge which has a water droplet design and a multi-rail structure.
The Fold7’s front Dynamic AMOLED 2x cover screen is 6.5 inches with a wider shape and a larger aspect ratio.
The device opens to reveal the main 8-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X display which is 11 per cent larger than last year’s model.
The stunning large inside screen has a new structure to make it even more sturdy with a thinner internal display and thicker Corning Gorilla Victus glass to protect it.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 is powered by the purpose built Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor that offers superior NPU (41 per cent boost), GPU (26 per cent boost) and CPU (38 per cent boost) performance.
On the camera side, the Z Fold7 includes a 200-megapixel wide angle for the first time along with a 10-megapixel telephoto and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera.
Now customers who opt for a new Samsung foldable device will be able to enjoy a flagship camera system as well.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 also brings the power of AI to your fingertips with tools optimised for the larger display so you can edit videos and images with ease and see side by side comparisons of your work.
The device is running the new one UI 8 alongside Android 16 and introduces the latest AI powered platform for foldables including Gemini live which is enhanced with multimodal AI that can understand what users see, say and do.
This means you can seamlessly type or speak contextual questions and get answers without having to toggle back and forth between different apps.
And Galaxy AI has been optimised to deliver experiences that maximise the large foldable display with results featured either in separate split view or floating view right beside the original content.
The Fold7 has a 4,400 mAh battery that Samsung says will be able to offer 24 hours of video playback.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 will be available in three colours Jet Black, Blue Shadow
and Silver Shadow and will be priced at $2,899 (256GB), $3,099 (512GB) and $3,549 (1TB).
GALAXY Z FLIP7
The new Galaxy Z Flip7 has also had an overhaul with a larger front 4.1-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow – its largest front screen ever – and an internal 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate on both.
The Z Flip7 is also thinner than last year’s model but built with even more durability with the cover and back protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
It achieves this thinner yet stronger design thanks to an ultra-high density circuit board.
When folded, the Galaxy Z Flip7 is 13.7mm thick and 6.5mm unfolded.
“Galaxy Z Flip7 is proof that big intelligence can come in a small, pocket-sized form factor,” said TM Roh, President and Acting Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics.
“By bringing rich multimodal AI capabilities and seamless functionality to the FlexWindow, we’ve created a device that adapts, anticipates and empowers you, unlocking a smarter, more intuitive way to engage with your world.”
Camera-wise, the Flip 7 has a 50-megapixel wide-angle and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens.
The Galaxy X Flip7 will be attractive to anyone who loves taking selfies.
Users can activate the front-facing cameras which are embedded inside the 4.1-inch FlexWindow.
A double tap of the home button activates the camera to capture stills and videos.
And all you need to do to take those selfies is raise your palm to kick off the countdown timer.
It also has Dual Preview so the photographer and subject can see the framing of the image live on the flex window to ensure you nail the shot on the first attempt.
The Flex display can also access many apps and widgets which can be used and viewed while the device is still closed.
Running the new One UI 8 and Android 16, the device is built to offer multi-modal AI experiences and a new level of AI powered personalisation from wallpaper suggestions to emoji, colour and widget customisation.
The Galaxy Z Flip7 is powered by the Exynos 2500 3nm processor
Under the hood is a 4,300 mAh battery, the largest ever for the Z Flip, that can handle 31 hours of video playback on a single charge.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 will be available in Jet Black, Blue Shadow and Coral Red and priced at $1,799 (256GB) and $1,999 (512GB).
Samsung also announced the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE – a more affordable version of the foldable device.
The Z Flip7 FE has the same design as last year’s Z Flip6 but it does have an improved camera system, higher capacity battery and new processor.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE will be priced at $1,499.
SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH 8
Samsung has released the Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic with a strong design identity across the entire lineup.
These latest watches offer a more comfortable fit to allow for continuous health, fitness and wellness tracking.
“We are committed to empowering billions of people to live healthier lives through our innovative technology,” said TM Roh, President and Acting Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics.
“By combining purposeful design with advanced sensor technology and an intuitive AI-powered experience, the Galaxy Watch8 series serves as a starting point for a healthier, more connected life, making it easier than ever to take meaningful steps toward users’ well-being.”
Galaxy Watch8 has a slick profile and a screen that’s easily viewable in bright sunlight thanks to the peak brightness of 3000 nits.
Also on board is dual frequency GPS which offers even more precise location results.
On the performance side the watch is feature a 3nm processor to do not only provide fast performance but achieve greater power efficiency for longer battery life.
The Galaxy Watch8 and Watch8 Classic can track your sleep and offer insights into achieving even greater sleeping patterns and guidance on measuring your circadian rhythm.
Galaxy Watch8 also introduces antioxidant index which allows you to measure carotenoid levels in just five seconds to help you make important lifestyle choices to help with healthy ageing.
The Galaxy Watch8 is available in 44mm or 40mm sizes in graphite or silver. It is priced at $649 (40mm BT), $699 (44mm BT), $749 (40mm LTE) and $799 (44mm LTE)
Galaxy Watch8 Classic s available in 46mm in either black or white with both models also match with a range of stylish bands. It is priced at $899 (46mm BT) and $999 (46mm LTE).
The new Galaxy Watch Ultra is available in four titanium finishes including the new titanium blue. It is priced at $1,299 (47mm LTE).
* Stephen Fenech travelled to Brooklyn as a guest of Samsung Australia
